AVID
Course Description & Syllabus
2012-2013
Description of Course:
AVID is an elective course for students that are enrolled in a college preparatory sequence
(PreAP/AP). In the class students receive the scholastic and motivational support needed to succeed in advanced academics. Students are supported by an AVID trained teacher in allsubject areas, are coached by college tutors, and work in collaborative groups using acurriculum focused on writing and inquiry. In addition, days are devoted to reading, writing,and math preparation and study skills, and college entrance and placement exams.
Objectives:
The course will consist of lectures, group activities, and problem solving activities, class work, tutorials, field trips, guest speakers, and homework assignments. Students will be given opportunities to learn independently, from each other in-group settings, from college tutors through tutorials, as well as from their instructor. All students are expected to come to class each day with their assignments completed and be prepared to participate in the lesson.
The areas of study include but are not limited to: team building, classroom interaction, Cornell Notes, tutorials, time management, test taking strategies, writing skills, oral communication skills, strong study skills, goal setting, college entrance exams, and graduation requirements.
Grading Procedures including reteach/retest major grades:
Six weeks averages will be calculated in the following way:
Major Grade60%
Minor Grades30%
Homework10%
In order for the student to master the skills being taught, there will be homework 2-5 nights a week. The student is allotted time during class to begin the assignment, however it is up to the student to complete and have it in class the next day. The penalty for late homework is : 25points off for the first day late, 50 points off for the second day late, and a 0 will be placed in the grade book for the third day the assignment is late.
Other assessments will be performance-based. Oral presentations, notebook checks, participation in tutorials, note taking, timed writing, practice college entrance exams, and participation in Socratic Seminars will be just a few of the assignments that will make up their grades. Students are also required to develop and present the Multi-Grade Level Portfolio at the end of each year, representing their work in the AVID program.
Tutorials are imperative to the success of the student. Tutorials occur twice a week. Upon
arriving to class, the student MUST have questions already written. If they do not, they will
be assigned an alternate assignment which will be counted for half the tutorial with the other half
taking place after school.
If an AVID student fails a six weeks, they will be given the opportunity to receive instruction to recover six weeks grades through tutorials. The curriculum will recapture any skills they are lacking so that they are prepared to receive credit and also be prepared for the EOC/TAKS in April or May. The highest grade a student can earn is 75.
Tutoring Times:
AVID teachers are available every week after school Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 2:30-
4:00 unless otherwise stated during class.
Test Days and Exemption Information:
AVID test days are Monday and Thursday. Students are required to take their fall final in AVID. During the second semester they may exempt their final by meeting the requirements set out by KleinForest.
Instructor Information:
Ms. Marcie Thompson
Room: 105
Conference Period: 6th (12:50 – 1:35)
Email:
Website:
Classroom Phone #: (832) 484-4478
Supplies & Notebook:
All students are required to bring the following supplies to class every day…
- 1.5” binder (students usually like to get the white ones with a clear pocket on the front)
- 1” binder (this will be for the portfolio)
- 20 dividers
- 50 sheet protectors
- Composition tablet
- 100 page college ruled notebook
- Book * *
- Loose leaf paper
- Supply pouch
- 2-4 pencils
- Map pencils
- 2-4 black or blue pens
- 2 red pens
- 1 large eraser
- 2 highlighters (different colors)
- Ruler
- 2-4 GB USB Drive
- 800 index cards for SAT vocabulary
- Reinforcers
** There will be a book that the AVID students will read during the second semester of this school year. The name of the book is called The Pact which is an inspirational book about three young men pursuing the dream of a college education. The book will be needed in class on February 4, 2013. It can be found at local bookstores at regular price, or on for as little as $1.00. The authors of the book are Dr.Sampson Davis and George Jenkins.
All students are required to have an AVID binder. The purpose of the binder is to keep students organized! It is important to have all syllabuses, all papers that are graded and not graded, and will help them if there is a grade discrepancy. Binder checks will be done randomly throughout the week, EVERY Friday and will count as a percentage of their grade
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