Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID 10)

Advancement Via Individual Determination

Streisand Hall

(925) 833-3300 ext. 7136

Room H5

Course Description

The course is designed for students who elect to take a course that prepares them for the rigor required for college work. The goal is not only for students to graduate from high school, but to also successfully enroll in and graduate from a 4 year college. While concurrently enrolled in a college-prep course of study, students learn strategies to enhance success by working individually, as well as in tutor-led collaborative groups. The AVID curriculum focuses on writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization and reading (WICOR) with a focus in note taking, outlining, writing, speaking, reading, test taking strategies and self-awareness. In addition, students participate in motivational and leadership development activities.

Student Responsibilities

·  All students are required to sign and adhere to the AVID contract.

·  Students will complete the “a-g” course requirements for entrance to the University of California and/or California State University.

·  All students will take the PSAT on Saturday, October 18, 2014.

·  Be prepared for all classes. (Homework complete, in seat prior to tardy bell)

·  Be respectful of others by listening to your teacher, tutors and classmates.

·  Comply with all school and class policies and procedures.

Grading Policy

Each type of assignment will have the following weight on your final grade:

·  Binder/Planner…..40%

·  Tutorials…..20%

·  Projects…..20%

·  Classwork/Citizenship …..20%

Your final letter grade will be based on the following percentages: A 90-100%

B 80-89%

C 70-79%

D 60-69%

F Below 60%

Materials

·  a 2-2.5 inch, 3 ring binder

·  approximately 10–15 dividers

·  binder paper

·  spiral bound notebook

·  highlighters (1-2 different colors)

·  post-its

·  AVID Planner

Planner and Calendaring Requirements

·  Record homework for all classes daily. If there is no homework, write “none.”

·  Use the daily schedule to write down when you plan on completing your nightly homework, sports practices, family activities, other extracurricular activities, favorite TV shows, etc.

·  As you complete each night’s homework assignment, indicate that it has been done (use a check mark, highlight the assignment or neatly cross off).

·  Meet weekly with your parents/guardians to SIGN your planner (Sunday evenings work well) to plan and record family time/activities.

·  Use the monthly calendar to plan long term projects.

·  Plan and accomplish one weekly goal. Goals must be measurable. (ie – review class notes for 10 minutes each evening, study 2 days in advance for science test, get help from teacher this week, etc)

AVID Binder and Planner Requirements

·  Binders and planners will be due on Fridays at the beginning of the period. You are to keep all your subjects’ assignments in one 3-ring binder (preferably 2-2.5 inches wide).

·  Students will maintain their binders and planners daily.

·  Binders and planners will be graded using a rubric. Each binder/planner check is worth 100 points.

·  You are to have at least 2 dividers for each of your academic courses (unless subject teacher says otherwise). Papers should be organized by date with the most recent on top.

·  If your subject teacher does not tell you how to organize your binder, then please label your 2 dividers as follows for that particular subject: “Notes” and “Other” (add more sections if you’d like)

·  For the AVID section of the binder, label 3 dividers as: Notebook, Tutorials, Handouts.

Cornell Notes

·  You are required to take at least 15 pages of Cornell style notes per week – each subject must have at least 2 pages. The remaining pages may be taken for the subject(s) of your choice.

·  Before binders are collected on Friday, all the week’s notes should already be in the corresponding subject’s “Notes” section of your AVID binder. If needed, use Post-Its to tag each page of notes.

·  The date must always be written in INK. If students change dates on their notes, they will receive a zero for that binder. Other consequences may also be given.

·  Only Cornell style notes will be accepted. Summaries must be completed to show that you have processed the material.

·  One full page reflection/learning log may be used as a substitute for up to one page of notes per class, per week.

Tutorials

·  For each tutorial, you are required to complete the “Pre-Work” page of the Tutorial Request Form in regards to one of your classes. The original question should be one you truly don’t know the answer to and need the help/support of your classmates to arrive at the correct answer. To your benefit, this should be done the previous night as you are reviewing notes or doing homework. All parts of the “Pre-Work” will require you to write meaningful responses in order to arrive at a specific point of confusion.

·  Tutorial request forms are due by the beginning of 4th period to Mrs. Hall. Each tutorial is worth 50 points. If you do not turn in a tutorial form on time, you will lose 20 points.

·  Tutorial groups will be assigned by Mrs. Hall and will typically be subject specific. You are expected to work in your groups and help each other learn what is necessary to be successful in the subject.

·  You are to bring your notes, binder and any other materials that are needed to help you focus and learn during tutorial. Tutorials are a privilege, and the AVID program expects you to use the time appropriately.

Attendance / Absent Work

Being in class everyday is extremely important. Many AVID activities are most beneficial when you are in class participating and experiencing the learning along with your classmates.

·  It is your responsibility to find out what you missed during your absence. Please see Mrs. Hall the day you return from each absence for instructions on all makeup work (even if you think you know what we did) or you may lose points on any assignment you missed.

·  You are responsible for reminding Mrs. Hall about getting your binder checked immediately on the day you get back from an absence or you will earn a zero.

·  If you are absent during an activity that is not possible to makeup outside of class (tutorial, Socratic seminars, motivational activities, speakers, etc), you may be required to do a makeup assignment.

·  You will have the same number of days you were absent to make up your work, unless a due date was given in advance to which you knew of (binder checks, tutorial forms, etc).

Progress Reports, Quarter Grades, and Improvement Plans

It is crucial for your involvement in the program to earn grades C- or above and maintain a 2.5 GPA. In addition, AVID participants are expected to be model students around campus (see AVID Contract). To help in your success of these goals, the follow procedures are in place.

·  For each report card (progress and quarter), you will earn 50 points if all your grades are above a C-.

·  If even one of your grades is below a C-, you will be required to complete an Improvement Plan to earn back your 50 points. You will meet with your subject teacher and discuss 2 goals to improve your grade. Your teacher will then verify in a few weeks if you have completed both goals in order for you to earn your full 50 points.

Volunteer/Community Service Hours

·  You are required to complete 10 hours of community service each semester.

·  In order to receive credit for your hours, you will be required to obtain proof for your service hours (ie. appropriate signature or letter) and write a short description of the work you did. You can download a form from Mrs. Hall’s website, fill in the necessary parts and obtain the appropriate signature.

·  Babysitting, yard work, private personal work, etc for no pay cannot be included.

·  Helping a teacher on campus is acceptable as long as you obtain the appropriate signature.

·  Appropriate signatures must be obtained from the supervisor of the activity, manager of the organization, etc. Parent signatures are not appropriate signatures.

·  If you’re unsure if a particular service is appropriate, please check with Mrs. Hall before committing.

Participation

·  You will begin the semester with 200 participation points.

·  To keep your points, you need to:

Ø  Come to class on time.

Ø  Be prepared with your materials.

Ø  Have notebook and binder out on desk when the final bell rings.

Ø  Participate in the day’s activity.

Ø  Not eat during or bring food/drinks to class.

Ø  Not disrupt the class (talking, distracting others, head down, etc).

In addition, you can lose points if any of your teachers contact me with their concerns about poor behavior, incomplete assignments, etc. Your parents will also be contacted and/or you will have a meeting with Mrs. Rubio and me.

Miscellaneous Information

·  Students will receive two bathroom passes per semester.

·  You may write in pencil, black ink or blue ink. (10% of assignment will be deducted)

·  Typed work is always appreciated.

·  All assignments should be neat and legible. (If I can’t read it, I can’t grade it.)

·  All assignments need a title, your name and the date. (10% of assignment will be deducted)

·  Always follow both written and verbal directions. (10% of assignment will be deducted)

------(keep attached) ------

I have read and understand the policies listed above. I, the student, will keep a copy in my binder at all times and refer to this sheet throughout the year.

Student (print): ______Student (signature): ______

Parent/guardian (signature): ______