AVID 10

Welcome to AVID 10 - Syllabus

What is AVID?

(AVID) is an academic elective course that helps students become college ready and find success in academically challenging high school classes. In AVID, students participate in activities that incorporate strategies focused on writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading to support their academic growth. Additionally, students engage in activities centered around exploring college and career opportunities and their own agency.

Highlights of the 10th grade AVID elective: 

• Focused note taking (HOW to take notes/utilize notes to study/ be successful in the HS classroom)
• Goal setting!
• Grade checks/how to become a self advocate! 
• Tutorials (the process/ reaping the benefits of working TWO days a week in AVID on content area questions)
• Community Service
• Argumentative Essay Unit
• Help with Organization! (Binders/Agendas/tips and tools)
• Interview Skills and Mock Interviews
• Career Unit (exploring what careers and professional environments work best for each student)
• College Exploration and Research 
• SAT Vocab
• Creating/growing a community in the classroom

Grading Policy

Grading will be based on

• In class participation
• Tutorials
• 85 checks (includes focused notes from OTHER classes and organization)
• The AVID curriculum

85 Checks:    

Every Monday, each student will check in with either Mrs. Law or myself. We will be looking for 85% attendance, a grade 85% or above in all of their classes and 85 minutes spent studying or completing homework. Students will be asked to provide 2 sets of FOCUSED NOTES from their academic classes (Math, Science, History, English, etc.) and complete an organization check. They will be graded on their focused notes, their 85 minutes of study time and their organization.

Tutorials:          

Students will work in cooperative groups in days a week. Each student is required to complete a Tutorial Request Form (TRF) each week BEFORE class on Tuesday. Tutors will facilitate the tutorials groups.  Each TRF will be worth 25 points and includes participation within the tutorial group.

Participation:

Entries, quick writes, field trips, activities completed as a class, etc. will all be included in the participation grade. 

Curriculum/Other: 

Curriculum will include writing, reading work, college research, and projects. In AVID, students also participate in motivational activities including college and career research, college and career outreach speakers, field trips to colleges and other educational opportunities in their communities, and service learning experiences. These activities provide students with the resources they need to learn about many positive opportunities available to them in the community that will impact their future.

Typical Weekly Schedule:

Contact Information ­­­­—

I am extremely glad you decided to continue on your AVID adventure here at RHS.  You were personally selected for this program, you have the potential to achieve your dreams and goals! I feel truly honored to be your teacher. I love my job and believe in the value of education and this program. I can’t wait to create our school family. Please feel free to contact me anytime with questions or concerns- more than anything, I desire for every student to succeed.

I can be reached at Rogers High School at 509-354-6636 or by email at chandraa@spokaneschools.org. You will have class with me in the AVID classroom N156 but my room is N255. I will be here before school and after school if you need to get ahold of me.

Dear Parent/Guardian,

It is my honor to teach your student this year. I believe that there are many factors that will aid your student’s success, but none greater than their ability to put forth effort and work hard. I also believe that our communication will aid in their success.

You know your student better than anyone and I am excited to hear what you think would best meet their academic needs. Through this communication, I will better understand your students background in school and at home. I am asking for your email address and phone number so I have a good way to reach you regarding your students’ progress in my class. All information on what will be assigned during class and when it is due will be posted in your students Teams.

Throughout the year, I am also happy to discuss your students current grade, as well as how your student can improve their grade. In order to open the lines of communication I am asking that you take a moment to tell me a little about your student. Consider the strengths and weaknesses they bring to my class, factors that may influence their ability to be successful, and any other information that you think is important. Thank you in advance for taking the time to communicate with me! __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________

Here are my plans for maintaining communication with you this year. I will:

• Post student grade online that you will be able to access with a username and password.
• Promptly reply to emails, letters and phone calls. E-mails are the best way to reach me quickly.
• Meet with you if/when it is deemed necessary.
• Provide paper copies of the grade reports to you via your student if you do not have access to the internet.

Sincerely,

Chandra Abney

chandraa@spokaneschools.org