Rita Tyler - NovaNET/AVID

AVID I, II, III, IV

We are exploring colleges in all AVID classes, with an emphasis on matching goals and abilities to college choices for AVID I and II, while exploring actual college choices with AVID III and IV.  After spending time with out "Talking Heads", we will be exploring  Multiple Intelligences  and how they relate to our view of our own abilities.  Then we will move into public speaking with an emphasis on presenting speeches to each class which will be videotaped and critiqued at a later date.

AVID I, II, III, IV

We have hired a tutor and are thrilled to have Mr. B with us, especially since he is a math teacher!  Remember, Math I and II students, you do not need a ticket to go to tutorials as long as you tell them you are an AVID student.  I know for a fact that those students who are attending tutorials regularly have improved their grades tremendously.  Remember, we can give you the tools you need to succeed, but we cannot force you to use them.  And by committing to the AVID program, you are saying that you will do what you need to do to be successful.  There will be some mid-semester changes for those who do not follow through with their commitment.

We will beginning a new FREE SAT course on-line.  It offers many, many benefits for those of you who will be taking the SAT as well as the PSAT.  Remember, Juniors, you can pay a small fee and take the PSAT to qualify for national merit scholarships.  It will be given on October 14th.  Hopefully we will begin the class this week, once I figure out all the essentials. 

We are also doing the background work for our first philosophical chairs session.  Freshman and sophomores will be exploring the issue of music downloading, while juniors and seniors are investigating the causes of school violence.

AVID I, II, III, IV

Some students are still struggling with organized binders. With a few exceptions, students should have one binder for all classes.  Within the binders, each class must be separated with dividers.  The class syllabus must behind the first divider of each class. Students must be taking Cornell notes in each class, making sure that their name, the date, the class, the topic and the summary is included. Assignments must be recorded every day in agendas.  All papers must be placed behind the dividers, not in pocket folders on the dividers. Neatness counts!!

We have been learning/reviewing Costa's Levels of questioning.  First, we went back to our childhoods with a bedtime story. We had juice and cookies and donuts as we read The Three Little Pigs or Little Red Riding Hood.  Then we worked on different questions for each of Costa's levels.  Finally, we have been listening to different songs chosen by each student, with their own questions to promote the meaning of the songs.  This is all in preparation for the tutorials which should start next week.  Enjoy the holiday!

AVID I, II, III, IV

We have all survived our first week of school and are off to a great start!  It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces, as well as so many new faces who have committed themselves to rigorous classes and excelling at academics.  We are in the midst of covering AVID basics such the Binder, Cornell Note taking, Organizational skills, etc.  We will have our first Binder check next week on Thursday or Friday.  As it is worth 30% of your grade, please be sure to have a pencil pouch, dividers, agenda, and most importantly, Cornell Notes in all academic areas. Juniors need to be taking the SAT or ACT this fall, and Seniors need to be filling out college applications right now!