• AVID Elective Class

    AVID is Advancement Via Individual Determination, a program for secondary students. Please visit http://www.avid.org/ for more information about AVID.

    AVID Purpose:

    The AVID program is a fourth- through twelfth-grade curriculum designed to prepare students for eligibility into a post-secondary vocational school and/or four-year college. AVID is abbreviated for Advancement Via Individual Determination.

    AVID Course Description:

    AVID class meets every day and is driven by the WICOR method, which stands for writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading. The AVID staff and students will work together as a learning community to build the skills necessary for academic success. This course is meant to ensure that students who have the potential, and put forth the effort, can successfully apply, enter, and achieve in a four year college.

    AVID Student Leadership:

    As an AVID student you are expected to exemplify leadership qualities, maturity, and responsibility. You are not only role models for the school, but you represent our program in each class that you attend. AVID students are required to become active in school activities; there are many clubs, organizations and sports teams in which students can participate, both at school and in the community. Involved students are successful students! Remember, colleges want students who are involved in extracurricular activities!

    AVID Study Groups (formerly known as “AVID Tutorials”): Tutors will come twice a week to work with our students (This semester we will have the tutors coming on Tuesdays and Thursdays). It is the students’ responsibility to have their Tutorial Request Forms (“TRF’s”), class Cornell Notes and other study resources prepared before they come to the Tutorial session. Notes are taken during the tutorial session along with a reflection and summary of what was discussed and learned during this important academic collaboration. TRF’s are part of the AVID grade. Study groups are NOT a tutoring session; to the contrary it is student-centered and student-lead process of inquiry. The tutors are a great support for our students as they strive for success in their more difficult classes. It is the student's responsibility to go online and download the Tutorial Sheet from the AVID website. Students are able to do this from home or the school library.

    AVID Binder Checks:

    An organized binder, complete with Cornell Notes, is a big part of the AVID success story. Students will receive a handout outlining the requirements and expectations of their AVID binder. Binders will be checked during BHS AVID Study Groups. Keeping this binder is one of the single most important tasks you have in AVID. A rubric will be provided. It is very important to keep your binder and BHS Agenda Book well organized by date and full of key academic information!

    AVID Learning Logs:

    Learning logs are class-learning reflections. These reflections represent a key component of the learning process.

    AVID Cornell Notes:

    Cornell Notes are two-column notes based on the AVID method of higher-level inquiry. Students are responsible for a set amount of Cornell Notes per grade.

    AVID Calendar:

    AVID students will receive an agenda book where they will record assignments and homework for their courses. Other entries should include tests, quizzes, projects, scholarship deadlines, club meetings, fund raising dates, school extra curricular activities, field trips, school holidays, and other special occasions. The AVID elective teacher and tutors will check the calendar weekly as part of the “Binder Check” grade.

    AVID Field Trips/ Guest Speakers:

    Numerous speakers from colleges, businesses, professions and motivational groups will visit our class. Students are required to take Cornell Notes and collect information and materials. The AVID program also includes field trips where students visit various colleges and universities. The costs for field trips vary and students are encouraged to participate in all funraising initiatives to help with program costs. If a student is financially unable to pay for a trip; limited sponsorships may be available.

    AVID Community Service:

    All AVID students are required to participate in Community Service projects with the school and/or within their

    AVID Grading Policy:

    The AVID course grade consists of the following:

    • Binder Checks
    • Study Groups
    • Classwork/ Activities
    • Volunteering/ Community Service
    • School Activity Participation

    AVID Materials:

    Your binder which will contain: subject dividers to separate each academic class (including AVID), zipper pouch to store supplies, two or more pens, two or more pencils, filler paper, agenda book, TRF’s (tutorial request forms), and learning logs. On tutorial days bring necessary materials for tutorial (books, notes, etc.)

    AVID Site Team

    Several teachers at Springer Middle School have been AVID trained in subject content areas and AVID instructional strategies. Please feel free to contact AVID Coordinator and Elective Teacher Ms. Crystal Bostick if you have any questions or interested in getting your child involved.