Our trip to OSU was great! We had sunny, 80 degree weather, walked thru the Kelley Engineering building (home to the Mars Rover), the library (open 24 hours a day, 5 days a week), and built our own wind turbines. We were lucky to have several college students conduct the tour and several parents/grandparents to chaperone – thanks to all who helped made this trip a success!
On February 19th over 500 plus students attended AVID-ize at Churchill High School. Students had the opportunity to learn more about motivation and individual determination with Ron Heagy’s message of “Never Giving Up” and interact with other AVID students throughout the district. Our students represented Madison well and had a great time!
We have had many guest speakers come to AVID to talk about their jobs! Some of our guests include an executive from the Eugene airport, lawyers, an army recruiter, a biochemist, and a police officer. Please send me an email if you would be interested in coming to our class to speak about your job!
We have also been practicing public speaking skills through impromptu speeches and mock interviews. We continue to work on organization by doing weekly binder and planner checks, note taking and study skills by taking Cornell notes, filling out weekly learning logs, and attending tutorials every Thursday staffed with specially trained AVID tutors. Our next big project is writing our memoir:).
Sorry I haven’t posted for awhile! Thanks to those of you who came to conferences – it was great to see you again.
This week we are reading articles about possible effects of raising the minimum wage. Our tutors come tomorrow and will help students mark the text in preparation for a Socratic Seminar on Wednesday.
We are also planning an ice cream sundae party this Wednesday to celebrate the end of a successful trimester!
One page of Cornell notes from a core class, due Wednesday (10/9)
On Friday, 10/4, we welcomed our first guest speaker, Carolyn Stephens, Deputy Director of the Eugene Airport (and wife of our awesome principal, Mr. Marsh!). Students learned all about the inner workings of our beloved local airport.
We also continue to work with our tutors on note-taking and study skills, and today we held our first Socratic Seminar. Discussion centered around what students would do if they ruled the school. They had some interesting and constructive ideas!
We are starting to use the Cornell note-taking system in regular classes. Our tutors also arrive this Tuesday and Thursday to help students structure and practice using their Cornell notes.
Handed out Monday, due Tuesday – Study Buddy Contract
Handed out Wednesday, due Thursday – Teacher Introduction Sheet
Handed out Thursday, due Friday – 5 guest speaker/field trip ideas
This week in AVID:
Binder organization! You can help by making sure students check binders each night.
Planners! You can help by checking planners nightly!
Study Buddy contracts – getting contact information from at least two other students in each class, for missing work and/or assignment questions.
Social skills – practicing interpersonal skills, like making eye contact and shaking hands.
You are invited to our first AVID meet and greet this Thursday (9/26) before Open House, from 5-6 in the cafeteria. Stop on by and enjoy a free pizza dinner! The entire family is welcome.
Students are encouraged to SLANT in all classes (Sit in the front, Lean forward, Ask questions, Nod your head, Talk to the teacher).
We are also working on keeping binders neat and organized, as well as doing daily binder checks.