Post date: Feb 6, 2018 8:23:35 PM
In this month’s AVID Newsletter you'll find information on AVID tutorials, AVID recruitment at Kennedy High School, Indian Mounds’ 5th grade field trip to the Science Museum of Minnesota, Kennedy AVID students’ visit to Valley View Middle School, Valley View Middle 7th grade AVID students’ life lines, the WICOR strategy language function/compare and contrast, AVID Weekly article information, and AVID professional development opportunities.
Spotlight on Bloomington AVID
What are AVID Tutorials?
Twice weekly, during the AVID elective (grades 7-12), students participate in inquiry-based, student-led tutorials where they work with a group and a tutor to structure higher-level thinking questions to guide one another through points of confusion identified in their daily work from other content area classes. There are 10 steps to the tutorial process.
KHS AVID Recruitment at OGMS
Kristin Donnelly and Trisha Meyer, AVID Site Coordinators at Kennedy High School, visited Oak Grove Middle School to share information about AVID. Eighth graders learned about the purpose of AVID and how the elective works to support students in rigorous coursework designed to prepare them for the college/career of their choice. Current 8th graders from both Oak Grove and Valley View Middle Schools have the opportunity to apply for AVID as freshmen. Students submit a written application along with letters of recommendation from teachers, and interview with AVID leadership. They will be notified of their acceptance status before the end of this school year.
IM 5th Graders’ Science Museum Trip
Fifth grade students at Indian Mounds visited the Science Museum of Minnesota recently. While there, they were able to see the IMAX movie called “Dream Big,” and experiment with exhibits focusing on sports, cells, Minnesota history, cardboard, light, and more!
KHS AVID Students Visit VVM
Five Kennedy AVID 11 students joined Valley View Middle School’s Academic Seminar recently to answer questions posed by AVID 7 students about high school and AVID. Students prepared the day before the panel by brainstorming possible questions to ask. Seventh graders were most interested in how AVID has helped them in high school and what the differences between the middle school and high school AVID elective are.
VVM 7th Graders Lifelines
AVID 7 students at Valley View Middle School spent time recalling important events in their lives in preparation for writing a memoir. In addition to recording special moments, students also added a line to represent their feelings throughout their lives in connection with these events.
AVID Weekly Article of the Month
Elementary: Inspired by Origami, Scientists Build Artificial Muscle that Lifts 1,000 Times its Own Weight
In this article, the author describes a new style of artificial muscles that are made with soft parts in order to remain strong and dexterous.
Secondary: Americans are Dying Younger than People in Other Rich Nations
In this article, the author discusses the direct connection between the declining rate of Americans’ life expectancy and politics.
All AVID Weekly articles, lesson plans and activities are archived monthly and are available in the following Google Folders for anyone to access and use:
AVID Support and Events
AVID Path Trainings through Equity Alliance
LOCATION: 6063 Hudson Rd, Woodbury, MN
COST: $325/person
STRANDS:
FREE AVID Site Team Workshop
Modules include using the “why” to inspire achievement, using data to tell your AVID story, and Socratic methodologies. To register go to my.avid.org.
FREE AVID Elective Teacher Workshop
Modules include navigating change through the use of data and leveraging AVID to advance campus/district initiatives.
Online AVID Support
Daily/weekly elective class lesson plans
Informational/instructional videos, handouts and downloads covering many AVID Essentials, including Writing, Inquiry, Tutorials, Data and Site Teams.
AVID Professional Learning Modules*
AVID Professional Learning Modules are 90-minute sessions which focus on one aspect of AVID K–12 implementation. They can each be used on their own for a short professional learning opportunity, or they can be assembled together to create a full day or multi-day professional learning event. The goal of these modules is to support AVID program staff and District Directors in implementing the AVID College Readiness System with fidelity and depth.
*If you would like access to any of these resources and do not currently have an account on my.avid.org, contact Kelly Killorn-Moravec