AVID Elective and Site Coordinator Toolbox

The AVID binder is a requirement for every AVID student. The AVID binder is one of the first ways that teachers will be able to identify AVID students. The AVID binder should be good quality, two-inch to three-inch binder.

It is important that your school faculty understands the AVID binder requirement and what a large component of the AVID program it is. In many AVID classes, the binder may be up to 50 percent of the AVID grade. On-going communication will be necessary with teachers to problem-solve how AVID students will be able to meet the binder requirement.

Middle School Binder Content

6th/7th Grade

• Two-three pages of notes per week for each academic classes (weekly total: 8–12 pages).

• Agenda/calendar completed each day with daily assignments recorded for all classes (parent signature may be

required).

• Handouts and returned work/tests are in appropriate sections.

• Minimum supplies include pencils, pens, and extra paper.

• Binder checked weekly.

8th Grade

• One page of notes or a learning log per day for each academic class (weekly total: 20 pages).

• Agenda/calendar completed each day with daily assignments recorded for all classes, plus extracurricular

activities (different colors of highlighters may be used to differentiate between assignments and tests).

• Handouts and returned work/tests are in appropriate sections.

• Minimum supplies include pencils, pens, highlighters, colored pencils, ruler, and extra paper.

• Binder checked weekly.

High School Binder Content

9th/10th Grade

• One page of notes or a learning log per day for each academic class (weekly total: 20 pages).

• Agenda/calendar completed each day with daily assignments recorded for all classes plus extracurricular activ-

ities, chores and/or other home responsibilities (effective use of different colors of highlighters required).

• Weekly and/or monthly goals may be included in agenda.

• Handouts and returned work/tests are in appropriate sections.

• Minimum supplies include pencils, pens, highlighters, colored pencils, ruler, calculator, and extra paper.

• Binder checked weekly.

11th /12th Grade

• Two pages of notes and/or learning logs per academic class every day (weekly total: 40 pages).

• Agenda/calendar completed for every class plus extracurricular activities, chores and/or home responsibilities,

part-time job, community service, AP study group times, etc. (effective use of different colors of highlighters

required).

• All college tests and application deadlines must be recorded in agenda.

• Handouts and returned work/tests are in appropriate sections.

• Minimum supplies include pencils, pens, highlighters, colored pencils, ruler, calculator, dictionary/thesaurus,

and extra paper.

• Binder checked every two weeks for 11th graders and monthly or randomly for 12th graders.

• 11th and 12th graders may be paired up with freshmen and serve as binder mentors if necessary.

Why are binders such a big deal?

The reason students need to carry a larger binder is so that they always have their notes and assignments with them to make good use of any free time during school. Students will also need to bring their notes to tutorials twice a week. In some cases, teachers want students to have a binder with four to five dividers just for their class.

How do I get binders graded every week?

AVID teachers must have clear, consistent expectations and communication with the students (and the tutors, if you have them) about how the binders will be checked and what will be checked every week.

If you have tutors, they can grade binders for you. Most likely though, do a mix-it-up activity to randomly pair the students together and have them trade-n-grade using the evaluation page. Establish procedures for how a student may conference with you, if he/she doesn’t agree with their peer-assigned grade.

AVID binders should ALWAYS pass the "Shake Test", where when you pick up the binder by the spine and *gently* shaking it, nothing falls out.

What about e-binders?

Students should keep their online resources organized as well. Creating a google form where students can include screenshots of their Google drive and online calendar might be a great additional layer.