Dear Parents:

Welcome to Avid/Study Skills for the next 12 weeks. Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is an in-school academic support program. I'm looking forward to helping guide your students in getting organized for their academic future. As Grace Fleming, a homework/study tips expert says, “The middle school years are so important for a student's academic career! This is a time when habits are formed that will remain with students through high school and college. It is important to lay a solid foundation when it comes to time management and taking responsibility for the actions that lead to school success! Middle school is the time to start using a planner the right way.”

As a middle school teacher for over 24 years, I often talk to students about their study habits. One of the first questions I ask students is “Do you use a planner?” The answer is often disappointing. It is almost impossible for a student to be successful at the middle school level if he/she does not write down or record their assignments and tests in a calendar format. This organizational skill precludes learning any other study skills strategy. Innovation Middle School provides a written planner for every student. Please check your students' planners each night. I will be checking planners everyday and they will receive points for this in their weekly Binder Check

Some students will have a Daily AVID Contract if I see that they are falling behind their classes or they are not following the expectations of an AVID student. I will also ask teachers to grade the students in the following areas: Being Prompt, Prepared, Productive, Following SLANT, and SOAR expectations. These will be part of their weekly grades.

Also, I expect that students will read independently Monday-Thursday. Studies have shown that students who read independently become better readers, score higher on achievement tests in all subject areas, and have greater content knowledge than those who do not. The more middle school-aged students read outside of school, the higher they scored on reading achievement tests. Multiple studies support that even a small amount of independent reading increases primary and elementary students’ reading comprehension, vocabulary growth, spelling facility, understanding of grammar, and knowledge of the world. I will expect them to read for 30 minutes, write the title and pages read. They must also get your signature for points.

Please take the time to review this information with your student. Study skills are the most important skills to master for students to get good grades.

Also, their first assignment will be a Binder/Backpack Check. Please look over the supplies that will be needed. Please let me know if you need help in gathering any of the supplies.

Please contact me with any questions or concerns at cmiller4@sandi.net.

Sincerely,

Christine Miller