AVID Curriculum

AVID Elective students will learn to develop and refine their:

Writing skills:

• • Write objectively- using evidence to support claim.

  • Analyze the organization and the sentence structure of writing for voice, flow, and clarity.

  • Edit their writing for convention errors, voice, and clarity.

  • Take Focused Notes as study and learning tools.

  • Summarize their understanding and thinking.

Inquiry Skills:

• • Use questioning techniques to think critically and determine their point of confusion.

  • Participate in Inquiry-based Tutorial sessions to solve points of confusion (POC) (e.g., a specific flaw in their understanding or comprehension of a content/concept).

  • Reflect on the process, their learning, progress, growth, and success.

  • Conduct research and construct claim.

Collaborative Skills:

• • Demonstrate ability to listen and speak effectively during interactions.

  • Demonstrate open-mindedness- ability to understand different views.

  • Deepen relationships with others.

Organizational Skills:

• • Use organizational tools (e.g. Binders, digital folders, Focused Notes, Planner, Calendar, Assignment Log) that support academic success and a balanced life.

  • Set goals, create plans of action, and monitor progress.

  • Manage themselves and their time to achieve goals.

Reading Skills:

• • Use pre-reading techniques to make predictions.

  • Read with a purpose in mind.

  • Use reading strategies (e.g. Marking Text, Charting Text, Annotating Text, Questioning Text) to deepen understanding and extend their thinking.

Twice a week in the AVID Elective class, AVID Elective students will participate in an inquiry-based tutorial session to solve points of confusion (POC).

What is the difference between the traditional tutoring and the inquiry-based tutorial?

Unlike traditional tutoring, the answers and step-by-step instructions on how to solve specific problems are not provided. Instead, students with a POC arrive at a solution by listening and answering to probing and guiding questions posed by a small group of their peers under the supervision of their AVID tutor and AVID Elective teacher.

What are the benefits of the Inquiry-Based Tutorial?

This method allows students to become self-directed learners. The benefits are as followed:

• Promote ownership of learning.

• Promote critical thinking skills.

• Promote inquiry skills.

• Promote problem-solving skills.

• Promote collaborative skills.

• Promote communication skills.

• Promote high school, college and career readiness.

How does the tutorial process work?

Before the Tutorial:

• While completing their assignments, interacting with their Focused Notes, or reviewing for a test, AVID students will use their Tutorial Request Form (TRF) to identify their POC.

• Students will then submit their TRF in the designated box by 8am the morning of their scheduled tutorial session.

During the Tutorial:

• AVID Elective teacher/tutor will place students in tutorial groups of seven or fewer and will facilitate the process .

• Designated student presenters will explain what they know and present their POC during a 30-Second speech.

• All members will take 3-Column Notes to record steps in the learning process.

• Group members will then engage in asking questions to prompt and guide presenters and each other to think critically about the solution.

After the Tutorial:

• All students will write a reflection on their learning process on the TRF and submit it for grading and feedback.

From the start, AVID applicants are provided with experiential learning opportunities- practical experiences beyond the classroom's wall. The AVID application and selection process reflects the high school and college acceptance process as well as employees' recruitment and hiring process.

Thanks to this experiential approach to teaching and learning, AVID Elective students will continue to have many opportunities to explore and discover their interests, research and visit high schools and colleges, investigate careers, interact with motivational speakers and employers, and partake in community service activities within the school and community.

These practical experiences will allow AVID Elective students to:

• Learn how to effectively manage stress and anxiety levels in their academic and personal life.

• Explore and identify activities that promote healthy and balanced lifestyles.

• Gain awareness of their personal and academic interests.

• Develop an awareness of personal and academic abilities and skills (e.g., Identify and refine personal attributes/character traits).

• Be able to understand and make connection between learning and real-world experiences.

• Learn how to advocate for themselves and others.

• Learn how to set themselves up for success in high school (e.g., Enrollment in rigorous courses starting in middle school).

• Prepare for college entrance (e.g., GPA, Course Selections, PSAT, PreACT, SAT, ACT).

• Learn how to determine the best academic and career fit when selecting a high school program, college, or a career pathway.

• Learn how to research and obtain scholarships.

• Develop their leadership skills (e.g., Understand the impact of their decisions on their life, community, and environment).

• Pursue leadership opportunities within the school and community.