WELCOME TO AVID!
AVID is the acronym for Advancement Via Individual Determination. It is a college preparatory course whose mission is “to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society.”
At Murchison, we are proud to be a National AVID Highly Certified Site! We offer 6th, 7th and 8th grade AVID classes taught by Laurie Henderson.
Who should take AVID?
- Students who want to attend college (a four-year university) after high school.
- Students who are willing to learn new skills that will support their success.
- Students who would like support in organization, public speaking, leadership, taking effective notes, effectively studying, self-advocacy and working collaboratively.
- Students who are motivated and care about their academic performance.
What do you do in AVID?
We learn college readiness skills and strategies that will help us maintain success both now and throughout college using the AVID Curriculum (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization and Reading –referred to as WICOR). Higher Order Thinking is embedded in each activity. We use Socratic Seminars, Philosophical Chairs, Four Corner Debates, Jigsaws and many other best practice strategies to challenge and defend our thinking/learning.
We are required each Thursday to bring questions (higher level) that we have from any of our core classes. We use these questions to have in-class (free) tutorials with AVID trained college tutors who assist us in the process of finding solutions to our questions. We work together because that’s how learning happens best. We don’t give away answers, but rather pose more questions to help our peers solidify their own learning. This occurs in our Collaborative Study Groups.
We visit a college each grading period. We also have guest speakers, other learning trips, and team building activities.
We have our weekly exam: the ABC’s. The A is our Agenda. Each week, we use our agenda to set SMART goals, to reflect on our learning from each class, and to keep organized on what’s coming up and/or needs to be turned in. The B is our Binders. We have ONE binder in which we keep up with our work for ALL of our classes. It really helps us to stay organized and on top of our work — especially homework. Our binders include our backpacks; they must be organized, too. The C is our Cornell Notes. We have to take one page per core class each week.
How do I get into the AVID class?
Step 1: Complete the AVID application and return it to an AVID teacher or the library: 6th Grade Application, 7th/8th Grade Application.
Step 2: Select it on your choice sheet. If you’ve already returned the choice sheet, step 1 still works.
Step 3: In the interview, be sure to let the teacher know you’re genuinely interested and be able to explain why you want to be in the class.
Step 4: If accepted into AVID, you will be required to take at least one class at a higher level than you have already chosen (unless you have already selected all advanced classes).
Step 5: After the interview, we will send letters letting you know your status! You will know shortly after spring break in March!
AVID is an elective and is a full year course.
AVID is more than a class. It is a family of achievers. We work together to help each other reach our aspirations. For more information about AVID, send us an email or visit the national website:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OLGILd8Mhs
For more information contact Laurie Henderson.