Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is an academic course that prepares students for college and career readiness and success and is scheduled during the regular school day as a year-long course. Each week, students receive instruction utilizing a rigorous college preparatory curriculum provided by AVID Center, tutor-facilitated study groups, motivational activities and academic success skills. In AVID, students participate in activities that incorporate strategies focused on writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization and reading to support their academic growth. Students will develop awareness of the values accompanying academic goals and success. The course will focus on building self-confidence and communication skills in working with peers and adults. Students will be exposed to reading strategies that will assist in vocabulary building and understanding a variety of texts, and will also focus on prewriting techniques, summary writing and structural components of note-taking. The students will increase college and career awareness through guest speaker presentations, field trip opportunities and research.

AREAS OF CURRICULUM:

1. Character Development: The student will set goals, further his/her self awareness, get involved in the community and in school, and take ownership of his/her learning.

2. Communication: The student will refine his//her speaking and listening skills for all audiences.

3. Writing: The student will learn critical academic writing, personal writing.

4. Inquiry: The student will learn Costa’s levels of questioning and will develop his/her critical thinking skills through the use of tutorials, Socratic seminars, and Philosophical Chairs.

5. Collaboration: The student will continue to refine his/her collaboration skills through team building, tutorials, group projects, and a family-like classroom environment.

6. Organization: The student will learn to use specific tools to organize his/her academic and social lives. This unit will also include test taking strategies and time management.

7. Reading: The student will understand text structures, apply prior knowledge and make connections; make predictions, ask questions and create visual images as they read. Students will strategically gain meaning, understanding and knowledge from print and other media. Reading will be purpose driven and interactive.