Advanced Academics Newsletter
AVID, AIM/GT, IB, PBL, Pre-AP/AP, & UIL Academics
October is Here!
Differentiation takes time and planning. There's an infinite amount of strategies and resources available, but which ones will work for your students? Great teachers are always on the hunt for new resources that address their students' needs. This monthly newsletter will provide a ready-to use instructional strategy and pd resources. It will also serve to highlight some of the many great things happening in our advanced academics program.
Virtual Six hour GT Update, Three Easy Steps!
https://manor.schoolobjects.com//wshop/default.aspx?cid=4247
2. Check out "Teaching Gifted Kids in Today's Classroom" from your campus library.
3. Complete and upload the assignment in google classroom!
GT Nomination Window is Open! August 28-November 10
While each gifted student is unique, there are common characteristics among gifted students. Students may not experience all characteristics at the same time. A student may also be bright but not gifted. Some characteristics of bright vs. gifted students can be found here. Any student, teacher, or parent may nominate a student for GT Identification. Both quantitative and qualitative data is gathered during the testing process
Parent Nomination Form (English)
Parent Nomination Form (Spanish)
Questions? Contact your Campus GT Coordinator or Lisa Kutsch.
AVID Strategy to Try Now : Quick Writes!
"Write like your fingers are on fire"-Kathi Appelt
WHAT IS IT
A brief written response to a question or probe that requires students to rapidly explain or comment on an assigned topic (Green, Smith & Brown, 2007; Nunan, 2003). Teachers may give a prompt or pose a question and give students several minutes (ranging from 5-10 minutes) to form a written response, either as a review or synthesis of learned materials or as preparation for new content.
WHEN TO USE IT
Quick Write can be used at the beginning, middle, or end of the class (Mason, Benedek-Wood & Valasa, 2009). If placed at the end of class, Quick Writes may involve students writing about what they learned, what problems they encountered, what they liked or disliked about the lesson, and whether they understood the concepts (Literacy & Learning, n.d.).
- Informal Writing
Quick Writes differs from traditional writing as students can let their thoughts flow freely without focusing on correctness and revision (Tompkins, 1994). It presents writing as a non-threatening and informal opportunity for students to express their thoughts (Fisher & Frey, 2008)
- Promotes Reflection
It can also be used to promote reflection and recall of learned concepts, summary of content, and expression of thoughts before oral presentation to others (Mason, Benedek-Wood & Valasa, 2009; University Writing Council, 2011)
- Writing Practice
It provides a timesaving form of writing practice for students to become clear and fluent thinkers and writers (Ward, 2013).
- Detect Gaps
It has also been found to especially benefit low-achieving students (Mason, Benedek-Wood & Valasa, 2009) because teachers can detect gaps in student understanding for remediation (Green, Smith & Brown, 2007).
Contributed by Dana Fitzpatrick, Secondary ELA Coordinator
Want More Resources about Quick Writes??
OME AVID Students Collect Supplies for Houston-area AVID school
Contributed by Pretesia Hunt, OME AVID Site Coordinator
AVID Tutors Arrive at Decker University!
AVID Scholars will bring questions twice a week from their content-area classes. These questions can be from homework, quizzes, or tests. With a small group of peers and a tutor, students collaborate to work through their chosen problem and misconceptions.
On October 5th, DMS AVID students will be going to their 1st AVID College Visit to University of Texas! AVID isn’t just a class, it is a family of support to guide personal and academic success! Decker University is excited about a successful 2017-2018 school year!
Contributed by Brittani Hauser, DMS AVID Teacher