The AVID Chronicle
OHMS AVID Newsletter
Fall Happenings
We have settled into a strong mid-semester routine and are continuing to write, ask questions, collaborate, and practice our organizational and reading strategies every day in AVID.
What have we been up to in class?
- AVID students are learning and practicing critical reading strategies that they can apply to each of their other classes and for the rest of their education. So far we have practiced first and second readings, marking the text, and writing in the margins.
- We are continuing to work on our focused note-taking skills. Using notes from academic classes, students work on processing and asking questions about what they have learned in class. Going back to your notes is imperative!
- 7th and 8th graders are beginning a writing project to learn and practice critical writing strategies like authentic writing, analyzing and responding to a writing prompt, brainstorming and organizing initial thoughts, peer editing and revising, finalizing, and writing to a rubric as evaluation.
- Every Wednesday and Thursday, students work together to gain a deeper understanding of core class content through collaborative study groups (read more below).
- AVID students celebrated Dia de los Muertos! Check out the photos from our celebration below!
AVID Collaborative Study Groups
Study groups happen weekly in AVID classrooms. Students work in small groups with a tutor or student leader assigned to each group. Students come to class prepared with a question they have or an objective they hope to achieve. Before study groups, students try to identify what parts of the question or objective they understand and where they get "stuck." The goal of study groups is to facilitate academic growth by focusing on the resources students have, inquiry, and collaboration. Students in the group ask questions to move the presenter further along in solving the problem or completing the task. Study groups allow students to act as both presenters as well as teachers. Zoom to check out the points of confusion they are working through!
AVID Students of the Month
6th Grade
Congratulations, Soleil Fullinck!
Soleil is enthusiastic about learning and has an AVID attitude! She has a positive mindset, shows integrity, and is an awesome collaborator during class discussions and group projects. Soleil shows strong leadership skills and challenges herself everyday!
7th Grade
Congratulations, Noemy Villegas-Martinez!
Noemy is a humble leader in her AVID class. She shows focus, drive, and effort in her work and strives to challenge herself to grow academically and as a person. She wants her classmates to succeed and is always available to offer help or to listen to her peers. She is a critical member of our AVID family!
8th Grade
Congratulations, Josh Barrera Lugo!
Josh is kind, selfless, hard-working, and a true leader. He will always help the people around him before he works on his own assignments, and is a patient and effective teacher. Our study groups and our every day discussions would not be the same without Josh's critical thinking and collaboration skills!
Dia de los Muertos in AVID!
AVID Strategy of the Month - Marking the Text
“Marking the Text” is an active reading strategy that asks students to think critically about their
reading. It helps students determine the essential information in a reading passage, isolating it visually from the rest of the surrounding text. While reading the text, students analyze ideas, evaluate ideas, and circle and underline essential information relevant to one’s reading purpose. With pencil in hand, students focus on what is being said in the text, leading to increases in comprehension and retention of textual material.
AVID Announcements!
- Plan on attending AISD's AVID family nights! Click here to learn more.
- GEAR UP and College and Career Fair on November 4th
- Please consider the amazing (and free!) virtual tutoring program that our O. Henry PTA has set up for our students: https://ohenrypta.org/new-virtual-academic-coaching/
O. Henry AVID Site Team
Jessica Dillenberger (6th grade AVID elective & AVID coordinator)
Macie Cohen (7th & 8th grade AVID elective & AVID coordinator)