AVID Curriculum Ideas

Some observers from AVID in San Diego recently visited some schools in Washington. To their amazement, only a few of the many classes they visited were working on actual AVID curriculum. Most of the classrooms were using materials they had developed themselves.

Maybe, AVID teachers feel compelled to create. After all schools pick AVID teachers because they are good educators. Maybe, most of us wanted to impress the visitors when they came to our classes. The observers did not think people were being

Besides college readiness, if there is a common theme to AVID teachers' work it is that there is never enough time. I've got an answer to the problem. Use the AVID curriculum for a vast majority of your work and save yourself some time. Students will benefit from the 30 years of curricular development. Your district spent time and money to have you trained in the curriculum and purchase a library for you to use. Put that money to good use.

Affirmations

Once in a great while I like to mix it up for tutorials. I want the kids to build a relationship with the tutors and vice versa. Sometimes we do affirmations. I found a few of websites with lots of ideas through google searches. I print out a choice list for each group. The tutors ask for a number between 1 and 30 and they read the affirmation for the group. Everyone has the option to answer and tell why they feel the way they do.

Afterwards, students journal what they learned about themselves and others. They can even create some affirmations for the next time. I do this three or four times per year. Below is an example.

1. What kind of music would be torture to listen to for an hour? Why?
2. Describe what you fear.
3. What movie have you watched four times or more? Why?
4. What is your favorite line in a movie?
5. What was the most memorable news you ever watched or heard about?
6. What is the best sport in the world?
7. What do you think is the most boring sport?
8. What is your favorite beverage to have for breakfast?
9. What is one food that makes you say "yuck"?
10. How do you feel about toast? Be honest.
11. What do you like on top of your pancakes?
12. What's your favorite kind of store?
13. I would like to donate a large sum of money to a worthy cause. Which cause would you suggest?
14. Have you ever waved to someone, only to realize that they weren't the right person?
15. Which is the best bumper sticker you have come across?
16. Describe your dream car.
17. What color car would you never want?
18. Would you wear your seatbelt if it wasn't required by law?
19. What is your favorite Candy Bar?
20. You can meet three famous people for a dinner. They can be anyone alive today or someone from the past. Who do you pick?
21. Describe a TV ad that is terrific.
22. Describe a TV ad that is terrible.
23. Would you be embarrassed to work at McDonalds?
24. Would you rather have your own airplane or submarine?
25. Name or describe the best fast food ever.
26. You invite people over to make your speciality. What do you cook for the group?
27. What video game best represents your life?
28. You can have a cell phone (without television but it has everything else) or a television with cable. Which do you choose?
29. What is your favorite card game to play with family or friends?
30. Describe the best way you ever spent money.

Journal at the end:
• What do you learn about others when we do these kinds of things?
• What do you learn about yourself?
• What do you like about affirmations?
• What do you not like about affirmations?

• Create some of your own for next time.

Smithsonian Institute Internship

Courtesy of Karen Lewis, Director of AVID's Western Division..."As part of the continuing trend to provide not only your district but your students with various educational opportunities, HACU is pleased to forward the following information for the Smithsonian Latino Center on their 2009 Young Ambassadors Program. The Young Ambassadors is a national leadership development program for high school seniors with the aim to cultivate the next generation of Latino leaders in the arts and culture fields through one-on-one interaction with artists, curators, historians, and other museum and arts professionals. This program is made possible through the generous support of Ford Motor Company Fund.

The Smithsonian Latino Center is looking for graduating high school seniors with an interest and commitment to the arts (e.g. film, dance, design, music, visual, performing, and/or literary arts) and a GPA of 3.25 or above to participate in a one week internship at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington. DC. Through the Ford Motor Company, all meals, accommodations and roundtrip airfare will be provided for the 24 students selected for this program. In addition, students will also be eligible for a 4 week internship at a Smithsonian affiliated museum or other cultural institution in their community. After completing both the week in DC and the 4 week internship, students will receive a $2000.00 stipend for their college expenses.

The deadline to apply is March 31, 2009. For further information and program requirements and to apply, please visit www.latino.si.edu/education or contact Emily Key, Education Programs Manager, at 202.633.1268 or by email at keye@si.edu.

If I can be of any assistance, please feel free to contact me.

Jeanette R. Morales

Member & Affiliate Services Program Manager

Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities

8415 Datapoint Drive, Suite 400

San Antonio, TX 78229

Direct Line: (210) 576-3220

Fax: (210) 692-0823"

AVID Elective Teacher Meeting and Training

There is an elective teacher training and meeting on February 24 at the Everett District Office. The focus of the time is on retaining and recruiting.

Elective Teacher Meeting and Training

Reserve February 24 for another Washington State AVID Elective Teacher meeting and training. While there will be time to discuss and work on many parts of AVID elective classrooms, the focus of this meeting will be student recruitment. The training will take pace in Everett, Washington. I'll find the location and times and post it asap.

Philosophical Chairs of the Week

If a friend lets you download music you did not pay for is it stealing?