Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies LAUSD

AVID Syllabus 2014-2015

Soraya Drew, MPH, MEd http://msdrew.weebly.com
18605 Erwin Street, Tarzana, CA 91335 (818) 758-5600 soraya.drew@lausd.net
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Welcome to 8
th
Grade AVID!

Course Description: AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual
Determination, and is a program created by Mary Catherine Swanson, a
high school English teacher who recognized that many of her students had
enormous academic potential, but needed to learn the tools necessary to
reach higher levels of educational success. Students build their academic skills of organization,
critical reasoning, writing, and reading. A cornerstone of the program is that AVID students must
have a strong desire to do better in their academic classes. The AVID program includes the
following,

ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS
Assignment Logs Students will keep a running list of the assignments, projects and reading
logs they need to complete for each class.
Grade Checks Students will ask their teachers for their current grade.
Weekly Logs Students will reflect at the end of each week on what they have learned, what
they have done in class, and what assignments were turned in and what is still due.
All of these activities will lead to better grades and class work. Please let me know right away if
your child is not performing well, academically or behaviorally, in any of their classes. I will work
with the student, their counselor, their teachers and you to help them do their best this year.

MAIN AVID Requirements
Master Binder AVID students are required to keep a
binder that has each subject organized by dividers. The binder
needs to have a pouch with pens, pencils, eraser, and
highlighters. The binder also has extra note paper and
EVERYTHING needs to be hole-punched and not loose in the
front pocket. I will supply plastic sheets for odd-shaped
foldables or handouts so they do not get lost.


Cornell Notes The Cornell Notes format has students draw
a vertical line on the far left hand side of the page. This
column is for writing questions and headings that match the
note taking on the right hand side. These notes are ideal for
studying before a test by going over their notes and highlight
headings, underline main ideas, draw diagrams and circle new
vocabulary. A concluding summary is written at the bottom of
the page.
Tutorials Students will participate in biweekly tutorials or
student groups. They will identify a point of confusion and
work in tutoring groups to better understand the material
taught in their academic classes. A college or high school tutor
will be assigned to each group.
Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies LAUSD
AVID Syllabus 2014-2015
Soraya Drew, MPH, MEd http://msdrew.weebly.com
18605 Erwin Street, Tarzana, CA 91335 (818) 758-5600 soraya.drew@lausd.net
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Materials Checklist for Class
3 ring 1 inch binder with 5 dividers and lined paper
2 pencils, 1 pencil sharpener
1 pen black or blue and 2 additional pens with different color ink
ruler
calculator
highlighters
portable 3 hole punch
3 ring pouch for holding materials

Grading Scale, Criteria and Percentages
A 100-90% B 89-80% C 79-70% D 69-60% F 59%
A students grade will be calculated according to the following weighted categories,
40% Tutorials
30% WICOR Class Work and Homework including Philosophical Chairs, Socratic Seminar, and
Reading/Writing Assignments
15% Note Taking in Class
15% Grade and Binder Checks
*Gradebook available for you to view on MISIS Family Module

Work Habits and Cooperation Scale and Criteria
Exceptional (E) Satisfactory (S) Unsatisfactory (U)
The work habits grade is based on a students class effort and homework completion. The
cooperation grade is based on a students courtesy, conduct, and group work.

Use of School Textbooks and Materials Students will take great care in the use of textbooks
and borrowed materials, such as dry erase markers and white boards. Any damage caused by a
student will be reported to the Principals office.

Entering and Leaving the Classroom
Students will enter the classroom and sit quietly at their desk and begin working in their
notebook. Students are not allowed to leave unless dismissed by the teacher. Students will be
asked to pick up after themselves and to be responsible for the overall condition of the room.

Making Up Work after an Absence
It is the responsibility of each student to complete the work or exam that they have missed. If
there is a special circumstance, please contact me to arrange to pick up the homework.

Behavior Expectations
1. Students and staff will follow the Character Counts six pillars of character;
trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.
2. Students will listen and follow classroom instructions.
3. Students will actively participate in class individually and in groups.
4. Students will complete all homework assignments and projects.
Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies LAUSD
AVID Syllabus 2014-2015
Soraya Drew, MPH, MEd http://msdrew.weebly.com
18605 Erwin Street, Tarzana, CA 91335 (818) 758-5600 soraya.drew@lausd.net
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5. Students will ask for assistance from the teacher or fellow students.

How to Contact Me
The best way to contact me is through email at soraya.drew@lausd.net. I will also check the
school voicemail. I will return your email or call within 24 hours. Please visit my website for more
information about our class. http://msdrew.weebly.com and look under the AVID tab.

Class Wish List
If possible please consider donating any of the following items for our AVID class, (inability to
donate does not affect your childs grade or participation)
1. ream of white paper
2. ream of any color paper
3. household cleaner wipes
4. dry erase board markers
5. tissue
6. paper towel
7. thin or thick markers
8. scissors
9. legal size white paper
10. construction paper
11. HP 92 or 93 ink

Thank you,
Soraya Drew

By signing below you have read the syllabus for Ms. Drews 8
th
Grade AVID Class.
You are familiar with how to contact Ms. Drew and agree to abide by her class
policies.

Student Signature __________________________________________________________________________


Parent/Guardian Signature ________________________________________________________________


Teacher Signature __________________________________________________________________________


Date _________________________________________________________________________________________

Students please return this page signed by your guardian/parent for homework credit.
Our rewards in our classroom are,
1. Learning and Personal Satisfaction
2. Praise and Recognition
3. Note/Phone Call Home
Our consequences for not following
expectations,
1. Student-Teacher Conference
2. Note/Phone Call Home
3. Family Conference with the Teacher