SOPHOMORE AVID Mr. Maisel

Office hours: lunch, 4^th block, after school (by appt) Email: mrmaisel@yahoo.com

Phone message: 408.522.2400 ext. 3846

Green Sheet & Syllabus

Program Description

Welcome Back! Now that we have finished our first year, the AVID class will evolve in order to maximize our efforts and focus attention on preparing each student for college. Although the course is designed to lead you to success, it is important to remember that YOU are responsible for your own personal success.

The AVID week will still consist of three different types of days: Avid Curriculum, Tutorials, and Motivational Activities.

AVID Curriculum: Mondays and Wednesdays are focused on the AVID curriculum. Although we will continue with the same curriculum, there are two new areas of focus in BOLD:

q Writing, Reading, and Collaboration

q Note-taking, Organization & Time Management

q SAT PREPARATION, Steps to College & Career Awareness

q USING TECHNOLOGY – Powerpoint, iMovie, Internet

Tutorial: Tutorials take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Tutorial is designed for students to receive extra assistance in their academic courses. TUTORIAL IS NOT "STUDY HALL." Students will come to tutorial with a specific question regarding a concept they are studying in one of their classes. Students, with the help of tutors, will assist one another to better understand the concepts.

Motivational Activities: Fridays are designated as Motivational Days. Many different things will be taking place on Fridays. For instance, we will have guest speakers, Socratic seminars take field trips, perform college searches, etc. Students’ binders will be collected each Friday and graded for completeness and neatness.

Grading

Grades in AVID class will be determined at the end of each grading period based upon a percentage of the total points possible. Current grades will be updated and posted every two weeks. In addition, students may ask for a personalized grade printout at any time during the course. Grades will be calculated according to student performance on the following activities:

HABITS: 25%

AVID BINDER: 25%

QUIZZES/PROJECTS/PAPERS: 25%

TUTORIAL: 25%

There will be no “D” grade assigned in this class. Below is the scale used to determine the grades:

A = 90-100% B = 80-90% C = 68-80% F = below 68 %

Attendance and Making Up Work

TUTORIAL:

Excused Absence: First 2 tutorials in 9-week grading period = EXCUSED.

Any missed after 2 = makeup or lose 2% of tutorial grade.

Unexcused absence: 0 on Tutorial Log

Absent on Wednesday: Student responsible to turn in Tuesday Log next day.

Student loses 2 points for each day late.

BINDER CHECK:

Excused Absence: No penalty to turn in Binder on Monday.

Lose 2 points per day if turned in late.

If not turned in by the next Friday: -10 points.

STUDENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR TURNING IN LATE BINDER!

Unexcused Absence: 0 on Binder Check

PROJECTS: Projects that are late will still get credit. Student must meet with Mr. Maisel to discuss late penalties and timeline for turning in work.

NOTE TO PARENTS: Please make sure to EXCUSE absences with the front office, so that your child doesn’t get penalized on missed work. If a “CUT” shows up on the computer, you can “excuse” it for my class by calling, emailing, or sending a note with the student.

Expectations

I expect that my classroom will be a safe and fun place for everybody. To show my respect to you as young adults, I will not make a large list of strict rules to follow. Instead, I will list a few guidelines and expectations. They are:

LISTEN ACTIVELY – you can’t learn anything without listening to others.

RESPECT OTHERS and YOURSELF – Diversity + Respect = strong community

BE HONEST – Lying usually turns small problems into bigger ones.

We will discuss and make decisions on specific rules as a class. Most importantly, if you behave in a way that I feel is disrupting the learning experience of others, I will discuss it with you in a private meeting outside of class.

Teacher Contact: I am here to assist in your success, and I am happy to meet with you outside of class. The best time to meet me is during the first half of 1st block or 4th block. At lunch and brunch I can be found in Room 145 or in the Social Studies Office (Rm 140). My contact information is on the top of page 1 of this handout.

PARENT CONTACT FORM

We have read and understand the requirements of AVID

Student Name (Please PRINT): ______________________________________________

Please sign below:

Student ______________________________________________Date:______________

Parent/Guardian: ______________________________________Date: ______________

Dear Parent/Guardian,

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child.

How should we contact you? Phone (Home) __________________________________

(Cell)____________________________________

(Work)____________________________________

email: _____________________________________

When should we contact you?

Please call me: _____Periodically, just to update me.

(Check any that apply)

_____If the school marks a CUT on the database

_____If his/her grade drops below: A B C D

(circle one)

_____Other Reason:_______________________________

Please use the space below to tell us anything you think we should know about your child