BINDER Set-up
One 3-ring binder for all of your classes. Materials should be organized in this order:
- Pencil pouch (pens, pencils, highlighters, sticky notes)
- KMMS agenda book (filled out daily for every class)
- Loose-leaf paper
- Tab dividers (one per subject, labeled)
- Cornell notes, handouts, assessments, etc. should be placed BEHIND each labeled tab divider in reverse chronological order.
- If you do not have Cornell notes for that week in a class, you should have 2 Learning Logs about what you learned, what was most interesting, and what questions you still have. "But we didn't take notes!" is not an acceptable response. Ever.
- "So...we took notes, but my teacher doesn't require Cornell style."
- AVID DOES. You can easily take your notes Cornell style even if your teacher does not mandate it. You can also turn them into Cornell notes later that day/week. You could rewrite them or there is a trick for how to turn "regular" notes/handouts into Cornell notes. Ask me and I'll let you in on the secret.
- "But we've just been reading in ELA and haven't taken notes."
- OKAY! Take Cornell notes on what you've read (while you're reading if possible)! What a great way to review the book, keep track of plot, character development, writing styles, etc.!
- "[Insert any other excuse here.]"
- The AVID elective requires that you take Cornell notes in all of your core classes because it is a research-based, proven strategy to help you improve your organization of knowledge, study skills, and comprehension. Your only "out" is to write Learning Logs (two) instead. While Learning Logs are not as effective as a study tool, they at least require you to reflect on the content you have learned that week. If you are not willing put in the work to meet these requirements then you do not want to be in AVID.
Binder Check REQUIREMENTs:
The expectation is that all of the above guidelines are followed at all times by AVID students. Here are the possibilities for how the weekly binder check grade will work:
- All components of the binder placed into a randomized spinner. Whatever you get when you spin is what I grade.
- Put different subjects for notes into the spinner and spin for the class.
- BIG BINDER CHECK and grade everything. EVERY. THING.
- I could feel kind and tell you to show me your best notes from last week.
- No late submissions are accepted. Be prepared every week.
- We will be doing binder checks on MONDAYS. Your Cornell notes/Learning logs must come from the week prior to the binder check.
- "This is hard!"
- You are right. It is difficult. There are high expectations of AVID scholars and all of you are capable of meeting them. Put in the work and reap the rewards.