Fundraiser and what's coming up...

Our fundraiser was pretty weak. In fact, our class has the lowest amount raised out of all of the AVID classes, and we are one of the largest groups! We will get them next time. I know you guys don't like to do the fundraisers, but we have to raise money if we want to go on our field trips. Try a littler harder next round, let's give ourselves a good name.

We will continue to work on our goal unit the next two weeks. Monday we will write rough drafts by hand, and then peer edit on Wednesday. Next week we will head back to the computer lab to type up our final drafts.

Don't forget that the PSAT's are less than two weeks away. They are scheduled for October 13, 2010. It is a Wednesday. This is the perfect opportunity to see what the SAT will be like. Nothing is as valuable as experience, so please make sure you get to school on time that day and do your best.

As always, if you need anything, please stop by and talk to me. You may also send me an email.

Amy.J.Taylor@killeenisd.org

I miss you 5th period! But make me proud!

TUTORIALS!

We will be starting our tutorials this week in class. Tutorials are scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please make sure you come prepared by having your TRF's completely filled out with TWO level two or level three questions. We will have class time on Monday to do our first one together, but after that you will be expected to complete them on your own.

We will also be adding tabs for the AVID section of our binders on Wednesday. We originally did not address it, but I have been told that we need to add them in. We will spend class time on Wednesday to complete this so that we are ready for our first binder check by tutors on Thursday. The required tabs will be as follows: binder checks, TRF's, learning logs, handouts/other, notes.

Remember, binder checks will now be every Thursday. If you use two binders, you must bring them both on Thursday. The same goes for interactive notebooks for other classes. You must bring everything to class on Thursday. If you have a teacher who will not allow you to remove it from their class, please tell me before Thursday. And remember that you need at least one set of cornell notes for each core class, regardless of if you do not take notes in class, or receive notes as a handout. If that is the case, you must make your own set of cornell notes from the information. You MUST have at least one set for math, science, social studies, and english.

Keep up the good work!

A couple thoughts after the first week...

It has been such an honor and privilege meeting and getting to know each and every student in my two AVID II sections this first week. I am very excited to be a part of the EHS AVID team this year. If you ever need anything, please do not hesitate to come to me, I am here for you guys.

I just finished reading your journals from the first week. A lot of you have amazing stories from your lives and summer. I really appreciate that you are opening up in class. Please continue to write freely in your journals this year. The only issue that I came across is that some of you aren't writing as much as I had hoped. We have five minutes to write, please try to use the entire time period, even if you have finished the prompt, continue to write about anything you want.

The last thing on my mind that I want to share is that even after having you in class for only one week, I can already tell which of you is going to be successful in life. It doesn't have to do with your natural intelligence, it's not about how well you can read or speak, it has nothing to do with how well you are at tests, it simply comes down to one thing... your attitude. We will all encounter failures in our lives, but the only failure in that is if we don't learn from our mistakes. How many times are you willing to get back up and try again? I have met so many people in life who choose to be miserable, who choose to spend their days complaining and whining about every little injustice in life. Why waste all of that time being upset? You are only hurting yourself and the people you love. To me, it simply isn't worth it. I cannot change your attitude, neither can your parents, family, or peers. You are the only one who can decide that. We are all here to help you, but you have to make that decision for yourself. I will work my hardest this year to open every door of opportunity available to you, but, it is up to you to walk through. It is pretty empowering when you realize that your happiness and success in life relies on the only person you can control, yourself. Keep that in mind.

It's going to be a great year, I already know it! See you Monday!

Upcoming Items

Monday-We will start our "Brown Bag" speeches. Please don't forget your three items-one personal to represent you, one to represent your family or someone you admire, and one to represent your culture or a hobby. Not everyone will present on Monday, but everyone needs to be prepared.

Wednesday-Bring all of your binder supplies. We will spend the class period putting our 1st semester binders together, as well as sorting our papers from the first week and a half of school. If you believe you will have difficulties getting your supplies on time, please see me before Wednesday.