We had a group of teachers travel to Pasco for a training on AVID strategies sponsored by GEAR UP. Mr Barnes, Mr Evasick, Mrs Webb, Mr Oldenburg, and Jensi. This was a day long training about Cornell note taking, organization of binders, looking at inquiry and critical reading. The goal for this training was for our staff to learn new strategies to help students become more independent and more college and career ready.
The focus of the AVID training was on a variety of strategies to raise student achievement through academic rigor.
As a group they started the day off by developing a working definition of what rigor was.
What is Academic Rigor?
Higher level thinking and support to go beyond the basic ideas/topics. Demanding critical thinking and analysis. Thought provoking and challenging students at their level (different for different kids). Engage the student in the activity or demanding challenge. Academics that challenge a ceiling of learning. A set of thinking skills toolbox: contextualize, analysis, etc. Not just giving more homework, or adding work!
The notes are are process and not a product! Students must revisit their notes and review from time to time to best get a handle of the topics being studied. This is a basic 2 column note where students create columns. The right hand column is all the information that the student is taking notes on. The left column is where students have the opportunity to talk to the document, ask questions or create subtopics. It is a process where students can take notes, then take time daily to review the information in an organized manner. One big idea to remember is that the left hand column is thinking and the right hand column is where the note taking happens.
Overall this was a great training. All the teachers were very glad that they came to the training. With all trainings, the challenge is to now bring it back to Glenwood. Keep an eye out in these classes in the near future. There are some good things coming to a classroom near you!!
