Vijay Koilpillai

8th Grade Career Research Project

AVID students!  Today we begin a career project that will allow you to demonstrate many of the skills you have acquired over the last two years.

You will conduct research on the career you want.  Once you have completed the research portion of the project, you will create a PowerPoint presentation to share what you have learned.

Complete Instructions:  project

These notes are examples for you to follow.  Read through these carefully before you begin.

Example Notes 1:  View 

Example Notes 2:  View

Example Notes 3: View

Example Notes 4: View

7th Grade College Letter Project

Introduction

AVID students!  Soon you will be writing a letter requesting information from the college of your choice.  Today, you will start by researching that college.

1) Pick a college that you may want to go to.  If you are unsure, you can start with the college matchmaker tool from collegeboard.  Just click on the link and follow the instructions.  http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/search/adv_typeofschool.jsp

2) If you already know of a college you might want to attend, go to the collegeboard website and type in the name of the college in the college search window on the right side of the following website:  http://www.collegeboard.com/student/index.html?student

3) Take Cornell-notes answering the questions on the College Letter Research Sheet by navigating through the collegeboard website and finding the appropriate information.  Most of the information should be easily found using collegeboard.  If you cannot find the information through collegeboard, go to the college's website through the link under "at a glance." 

Here are some examples of what the notes should look like:

Example notes 1:  View

Example notes 2:  View

**If you get stuck, read the instructions and questions very carefully.  I've provided a few clues on the question sheet that might help you find the information.

AVID students!  Soon you will be writing a letter requesting information from the college of your choice.  Today, you will start by researching that college.

1) Pick a college that you may want to go to.  If you are unsure, you can start with the college matchmaker tool from collegeboard.  Just click on the link and follow the instructions.  http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/search/adv_typeofschool.jsp

2) If you already know of a college you might want to attend, go to the collegeboard website and type in the name of the college in the college search window on the right side of the following website:  http://www.collegeboard.com/student/index.html?student

3) Take Cornell-notes answering the questions on the College Letter Research Sheet by navigating through the collegeboard website and finding the appropriate information.  Most of the information should be easily found using collegeboard.  If you cannot find the information through collegeboard, go to the college's website through the link under "at a glance." 

Here are some examples of what the notes should look like:

Example notes 1:  View

Example notes 2:  View

**If you get stuck, read the instructions and questions very carefully.  I've provided a few clues on the question sheet that might help you find the information.

College Admissions Project

As college-bound young adults, you need to be aware of the rigors of the college admission process.  Your job is to research the SAT exam, which is a key factor in college admissions. 

3/3/09:  Go to the SAT section of the CollegeBoard website:  http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/about/SATI.html

Take Cornell-notes on the information you find.  Be sure to answer the following questions in your notes:

What does SAT stand for?  What does it test?  What is the purpose of the SAT? What are the sections?  When will you take the SAT?  Can you retake it?  If so, how many times can I take it?  Is there a fee?  What is it? 

Also, find out information about each section of the test and take notes on what you find.

Research some of the FAQ's (frequently asked questions) and include the information in your notes.

Complete your notes by summarizing, editing, and revising.  Trade notes with a peer to see what you may have missed.

AVID Team Identity

Students!  We are about to begin a year-long team competition.  The first step is to create a team identity.

1)  Begin by selecting a college for your team.  Once you have selected your college, write it on the board.  No two teams can have the same college as their team identity.

Use the following websites to find some colleges:

http://bigten.cstv.com/

http://www.pac-10.org/

www.bigeast.org

http://www.theacc.com/

http://www.big12sports.com/

www.collegeboard.com

Now that you have selected a college, create a poster with the following information (you will have to write the information in the correct place).

1) Name of college (top middle of page)

2) Name of the team members (top right corner)

3) Nickname or mascot of the school (top left corner)

4) College colors (lower right corner of the poster)

5)  Location - city, state (lower left corner)

6) An interesting fact about the school's athletics (any sport) -- anywhere on the poster

7) Draw a 3-inch by 3-inch square in the middle of the paper

Here is an example: 

Download team_identity_mr_k.doc

The poster should be colorful and all words should be spelled correctly.  Any proper nouns should be capitalized. 

**Any team that completes this assignment during the period will earn 5 points.  All teams that do not complete this assignment today will earn no points and have to complete it on their own time.  Also, teams cannot earn any points until their posters are complete.

Report Cards!!!!

This is just a reminder that report cards will be issued at the end of the day tomorrow!

AVID 9/29-10/03

It's crunchtime folks!  Today begins the last two weeks of the nine week grading period.  Friday, October 10th is the last day of the quarter.  Any student who currently has a D in any subject, must pull that grade up by the end of the grading period to avoid probation.  I am available for tutoring Monday through Thursday after school (students need to be picked up between 5:30 and 6:00).  I am also available most mornings beginning at 7:15.  Please email me with any questions about tutoring: vijay.koipillai@cobbk12.org

Assignments for the week:

Tutorials will be held on Tuesday and Thursday.  Students must review their notes, assignments, and returned tests/quizzes the night before to prepare questions for the tutorial.

Binder check will be on Wednesday.  Binders should be neat and organized.  Students should have a number of complete Cornell notes.

AVID 9/22 - 9/26

All students who are failing classes should participate in before or after school tutoring.  My room is open for all students at 7:45 on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday.  After school tutoring is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays (students must be picked up by 6:00).

The assignments for the week are as follows:

Monday and Wednesday nights - prepare for tutorial (create two questions)

Tuesday night - prepare for binder check on Wednesday

AVID Assignments 9/15 - 9/19

Here are the AVID assignments for 7th and 8th grade this week:

Monday night - write two questions for tutorial

Tuesday night - prepare binder for the binder check tomorrow

Wednesday night - write two questions for tutorial

Ongoing - write summaries and questions for Cornell notes (every class)

***Progress reports are distributed on Wednesday***

AVID Assignments 9/2 - 9/5

I hope everyone had a relaxing holiday weekend.  Here are the assignments for the week:

Wednesday:  binder check for 7th and 8th grade

Students should make sure their binders are organized, agendas are filled out, and notes are summarized.

Thursday:  tutorial for 8th grade only

AVID: August 25th - 29th

This is what's happening in AVID this week:

The AVID Parent Night and Contract Signing is this Thursday, August 28th.  This is an informative meeting and a celebration as AVID students sign their yearly contract and become officially "AVID."  It is important that parents and students make every effort to attend.  The event will take place from 6:30 to 8:00 in the Cafeteria at Campbell Middle School.  Refreshments will be served.  Also, students should dress up for the event.

The first binder check will take place this Thursday in the AVID class.  It is extremely important that all students are prepared for the binder check.  All papers should be placed in order behind the divider for the appropriate class.  Students should have at least two subdividers for every section in their binder.  No loose papers should be in pockets or folders; if you hold the binder upside down and shake it, no papers should fall out.

Finally, AVID students have homework every night.  Almost every AVID student is in an advanced class.  There are always tests to study for, projects to complete, or Cornell notes to finish.