Mr. Duez's AVID Blog

TACAC Camp College 2011

2011-04-05T08:05:00.000-05:00

This looks like a GREAT opportunity for upcoming Juniors and Seniors!!
TACAC Camp College 2011

When: June 6-8
Where: Sam Houston State University

Camp College is a three-day summer program for rising college-bound high school juniors and seniors. Students will learn about a variety of colleges and universities, build relationships with many admission representatives and college counselors, as well as spend two nights on the campus of Sam Houston State University (Huntsville, TX). Approximately 120 students from across the state of Texas will work with 50 college-admission professionals to help students:
- Identify schools that match a student’s interests and needs
- Write an application essay and create a resume
- Navigate the financial aid maze
- Learn tips, techniques, and strategies for the ACT/SAT
- Attend a college fair
How to apply:
Online Application: www.shsu.edu/admissions/camp_college
Deadline: All applications are due by April 15, 2011.
Eligibility: Must be a rising high school junior or senior.
Cost: Free round-trip bus transportation from larger Texas cities and/or regions (e.g., DFW, Houston, Austin, San Antonio).
Application Questions: Please contact Rebecca Gay at: rebecca@shsu.edu.

MS Awareness T-Shirts

2011-03-22T14:24:00.001-05:00

Here are the two designs that they have come up with for MS Awareness T-Shirts:

T-Shirt says: "Hope Faith Cure" Multiple Sclerosis, as modeled by an awesome AVID tutor.

What a beautiful model and assistant! :)

They are selling the T-Shirts at lunch. Mr. Campbell is always looking for assistants to help him sell as well. See him during your lunch period if you'd like to help. Cost of the T-shirts are $10. The orange bracelet/band is $5.
(of course, the proceeds will go to the MS Society and a portion will help Mr. Duez with medical bills)

Agenda: Week of March 21, 2011

2011-03-21T07:56:00.000-05:00

Quote of the Week: "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit." - Aristotle

Monday:

1. Welcome back from Spring Break. "Good News."

2. Goal of the Week

3. Video of Aidan After Dentist

4. Catchup on Current Events - Japan and Libya and the Rally to save Texas schools

5. Students will present their college projects. We'll go alpha through the list of students.

Tuesday:

Tutoring

Wed/Thu:

Tutoring & Presentation of College Projects

Friday:

Presentation of college projects

Opportunity for Service - National Senior Games at Turner Stadium June 16-30

2011-03-07T14:45:00.002-06:00

June 16-30 HISD and the National Senior Games Association are hosting the Summer National Senior (yes, like Senior Citizen) Games at Turner Stadium. They are looking for volunteers. The link to the flier and sign up information is

http://nsga.com/volunteers

Agenda: Week of Monday March 7th, 2011

2011-03-07T07:37:00.000-06:00

Quote of the Day: "Light tomorrow with today." - Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
Who cares about spring break? Today is Today. I'll worry about breaking later. :)

MONDAY:
1. Goal of the Week (Meaningful, Measurable, Attainable)
2. Good News - Who has good news?
3. Inspiration - We'll look at a couple of inspirational video clips and discuss.
4. College Projects - we'll work on the laptops, if they are still in the classroom.
5. Juniors will work on ePrep

TUESDAY:
Tutoring

WED/THU:
Tutoring
Then ePrep for Juniors

FRIDAY:
TBD

Agenda: Week of 2/28/2011

2011-02-27T21:19:00.001-06:00

Quote of the Week: "Everything you need is already inside. Just do it." - Bill Bowerman (Nike)

MONDAY:
1. Goal of the Week.
Students will write a goal that is:

1. Meaningful
2. Attainable
3. Measureable
They will also write a paragraph about last week's goal and explain whether their goal was attained or not.

2. Inspiration:
We'll check out this disturbing, yet important series of pictures:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41786945/ns/health-addictions/
Moral of the story: "Drugs are bad!'

But, Dancing is very, very good (in this video):

We'll also discuss gas prices:

We will also look at room assignments for TAKS on Tuesday. And we'll look at the bell schedule for this crazy TAKS week.

TUE/WED/THU/FRI:
We have the computers in the classroom, so students will work on the wireless laptops to do TAKS work on ePrep. Students are also going to be researching a college of their choice for a presentation to the class.

Believe - Eric LaGrand

2011-02-24T20:03:00.002-06:00

The survivors!

2011-02-24T11:54:00.003-06:00

David Duez
- sent from my Droid. Excuse the brevity.

FOUR YEAR AVID STUDENTS!

2011-02-24T11:54:00.001-06:00

They have survived having Mr. Duez for four years. They should be awarded a medal!

David Duez
- sent from my Droid. Excuse the brevity.

Agenda: Week of 2/21/2011

2011-02-20T20:15:00.002-06:00

Quote of the Day: "Normal is just a setting on your dryer." - Patsy Clairmont

Monday:

1. Goal of the Week - Students will write their goal for the week and also write a paragraph about last week's goal and if they were able to accomplish it. (Goals should be meaningful, measurable and attainable)

2. Inspiration:

Mr. Duez is going to share a video about a young lady who lives just miles from where he grew up in PA. She has been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis while in high school. Her story is inspirational because even though she is challenged by her disease, she continues to live her life to the fullest. She now attends Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Embedded Youtube Video:

3. Students will read this article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/09/us/09immigration.html?_r=2&ref=education

And debate the topic of Illegal Immigration and the students who attain a high school and college degree, but without a social security number can not find meaningful work. Should the Dream Act become law?
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/21/education/21winerip.html?src=twrhp
http://www.harrisonburgtimes.com/2010/08/emu-grad-pushes-gov-mcdonnell-on-dream-act-2/

Tuesday

Tutoring

Wed/Thu:

We will be having a signing ceremony for contracts this week. It will be a real nice party down in the SGI. Cake, drinks and lots of fun.

We will tutor some if there is time and there is a need for tutoring. Tutors are welcome at the party.

Friday:

TBD

Juniors will be going to the computer lab to work on ePrep SAT

Agenda: Week of Monday Feb 14 - Friday Feb 18

2011-02-14T10:36:00.000-06:00

Quote of the Day: "You will find, as you look back upon your life, that the moments when you really lived are the moments when you have done things in the spirit of love." -- Henry Drummond

Agenda:
MONDAY:
1. Goal of the Week
2. Inspiration -
Discuss current event "Eqypt!"

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Seniors will read an article in the New York Times about "Senioritis."
Announcement regarding Ecobot Challenge.

3. Lyrics Project
4. Juniors will work on next SAT portion.

Tuesday:
Tutoring

Wed/Thu:
Tutoring
Seniors are going to have their next party for Olivia, Kaylin, and Tasha. We will include the tutors.
Juniors - lyric project and SAT prep

Friday:
Mr. Duez is hoping to go to the computer lab to work on ePrep for Juniors and college prep work for Seniors. If that does not happen, he will have an alternative assignment.

Ecobot Challenge 2011 - Need Volunteers!

2011-02-14T07:29:00.001-06:00

Please let Mr. Duez know if you are interested again this year. Here is the note from the folks who are putting this together:

Good afternoon David!

On March 5th Humble ISD will host a practice session for our elementary robotics teams. The practice session will be held at AHS in the cafeteria from 8-3:30. Several of your students participated last year and did a fabulous job. We would love to have them back this year! Attached is our schedule for the day. Please email me if you have any students who are interested in volunteering.

Thanks!

Ecobot Trials @ AHS cafeteria from 8-3:30. You can sign up for the individual time slots or for all day.

8:30– 10:30	11:00 – 1:00	1:30-3:30
BBE	DWE	EGE
FE	TE	ESE
MBE	GTE	HHE
OFE	LSE	OE
PFE	*RPE (bus)*	WHE
*PLE(bus)*	WCE	WPE
SFE	FCE	*LLE (bus)*
		ASE

Agenda: Week of Feb. 7, 2011

2011-02-07T07:35:00.000-06:00

Quote of the Day: “You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing that we call 'failure' is not the falling down, but the staying down.” - Mary Pickford

Monday:
Goal of the Week, Student Success Stories Handout, Lyrics Project.

Tuesday:
Tutoring

Wed/Thu:
Tutoring & 4 Year Plans, Lyrics Project

Friday:
Seniors - party to celebrate college acceptances
Juniors - SAT & Lyrics Project

What do you have?

2011-02-05T16:46:00.002-06:00

Great Graphic: Adults with a College Degree

2011-02-04T10:46:00.002-06:00

Very cool interactive graphic: Adults with a College Degree
http://chronicle.com/article/Adults-With-College-Degrees-in/125995/

Very neat. Only 27% of adults in America hold a college degree. Will you be one of them?

SAT/ACT vouchers - This week.

2011-02-01T07:21:00.000-06:00

A message from our awesome District AVID Co-ordinator:

Your counselors should receive their vouchers from the state for a FREE SAT or ACT THIS week! There are limited numbers.

Please be sure that EACH junior AVID student has a voucher in his/her hand by Friday.

The voucher is good for ONE of the following:

ACT - April 9 - Deadline to sign up is March 4 (seats are going to fill up quickly)

June 11 - Deadline to sign up is May 6 (seats are going to fill up quickly)

SAT - May 7 - Deadline to sign up is April 8 (seats are going to fill up quickly)

June 4 - Deadline to sign up is May 6 (seats are going to fill up quickly)

I would make sure that they students are signed up for the test of their choice by Feb. 11th....maybe you could visit the computer lab as a class and do it!!

Yes, they can ALSO take one FREE for being an AVID student.....

They must obtain a fee waiver from their counselor and check that they are a part of an Upward Bound or Trio program.

Remind the students about how they are READY for this.....they have been working hard on their e-Prep!!!

Thank you,

Susan

Take advantage of your opportunities.

Agenda: Week of 1/24 - 1/28, 2011

2011-01-22T11:21:00.001-06:00

Quote of the Week: "Great people talk about ideas. Small people talk about other people." - Tobias S. Gibson

Monday:
1. Goal of the Week. Students will write at least two sentences about their goal of the week, it must be meaningful, attainable, and measurable.
2. Inspiration: Students will write at the bottom of their weekly goal a reaction to the story of the Ted Williams, the homeless man with the golden voice.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWG6zNf4xY0

3. http://www.scribd.com/doc/47369327/Classrooms-No-Teachers
Students will read the document above and follow the directions, writing notes, underlining important points, circling things they do not understand, writing a question at the top and a summary at the bottom.

Tuesday:
Tutoring

Wed/Thu:
Tutoring for first half
Seniors: Song lyric project, current events discussion
Juniors: Song lyric project, ePrep SAT/ACT prep

Friday:

Seniors: Party to celebrate college acceptance. Still need to celebrate: Kaylin (SFA) and Vanessa (Texas State)

Juniors: Song lyric project, ePrep SAT/ACT prep

Avid club

2011-01-14T09:49:00.001-06:00

David Duez
- sent from my Droid. Excuse the brevity.

Agenda: Week of Jan. 10, 2011

2011-01-10T11:16:00.000-06:00

Quote of the Day: "Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will." - Mahatma Gandhi

MONDAY:
1. Goal of the Week
2. Sign the "Years in AVID" form for AVID Certification.
3. We will discuss the story about the tragedy in Arizona. A few questions for discussion:
- Does the type of discussion we have about politics in this country affect situations like this?
- Does this type of story discourage you from participation in government?
- What can be learned from the heroes who came to the rescue of those who needed them?

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

TUESDAY:
Tutoring
WED/THU:
Tutoring & then we will discuss college application process.
FRIDAY:
4th Period - Celebration for Jennifer G! She is accepted to S.F.A. Way to go Jennifer.
7th Period - Guest Speaker

Agenda - Week of Tue - Fri Jan 4-7, 2011

2011-01-07T07:39:00.000-06:00

Quote of the Day: "Study the past if you would define the future." - Confucius

Tuesday - "Motivational Monday on Tuesday" - we'll write our new year's resolution and look back at 2010. We'll also watch and discuss this TedTalk:
http://www.ted.com/talks/ueli_gegenschatz_extreme_wingsuit_jumping.html

Wed/Thu - Tutoring first 1/2. Second 1/2 we'll discuss new semester schedules, report cards and also binders.

Friday - 4th period: We will be throwing a celebration for Iliana for getting accepted to Texas Women's University. Way to go IG!

7th period: We'll be in the Red LGI to hear a guest speaker.

Welcome Back

2011-01-02T19:11:00.000-06:00

Hope everyone had a wonderful winter break.
I was very sick over most of it, but I will choose to remember it like this:

Hope everyone is ready for a wonderful semester. Our goal is to prepare you for....

College!

Agenda for the week of December 6th, 2010

2010-12-06T07:27:00.000-06:00

Quote of the Day: "The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The meaning of life is to give your gift away." - David Viscott

Monday -
Students will read a series of editorial articles about "College Choice." Does it Matter Where You Go To College?
Students will see a motivational video - How to Rip a Phone Book in Half and How to do the This, That Card Trick. The lesson is that even "magic" is practiced and can be taught. Some students make it look easy, but the secret is that they work very hard to make it seem so easy.

We will also write our Weekly Goal

Tuesday -
Tutoring

Wed/Thu -
Tutoring
Seniors will plan their party for Alisa for tomorrow.
Juniors will work on the next SAT ePrep Lesson

Friday -
The Seniors will party to celebrate Alisa Galvan's acceptance into the University of North Texas!
Juniors will go to the computer lab to input their ePrep SAT answers

A touching Thanksgiving Story

2010-11-25T14:39:00.001-06:00

Agenda: Week of Monday/Tuesday November 22/23, 2010

2010-11-22T07:20:00.001-06:00

Quote of the Week: "I celebrated Thanksgiving in an old-fashioned way. I invited everyone in my neighborhood to my house, we had an enormous feast, and then I killed them and took their land." - Jon Stewart

Monday:
We'll check out the pictures we took from last Friday. They were outstanding!

We'll also watch a TED Talk from J.J. Abrams called, "The Magic Box."
J.J. Abrams traces his love for the unseen mystery –- a passion that’s evident in his films and TV shows, including Cloverfield, Lost and Alias -- back to its magical beginnings.

As the Emmy-winning creator of the smart, addictive TV dramas Lost, Alias and Felicity, J.J. Abrams' name looms large on the small screen. As the writer/director behind the blockbuster explode-a-thon Mission: Impossible III, Cloverfield and the new Star Trek movie, these days Abrams also rules the big screen -- bringing his eye for telling detail and emotional connection to larger-than-life stories.

Abrams' enthusiasm -- for the construction of Kleenex boxes, for the quiet moments between shark attacks in Jaws, for today's filmmaking technologies, and above all for the potent mystery of an unopened package -- is incredibly infectious.

"As a boy, JJ Abrams was fascinated with magic. As a television writer, director, and producer, he has beguiled audiences with a masterful use of suspense, plot reversals, and special effects."

Wired
Tuesday:
Tutoring or - if there isn't much to do with tutoring, since we are heading towards a break -
We'll check out this 7 minute video:

We will have a socratic discussion about the video and the state of education/technology.

After watching it two things popped into my mind:

1) Moderation is very important.

2) Kids are losing the (already inhibited ability) to moderate.

What would our campus look like if cell phones were not banned? I would think it would be a mess. But, I don't know.

I know one thing for sure, kids know how to use technology to entertain themselves and communicate with friends. But, do they know how to use it for their advantage to learn and do their school work (and later college work) in a more efficient way?

Part of our job is going to be explaining how to balance life so that they get a boost from technology and not just have it sap their attention and ability.

HAVE A GREAT THANKSGIVING!

College... and AP/Dual.C

2010-11-19T17:09:00.001-06:00

College & AP/Dual.