Tuesday September 29, 2015

September 29, 2015

Circle: One thing in the future(outside of graduation) that you are looking forward to.

Free-Response with Ms. Manchester:

Charting Correlations on Scatterplots: 2-6

Review for Unit 2 Test: SQ3R, Online Quizzes, Review Notes, Diagram Chapter.

If time allows: Application Activity, 2nd Free Response Activity, Case Study Exercise: Transcript

Test on Thursday: This will be cumulative cover portion of Unit 1 and entirety of Unit 2.

Thursday September 25, 2015

September 25, 2015

Target: To understand why Psychology is a science through a review of its research methods, statistics and ethics.

Circle: One thing adults forget about being a teenager

Introduce Technical Writing: Ms. Manchester.

Homework:Distribute Short Response:  Choose 3 questions and answer.  You may use your text to answer.  We will be reviewing these on Tuesday with Ms. Manchester.

Unit 1 Review:

Review Sheet: At your table fill in the worksheet.  Discuss your answers with your group and make sure everyone understands your reasoning.

Research Methods Activity: Using the same article identify what research methods were used, both implied and stated, to reach their conclusions.

Review Unit 2: Concept Map the chapters on board.  Review Research Methods and Ethics.  Review Ethics.
Dissect Milgram Experiment for Ethics and research methods.

Extra Credit: Pneumonic devices:  You will need to find at least one pneumonic device to help with Unit 2. Show examples.

Wednesday September 23, 2015

September 23, 2015

Circle: One thing you have come to think differently about.  Example: a person, activity, subject, relationship, etc.

Homework, Test and Quizzes:  You will always be told when there is a new homework assignment or if there is an upcoming quiz or test.  That being said, on nights when you do not have a new unit assigned you should always be reviewing your notes, previous homework or taking practice tests and quizzes online.

Perspective Activity: At your table you are going to explain which perspective you understand the best.  Please share the perspective and what you believe would be a good example.  You will be quickly sharing what is the best explanation to the class. Next you will be reading an article about math and anxiety.  Using your understanding of the perspectives identify the different ones that might be explained using the information in the article.

Diagnose Me:

True False Quiz: Not for a grade!

Research Methods Activity: Using the same article identify what research methods were used, both implied and stated, to reach their conclusions.

Review Unit 2: Concept Map the chapters on board.

Extra Credit: Pneumonic devices:  You will need to find at least one pneumonic device to help with Unit 2.  Show examples.

Review Sheet

Monday September 21, 2015

September 21, 2015

Seating Chart: At your table share one interesting thing you've learned about yourself or others through psychology class.

Circle: What do you think is the biggest factor in determining how a student does in school?

Define Psychology: The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

Perspectives: At your table come up with a famous person known for strange behavior.  Discuss the persons behavior and how the different perspectives might explain the motivation behind it.  Be prepared to share with the class.

Review Test:  What do people feel like they knew well?  What areas did  you struggle with?  How did your score line up with how you studied?  What would you do different next time?  What could we do different in class to prepare you?  Understanding the parts of the unit require memorization as opposed to understanding application of knowledge i.e. perspectives.

Collect Test



Unit 2 Research Methods

Research Method:  Boys names article:  What does the title imply?  Does the title line up with the article says? What conclusions can you draw?  Does this seem valid?  What else you would you like to know?

Correlation vs. Causation: Firemen and fires, Ice cream and drowning, Shoes and headaches.

Jane Doe/Max Smart

Exit: Please write a paragraph about your grade in relationship to your study methods/homework.

Thursday September 17, 2015

September 17th, 2015

Unit 1 Quiz: If time remains we will begin work on a free-response question and self assessment.

Homework: Unit 2 Research Methods.  Please try to use SQ3R.

Tuesday September 15, 2015

September 15, 2015

Circle: Why do you think some students have so much success in school while others struggle so badly?  

Gallery Walk: Your notes from Unit 1.

What do you notice about others notes?

Which notes look organized the best?

Why did you choose the notes you did?
Impressions about the SQ3R?

Go over homework:  How was the unit broken down?

Pneumonic Device: The Hand.   Pneumonic Device for Careers, Subfields, History?  Suggestions?

First Impressions: You've had one class with me so far this year.  Some of you know me, some of  you don't.  Write down the first words you would use to describe me.  Do not put your name on it.

Perspective Activity
Activity sheet
Picture of old and young lady

Evolution Handout:

Psychology Quiz online

Free Response:  We will be doing this in class on Thursday after the Test.  You will be self-assessing it.

Homework: Study for Unit 1 Test Thursday.

Friday September 11, 2015

September 11, 2015

Textbooks: Ms. Danis, our literacy specialist will be working with us on understanding effective ways to read and process our textbook.  

Circle: According to your MB profile, what is either a strength you have in terms of being successful in the is class or a weakness?

Turn and Talk: At your table take turns discussing what you learned about yourself as a result of reading your profile?  How does this make you feel that you can be categorized in this way?

MB Activity: Carnac the magnificent.  

Splitting S+J's and N+P's: What can we learn from each other?

Note Taking Gallery Walk:  What do you notice?

Introduction to Unit 1: A history of psychology's development and its current incantation.

Homework: Using Ms. Danis method, or your own if you have an effective one, read Unit 1 Psychology's History and Approaches.  You should be keeping a notebook of Unit reviews and notes. We will be taking our first Unit Test next Thursday.

Wednesday September 9, 2015

Wednesday September 9th, 2015

Seating Chart: Two truths and one lie.


Learning Target: To build a community in the classroom and understand why that will improve your education.

Circle: Name a bizarre behavior that you have witnessed.  How would you explain it?


Using Psychology to make decisions: Cell Phone article: At your table read the article.  After reading the article, what conclusions can you draw?  Is the article biased?  Does the information seem valid?  Is there information missing?  Do you question some of the conclusions?  Can you think of counter arguments that would support kids using phones during class time other than for doing research when you don't have a computer?  What would your recommendation be for a cell phone policy in this class? Remember, you need to consider others as well as yourself when making this policy?  Share your responses with the people at your table and be ready to report out on your findings.

Multitask Article:

Cell Phone Policy: What should the policy in the class be?  What is it based on?  How should it be enforced?

MB Exercise: Handout of Short MB test.  What does it tell you about yourself?  What does it tell you about the others in the class?

Textbook: Next class you will be receiving your textbook.  We will be working with Ms. Danis on effective reading strategies.


Homework: Using your MB profile research yourself online.  What do you see as your strengths in terms of being successful in AP?  What do you see as your weaknesses as it would relate to your success in AP? What could you do as a result of this knowledge to help you in this class?  Please use the information you gathered from your profile to support your answers.

Learning Target: To build a community in the classroom and understand why that will improve your education.

Definition of psychology: The science of behavior and mental processes.  Behavior is anything a person does-any action we can observe and record.  Mental processes are the internal, subjective experiences we infer from behavior - sensations, perceptions, dreams, thoughts, beliefs and feelings.

Circle Question: What is one pet peeve of yours?

Check Homework: Why are you taking AP?

Activity: Why do think people are taking  AP?  At your table brainstorm a list of reasons you believe people take AP Psychology or even AP classes in general?  Because they want the challenge?  The deeper question would be why do some students want the challenge while so many others don't? Could it be related to parents, financial situation, peers, sports, genetics, birth order, brain size etc...
At your table:

1. You will write down on separate cards the reasons you believe you are taking AP.

2. Next, without using names, look around the room, why do you think others people in the class are taking AP?

3. Sort cards according to categories.

4. Whip around.  New insights to why you are here?

5. 5 minutes to write: What has changed about how you see your motivation and others in the class.

6. Share out.


Cell Phone article: At your table read the article.  After reading the article, hat conclusions can you draw?  Is the article biased?  Does the information seem valid?  Is there information missing?  Do you question some of the conclusions?  Can you think of counter arguments that would support kids using phones during class time other than for doing research when you don't have a computer?  What would your recommendation be for a cell phone policy in class?

Cell Phone Policy: What should the policy in the class be?  What is it based on?  How should it be enforced?

Activity: Helium Loop -- in groups of 5 you'll be placing one finger under a hula hoop and trying to lower a it to the ground without loosing contact with it.

Exit Slip:  How does this change the way you think about your motivation for AP?  How does this apply to our learning target?

Wednesday September 2, 2015

Wednesday September 2, 2015

Introductions:  Welcome to AP Psychology!
1. Summer work
2. Contract
3. Syllabus/Expectations
4. Any added students
5. Definition of Psychology



Target 1:  Learning how to build a community in the classroom.
By the End of the Period: You will know the names of people in this class and be more comfortable being here.

Seating Chart: First you will take turns introducing yourself then turn and talk for 1 minute: Half the room list as many benefits of a seating chart as possible. The other half list the benefits of free seating.

Prompt: Learning cannot occur until the student feels safe.
What does it mean?  Do you agree or disagree with the statement?

Seating Chart: My rationale.

Circle: My rationale.

Circle Question: Name  one cool place you went this summer. Name a new fashion you've noticed.

Activity: Helium Loop -- in groups of 5 you'll be placing one finger under a hula hoop and trying to lower a it to the ground without loosing contact with it.

Activity: Why are you taking AP?  At your table brainstorm a list of reasons you believe people take AP Psychology or even AP classes in general?  Because they want the challenge?  The deeper question would be why do some students want the challenge while so many others don't? Please take the time to think deeply on this.  

Homework: Why are you taking AP?

Cell Phone Policy: What should the policy in the class be?  What is it based on?  How should it be enforced?  

Exit Slip

AP contract

AP Syllabus