Ψ Advanced Placement Psychology s2

Ψ ADVANCED PLACEMENT PSYCHOLOGY Course Syllabus Instructor: Christine Vandewalle Email: [email protected]

Welcome to Advanced Placement Psychology!!!  This is a year-long course with the culminating activity being the AP Psychology Exam on May 7th, 2018. Successful students earning a 3, 4, or 5 will receive 3 college credits.  This is the equivalent of an introductory college Psychology course.  The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals.  This course is required for most college majors and it provides excellent background for students pursuing many various career paths.

Required Materials:  Textbook: Myer’s Psychology For AP 2e, Myers, David G., N.Y.: Worth Publishers, 2014.  AVID binder: Section 1 – current chapter; Section 2: older materials.

Grades: Percentages are approximate and may be subject to change. Tests: 50% Homework/Class activities: 15% AVID Binder: 35%

Tests: Tests consist of multiple-choice questions and Free Response Questions [FRQs] (adapted from College Board). They may include topics from previous chapters. Tests will be subject to time limits that will simulate the real AP test.

Test Make-up Policy: Tests are posted on the reading schedule, on BCHS Lesson Plans, and on the agenda board. Students are expected to be present for all tests. Students should not expect to make an individual appointment for make-up tests. While a student may have legitimate and excusable reason for an absence, such as illness, there are too many students who have poor time-management and are always playing catch-up and therefore are frequent make-up test takers. It is counterproductive to be preparing for a make-up test while also trying to learn the new chapter material in class. Stay on track, prioritize, and stay up-to-date. Alternate tests (including essay tests) are given as make-up tests. Students need to makeup the missed test after school. Makeup times will be posted on the front board.

Exams: Semester 1 final exam is mandatory and will be real AP questions given in real AP time. There will be no final exam given in this course for semester 2. The AP Psychology exam is scheduled for May 7, 2018 beginning at 12:00. Pinellas County Schools has added the following:

An AP, IB or AICE exam will be taken in lieu of a teacher developed final (semester 2) exam in those designated courses. In such case, the student must still attend his or her regular subject area classes for structured activities and/or projects until the end of the grading period.

In the event that the student does not sit for the AP, IB, or AICE exams accompanying the coursework during the school year, a final exam grade of zero (0) will be entered. For AP, IB, or AICE exams administered after the last day of the school year, final grade for the course will be determined within one day of the exam date.

Test Corrections: All students are encouraged to follow up on every test and make test corrections. This will be completed during lunch and after school. This assignment can increase your test grade by a few points (to be determined based on the number of multiple choice questions).

ZipGrade: We will be use scan-tron style forms for some quizzes, all chapter tests and final exams. Students must take great care to make their marks carefully and erase completely. There are no corrections once a scan-tron is turned in. Homework: Students will need to come to class prepared by reading their assignments prior to class and reviewing their notes. Cornell Notes will be checked daily. Notes that are complete will be stamped. Having a stamp makes the work eligible for full credit.

Late work: Late work is not accepted. If you are on campus – it is due. If it’s a test – you see the teacher that day.

Quizzes: Students will expect frequent open-note and/or closed note quizzes, often given at the beginning of class – don’t be late as these are given one time only in order to give immediate feedback and monitor student progress.

Attendance: Mandatory for all students. School Board policies regarding attendance and tardy policy will be enforced. Absent students automatically receive a zero in FOCUS and have the opportunity to makeup the work according to the School Board guidelines (one day for each day missed).  Work not turned in on time can be reviewed, but must be given a grade of zero.  If a student knows in advance that they will be out for a school function must make arrangements prior to the absence and to turn it in the next day following the field trip. If you are absent the day before a test/quiz you are still required to take it that day with the class.  Period 1 and 2 tardy students will sign in at the door before they sit down. Notification will occur after 4 tardies for administrative follow-up. Any subsequent tardy, the student will be sent to their AP office. Being late is often a bad habit, it is perceived as rude and inconsiderate and it is a detriment to individual learning and the classroom culture.

Student Expectations: 1. Assignments will be turned in on time and are done to the best of your abilities. NO LATE WORK IS ACCEPTED. This is one of the hardest issues for high school students. If you really want to prepare for the real world, then take this expectation seriously. 2. NO COPYING - Academic honesty is the hallmark of education. Turnitin.com is a website used to monitor student writing for originality and students are expected to do their own work and use A.P.A. style citations. Copying is not only cheating, it is stealing another’s work and lying about your abilities. This includes all work from all courses. 3. Be in class, on time, and ready to perform to the best of your ability. 4. Contact other students if you are absent to get assignments. Create a group of classmates with whom you will study. Stay in email contact with your instructor. Review the BCHS website for lesson plans and check FOCUS for grades. 5. Only valid passes from administrators or the office will be accepted as late entry into class. Class work from other teachers is to be done after school, not during AP Psychology class. 6. Bring your textbook and AVID binder to class every day. It will be needed. 7. Hall passes are given for emergencies only. No passes the first and last 10 minutes of class. 8. No soda cans or food. All food must be finished or sealed up before you enter the room. Water bottles that close are permissible. Help keep the room clean by picking up after yourself. 9. Students may not use the classroom to charge cell phones. 10. Students will work in a positive and productive manner at all times.

Classroom Rules: All Pinellas County School Board and Boca Ciega High School policies are supported and maintained in this instructors’ classroom. As the instructor, I would like our classroom to be a place of mutual respect, personal integrity, and teamwork. 1. RESPECT – for self, peers, teacher, guests, personal property and classroom. 2. RESPONSIBILITY – for your own behavior, materials, class work and learning. 3. HEADS UP! 4. NO HATS, CELL PHONES OR ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT* – unless teacher has given you explicit directions to do an internet search. * My cell phone is off and out of site and that’s what I expect from my students. 5. Backpacks and purses are to be kept on the floor, not on your desk.

(+) CONSEQUENCES (-) CONSEQUENCES 1. Good behavior leads to good grades 1. Verbal reminder/reprimand. and increased learning potential. 2. Detention for 15 min. 2. Positive teacher/peer relationships Failure to serve: 30 min 3. Positive parent contacts. 3. Parent contact. 4. Selection for leadership roles. 4. Guidance/Discipline referral. 5. Teacher recommendation letter

FOR PARENTS: The following are ways that parents are encouraged to support their student’s education. Contact me by phone or email ([email protected] ) with any concerns. 1. Use FOCUS regularly to monitor your child’s progress and BCHS Lesson Plans to learn about class topics, assignments and test dates. There is a parallel between test grades and the AP test score. Maintaining these test grades is necessary in order to ensure passing the AP exam. 2. Encourage your student to get help from the teacher if he or she is having difficulty. 3. Encourage adequate sleep, good nutrition, and quality study time. 4. Encourage daily attendance and provide a note to administrator for absences. (48 hrs) 5. Ask your student about topics and assignments that they are doing in class.

Last name______First name______Class Period______By signing this document all parties indicates acceptance and support of the instructors’ policies and procedures. In addition, the parent also gives permission for their student’s work to be displayed. The syllabus and schedule are subject to change.

______STUDENT SIGNATURE PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE

DATE______DATE______

PARENT CONTACT INFORMATION

PARENT/GUARDIAN NAME (PRINT)______

Please list your preferred method and time to contact: ______

PHONE ______EMAIL ______

STUDENT INFORMATION

EMAIL______

Are you a Medical Magnet student? Yes No Are you a Fundamental student? Yes No Do you have computer access? Yes No Do you have internet access? Yes No

A.P. Psychology Student Pledge

I understand that in this Psychology class, there will be frequent demonstrations and experiments that I will be asked to volunteer for. I will participate to the best of my ability and will not share the details with other students who have not experienced the lesson yet.

I understand that it is vital for me to complete my reading and assignments in order to be a successful student. In this effort I also understand that I must do my own homework. I must not copy or plagiarize any material. I must use proper A.P.A. citations to give others credit on power points and papers.

If I am struggling, I will seek out help in the following ways: teacher tutoring, peer study groups, ELP after school, use of the Moodle site. I will seek counseling from the teacher and/or the guidance counselor if my efforts are not meeting with success.

______Signature Date