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AP PSYCHOLOGY UPDATES
1st Sixweeks--Mrs. Thomas--Red Oak HS
We are in full swing!
Hello!
We are half way through the first sixweeks and by now students have had a full glimpse of what this course will be like for the year. AP Psych is a fast paced course. We do have a lot of work, but we are also learning so much! Staying organized and keeping up with due dates is key to staying afloat in this course. Students--make sure that you are receiving Remind texts to receive reminders of homework and changes in due dates. Many assignments are on paper and NOT in Canvas, so their due dates will not show up on your Canvas To-Do list. The daily agenda that we have on the screen is linked on the Canvas homepage for our class. You can always double-check due dates there.
What are we learning about?
We are still in Unit 1--our introductory unit. We take our time here as these are concepts we will be using all year long. We have been focusing on the major psychological perspectives and their different approaches to explaining behavior. Students completed a project in which they analyzed the behavior of a fictional character using the different perspectives. They also wrote a short essay (FRQ--Free Response Question) applying the perspectives to a behavior. *Note--those essays are still being graded.
The second half of this first unit focuses on research methods in psychology. Students are learning to distinguish between the different types of research methods, as well as the pros and cons of each. These are also topics that will be included all year and College Board will for sure include research methods as part of one of the FRQs on the AP Exam.
Next, we will be jumping to Unit 9 to learn about Social Psychology.
*The Unit 1 Test will be on Monday, September 18th!!!*
Students will receive a review sheet later this week. Completion of the review sheet is optional, but it is worth +5 on the test if it is completed and turned in before the test.
Students can review by studying their flipped notes, returned flipped quizzes, and their IVN.
Students will also be assigned a Progress Check in AP Classroom (online resource site provided by College Board) that can help them prepare.
While I do not host a formal review session outside of class time, I am definitely available before and after school for students to come in and ask questions. I also encourage students to form their own study groups to review with each other.
The IVN
Illustrated Vocabulary Notebook
AP Psychology is heavily vocabulary based. Students will need a clear understanding of vocabulary terms, but also grow in their ability to apply those terms to different theories and scenarios.
The IVN is designed to help students with this and to also provide a study tool that they can use on unit tests and for the AP Exam in May.
On the first day of each unit students are assigned a list of IVN terms. In a composition notebook they must define the term and created a detailed illustrated example.
The IVN counts as a TEST grade and is due on the day of the unit test.
While completion of the IVN is not difficult, it is time consuming and most of it is completed outside of class. Students have a tendency to procrastinate the IVN until the night before the unit test. This is NOT recommended! Make sure you are working on the IVN throughout the unit. If you don't know what to draw, please ask!
Please ask your student if they have started their IVN!
Phones and Smart Watches
Reminder! Per district policy, cell phones and smart watches must stay in student backpacks while in class.
Flipped Notes and Flipped Quizzes
By now you have probably seen your student working on their Flipped Notes for homework. Please see the syllabus for more details on why I use the flipped notes system. (Click here for the syllabus)
This is the main way students receive the content for this course so it is extremely important that they stay caught up with notes. Most notes will be discussed in class and quizzed over on the day they are due. Students ARE ALLOWED to use their notes on the short, timed quiz. There are no retakes on flipped quizzes. If a student does not complete their notes they must still take the quiz. Notes can be turned in late all the way until the day of the unit test; penalty point deductions will apply.
If students are struggling on the quizzes, they should spend additional time between when they complete their notes and when they take the quiz to read over their notes. Often, I find that students who are struggling on quizzes aren't WATCHING the video, they are just speeding through and copying down notes. Be sure to WATCH and LISTEN TO the videos.
*I drop the lowest Flipped Quiz grade at the end of the unit*
It's time to sign up for the AP Exam!
As described in the course syllabus, college credit in this course is not guaranteed. Students must earn credit by taking the AP Exam.
While the exam is not until May 9th, 2024, students must register for the exam no later than November 15th in order to avoid a late fee.
Full details about how to register were sent via email by our campus testing coordinator Kesha Cole kesha.cole@redoakisd.org last week.
I HIGHLY encourage my students to take the AP exam for this course. My entire course is organized and structured in a way that will prepare them for the exam and set them up for success! I have served as an AP exam grader for College Board for six years and I know what my students need to be successful. Making the commitment to take the exam also keeps students motivated all year.
*There are discounts for students who receive free/reduced lunch
**Historically, ROISD reimburses students the cost of the test if they earn a 3, 4, or 5. It is likely that policy will continue this year.
GRADES
I am usually pretty good with keep up with grading and getting things into Skyward as soon as possible. If a student misses an assignment or quiz (even if they were absent) I put a zero in until it is turned in or made-up. For major assignments I will usually put in a "No Count" grade if something has been turned in but not graded yet.
If you have a question about your grade please ask your student about it first and encourage them to speak with me first if there is a question. Of course, you can email me as well.
First PSYCH CLUB Meeting This Week
Psych Club is a student-led club for students with a common interest in the field of psychology. They learn about topics beyond what is discussed in class, hear from guest speakers who work in psych-related careers, participate in demos and mental health activities, and more. Any ROHS student is welcome to attend.
The first meeting will be in A101 after school on Wednesday, September 13th from 4:20 to about 5 to plan their goals and activities for the year and to pick a t-shirt design. Officer positions will also be discussed. If you have questions you can reach out to isabela.c.salazar@cloud.redoakisd.org --this year's Psych Club president.
Contact Information
Please contact me if you have questions!
Email: angela.thomas@redoakisd.org