AP Psychology
2020-2021 Syllabus
Teacher: Mrs. Emmeline Decker, Ed.S
Classroom: 5-111
Email: [email protected]
Planning Period: 1
Course Description: AP Psychology is a full-year course designed to provide students with a broad overview of the diverse field of psychology and to prepare students for the AP Psychology Exam given in May. Active participation in class is expected. It is extremely important that all students in AP Psychology read all chapters assigned in the textbook. In addition to reading the text, I strongly urge students to use class notes, reference sheets, and study guides to prepare. It is imperative to attend class, stay up-to-date, & turn assignments in when scheduled.
Learning Methods: Lectures, discussions, audiovisuals, written responses, and structured experiences will be included in the teaching and learning process.
Classwork/Homework (formative practice): One of the most essential assignments is the completion of vocabulary cards. Knowing psychological terminology is critical to the application of psychological concepts to real-world situations. Online Canvas assessments will be given for each unit. Students must complete these within the time frame given. Study guides will also need to be completed and turned in on the day of testing for a grade. Students MUST have the STUDY GUIDE to TEST.
Mini-summatives, Chapter Tests, & Project (summative assessment): Every chapter students are given a vocabulary mini-summative consisting of psychological terms that must be defined. Students will complete flash cards for homework in order to be prepared to pass these in class. Mini-summatives count as test grades. They will typically be given during the first few minutes of class; so don't be late. Chapter Tests will be thoroughly reviewed for and announced prior to being given. The Final Exam will be the AP Psychology Exam. Research Projects will be offered/ assigned once each quarter. Details will follow on a handout.
Homework/ Classwork Policy:
Students who are submitting late work (due to absence) have one day, or one day for each day absent (whichever is greater), to submit work unless the teacher determines there are extenuating circumstances which necessitate an extension. It will be a best practice for students to make up tests within a school week of the original assigned date unless the teacher determines there are extenuating circumstances which necessitate an extension.
*Approximately 1.5 weeks before the end of each quarter, a final missing assignments submission date will be given to students. All work submitted after this date will not be accepted.
Intervention and Remediation:
The focus of instruction should be on getting students to achieve their full learning potential.
- When students demonstrate a lack of proficiency on standards they must receive intervention(s), which may lead to assessment retakes or alternative assignments.
- When students demonstrate a lack of mastery on standards they may receive intervention(s) that require them to attend office hours on the 4 designated days each week. Office hours take place during the first thirty minutes of the lunch period on the four assigned days.
- Each 9 week grading period, students shall have the opportunity to retake at least one summative assessment. All retakes require that the student attend office hours for intervention assistance on the 4 designated days in order to retake a test during office hours. Additional retakes shall be determined based upon individual student data.
Grading Practices:
Students and parents need timely and accurate feedback in order to effectively monitor learning progress.
- Best practice: Grade book should be updated weekly (except in the case of extensive assignments or unusual circumstances).
- When a student’s score on a retake is less than the original score, the higher score should be used. Scores should not be averaged.
Grade Grade Range Quality Points Description
A 90-100 4.0 Outstanding Progress (Mastery)
B 80-89 3.0 Above Average Progress
C 70-79 2.0 Average Progress (Proficiency)
D 60-69 1.0 Lowest Acceptable Progress
F 0-59 0.0 Failure
I 0.0 In progress toward grade level proficiency in skills and concepts
Class Participation:
All students are expected to take an active part in the learning environment of the classroom. This means coming to class on time and being prepared to learn.
Academic Dishonesty:
The Volusia County School Board’s Code of Student Conduct has defined Academic Dishonesty as a level II offense. Academic Dishonesty is defined as “Dishonesty, such as cheating, plagiarism, or knowingly furnishing false information to the school district. Such behavior may result in reduction in grades, classroom discipline as determined by the instructor, suspension or expulsion from school and/or school activities including student organization”.
Instructional Resources:
- Website: http://deckerpsychology.weebly.com/ This will be an important resource by which students can maintain deadlines and take initiative for their own learning throughout the school year.
- Remind: code will be given to you in class. Daily assignments and homework are posted here. Students can ask questions if needed.
- Canvas Login: Once you access V-Portal, click onto the Canvas tile. You should already be enrolled.
- Microsoft Teams (Volusia Live students)
- Textbook: Weiten, Wayne. (2013). (9th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
- Workbooks: 5 Steps to a 5 & Preparing for the AP Psychology Exam. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
- Additional Resources:
APA Writing Format Guidelines: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
Often appropriate PG-13 movies or sections of PG-13 movies can be utilized effectively to enrich classroom instruction and accomplish identified objectives. If you give permission for your child to view such materials, you do not have to do anything. (NOTE: NO sections of “R” rated movies will ever be shown per Volusia County School Board policy.) If you do NOT wish to grant permission for your child to view any PG-13 movies or sections of PG-13 movies identified by the teacher as effective in teaching the curriculum, please contact me via e-mail at [email protected] or send a note in with your student.
Students Resources:
- 1 inch 3-ring binder -Highlighters - Loose-leaf notebook paper -Index cards with metal ring
Psychology I & II
2020-2021 Syllabus
Teacher: Mrs. Emmeline Decker, Ed.S
Classroom: 5-111
Email: [email protected]
Planning Period: 1
Course Description: Psychology I & II is a broad overview of the diverse field of psychology. The majority of class time will be devoted lectures, discussions, audiovisuals, written responses, and interactive experiences. Student participation is required and will add enjoyment to each activity.
Learning Methods: Lectures, discussions, audiovisuals, written responses, collaboration, and structured experiences will be included in the teaching and learning process.
Classwork/Homework (formative practice): Students will complete an interactive packet for each unit. It is imperative that you stay up-to-date and turn in assignments when scheduled. However, students who are submitting late work (due to absence) have one day, or one day for each day absent (whichever is greater), to submit work unless the teacher determines there are extenuating circumstances which necessitate an extension. It will be a best practice for students to make up tests within a school week of the original assigned date unless the teacher determines there are extenuating circumstances which necessitate an extension.
Chapter Tests, Final Exam, Press Conferences & Projects (summative assessments):
- Chapter Tests: Will be thoroughly reviewed for and announced prior to being given. Completed Note packets & study guides must be turned in no later than the day of the test. Students MUST have a COMPLETED STUDY GUIDE to TEST.
- Final Exam: There is Final Exam for both Psychology I & II.
- Press Conferences: All students will be required to facilitate ONE press conference. Details to follow.
- Projects: You will develop, carry out, and report on projects. Details to follow.
Homework/ Classwork Policy:
Students who are submitting late work (due to absence) have one day, or one day for each day absent (whichever is greater), to submit work unless the teacher determines there are extenuating circumstances which necessitate an extension. It will be a best practice for students to make up tests within a school week of the original assigned date unless the teacher determines there are extenuating circumstances which necessitate an extension.
*Approximately 1.5 weeks before the end of each quarter, a final missing assignments submission date will be given to students. All unfinished work submitted after this date will not be accepted.
Intervention and Remediation:
The focus of instruction should be on getting students to achieve their full learning potential.
Grading Practices:
Students and parents need timely and accurate feedback in order to effectively monitor learning progress.
Grade Grade Range Quality Points Description
A 90-100 4.0 Outstanding Progress (Mastery)
B 80-89 3.0 Above Average Progress
C 70-79 2.0 Average Progress (Proficiency)
D 60-69 1.0 Lowest Acceptable Progress
F 0-59 0.0 Failure
I 0.0 In progress toward grade level proficiency in skills and concepts
Class Participation:
All students are expected to take an active part in the learning environment of the classroom. This means coming to class on time and being prepared to learn.
Academic Dishonesty:
The Volusia County School Board’s Code of Student Conduct has defined Academic Dishonesty as a level II offense. Academic Dishonesty is defined as “Dishonesty, such as cheating, plagiarism, or knowingly furnishing false information to the school district. Such behavior may result in reduction in grades, classroom discipline as determined by the instructor, suspension or expulsion from school and/or school activities including student organization”.
Instructional Resources:
Often appropriate PG-13 movies or sections of PG-13 movies can be utilized effectively to enrich classroom instruction and accomplish identified objectives. If you give permission for your child to view such materials, you do not have to do anything. (NOTE: NO sections of “R” rated movies will ever be shown per Volusia County School Board policy.) If you do NOT wish to grant permission for your child to view any PG-13 movies or sections of PG-13 movies identified by the teacher as effective in teaching the curriculum, please contact me via e-mail at [email protected] or send a note in with your student.
Students Resources:
-1 inch 3-ring binder - Loose-leaf notebook paper - Highlighters
Teacher: Mrs. Emmeline Decker, Ed.S
Classroom: 5-111
Email: [email protected]
Planning Period: 1
Course Description: Psychology I & II is a broad overview of the diverse field of psychology. The majority of class time will be devoted lectures, discussions, audiovisuals, written responses, and interactive experiences. Student participation is required and will add enjoyment to each activity.
Learning Methods: Lectures, discussions, audiovisuals, written responses, collaboration, and structured experiences will be included in the teaching and learning process.
Classwork/Homework (formative practice): Students will complete an interactive packet for each unit. It is imperative that you stay up-to-date and turn in assignments when scheduled. However, students who are submitting late work (due to absence) have one day, or one day for each day absent (whichever is greater), to submit work unless the teacher determines there are extenuating circumstances which necessitate an extension. It will be a best practice for students to make up tests within a school week of the original assigned date unless the teacher determines there are extenuating circumstances which necessitate an extension.
Chapter Tests, Final Exam, Press Conferences & Projects (summative assessments):
- Chapter Tests: Will be thoroughly reviewed for and announced prior to being given. Completed Note packets & study guides must be turned in no later than the day of the test. Students MUST have a COMPLETED STUDY GUIDE to TEST.
- Final Exam: There is Final Exam for both Psychology I & II.
- Press Conferences: All students will be required to facilitate ONE press conference. Details to follow.
- Projects: You will develop, carry out, and report on projects. Details to follow.
Homework/ Classwork Policy:
Students who are submitting late work (due to absence) have one day, or one day for each day absent (whichever is greater), to submit work unless the teacher determines there are extenuating circumstances which necessitate an extension. It will be a best practice for students to make up tests within a school week of the original assigned date unless the teacher determines there are extenuating circumstances which necessitate an extension.
*Approximately 1.5 weeks before the end of each quarter, a final missing assignments submission date will be given to students. All unfinished work submitted after this date will not be accepted.
Intervention and Remediation:
The focus of instruction should be on getting students to achieve their full learning potential.
- When students demonstrate a lack of proficiency on standards they must receive intervention(s), which may lead to assessment retakes or alternative assignments.
- When students demonstrate a lack of mastery on standards they may receive intervention(s) that require them to attend office hours on the 4 designated days each week. Office hours take place during the first thirty minutes of the lunch period on the four assigned days.
- Each 9 week grading period, students shall have the opportunity to retake at least one summative assessment. All retakes require that the student attend office hours for intervention assistance on the 4 designated days in order to retake a test during office hours. Additional retakes shall be determined based upon individual student data.
Grading Practices:
Students and parents need timely and accurate feedback in order to effectively monitor learning progress.
- Best practice: Grade book should be updated weekly (except in the case of extensive assignments or unusual circumstances).
- When a student’s score on a retake is less than the original score, the higher score should be used. Scores should not be averaged.
Grade Grade Range Quality Points Description
A 90-100 4.0 Outstanding Progress (Mastery)
B 80-89 3.0 Above Average Progress
C 70-79 2.0 Average Progress (Proficiency)
D 60-69 1.0 Lowest Acceptable Progress
F 0-59 0.0 Failure
I 0.0 In progress toward grade level proficiency in skills and concepts
Class Participation:
All students are expected to take an active part in the learning environment of the classroom. This means coming to class on time and being prepared to learn.
Academic Dishonesty:
The Volusia County School Board’s Code of Student Conduct has defined Academic Dishonesty as a level II offense. Academic Dishonesty is defined as “Dishonesty, such as cheating, plagiarism, or knowingly furnishing false information to the school district. Such behavior may result in reduction in grades, classroom discipline as determined by the instructor, suspension or expulsion from school and/or school activities including student organization”.
Instructional Resources:
- Website: http://deckerpsychology.weebly.com/. This will be an important resource by which students can maintain deadlines and take initiative for their own learning throughout the school year.
- Remind: code will be given to you in class. Daily assignments and homework are posted here. Students can ask questions if needed.
- Canvas Login: Once you access V-Portal, click onto the Canvas tile. You should already be enrolled
- Microsoft Teams (Volusia Live students)
- Textbook: Kasschau, Richard A. (2008). Understanding Psychology. Columbus, Ohio: McGraw-Hill.
Often appropriate PG-13 movies or sections of PG-13 movies can be utilized effectively to enrich classroom instruction and accomplish identified objectives. If you give permission for your child to view such materials, you do not have to do anything. (NOTE: NO sections of “R” rated movies will ever be shown per Volusia County School Board policy.) If you do NOT wish to grant permission for your child to view any PG-13 movies or sections of PG-13 movies identified by the teacher as effective in teaching the curriculum, please contact me via e-mail at [email protected] or send a note in with your student.
Students Resources:
-1 inch 3-ring binder - Loose-leaf notebook paper - Highlighters