Psychology II
Mr. Sommer
Contact info: (801)256-5100
Email:
Hours: Monday-Friday: 7:00 AM to start of school & end of school until 3:30 PM
-Also by appointment
Class Description
Developmental psychology is a half-year course that focuses on providing students with an introduction to many of the fundamental concepts found within the overall field of psychology. For example, human motivation and emotion, cognitive reasoning and intelligence, language development, mental disorders, psychological treatments and therapies, states of consciousness like hypnosis and sleep, as well as, an introductory view of social psychology
Activities
Students in this class will engage in a number of activities outside of lecture and text book readings. Debates, experiments, cooperative learning activities, art and written projects, discussion groups and video clips will all be a part of the learning process. Current events will also play an important role in the classroom. Thus, on some occasions, discussions and writings based on current psychological studies will also be a part of class activities.
As part of our study of development, segments of the following films will or may be shown in class. Due to time and curriculum considerations, none of these films is shown in its entirety. If, for whatever reason, you do not want to participate in the viewing of these film clips, or if you have any questions regarding this material, please notify the teacher and alternate assignments covering the same material can and will be made available.
-Awakenings (PG-13)-A Beautiful Mind (PG-13)
-What About Bob? (PG)-Cast Away (PG-13)
Materials
1-The text for this course will primarily come from the book, Psychology, 2012, Prentice Hall (Minter & Elmhorst). In addition, any supplementary readings and handouts will be distributed by the teacher.
2-Each day students come to class, they will need to bring paper and a pencil or pen.
3-Students will also need to have a notebook or folder to store notes and assignments.
Attendance
This class will adhere to the BinghamHigh School attendance policy. The award of credit in this class is subject to the conditions outlined in the BinghamHigh School attendance policy. Absences in excess of 3 per class per quarter that are not made up will result in loss of course credit regardless of the course grade.
Absence
Definitions:
Excused Absencethe student is still responsible for anywork missed.
Unexcused Absence: must be made up through attendance school.
1-All absences in this class must be excused. Absences can be excused in the attendance office by providing a note, signed by a parent, which explains the reason for the absence.
2-As per the attendance policy, if a student has 4 or more absences that are not made up or excused, the student will receive no credit for the quarter grade in that class.
3-It is the student’s responsibility to contact the teacher to find out what work needs to be made up after an absence.
Absence (continued)
4-Students who miss work due to an excused absence will be given an extra day for each day of absence to complete any missed work.
5-To make up an absence, a student must attend Attendance School, as stated in the school policy.
Tardiness
1-Students will be marked tardy if not in class when the bell rings. If students arrive 10 or more minutes after the start of class, the student will be marked as absent and not tardy.
2-If a student is tardy, that student must sign the sign-in sheet at the front of the room and record their name, class period and time they entered the class. Unless excused, failure to sign in will result in an absence and the student will have to make up the absence via Bingham High Attendance School---No Exceptions.
3-First tardy: student receives a warning. However, every tardy after that must be made up by attending a 25 minute detention session before or after school.
4-In addition, for every tardy that has not been made up by the end of each quarter, the student will lose points equaling 2% of their final grade for the quarter. (Not to exceed 30%)
Classwork and Grading
1-A point system will be used for all grading purposes. All assignments, tests/quizzes, and projects will be assigned a point value. The students will be aware of all point values that assignments and tests are worth. No single assignment will be so heavily weighed as to result in severely dropping a student’s grade. However, missing several assignments can significantly impact grades in a negative manner. There are four categories of classroom performance in which points can be earned. The approximate number of points for each area is shown below:
In-class work and assignments300
Tests and quizzes250
Homework/projects300
Participation150
1000 points
At the end of each term, the number of points that a student earns will be totaled and the overall percentage will be calculated. Final grades will then be placed according to the following scale:
93-100 = A80-82 = B-67-69 = D+
90-92 = A-77-79 = C+63-66 = D
87-89 = B+73-76 = C60-62 = D-
83-86 = B70-72 = C- Below 60 = F
2-At any time during the term, students, parents and guardians can check with the teacher or on Skyward(internet) to find out their current grade status, as well as, missing work.
Tests:
1-Test materialwill be taken directly from assigned chapters, classroom notes, worksheets and material developed and created in class lecture and discussions.
2-Students are expected to take tests on the day they are given. The only exception is a legitimately excused absence in which the student has one week to make the test up. Make ups will not be given during class time. Arrangements should be made with the teacher to schedule make up tests.
3-Students who sluff class to avoid taking a test will receive a zero on that test and no make up will be possible.
4-The teacher will be available before and after school for consultation with students and for any additional help that may be required.
5-Students will be given oral and written notice prior to tests and test review sessions will be a part of class activities.
Participation:
1-Participation scores are based upon the following criteria:
(1) Being prepared(2) Being to class on time(3) Participating in class activities
2-Each day, every student will receive a participation score. As an example, scores could be determined in the following manner:
5 points (full credit) = had materials for class & on time & participated in class activities
3 points (partial credit) = marginally prepared OR late to class OR loosely participated
0 points (no credit) = not prepared OR absent or extremely late OR caused disruptions
Late Work:
1-All assignments will have a due date that the students will be made aware of. Any work turned in after the date it is due will automatically be penalized with a 50% reduction from the final score.
2-Students will have approximately one week after the due date to complete assignments and turn them in for credit. After that time, late work will not be accepted.
Extra Credit
1-Opportunities for extra credit will occasionally arise in this class. Students can also inquire about assignments and projects that could earn extra credit.
2-However, no more than 75 points per quarter can be earned by each student.
3-All extra credit assignments will pertain to the information being studied in class.
Special Needs
1-Students with special needs who require accommodation in one way or another shall be afforded every opportunity to obtain the assistance and help required for their success in the classroom. Please privately contact the teacher at the earliest possible moment to make arrangements for accommodating the student’s needs.
Expectations/Class Rules
1-Respect for all others in the classroom. This includes teachers, classmates, visitors and administrators. Respectful behavior is an incredibly important aspect of this class because it allows every student to enjoy a positive learning environment which will improve academic performance in the class. Put-downs, derogatory statements, and disrespect will NOT be tolerated. Examples of this sort of behavior are: talking while others are talking, vandalizing school or personal property, using obscene language, and coming to class unprepared.
2-Academic honesty is required of all students in this class. Dishonest and unethical behavior will not be tolerated. Students who violate this principle will receive no credit on any tests and/or assignments involved.
3-Come to class prepared and ready to work. It is hoped that this class will provide an interesting and educational experience for everyone involved. However, it is also believed that these conditions can best be achieved when students come to class ready to participate and work hard. Students are expected to make good use of their time while in class. Behavior like playing calculator/computer games, sleeping, etc., during class activities is not appropriate.
5-No food or drinks (except for water in water bottles) are allowed in the classroom or in the Social Studies Department.
6-Hats are not to be worn or even brought to class.
7-Cell phones, CD players (Ha!)/iPods/M3P’s, headphones, video games, and other electronic devices should not be brought to class. However, if they are, they cannot be used or even seen in class. If they are seen, they may be seized.
Positive Consequences for adherence to Rules/Expectations
1. Increased ability to concentrate on learning and achievement for everyone in class
2. Higher participation score
3. More freedom to govern your own learning activities in class
Expectations/Class Rules (continued)
Negative Consequences for adherence to Rules/Expectations
1. Loss of participation points
2. Instructor disciplinary conference with student
3. Administrative disciplinary conference with the student
4. Contacting parents/guardians
5. Temporary and even permanent removal from class, if necessary
Psychology 2
I have reviewed the Psychology 2 disclosure statement. I am aware of the class outline, attendance and tardy policies, grading procedures and classroom expectations.
Teacher Signature
Administrator Signature
Student’s Name (Printed)
Student’s Signature
Date Signed Period
Parent’s Signature
Parent’s email
Date Signed