Ms. De La Cruz - Room 322

Ms. de la Cruz - Room 322

Elsinore High School

Advanced Placement Psychology

I. Course Description and Goals
Course Description:

Secondary school students find the study of psychology inherently motivating. One of the major developmental thrusts of adolescence is the establishment of an identity. This search for self makes the secondary school student naturally curious about many of the questions psychology attempts to answer. This course is based on the premise that college-level material can be taught successfully to motivated, able, and well-prepared secondary school students.

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. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major sub fields within psychology. They also learn about the methods psychologists use in their science and practice. Many university teachers are excited by the prospect of receiving students educated in psychology. It is hoped that knowledge of psychological inquiry will provide perceptions of the world around us, insights into one’s own and other’s behavior, and an appreciation of the complexity of human behavior.

Goals:

1) The aim of this course is to provide the student with a learning experience equivalent to that obtained in most college introductory

psychology courses.
2) Students will be able to analyze and interpret basic data relevant to psychology.
3) Students will prepare to do acceptable work on the AP Psychology examination.
4) Students will study the major core concepts and theories of psychology.
5) Students will be able to define key terms and use them in their everyday vocabulary.
6) Students will learn the basic skills of psychological research and be able to apply psychological concepts to their own lives.
7) Students will develop critical thinking skills.

Elsinore High School has academic expectations for students enrolled in Advanced Placement courses:

1) During the registration process (usually in March), students were given a course request form. If a student showed interest in taking Adv./Honors/AP courses the following year, he/she needed to obtain a recommendation “signature” on the registration form. This signature is a verification that the student is ready for the rigorous work required for the next year’s course load. A History teacher signed for Social Science courses, English teacher for English courses, Science for Science courses, etc. If the teacher did not sign the registration form, and the student is still interested in the course, the student and his/her parent(s) can sign a waiver which acknowledges the course requirements. This waiver will allow the student to take the course.
2) Some students enter advanced classes with the preconceived notion that they will be able to drop the class if they find it to be too difficult. This is not the case at EHS. We find that students have a difficult time transferring into another class, for he/she will be required to make up the work missed prior to their transfer. In addition, due to the large student population, there is limited seat availability. It is our strong belief that students will rise to the challenge from the start if they realize that they have made a year-long commitment.
3) The following has been put into place to insure the success of all students:

Once a student enters the AP program in the Fall, he/she will remain in the course for the entire academic year. Students must maintain a C or better to remain in the Adv./Honors/AP course(s).If a student falls below a C (meaning he/she is earning a D of F) in an Adv./Honors/AP course and has not raised the grade by the semester break, he/she will be transferred into a regular course pertaining to the same subject matter for the remainder of the year.

4) Advanced Placement Exams: It is assumed that all Elsinore students who enroll in an Advanced Placement (AP) course will take the AP test for that course. There are programs in place to help subsidize the cost of the exams for those students who qualify for financial services. IF you decide NOT to take the AP Test on May 1st, 2017, THEN YOU ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE THE IN CLASS FINAL FOR THIS COURSE. The curriculum upon which this AP Psychology course is based is rigorous so as to maintain the integrity of the AP program. This is essentially a collegiate course and as such, taking a final exam is a non-negotiable requirement.

5) Textbooks, Resources, and Supplemental Materials

Many of the Adv./Honors/AP courses encourage students to purchase their own copies of textbooks or resources for the course(s). The reason for this is so that the student can take notes and work through the text as if it is a college course. AP classes in particular are college courses.

II. Advanced Placement Exam

The Advanced Placement Psychology Exam is scheduled for May 1st, 2017. The exam presumes a college-level preparation and is representative of such a course. Therefore, the exam is considered appropriate for the measurement of skills and knowledge in the field of Psychology. The AP Exam in Psychology is approximately two hours in length and consists of two sections: a 70 minute section with 100 multiple choice questions and a 50 minute free response section that includes writing two essays.

III. Instructional Strategies and Assessment

Students will be exposed to a wide variety of activities that will not only ensure their success in meeting the goals of the Lake Elsinore Unified School District, but will assure that they graduate from high school with the skills necessary to become a contributing member of society.

* Auditory Learning: lectures, discussions, debates, presentations, listening, responding
* Visual Learning: observation, analysis, demonstrations, audio-visual presentations
* Kinesthetic Learning: investigations, experimentation, simulations
* Assessment: written performance tests (objective and subjective), experimental competency tests, authentic assessment,

portfolio, peer and self-evaluation, projects, class participation, homework/classwork completion, journal writing.

IV. Assessment Activities

* Exams/Quizzes: Exams generally follow each unit of study and will include multiple choice questions (bring a #2 pencil). Exam questions are generated from a combination of lecture, discussion, activity, and textbook use. Exam/quizzes missed due to an absence must be completed upon appointment with the teacher. There is a first semester in class final and a second semester in class final. If a student chooses to take the AP test, he/she is not required to take the second semester in class final.

* Homework/Classwork: Are expected to be completed on time. Late assignments will be accepted,for half credit, until the day of the unit exam.
* Essays/Free Response Questions: In-class and take home essays will be assigned periodically. Topics are generated from course material and released AP Exam free response questions.
* Projects: An application of knowledge will be completed at the conclusion of each unit. A benchmark project applying knowledge learned throughout the course will be completed as a final exam.
* Participation: Each student will be required to participate in class on a regular basis.

V. Grading

* Grades are based on performance, not “seat time”.
* Extra credit will be provided.

* Points accumulate by completing the above listed activities.

* Please note that an “A” means mastery. It takes most students quite a while to achieve this level of success. In most cases,

an “A” in this class is not the level of achievement they have formerly been expected to meet.

* This course is a weighted 5 grade point course.

* Grades will be weighted according to the following:

Exams and Quizzes: 30%

Homework and Classwork: 25%
Essays and Free Response Questions: 20%
Projects: 20%
Participation: 5%

* Letter grades will be assigned according to the following scale:

A = 90% -100% D = 60% -69%
B = 80% -89% F = 00% -59%
C = 70% -79%

VI. Seven Steps to Success

* In order to establish and maintain a positive learning environment, students are expected to:

- Be prepared for class when the second bell rings.

- Use class time efficiently by listening attentively to the one person who is speaking, participating in class

activities, and working quietly during individual work time.
- Respect school property by not writing on desks, walls, or in textbooks and by not eating or drinking in class.
- Show excellent behavior and cooperation when it is necessary to have a substitute teacher.

- Respect the common courtesy of others. Control your actions and use of language.

- Keep out of use the following items: offensive clothing, hats, make-up, electronic devices (and their headphones),

and CELL PHONES (ARRRGH! This is my pet peeve).

* Consequences will follow the “EHS Code of Conduct” printed in the student handbook.

VII. Academic Responsibility

* Students are expected to abide by ethical standards in preparing and presenting material which demonstrates their level of knowledge and which is used to determine grades. Such standards are founded on the basic concepts of honesty and integrity.

* Cheating/Plagiarism is absolutely not tolerated. If you are feeling the urge to copy someone else’s work, including information obtained online, one of two things has happened: 1) You did not understand the lesson; in which case you need to speak with me before you do something you will regret; 2) You procrastinated and did not allow yourself enough time to complete the assignment yourself; in which case you need to focus on your time management. It is my job to make sure you know the essential information. I need to see your honest and best effort. If you choose to plagiarize, you will be strictly held accountable to the Elsinore High School policy for academic dishonesty.

VIII. Necessary Materials

* Requirements in class every day include a three ring binder, loose-leaf paper, blue or black ink pen, #2 pencil, and a highlighter.

IX. Attendance

* The Student will be expected to:

-Be on time and ready to work when the second bell rings. Arrival ten minutes following the second bell will result in an absence for that period of instruction.
-Assume responsibility to make up work when absent. Missed assignments are available upon return to class and are due the following day.

X. Course Content

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I. Introduction to Psychology
II. Neurophysiology
III. Developmental Psychology
IV. Sensation and Perception
V. States of Consciousness
VI. Learning and Memory
VII. Cognition, Language, and Intelligence
VIII. Motivation and Emotion
IX. Personality
X. Psychological Disorders and Treatment
XI. Social Psychology

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XI. Instructional Materials

* Psychology (8th ed.) by David G. Myers (can be picked up at our school library)

* Barrons AP Psychology(7th edition) by Robert McEntarffer about $20 (can be purchased online at Barnes & Noble, etc).

XII. Note to Parent/Guardian
Sociologists claim that the experiences most influential upon a young adult’s life are those experiences encountered during the high school years. Therefore, we are presented with an incredible opportunity to become actively involved in the development of our students and making our association with Elsinore High School a cherished memory that will greatly influence the future of our world! I am looking forward to a year of active learning in a program that is in the process of preparing our students for an incredible future.
As your student’s teacher, my goal is to help each student achieve his/her own potential. In order to reach this goal, I would like to propose a partnership; a team made up of yourself, your student, and myself working together to assure the success of your student.
As a parent/guardian, you can be a key source of motivation and support for your student. I would ask that you not only monitor the completion of assigned work, but also achievement toward personal growth and development.
Because this course is an active, engaging subject, the student should commit him/herself to being an active and prepared participant in class. Due to the unique function of this class, a commitment to their role as a “team” member working toward a better understanding of our nation is expected of each student.
While this course will be taught as a traditional subject, the method of instruction will be “learning by doing”. I feel my students will better understand and enjoy their high school experience by taking an active approach to success. Of course, the traditional lecture will not disappear, but will be blended with a variety of activities to create a well-balanced learning environment.
The most important objective of this course will be to get your student excited about learning and what they can do for the future of our nation. Together we can make a difference! I will do all that I can to ensure an exciting and worthwhile learning experience throughout the course. I would appreciate your assistance as concerned parents/guardians to ensure your student’s attendance, participation, and completion of all assigned tasks. I hope you will take some time to investigate what is occurring in our classroom, and on campus, on a daily basis. If you have questions at any time, please contact me at (951) 253-7200 ext. 322 or at .

Please read the expectations for this course listed above, sign below, and have your student return the signature page only as soon as possible. Thank you for your interest in your student’s educational pursuits.

Azucena de la Cruz

AP Psychology Teacher
I have read the course expectations for this course. I understand that if I do not take the AP test in May 2015 I will take the in-class final on the day of the AP exam:

Student Signature______Date______
Parent Signature______Date______

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