Ovaska's AP Psych Class

March 18

2011-03-18T08:37:00.000-07:00

In-Class Activities:

1) Write a new Neuron Note question

2) Phil Z!

3) Treatment lecture

Assignments:

1) Finish and take notes on Ch.17

2) Ch. 17 test

March 3

2011-03-03T09:05:00.000-08:00

In-class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You read the answers from last class and wrote a new question

2) Psych News/Study

3) OCD and anxiety disorders

4) Mood disorders

Assignments:

1) Read ch.16

2) Disorders project

March 1

2011-03-01T08:40:00.000-08:00

In-class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You wrote a new question.

2) Psych News/Study

3) Review Test

4) Creative Disorder Project

5) What is abnormal?

6) Anxiety Disorders

Assignments:

1) Read Ch.16 pgs 633-646

2) Disorders Project research

February 25

2011-02-25T08:21:00.000-08:00

In-class Activities:

1) No news or NN today

2) Turn in personality handout and essay

3) ch. 15 test

4) Free Response

Assignments:

1) Ch. 16 pgs 619-629

February 18

2011-02-18T08:53:00.000-08:00

In-class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You read the answers from last class and wrote a new question

2) Psych News/Study

3) Trait Results

4) Social-Cognitive

5) The Self

6) Your Personality

Assignments:

1) Have a fun break!

2) Make sure you're done with Ch.15 the test is next class!

February 16

2011-02-16T08:16:00.000-08:00

In-class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You read the answers to your questions from last class and wrote a new question.

2) Practice Free Response

3) Humanism

4) Trait

5) Social-cognitive

Assignments:

1) Finish ch.15

2) Personality Project (due next class)

February 14

2011-02-14T08:14:00.001-08:00

Happy Valentines Day!

In-class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You picked up the answers to your questions from last class and wrote a new question

2) Psych news/Study

3) Collect Free Response

4) Psychoanalysis

5) Humanism

Assignments:

1) Read ch.15 pgs 600-614

2) Personality Project

February 10

2011-02-10T08:32:00.000-08:00

In-class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You wrote a new question

2) Psych News/Study

3) Video

4) Freud

Assignments:

1) Read Ch.15

2) Personality project

3) Free Response

February 8

2011-02-08T09:38:00.000-08:00

In-class Activities:

Mrs. Ovaska wasn't able to be here today :(

1) Ch.12,13,14 Test

2) Pick up the outline for ch.15

Assignments:

1) Read ch.15 pgs 575-586

February 4

2011-02-04T08:18:00.000-08:00

In-class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You read the answers to your questions and wrote a new question

2) Psych News/Study

3) Collect Emotions/Stress activity

4) Stress

5) Worried Sick

Assignments:

1) Study for the test on chapters 12, 13, 14 next class!

February 2

2011-02-02T08:22:00.000-08:00

In-class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You read the answers to your questions from last class and wrote a new question.

2) Psych News/Study

3) Fear

4) Anger

5) Happiness

Assignments:

1) Read ch.14

2) Emotions/Stress Activity due next class!

January 31

2011-01-31T09:43:00.000-08:00

In-class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You read the answers to your questions from last class and wrote a new question.

2) Psych News/Study

3) Emotional Expression

4) Fear

5) Anger

6) Happiness

Assignments:

1) Read ch.14

2) Emotions/Stress Activity

3) Lie to Me is on tonight on FOX

January 27

2011-01-27T08:22:00.000-08:00

In-class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You read the answers from last class and wrote a new question

2) Achievement/Motivation

3) Emotional Expression

Assignments:

1) Read ch.13 pgs 517-529

2) Emotion/Stress activity due Feb.4

3) Lie to Me extra credit

January 25

2011-01-25T08:17:00.000-08:00

In-Class Activities:

1) Psych News/Study

2) Collect and go over the Free Response

3) Maslow

4) Hunger and more!

Assignments:

1) Start ch.13 Pgs 499-517

January 21

2011-01-21T08:29:00.000-08:00

In-class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You read the new one and wrote a new question

2) Psych News and Study

3) Needs/drives

4) Hunger

Assignments:

1) Read ch.12 pgs 467-487

2) Free Response due next Tuesday

3) Maslow handout

January 19

2011-01-19T08:41:00.000-08:00

In-class activities:

1) Neuron Note. You wrote a new question

2) Psych News/Study

3) Review the ch.11 test

4) Free Response

5) Phil Z!

Assignments:

1) Read ch.12 pgs 467-482

January 14: Ch. 11 Test

2011-01-14T08:19:00.000-08:00

In-class activities:

1) Read the neuron note. You didn't need to write a new question today.

2) Battle of Brains

3) Ch. 11 Test

4) Get the new outline

Assignments:

1) Read ch.12 P.455-467

January 12

2011-01-12T08:47:00.000-08:00

In-class activities:

1) Neuron Note. You read the answers to your questions and wrote a new one

2) Psych news

3) New quiz!

4) Class Notes

Assignments:

1) Finish ch. 11 if you haven't yet

2) Study for the test on ch. 11 next class!

January 10: Intelligence

2011-01-10T08:54:00.000-08:00

In-Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You read answers to your questions and wrote a new question.

2)

3) Class notes on intelligence

Assignments:

1) Ch. 11 P.

2)

Welcome Back!

2011-01-04T08:17:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Semester 2 of AP Psych

1) Tell us about your break!

2) Assess 1st semester

3) What is intelligence?

4) Phil Z!

Assignments:

1) Read Ch. 11 up to page 427

December 8:

2010-12-08T09:25:00.000-08:00

In-Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You read answers to your questions and wrote a new question.

2) Class Notes

Heuristics

3) String Game

Assignments:

1)

December 6:

2010-12-08T09:23:00.002-08:00

In-Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You wrote a new question.

Assignments:

1)

December 2:

2010-12-08T09:23:00.001-08:00

November 30

2010-12-08T09:20:00.000-08:00

November 17: Classical and Operant Conditioning

2010-11-17T09:14:00.000-08:00

In-Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You read answers to your questions and wrote a new question.

2) We went over the consciousness activity and turned it in

3) Philip Zimbardo movie about classical and operant conditioning

4) Class notes

Assignments:

1) Read chapter 8 pp. -

2) Classical conditioning worksheet to help you understand it!

November 15: Review Test & Start Learning

2010-11-17T09:08:00.002-08:00

November 10: Chapters 1 - 7 Test

2010-11-17T09:08:00.001-08:00

November 8: Sleeping, Dreaming, Hypnosis, Drugs

2010-11-17T09:07:00.001-08:00

November 4: Review Test / Sleep :)

2010-11-17T09:06:00.002-08:00

November 2: Chapters 5 & 6 Test

2010-11-17T09:06:00.001-08:00

October 29: EYEBALLS!

2010-11-17T09:05:00.000-08:00

October 27: Perception & Escher

2010-11-17T09:04:00.000-08:00

October 25: Hearing, Touch, Smell, Taste, and More

2010-11-17T09:03:00.002-08:00

October 21: Vision

2010-11-17T09:03:00.001-08:00

October 19: Review Test/ Sensory Threshold

2010-11-17T09:02:00.000-08:00

October 15: Chapters 3 & 4 Test

2010-10-15T09:22:00.000-07:00

In-Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You read the last neuron note answers of the development unit.

2) "The Becoming Years." We watched a few video clips of the Inside Out or you quietly looked over your notes.

3) Ch. 3 & 4 Test. 100 Multiple choice questions in 70 minutes. What did you think?

4) Sensation/Perception Unit Outline. Start reading chapter 5...it will be an exciting unit!

Assignments:

1) Read chapter 5 pp. 193-199

October 12: Aging

2010-10-12T14:04:00.000-07:00

In-Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You read answers to your questions and write a new question.

2) Developmental Activity. I collected your fun work on Piaget, Kohlberg, or Freud. :) Thank you!

3) Emerging Adulthood. The final severing of the umbilical cord! :) You are moving away from your parents and they from you, but it is not easy and no one is sure they really want to. Sometimes it is simple -- you spend more time away from home because of your new job. Sometimes it is hard -- you fight and slam doors and shut each other out.

4) Sing-A-Long. "Father and Son" says it perfectly. :) Enjoy!

5) Old, like me! :) There is not a lot of positive vibes for aging. People are not talked about as wise or experiences, but wrinkly and crabby. We looked at birthday cards and their negative message on aging.

6) "Never Say Die" Scientific American Frontiers. Fabulous information on research on aging! Eat Less, Live Longer. What do you think?

Assignments:

1) Finish Chapter 4 if you haven't.

2) Chapter 3 AND 4 test is on Friday! Study like mad.

Class Activities: Collect Stage Theorists Assignment, Discuss Adulthood, DVDs Inside Out Ch. 4 and Never Say Die
Assignment: STUDY!!

October 7: Stage Theorists/Adolescence

2010-10-07T20:03:00.001-07:00

In-Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You wrote me a new question about adolescence.

2) Lecture on Stage Theorists. I cranked through all the stage theorists: Piaget, Kohlberg, Erikson, Freud. Then I lectured on adolescence and specifically, the teenage brain.

Assignments:

1) Read chapter 4 pp. 171-189 (or finish it).

2) Notes and notecards (optional)

3) Extra credit Options
Cafe Scientific: How Environmental Change Drove Human Evolution? Thursday, October 7th 7pm.
Videos at lunch A days this week.

October 5: Babies

2010-10-07T20:01:00.001-07:00

In-Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You wrote me a new question about Piaget, attachment, and the other development concepts.

2) Collect "Gender Bender." Wow! What great ideas! You guys are very cool!

3) Philip Zimbardo's "The Developing Child" video!

4) Prenatal Development Lecture.

5) Stage Theorists Lecture. Because of the jam-packed schedule, I only got through Piaget. We will finish them all on Thursday and make it interesting. I gave you lots of life examples of my own children who are different stages at ages 3, 5, 8

Assignments:

1) Read chapter 4 pp. 159-170.

2) Notes and notecards (optional)

Extra credit Options
Cafe Scientific: How Environmental Change Drove Human Evolution? Thursday, October 7th 7pm.
Videos at lunch A days this week.

October 1: Gender Differences

2010-10-07T20:00:00.003-07:00

In-Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You read answers to your questions and write a new question.

2) Culture. Wow! It's so much fun to talk about personal space. Thumbs up! Or wait, that could be bad in Nigeria.

3) Gender Differences Fishbowl Conversation. You wrote anonymous questions to ask the opposite sex and I collected them. Then all the ladies got together in a circle, with the guys listening on the outside, to have an honest conversation about them. And then we switched with the guys answering the ladies' question in the circle in order to find out their responses. This allows each gender to get a chance to talk amongst themselves honestly. In the end, we came to the conclusion that all females are not the same and all males are not the same.

Assignments:

1) Read chapter 4 pp. 143-159.

2) Chapter vocabulary notecards (optional)

3) "Gender Bender" assignment. Have fun!

Extra credit videos at lunch A days next week.

September 29: Jigsaw of Chapter 3

2010-10-07T20:00:00.001-07:00

In-Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You read answers to your questions and wrote a new question.

2) Pop Quiz on Chapter 3.

3) Heritability. I clarified what it is. If it still is troublesome, see me at lunch.

4) Chapter 3 Jigsaw. You shared the information for you learned last class with your neighbors.

5) Gender Differences Preparation. You wrote anonymous questions to ask the opposite sex for Friday.

Assignments:

1) Start chapter 4.

2) Notes again for those of you with 80 or lower on the tests. Optional chapter vocabulary notecards.

3) Gender Bender. Analyze gender stereotyping in the world and write up your experience. See the half sheet I gave you on what to do.

September 27: Evolutionary Psych & Behavior Genetics

2010-10-07T19:59:00.000-07:00

Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You got a chance to read some very interesting Neuron Note questions and answers...identical twins, heritability, Human Genome Project. I checked notes. Those of you who earned less than the mean on the tests need to try a new method of notetaking.

2) Evolutionary Psychology Survey: This gave us a chance to talk about how evolutionary psychologists talk about human behavior and our underlying motivations to perpetuate our genes. Who would you save if your boat sinks? Would you rather marry someone older or younger? It is a fun view of human behavior.

2) Gattaca. We watched the two great video segments from NOVA Science NOW. Personal DNA testing: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/0302/01.html The second is about Epigenetics: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/3411/02.html Think about how genetics could play in the future. If you love this stuff watch Gattaca for fun. Here is the story: The main character is one of the last "natural" babies born into a world where parents meet with the local geneticist to determine what traits they want they new child to have. Because of the knowledge that comes from genes, life expectancy and disease probabilities are known at birth. Since he is not genetically perfect, he has no chance of a career in a society that now discriminates against your genes, instead of your gender, race or religion. Until he assumes the identity of another perfectly genetic man... Watch the rest of it for a great conversation with your family and friends that relates to this chapter.

3) Jigsaw on Behavior Genetics, Evolutionary Psychology, and the Role of the Environment: you read one set of articles about hot topics and shared your information with a small group and listened to the other information they discovered in their readings.

Assignments:

1) Finish chapter 3.

2) Take very ACTIVE notes! I'll check again on Wednesday.

3) Chapter 3 and 4 vocabulary notecards (optional)

September 23: Review Test/Start Chapter 3

2010-09-23T14:07:00.000-07:00

In-Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You didn't have answers to read today, but you wrote a new question based on the textbook reading on behavior genetics, twin studies, and evolutionary psychology.

2) Brain Test Review. I put the test data (distribution, mean, median, mode, standard deviation, histogram, grade scale) on the overhead so you could see how we did as a class as well as how you did in comparison with your classmates. We went over the questions that most students got wrong and you were able to write down the reasoning behind those tricky questions. I also tried to give page numbers so you could look up those concepts again.

General comments about the trickiest questions: Many of you missed the ones related to the types of neurotransmitters (chart on page 62) and what each hemisphere is specialized in doing.

3) Notetaking Assignment. If your test scores have been below the mean, you are required to improve your notes! I will check your notes on Monday. If you earned less than a 70, you must come in during lunch all next week.

4) Evolutionary Psychology Survey. This gave us a chance to talk about how evolutionary psychologists talk about human behavior and our underlying motivations to perpetuate our genes. Who would you save if your boat sinks? Would you rather marry someone older or younger? It is a fun view of human behavior.

5) "Codes for Life" DVD. Amazing studies of twins, discussion of behavior genetics, evolutionary psychology, and environment role.

Assignments:

1) Read chapter 3 pages 116-125.

2) Notetaking will be checked for those of you with test scores lower than 80. Pick a system and use it this chapter! I will be checking each day!

3) Chapter 3 vocabulary notecards (optional)

September 21: Chapter 2 Test

2010-09-21T08:57:00.000-07:00

It is Homecoming week and I am proud of those of you who worked hard dressing up! Have fun this week and make the most of Homecoming!

In-Class Activities:

1) Neuron Notes. You didn't need to write a new question, and the copier was not working in 2A. So sorry you didn't get a chance to read the answers today.

2) Collect Test Prep Assignment. Great songs, stories, and swimcaps! Thanks for singing Adam! You rock!

3) We watch a section in the Inside Out DVD series on "Tools and Parts of the Brain." It gave you a chance to see an EEG and an fMRI as well as a good review of all the parts of the brain.

4) Chapter 2 Test. 100 multiple choice questions on the brain. If you were absent today, you need take the test at the beginning of class on Thursday while we go over the correct answers. Please come early so you can get settled and get it completed without missing too much of the rest of class.

5) Development Outline. You received the new outline for this next unit. Please get organized. We'll have some great conversations about nature/nurture and human development. The next test will cover BOTH chapter 3 and chapter 4. Start making those notecards if this system is working for you!

Assignments:

1) Read chapter 3 up to page 116.

September 17: Divided Brain and More

2010-09-21T08:55:00.000-07:00

Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You wrote a new questions and you read the answers of last class' question. You also wrote 5 terms, concepts, people, studies, etc. that are still bugging you. You met with your neighbor and heard their explanation of the things that are still tricky for you. Now you know the areas you need to study and you know you can ask other student's about topics.

2) Hemisphere Dominance. We all use both sides of our brains ALWAYS! But looking at the separate abilities of each side, we understand the specialization of each hemisphere. Then we watched, "Scientific American Frontiers: Pieces of Mind" clip on Michael Gazzinaga's research with split brain patients. WOW!!!

3) "Make Up Your Mind" video. This is more "Scientific American Frontiers" where Alan Alda visits different researchers and shares some amazing findings. 1) Phineas Gage's skull and what we know 2) Children and their fragile memories 3) Moral and difficult decisions and the brain regions 4) Being blind and brain plasticity 5) Missing a brain hemisphere and living normally

Assignments:

1) Test on chapter 2 is on Tuesday!

2) Preparing for the Test Assignment. You can choose the from four options to identify parts of the brain and their functions -- write about how each part is involved in an activity you do, write a song about parts, write creatively a superhero story where one part grows and other shrink, or map the brain with markers on a swim cap.

2010-09-15T12:13:00.001-07:00

September 15: Playdoh Brains

2010-09-15T08:49:00.000-07:00

In-Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You read the answers and wrote one more good question related to the reading. I think this activity is really working out for us. Make the most of the reviewing.

2) I checked notecards again. I have to say that some of you are settled in and have a good little system!! :) Study those notecards this week so you can look at all the details over the weekend.

3) Pop Quiz on Ch.2 up to page 85.

4) Play-doh Brains. We made brains using play-doh. We started from the spinal cord, built the brain stem, added the limbic system, and finished with the cerebral cortex. I tried to make it "real." Make sure you know the parts, where they are located and what they do.

Assignments:

1) Read chapter pp..85-93. Hey, you might as well finish it!

2) Study those vocabulary notecards. Come to class with the 5 that are still hard for you.

3) "Preparation for the Test" Assignment. Choose from 4 different creative activities to make sure you know 10 parts of the brain really well. It is due on Tuesday before the test!

FYI: TEST on Tuesday!

September 13: Neurons

2010-09-14T20:17:00.000-07:00

1) Neuron Note. You read answers to your awesome questions and asked a new question related to the brain. Nice work everyone! I also checked your notes. Many of you are doing a very good job. Some of you are fumbling. You will not make it if you do not keep up with the reading. You might be able to get away with reading the chapter quickly before the test or without the notes now, but it will be VERY sad when we study for the AP test in May. For those of you who earned less than a 70 on the test, I'll see you at lunch for more reviewing. If you are behind, you need to get organized! Next week is Homecoming!

2) Neuron Models. WOW! You guys are super creative! Every neuron model impressed me. Whether they were made out of food, sports equipment, legos, or your own wild ideas, I hope they helped you learn the parts of the neuron and their function. We got a chance to judge the best ones from each class and I am proud to tell you:
2A's Best Neurons
#1 Keanna's Girly Neuron

4A's Best Neurons
#1 (tie) Brianna's Gummy Neuron and Erin's Beach Neuron

3) Neural Transmission. We re-read the section in your book (page 56) on how neurons fire. It is really important that you understand action potential, resting potential, positive/negative ions, refractory periods, excititory/inhibitory signals, etc. Then we went outside and made ourselves into neurons. Some of you were dendrites, cell bodies, axons, axon terminals. I supplied the neurotransmitters (M & Ms) from a axon terminal, then the dendrites "ate" the neurotransmitters until they reached the treshold and told the neuron to fire, positive ions rushed in and negative ions rushed out as the neuron depolarizes and the message was sent down the axon to the terminal branches and the synapse. Hopefully, it was helpful.

4) Neurotransmitters. We went over the chart on the Neuron Note and the one on page 62 in your book. You must know them! Serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, Ach, glutamate, GABA.

4) Nervous System. You completed the chart of the Nervous System with sticky notes so you can see if you really know those parts and how they are organized. I told my personal stories of CNS and PNS injuries. Morals of those stories: Wear your seat belt and be good to your parents.

Assignments:

1) Read chapter 2 up to page 85.

2) Bring in the chapter 2 notecards!

3) Don't forget your play-doh for Wednesday's brain creation

4) Toilet Handout. Neural Transmission is like...

FYI: Chapter 2 test is on Tuesday, the 21st.

September 9: Review Test/Start Brain

2010-09-08T23:20:00.000-07:00

1) Neuron Note. You didn't have answers to read today, but you wrote a new question based on the weekend's textbook reading on neural communication.

2) Prologue/Chapter 1 Test Review. I put the test data (distribution, mean, median, mode, standard deviation, histogram, grade scale) on the overhead so you could see how we did as a class as well as how you did in comparison with your classmates. Since the highest score was an 98, but the median in both classes was ~80. I curved the test by making the total points 95, not 100. We went over the questions that most students got wrong and you were able to write down the reasoning behind those tricky questions. I also tried to give page numbers so you could look up those concepts again. No matter how you did, you should be motivated to improve your test preparation, notetaking, vocabulary memorization, and study plans. As you learn more and more about what to expect from these tests and adjust your system for this class, you will be more and more successful.

General comments about the trickiest questions: Many of you missed the ones related to the early philosophers and psychologists. Study the chart on the bottom of page 3 and memorize those early names. Make sure you know that psychological research is broken down into three categories: description, correlation, experimentation.

3) Neuron Model Assignment Explanation: For this weekend, your job is to make a model of a neuron with readily available supplies from your house. It must have all the parts (axon, dendrites, cell body, nucleus, myelin sheath labeled AND defined. Be thorough and thoughtful, and have fun and be creative. It is due on Monday.

4)Sample Size Matters. Each of you got a sample of M&Ms. You calculated the percentage of each color of your M&Ms sample. Is it representative of the entire population of M&Ms' colors? No. So we calculated the entire class' M&M sample. Was it representative of the entire population of M&Ms? No. But it made the point of sampling and it tasted good.

Here is the distribution of colors:
13% Brown, 14% Yellow, 20% Orange, 13% Red, 16%Green, 24% Blue

For more M&Ms info, visit: http://us.mms.com/us/

Assignments:

1) Read chapter 2 pages 65-76. If your test score was lower than an 80, I will check your notes on everyday. If your test score was lower than a 70, plan to spend lunch with me Monday, Wednesday, Friday next week.

2) Neuron Model is due on Monday.

3) Make notecards so you can just review vocabulary next week. I'll check them on Wednesday.

4) Play-doh is needed for class on Wednesday.

FYI: Chapter 2 test is Tuesday, September 22.

September 7: Test on Prologue & Chapter 1

2010-09-02T09:39:00.000-07:00

In-Class Activities:

1) Neuron Notes. You didn't need to write a new question, but I gave you the responses from the last class. You had time to read before the test. Unfortunately, 4A's responses would not print from my computer and the copier was down. So I tried to respond in class to some of the questions.

2) Ethics. We talked about the APA's ethical guidelines for experimentation.

3) Prologue/Chapter 1 Test. You completed your first of 14 multiple choice exams that you will take this year. 100 multiple choice questions in 70 minutes. The questions came from the writers of the textbook, so you should have memorized those first 50+pages. If you were absent, you will take the test at the beginning of class on Thursday while we go over the correct answers. Please come early so you can get settled and get it completed without missing too much of the rest of class.

3) Brain/Biology Outline. You received the new outline for this next unit. You should use it to get organized. The BRAIN is great! The chapter 2 test will be in two weeks on Tuesday, September 22...start making those notecards tonight!

Side Note: As you visit Powerschool to check your test score, please think about what you did to prepare for the exam. If you didn't do as well as you thought you would, you need to rethink how you prepared. This is a college-level class with a college-level textbook and college-level tests. You must not only memorize the vocabulary, but make those concepts real. What can you do differently to improve your score for the next test? We will go over the tests on Tuesday and you can use that time to ask questions and learn more about these concepts before we move on. If you did well on the test, find someone who didn't do so hot and help them prepare better for the next test. Not only will you make a friend, but it will help you know the concepts even more as you explain them.

Assignments:

1) Read chapter 2 pp. 57-65

2) Start making those notecards! Mastering the vocabulary early is key since we will use those words throughout the next chapter.

September 2: Experimentation & Statistics

2010-09-02T09:34:00.000-07:00

In-Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note: You wrote one last Neuron Note before the test and you read the answers to last class' questions.

2) I collected the Psych Sim: Statistics assignment and checked your chapter 1 notecards.

3) Finish Notes on Experimentation. We analyzed the five basic parts of an experiment: Hypothesis, Independent Variable, Dependent Variable, Experimental Group, and Control Group. You heard about Theresa Amabile's experiment examining creativity and competitive rewards. We dissected her experiment into the five basic elements. We also discussed operational definitions, confounding variables, random assignment, lab vs. field experiments, and replication. If you are still having trouble with this, talk to me or your study buddy before the test!

5) Central Tendency and Height. You all became "data" and we organized ourselves into a dichotomy, trichotomy, continuum, range, and histogram with mean, median, mode.

6) Standard Deviation Notes. We went step-by-step through the calculations of standard deviation using the example of punting distances. I explained the Normal Curve and its key percentages: 68%, 95%, 99.7%

7) Correlation Coefficient Notes. You do not need to know how to calculate it, but you do need to know what it means. There are two major questions to ask: Is it positive or negative? What is the strength? We went through examples and I encouraged you to find more in your life.

8) We tried out the new video series, "Inside Out" with the episode called "Endless Questions." It is a good summary for chapter 1.

Assignments:

1) Finish Chapter 1

2) Study for the first big test on Tuesday. 100 Multiple Choice Questions in 70 Minutes. Get together with your study buddy. Review flashcards. Re-read the sections that were confusing. Send a message me. Good Luck! Remember to overlearn!

3) Placebo Effect Extra Credit DVD at lunch if you are interested...

August 31: Research Methods

2010-08-31T12:02:00.000-07:00

In-Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You read responses from last class' questions and you asked new questions in regards to the reading.

2) Pop quiz. You used your notes and notecards to answer 6 questions in thorough, yet concise answers. How did you do?! I sure hope that you feel like your notes are very helpful. If you got less than 60%, please contact me for help!

3) We got into our groups from the naturalistic observation. You brainstormed different human behaviors that make us curious. This is what research psychologists do -- spending their days ask questions, using the scientific method to find answers to those questions, refining their questions, and doing more studies. You made a list of interesting behaviors you observed and developed hypotheses based on those interesting behaviors. Then, you tried to operationally define your hypotheses from your observation and determine a plan for trying to do more research on your prediction. We shared our hypothesis with each other. I collected all of the naturalistic work.

4) We took notes over Description Research methods of surveys, naturalistic observation, interviews, case studies and all of pros and cons for using them. Then we took notes over Correlational Research or Non-Experimental Research and how it is used to find associations between variables. We discussed when and why it is used.

Assignments:

1) Read Chapter 1 pp. 41-47 or just finish it!

2) Psych Sim on Descriptive Statistics and Correlation. Use the textbook's website and complete the two simulations. Then practice what you learned with this handout.

3) Test over Prologue and Chapter 1 is next Tuesday (after Labor Day weekend).

August 27: Thinking Critically

2010-08-31T08:40:00.000-07:00

In-Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note...You read my responses to last class period's questions and wrote a new question. What do you think of this?

2) You turned in your textbook website assignment. If you were not able to get it done, please do it tonight. FYI: Late work will earn half points and I will not accept it once it becomes a habit.

3) Scissors Game. You passed scissors around the room as I said "Correct" of "Incorrect."
You tried to figure out the rule of this odd game. It was fun and gave you a chance to "feel" the scientific method. Observing, making a hypothesis, doing your research, finding conclusions and doing it all over again.

4) We tried to continue understanding how psychologists use critical thinking to understand behavior and mental processes by taking some notes.

5) We watched the Phil Zimbardo video "Understanding Research" to get our minds turned on to why psychologists do experiments and other types of research. It talked about placebo effect, double-blind studies, correlation is not necessarily causation, placebo effect, and more. http://www.learner.org/discoveringpsychology/index.html

6) You got the Naturalistic Observation assignment. With a partner in class, you must to observe two or more people interacting for ~10 minutes and take notes. Once your notes are complete and before you talk to your partner, you write up a 1-page summary of your observation and then swap with your partner. After reading their response, you record the differences in your observations. You must complete this assignment before class on Friday.

Assignments:
1) Read chapter 1 pp. 31-42
2) Naturalistic Observation

August 25: Approaches Posters

2010-08-25T09:19:00.000-07:00

In-Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You wrote a new question and read the answers to last time's questions.

2) I checked your notecards for the Prologue.

3) Then you did your approaches poster for the different views of human behavior.

Assignments:

1) Start reading Ch.1 p.19-30 and take notes

2) Do the textbook website handout

3) Bring your notecards on Friday if you didn't have them today

School Email Will Not Connect

2010-08-23T19:27:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

I have been checking my school email since 4:00 to reply to your messages but something cannot connect. I'll respond to your emails as soon as I can! Sorry!

In the meantime, if you are feeling overwhelmed by the start of the school year, you might find some perspective if you watch this:

August 23: Study Skills, Phil Z., and History Lecture

2010-08-23T15:33:00.000-07:00

In-Class Activities:

1) You wrote your first Neuron Note. This is a way for you to ask me questions about the reading every class period. If you do not have a question from the reading, you can make a thoughtful comment. I do this activity for many reasons but the main one is so you continually review the reading. Think about it: You read and took notes over the assigned pages at home. Today, you reviewed your notes by thinking about them as you wrote your Neuron Note. Tonight, I will respond to your questions and you will be able to read all the answers on Wednesday. It keeps you reviewing and reviewing the reading. If you do not read, please do not waste your time and my time writing a bogus question. This daily activity is for serious students who have genuine questions and thoughts about the reading.

2) I checked your Book Cover, Parent Signature, Binder with Dividers. You must have a system and these easy activities some me that you are getting yourself organized. I am impressed by some of you. Those of you who could not do these simple assignments need to reconsider whether or not you can keep up with this class. It is an AP elective and you will need to be on top of the assignments. Please think about your ability to participate fully if these easy tasks were too much.

3) Study Skills Assessment. We went over the assignment to assess your study skills. Knowing what kind of learner you are, along with how well you take notes on the reading and lectures, are key to doing well in AP Psych. Please consider all of this as you settle into the routine of this class.

4) We watched the first in a video series called "Discovering Psychology." It is a bit outdated, yet iconic in the world of psychology. Even though the clips are old, it is a fabulous review on the major units of study. Philip Zimbardo, former professor and researcher at Stanford and APA President, is the narrator. Today's video was a simple introduction to psychology with a great review of the major historical figures.

5) I lectured on the History of Psychology: its roots, its beginning as a science and as therapy, as well as current views.

Assignments:

1) Read the rest of the Prologue pp.9-16 Take serious notes and think about what you might ask as a Neuron Note question next class.

2) Send me an email answering one of the eight FAQ of psychology and the name of your Study Buddy.

3) Complete all the vocabulary notecards for the Prologue and Ch.1. If you did the optional summer assignment, please bring your notecards on Wednesday.

The Psychology Psong

2010-08-22T19:39:00.000-07:00

August 19: First Day!

2010-08-19T21:33:00.000-07:00

Welcome to AP Psychology!

In-Class Activities:

1) I welcomed you and told you about myself and the class.

2) We went through the AP Psychology Expectations handout, the College Board's AP Psychology outline, Exam Tidbits, and Advice from Last Year's AP Psych students. This is a college level class and we will be taking the AP exam in May. If this commitment is too much, you should make an appointment with your counselor for a schedule change. Regular Psychology might better suit your needs.

3) You completed a notecard of information about yourself: basic information as well as your strengths/weaknesses/worthwhile learning experiences/ineffective learning experiences.

4) Period 2A had the school assembly while Period 4A got to discuss hot topics in psychology such as "Do video games cause one to become more violent?"

Weekend's Assignments:
Quick stuff...
1) Cover your book
2) Have your parent's sign the AP Psych Expectations handout.
3) Get a binder with 14 dividers (that can just be colored paper) that correspond with the units on the College Board Outline

Online activities...
4) Email me at l.ovaska@laschools.net
*One topic from you textbook that interests you.
*One cool fact about yourself.
5) Bookmark this blog and www.apa.org

REAL WORK...
6) Complete the AP PSYCH STUDY SKILLS ASSESSMENT. This will give you and me a better understanding of your study habits and skills.
* Take the multiple intelligences quiz and think about how you can in corporate those skills into your studying. Here is the link: Find Your Strengths
*Watch 30 minutes of an educational show and take notes. Bring them so I can assess your notetaking.
*Look up the Cornell and SQ3R methods of taking notes on a textbook.
*Assess your time management.

7) Read the Prologue pp.1-9 and take superstar notes and make notecards of all the vocabulary in the Prologue if you haven't.

Oh! I forgot...bring Kleenex if you can! :)

WELCOME TO AP PSYCH!

2010-08-18T14:45:00.000-07:00

Hello to all of you in AP Psychology at LAHS this year! I hope that you are ready for this challenging, amazing, and fun elective. I am excited to get to know you and share the fascinating world of psychology with you. It is an intrinsically interesting topic so be prepared to have psychology on your brain for the rest of the year!

Since we will be working hard, I hope you are refreshed from your summer vacation. Get ready to put hours and hours into reading our awesome textbook, taking excellent notes, and finding cool articles about the brain.

The goal of this blog is to help you stay connected to psychology beyond class. I'll post our daily class activities and the assignments, along with links to other great websites related to human behavior. Please bookmark it and check it out daily as part of your study routine. The more you talk about psychology, the more you remember, the more you'll learn, and the better you do on the AP exam in May.

If you are absent, use the blog to find out what we did that day and what work you missed. If you came to class but forgot to write down the homework, you also can double-check the blog for all the assignments. If you would like to review what you've learned before a test, you can look at the recent posts.

It is an honor to be your teacher and I look forward to a dynamic school year.

See you tomorrow morning in P5A!

March 2: Personality Test

2010-03-02T21:01:00.000-08:00

Class Activities:

1) No Neuron Note or Psych News today. I collected the re-worked research free-responses. Let's hope everyone gets 100% on both!

2) A Few More Thoughts...

Barnum Effect: We love our horoscope since it applies to us. The trouble is that it might apply to anyone! The Barnum Effect shows that astrologers, crystal-ball readers, ... use very general terms to describe behavior that we all experience but make it feel unique to us.

Better Than Average Phenomenon: After rating ourselves on many favorable qualities, we found that almost all of us are BETTER THAN AVERAGE! Imagine that! :) Why do we have this self-serving bias?

Self-Handicapping: Do you have a readily available excuse for your failures? If you don't do well on the test, is it because you stayed up too late or you have 4 tests today or you didn't read the chapter? We easily take credit for our success and blame others for our failures. We'll see how this plays out with today's test.

3) Multiple Choice Test on Personality.

4) Pick up Abnormal Psych Outline and Creative Project Assignment.

Assignments:

1) Read and take notes over chapter 16 up to page 626.

2) Read through the Creative Disorders Project and consider what disorder you might like to investigate.

Announcements:

1) Get a copy of "Cracking the AP Psych Exam" from Princeton Review . Definitely worth the $12!

2) Come to the Cafe Scientifique "Disease of the Brain" on Thursday, March 4th at 7pm.

3) Make sure you get signed up for the AP Psych Test with Mrs. Arbuckle.

4) Watch a movie about a disorder for extra credit.

February 26: Trait, Social-Cognitive, the Self

2010-03-02T21:00:00.000-08:00

Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note/Psych News. You wrote a new question and read the answers to your questions.

2) Pop Quiz. :)

3) Finish Trait Perspective:

Quick Overview on Keirsey results.

Big Five Survey: You got your score of extraversion, emotional stability, openness, agreeableness, conscientiousness.

4) Social Cognitive Perspective.
Reciprocal Determinism clarification.

"Shindler's List" clip: The Jewish maid has lost all sense of control in her life. Have you ever felt a lack of control? What does that do to your personality?

Locus of Control Survey.

4) The Self.

Self-Esteem survey and evaluation. Notes on self-esteem.

Assignments:

1) STUDY!!! Test on chapter 15 on Tuesday, March 2nd. Multiple Choice

2) Please re-write your free-responses using the rubrics so you get all the points. We are going to have Free-Response Day on Thursday. You need more clarification as you strt doing these.

Feburary 24: Defense Mechanisms, Humanism, Trait Theory

2010-03-02T20:58:00.000-08:00

Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note/Psych News. You wrote a new question and read the answers to your questions.

2) Defense Mechanisms in Your Life. You shared stories about how these happen in your life and turned in your work.

3) Humanistic Perspective.

"Dead Poet's Society:" Neal tries to be true to himself but his father's expectations bury him.

Perceived vs. Ideal Self: Are they the same? Can we self-actualize?

Obstacles of Self-actualization

4) Trait Perspective.

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Notes.

Keirsey Temperament Sorter: You completed the survey and found your "type" (i.e., ENFJ)

Assignments:

1) Finish chapter 15.

2) Keirsey Terperament Sorter. Finish this at home!

February 22: Freud and Psychoanalysis

2010-03-02T20:53:00.000-08:00

1) Neuron Note/Psych News. You wrote a new question and read the answers to your questions.

2) Free-Response Collection. You wrote two free-response essays on research methods. You got a chance to see the rubric and grade your own. I gave many suggestions such as: use paragraphs and sound like a psychologist.

3) Freud and Psychoanalysis. We took a survey to see if psychoanalysis is in our lives today. I gave notes on Freud. Then we completed a handout of defense mechanisms to understand the examples of each type.

Assignments:

1) Read and take notes over chapter 15 pages 600-614.

2) Find Defense Mechanisms in your own life.

February 11: Test Review and Personality Theories

2010-03-02T20:47:00.000-08:00

Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note/Psych News. You wrote a new question and heard new presentations

2) We reviewed the test on Motivation, Emotions, Stress.

3) I presented information on how to respond to free-response questions for the AP test as we went over the Opposites Free-Response.

4) We started talking about Personality and what personality theorists do. We also took a survey to establish our own theory of personality.

Assignments:

1) Read and take notes over chapter 15 pages 587-600. But read it all if you can. I don't see you for 11 days!

2) Two Research Methods Free-Responses. Give yourself 50 minutes to complete them over this long break! Good Luck!

February 9: Test on Motivation, Emotions, Stress

2010-03-02T20:38:00.000-08:00

Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note/Psych News. You read the responses. You didn't need to write a new question. There were no news presentations.

2) Multiple Choice Test on Motivation, Emotions, Stress. 100 questions from chapters 12, 13, and 14.

3) Pick up Personality Outline.

Assignments:

Read chapter 15 up to page 586.

February 5: Stress

2010-02-26T12:37:00.000-08:00

Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note/Psych News.

2) Emotions/Stress Activity. We shared and I collected your summary of your experience with detecting deception, or monitoring your anger, or recoding your daily mood, or meditating.

3) Stress. We took a series of surveys on stress to assess our level.

4) "Worried Sick" Video. Awesome Scientific American Frontiers video with Alan Alda on stress. Great research! Don't get stressed!

Assignments:

Study with someone for the test over chapters 12, 13, 14 on Tuesday!!!!

February 3: Emotions

2010-02-04T18:17:00.001-08:00

Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note/Psych News. You read last time's responses and you wrote a new question. Then you heard the news presentations 2B Shaina 3B Doug and Laura.

2) How Many Emotions? We tried to make a list. Then we looked at Plutchik's Emotion Wheel and Eckman's Facial Expressions to determine how many emotions exist.

3) Emotions readings/surveys. We finished the discussion on supplemental material that related to the chapter reading.

4) Fear. What are you afraid of? The Amgydala notes and discussion. Can you be scared to death?

5) Anger. Fried Green Tomatoes Clip. Road Rage notes and discussion. How comfortable are you with your anger?

Assignments:

1) Finish chapter 14.

2) Emotions/Stress Activity due on Friday! You are either video taping deception and asking people to detect the lies, recording your daily mood, monitoring your anger, and meditating.

3) Test on Chapters 12, 13, 14 on Tuesday.

February 1: Eating Disorders/Start Emotions

2010-02-04T18:16:00.000-08:00

Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note/Psych News. You read last time's responses and you write a new question. Then you heard the news presentations. 2B Mika Reagor 3B No one

2) Guest Speaker on Disordered Eating. You heard from a 38-year-old woman who has struggled with control and eating since she was 13. She shared her story and you were able to ask questions.

3) Emotions readings/surveys. We talked about a few supplemental readings that relate to the chapter reading on emotions.

Assignments:

1) Read chapter 14 up to page 555.

2) Emotions/Stress Activity. Continue working on one of the four activities for this assignment: video taping deception and asking people to detect the lies, recording your daily mood, monitoring your anger, and meditating. It is due on Friday.

January 28: More Motivation

2010-02-04T18:15:00.000-08:00

1) Neuron Note/Psych News. You read last time's responses and you write a new question. Then you heard the news presentations.

2) Pop Quiz on end of Ch. 12 and beginning of Ch. 13.

3) Sexual Orientation. We read the FAQ on sexual orientation from the American Psychological Association and had good conversations about the textbook's research.

3) Motivation in the Workplace. We talked about Flow, I/O Psychology, Birth order and achievement.

Assignments:

1) Read chapter 13 pp. 499-512

2) Emotions/Stress Activity. You can choose between four activities for this assignment: video taping deception and asking people to detect the lies, recording your daily mood, monitoring your anger, and meditating. It is due on Friday, February 6th.

January 26: Free-Response & More Motivation

2010-01-26T10:38:00.000-08:00

Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note/Psych News. You read last time's responses and you write a new question. Then you heard the news presentations.

2) Statistics Free-Response. This was your first one. We graded it and talked about the expectations for these.

3) Sexual Motivation. Lecture on how this is part of human behavior and the researchers who try to understand sexual motivation.

Assignments:

1) Read chapter 13 pp. 499-512

2) Don't forget to turn in YOUR Maslow Hierarchy of Needs

January 22: Maslow and Hunger

2010-01-22T16:11:00.000-08:00

Almost a snow day! :)

Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You read last time's responses and you write a new question.

2)Psych News. For 2B, Megan brought in an interesting article on how we perceive global warming.

3) Notes on Maslow and More. I also introduced Glasser's Needs.

4) Alive. We watched 12 minutes of the movie "Alive" based on the true story of the 1972 plane crash survivors who had to resort to cannibalism in order to survive.

5) Hunger. WOW...our motivation to eat is huge! We went through the ways that signal our hunger motivation and we quickly looked body image issues and eating disorders. We'll talk more next class!

Assignments:

1) Finish Chapter 12.

2) Maslow Assignment. If you didn't finish it, record events in your life that fulfill each level of Maslow's Hierarchy and whether or not you think you have achieved this level.

3) Statistics Free-Response. This is your first one. Try it out. Give yourself a half hour to sit quietly and write your answer. No need for a thesis, introduction, conclusion. Do not type your answer. Write. Use your book this time or your notes. Try it out and see what you think. It is due on Tuesday.

January 20: Review Test/ Intro to Motivation

2010-01-20T14:01:00.000-08:00

Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. Your wrote a question for the first section chapter 12.

2) Psych News. For 2B, Megan presented an article on stress and for 3B, Ryan presented an article on neuroticism.

3) Test Review. We went over the test questions that were most missed by the class. It is really important that you guys study with others to hear someone else's explanation of concepts. This chapter was hard for many of you so I made it out of 93 so hopefully that helped.

4) Introduction of Motivation. When you think about the future what comes to mind? We talked about hope, instincts, drives, and arousal. At the end I briefly shared Maslow. We'll cover this more on Friday.

Assignments:

1) Read chapter 12 pp. 432-441

2) Maslow Assignment. For Friday, record events in your life that fulfill each level of Maslow's Hierarchy and whether or not you think you have achieved this level.

January 15: Intelligence Test

2010-01-15T11:00:00.000-08:00

Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You read answers from the Neuron Note. You do not need to write a new question on test days.

2) "Genetic and Environmental Influences" DVD Clip. This was ~8 minutes on current research! Very interesting!

3) Test. 100 multiple choice test on chapter 11. If you were absent, you can take the test on Wednesday while we go over the correct answers.

4) Outline. You picked up the outline for the next unit on Motivation, Emotions, and Stress. Three chapters in one unit! How will you make that work?

Assignments:

1) Read chapter 12 up to p. 467

January 13: Mutliple Intelligences

2010-01-13T11:26:00.000-08:00

Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You wrote a new question or comment for the reading and read the answers.

2) Announcements.
Lunch today we will review of chapter 11 vocabulary and Ch. 11 Test on Friday.

3) Pop Quiz. If you were gone, plan to take it after Friday's test.

4) Multiple Intelligences Discuss. You read the debate on Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences and we discussed this theory and John White's disagreement with it.

5) Sternberg and Triarchic Theory. We watched the video clip of Sternberg talking about his theory and his examples.

6) Normal Curve Handout. Make sure you know the percentages of the IQ test results.

Assignments:

1) Finish Chapter 11

2) Chapter 11 Test in on Friday.

January 11: IQ Tests

2010-01-11T12:05:00.000-08:00

Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You wrote a new question or comment for the reading and read the answers. Keep up with your reading!

2) Announcements.
Emotional Intelligence Video at lunch today. Multiple Intelligence debate on Wednesday. Ch. 11 Test on Friday.

3) Mensa Tests. You completed two tests of intelligence. 1) Analogies 2) Remote Associations. The goal was not to determine your IQ but to analyze these tests asking, "What are these tests measuring? Is that intelligence?"Is this a better measure of intelligence?

4) Chitling Test. You took this IQ test to start our discussion on cultural bias in IQ testing. This test was put together by Adrian Dove, a black sociologist, to challenge the IQ tests of the 1960s and 1970s.

5) Class discussion of Culture and Intelligence. We watched the research of Aboriginal children and white Australian children and spatial intelligence. We discussed how our culture determines our success on IQ tests

6) Brain Imaging of Intelligence. We discussed new research by Robert Haier who is imaging the brain and studying intelligence. What we could identify major areas of the brain of intelligence!?

Assignments:
1) Multiple Intelligences readings. Complete the handout so you can be part of the disucssion.

2) Read Ch. 11 pp.437-445.

3) Chapter 11 test is on Friday.

January 7: Intelligence

2010-01-06T21:18:00.000-08:00

Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You wrote your first NN for second semester.

2) Feedback from 1st Semester. I shared your comments about first semester. It went well for many of you. As for our class time together, you want more discussions and help with the tests. Some of you love the videos, some of you don't. Some of you love the pop quizzes, some of you don't. Most of you are going to keep up with the reading more and study more each day and cram less.

3) AP Psych News. You received a packet to keep everyone's articles this semester. I presented the article "The Price of Affluence" as the first Psych News. If you'd like to read the article, go to: http://www.apa.org/monitor/2009/01/teens.html You signed up for a day to present your own articles of interest.We had some very interesting discussions on this topic.

4) Intelligence Definitions: Is it a general trait or is it independent abilities?

Assignments:

1) Read Ch. 11 pp.427-437.

2) Chapter 11 test is next Friday.

3) Multiple Intelligences articles. Complete the handouts and bring it on Wednesday for a good discussion.

January 5: Welcome Back!

2010-01-06T21:01:00.000-08:00

Class Activities:

1) Welcome Back! We talked about break. No Neuron Note necessary.

2) Review Final Exam. We looked at all the questions from each chapter and went over the ones which were most troublesome. You could see what chapters were your best and worst from last semester.

3) Assess 1st Semester. You took the time to give me feedback on what worked for you first semester in AP Psych and what you would like to see being done differently. You wrote a "New Year's Resolution."

4) What is Intelligence? We all imagined a smart person in our lives and shared the characteristics of those people. Oh no! We all had different traits! What makes someone intelligence? We want this to be an objective thing but it isn't. We'll talk more next class.

Assignments:

1) Read Ch. 11 pp.419-432.

2) Reorganize yourself! Clean out your binder, plan how you'll take notes, look at those study habits. Come to class with your binder and yourself ready to learn!

3) Chapter 11 test is on next week on Friday.

Whoa! I'm Back!

2009-11-04T19:54:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! I'm so sorry that I haven't keep up with the blog this last month. My husband has been sick for 6 weeks and I have been a single mom. Please forgive me and know that I still thin of you often! :) I hope you'll try to keep up with class again using this blog.  Here is a summary of the activities and assignments for October:

Tuesday, October 13
Class Activities: Collect Stage Theorists Assignment, Discuss Adulthood, DVDs Inside Out Ch. 4 and Never Say Die
Assignment: STUDY!!

Friday, October 16
Test on Development
Assignment: Chapter 5 up to p. 199

Tuesday, October 20
Class Activities: Go over test and start Sensory Thresholds
Assignment: Chapter 5, pp. 199-211, Sensation/Perception Activity
Thursday, October 22
Class Activities: Pop Quiz, Vision: Lecture and Fun Activities
Assignment: Chapter 5, pp. 212-228, Sensation/Perception Activity

Monday, October 26
Class Activities: Collect S & P Activity, Pop Quiz, Hearing & Other Senses Discussion and Fun
Assignment: Chapter 6, pp. 231-248, Record Moments of Perceptual Organization in Life

Wednesday, October 28
EYEBALLS!!
Assignment: Chapter 6, pp. 248-263

Friday, October 30
Class Activities: Collect "Perceptual Organization in My Life," Analysis of Escher Drawings, ESP Assignment: STUDY!! Make a good costume! Practice your ESP!

Tuesday, November 3
Test on Sensation & Perception
Assignment: Chapter 7, pp. 265-284

October 2: Stage Theorists

2009-10-02T10:14:00.000-07:00

In-Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You wrote me a new question about Piaget, attachment, and the other development concepts.

2) "The Growing Child" DVD. These videos are so related to the chapter! I love them!

3) Lecture on Stage Theorists. Because of the shortened day, I only got through Piaget, Kohlberg (a little bit). Hopefully, we can finish them all on Tuesday and make it interesting. I gave you lots of life examples of my own children who are different stages at ages 2, 4, 7.

Assignments:

1) Read chapter 4 pp. 159-170.

2) Notes (mandatory) and notecards (optional)

3) "Gender Bender"

4) Extra credit Options
Teen Brain Symposium video at Family Strengths Network Monday, October 5th 3:45-5:30.
Videos at lunch B days this week and next week.

September 30: FAME! Oh, and Culture and Babies!

2009-09-30T10:28:00.000-07:00

In-Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You read answers to your questions and write a new question. Question of the Day: What is childhood amnesia?

2) Pop Quiz! Pages 136-142. If you missed it, take it on Friday. Come early if you can.

3) Culture. Wow! It's so much fun to talk about personal space and cleanliness. Thumbs up! Or wait, that could be bad in Nigeria.

4) LIFE book. We looked at amazing photos of conception, blastocytes, embryos, fetuses. Check it out in the IMC. We talked about all those prenatal and neonatal development.

Assignments:

1) Read chapter 4 pp. 143-159.

2) Chapter vocabulary notecards (optional)

3) Extra credit video at lunch B days this week and next week.

September 28: Gender Differences

2009-09-28T15:32:00.000-07:00

In-Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You read answers to your questions and wrote a new question.

2) Heritability. I clarified what it is. If it still is troublesome, see me at lunch.

3) Gender Differences Fishbowl Conversation. You wrote anonymous questions to ask the opposite sex and I collected them. They all the ladies got together in a circle, with the guys listening on the outside, to have an honest conversation about them. And then we switched with the guys answering the ladies' question in the circle in order to find out their responses. This allows each gender to get a chance to talk amongst themselves honestly. In the end, we came to the conclusion that all females are not the same and all males are not the same.

4) Enjoy Homecoming!

Assignments:

1) Start chapter 4.

2) Notes again for those of you with 80 or lower on the tests. Optional chapter vocabulary notecards.

3) Gender Bender. Analyze gender stereotyping in the world and write up your experience. See the half sheet I gave you on what to do.

Extra credit video at lunch start on Wednesday!

September 24: Evolutionary Psych & Behavior Genetics

2009-09-24T11:18:00.000-07:00

Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You got a chance to read some very interesting Neuron Note questions and answers...identical twins, heritability, Human Genome Project. I checked notes. Those of you who earned less than the mean on the tests had to try a new method of notetaking. WOW! I sw some amazing notes! Keep it up and see if it makes a difference on the tests.

2) Evolutionary Psychology Survey: This gave us a chance to talk about how evolutionary psychologists talk about human behavior and our underlying motivations to perpetuate our genes. Who would you save if your boat sinks? Would you rather marry someone older or younger? It is a fun view of human behavior.

2) Gattaca. We watched the first 5 minutes of this movie to start thinking about the how genetic could play in the future. The main character is one of the last "natural" babies born into a world where parents meet with the local geneticist to determine what traits they want they new child to have. Because of the knowledge that comes from genes, life expectancy and disease probabilities are known at birth. Since he is not genetically perfect, he has no chance of a career in a society that now discriminates against your genes, instead of your gender, race or religion. Until he assumes the identity of another perfectly genetic man... Watch the rest of it for a great conversation with your family and friends that relates to this chapter.

3) Jigsaw on Behavior Genetics, Evolutionary Psychology, and the Role of the Environment: you read one set of articles about hot topics and shared your information with a small group and listened to the other information they discovered in their readings.

Assignments:

1) Finish chapter 3.

2) Take very ACTIVE notes! I'll check again on Monday.

3) Chapter 3 and 4 vocabulary notecards (optional)

September 22: Review Brain Test/ Start Nature vs. Nurture

2009-09-22T11:27:00.001-07:00

In-Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You didn't have answers to read today, but you wrote a new question based on the weekend's textbook reading on behavior genetics, twin studies, and evolutionary psychology.

2) Brain Test Review. I put the test data (distribution, mean, median, mode, standard deviation, histogram, grade scale) on the overhead so you could see how we did as a class as well as how you did in comparison with your classmates. Since many people earned a high scores of 95, 96, 97, and even 98, I did not curve the test. We went over the questions that most students got wrong and you were able to write down the reasoning behind those tricky questions. I also tried to give page numbers so you could look up those concepts again. I did give everyone an extra point for #5. Please read the top paragraph on page 82 to remember that the right temporal lobe is involved in face recognition.

General comments about the trickiest questions: Many of you missed the ones related to the types of neurotransmitters (chart on page 62) and what each hemisphere is specialized in doing.

3) Notetaking Assignment. If your test scores have been below the mean, you are required to improve your notes! I gave you three different methods of notetaking: Cornell, Mind Maps, SQ3R and you can choose. I will check your notes on Thursday.

4) Striking Similarities. We spend the last 10 minutes of class finding similarities and differences between your neighbor and you. Just because you can find striking similarities in identical twins separated at birth, you cannot say it is because of GENES! You found similarities just in 5 minutes of talking with someone you happen to sit next to in class.

5) "Codes for Life" DVD: Amazing studies of twins, discussion of behavior genetics, evolutionary psychology, and environment role.

Assignments:

1) Read chapter 3 pages 116-125.

2) Notetaking systems for those of you with means on the tests lower than 80. Pick a system and use it this chapter! I will be checking each day!

3) Chapter 3 vocabulary notecards (optional)

4) Check Powerschool

September 18: Chapter 2 Test on Brain

2009-09-18T19:36:00.000-07:00

In-Class Activities:

1) Neuron Notes. You didn't need to write a new question, but I gave you the responses from the last class. You had time to read before the test.

2) Collect Test Prep Assignment. Great songs, stories, and swimcaps! I hope it was helpful to remember the functions of the brain parts.

3) Chapter 2 Test. 100 multiple choice questions on the brain. Mean If you were absent, you will take the test at the beginning of class on Tuesday while we go over the correct answers. Please come early so you can get settled and get it completed without missing too much of the rest of class.

3) Development Outline. You received the new outline for this next unit. Please get organized. We'll have some great conversations about nature/nurture and human development. The next test will cover both chapter 3 and chapter 4. Start making those notecards this weekend if this system is working for you!

Assignments:

1) Read chapter 3 up to page 116.

September 16: Hemisphere Dominance and Brain Video

2009-09-16T09:13:00.000-07:00

Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You wrote a new questions and you read the answers of last class' question. You also wrote 5 terms, concepts, people, studies, etc. that are still bugging you. You met with your neighbor and heard their explanation of the things that are still tricky for you. Now you know the areas you need to study and you know you can ask other student's about topics.

2) Hemisphere Dominance. We all use both sides of our brains ALWAYS! But looking at the separate abilities of each side, we understand the specialization of each hemisphere. Then we watched, "Scientific American Frontiers: Pieces of Mind" clip on Michael Gazzinaga's research with split brain patients. WOW!!!

3) "Make Up Your Mind" video. This is more "Scientific American Frontiers" where Alan Alda visits different researchers and shares some amazing findings. 1) Phineas Gage's skull and what we know 2) Children and their fragile memories 3) Moral and difficult decisions and the brain regions 4) Being blind and brain plasticity 5) Missing a brain hemisphere and living normally

Assignments:

1) Are you done with chapter 2? Test on chapter 2 is on Friday! STUDY HARD!

2) Preparing for the Test Assignment. You can choose the from four options to identify parts of the brain and their functions -- write about how each part is involved in an activity you do, write a song about parts, write creatively a superhero story where one part grows and other shrink, or map the brain with markers on a swim cap.

September 14: Play-Doh Brains

2009-09-14T10:09:00.000-07:00

In-Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You read the answers and wrote one more good question related to the reading. I think this activity is really working out for us. Make the most of the reviewing.

2) I checked notes and notecards again. I have to say that some of you are settled in and have BEAUTIFUL notes!! :) Some of you are not impressing me with your quality of notes or your lack of notes. You will not make it if you do not keep up with the reading. You might be able to get away with reading the chapter quickly before the test or without the notes now, but it will be VERY sad when we study for the AP test in May. For those of you without notes, I'll check again on Wednesday.

3) Pop Quiz on Ch.2 up to page 85.

4) Play-doh Brains. We made brains using play-doh. We started from the spinal cord, built the brain stem, added the limbic system, and finished with the cerebral cortex. I tried to make it "real." Make sure you know the parts, where they are located and what they do.

Assignments:

1) Read chapter pp..85-93. Hey, you might as well finish it!

2) Study those vocabulary notecards. Come to class with the 5 that are still hard for you.

FYI: TEST on Friday!

September 10: Neurons and the Nervous System

2009-09-10T10:02:00.000-07:00

In- Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You read answers to your awesome questions and asked a new question related to the brain. Nice work everyone! I also checked your notecards and notes. Many of you are doing

2) Neuron Models. WOW! You guys are super creative! Not one lame neuron model. Whether they were made out of food, clothes, toys, or your own drawings, I hope they helped you learn the parts of the neuron and their function. We got a chance to judge the best ones from each class and I am proud to tell you:

2B's Best Neurons

#1 Josh Dolin's Mr. Potato Head Neuron
#2 Rachel Brown's Poke Neuron
#3 (tie) Molly Willms' Pants and Sarah Story's Forensics Neurons

3B's Best Neurons

#1 Lizzie Wasilewski's Billboard Neuron
#2 Sandy Zerkle's Pez Neuron
#3 (tie) Chloe Reichelt's Studio Audience and Rachel Miller's Music Neurons

3) Neural Transmission. We re-read the section in your book (page 56) on how neurons fire. It is really important that you understand action potential, resting potential, positive/negative ions, refractory periods, excititory/inhibitory signals, etc. Then we went outside and made ourselves into neurons. Some of you were dendrites, cell bodies, axons, axon terminals. I supplied the neurotransmitters (M & Ms) from a axon terminal, then the dendrites "ate" the neurotransmitters until they reached the treshold and told the neuron to fire, positive ions rushed in and negative ions rushed out as the neuron depolarizes and the message was sent down the axon to the terminal branches and the synapse. Then we did it again. Hopefully, it was helpful.

4) Neurotransmitters. We went over the chart on the Neuron Note and the one on page 62 in your book. You must know them! Serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, Ach, glutamate, GABA.

4) Nervous System. You completed the chart of the Nervous System with sticky notes so you can see if you really know those parts and how they are organized. I told my personal stories of CNS and PNS injuries. Morals of those stories: Wear your seat belt and be good to your parents.

Assignments:

1) Read chapter 2 up to page 75.

2) Study the chapter 2 vocabulary!

3) Don't forget your play-doh for Monday's brain creation

FYI: Chapter 2 test is on Friday, the 19th.

September 8: Review Test and Brain Intro

2009-09-10T08:14:00.000-07:00

In-Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You didn't have answers to read today, but you wrote a new question based on the weekend's textbook reading on neural communication.

2) Prologue/Chapter 1 Test Review. I put the test data (distribution, mean, median, mode, standard deviation, histogram, grade scale) on the overhead so you could see how we did as a class as well as how you did in comparison with your classmates. Since the highest score was an 93, I curved the test by making the total points 95, not 100. We went over the questions that most students got wrong and you were able to write down the reasoning behind those tricky questions. I also tried to give page numbers so you could look up those concepts again. No matter how you did, you should be motivated to improve your test preparation, notetaking, vocabulary memorization, and study plans. As you learn more and more about what to expect from these tests and adjust your system for this class, you will be more and more successful.

General comments about the trickiest questions: Many of you missed the ones related to the early philosophers and psychologists. Study the chart on the bottom of page 3 and memorize those early names. Make sure you know that psychological research is broken down into three categories: description, correlation, experimentation.

3) Neuron Model Assignment Explanation: For tonight, your job is to make a model of a neuron with readily available supplies from your house. It must have all the parts (axon, dendrites, cell body, nucleus, myelin sheath labeled AND defined. Be thorough and thoughtful, and have fun and be creative.

4) Animal Research Taking Sides Discussion. Way to Go! Most of you read the two arguments for and against animal research in psychology. We broke into small groups and you discussed the articles and your personal opinion on the topic. We reconvened at a large group and discussed more. There are many hot topics on psychology and we'll try to read about them as we go through the semester.

5) Inside Out DVD "The Most Amazing Machine." This was a great way to introduce the brain. We took notes.

Assignments:

1) Read chapter 2 pages 65-76.

2) Neuron Model is due on Thursday.

3) Make notecards so you can just review vocabulary next week. I'll check them on Thursday.

4) Play-doh is needed for class on Monday.

FYI: Chapter 2 test is Friday, September 19.

September 3: Test on Prologue and Chapter 1

2009-09-03T10:25:00.001-07:00

In-Class Activities:

1) Neuron Notes. You didn't need to write a new question, but I gave you the responses from the last class. You had time to read before the test.

2) Animal Research and Ethics. Is it right that some animals suffer for research to help humans? I gave you some background on this issue and you watched a short clip of researchers talking about animal research including Edward Taub whose lab was shut down in the 1980s by PETA. Then we talked about the APA's ethical guidelines for experimentation.

3) Prologue/Chapter 1 Test. You completed your first of 14 multiple choice exams that you will take this year. 100 multiple choice questions in 70 minutes. The questions came from the writers of the textbook, so you should have memorized those first 50+pages. If you were absent, you will take the test at the beginning of class on Tuesday while we go over the correct answers. Please come early so you can get settled and get it completed without missing too much of the rest of class.

3) Brain/Biology Outline. You received the new outline for this next unit. You should use it to get organized. The BRAIN is great! The chapter 2 test will be in two weeks on Friday, September 18...start making those notecards tonight!

Side Note: As you visit Powerschool to check your test score, please think about what you did to prepare for the exam. If you didn't do as well as you thought you would, you need to rethink how you prepared. This is a college-level class with a college-level textbook and college-level tests. You must not only memorize the vocabulary, but make those concepts real. What can you do differently to improve your score for the next test? We will go over the tests on Tuesday and you can use that time to ask questions and learn more about these concepts before we move on. If you did well on the test, find someone who didn't do so hot and help them prepare better for the next test. Not only will you make a friend, but it will help you know the concepts even more as you explain them.

Assignments:

1) Read chapter 2 pp. 57-65

2) Animal Research Taking Sides Readings and Analysis. Should animal research be eliminated? Read both sides of this hot topic and come prepared for a class discussion.

3) Start making those notecards! Mastering the vocabulary early is key since we will use those words throughout the next chapter.

September 1: Statistics

2009-08-31T21:17:00.000-07:00

In-Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note: You wrote one last Neuron Note before the test and you read the answers to last class' questions.

2) I collected the Psych Sim: Statistics assignment.

3) I also gave you one more experiment to identify the hypothesis, IV, DV, experimental group, control group. If you are still having trouble with this, talk to me or your study buddy before the test!

4) Sample Size Matters. Each of you got a sample of M&Ms. You calculated the percentage of each color of your M&Ms sample. Is it representative of the entire population of M&Ms' colors? No. So we calculated the entire class' M&M sample. Was it representative of the entire population of M&Ms? No. But it made the point of sampling and it tasted good.

Here is the distribution of colors:
13% Brown, 14% Yellow, 20% Orange, 13% Red, 16%Green, 24% Blue

For more M&Ms info, visit: http://us.mms.com/us/

5) Central Tendency and Height. You all became "data" and we organized ourselves into a dichotomy, trichotomy, continuum, range, and histogram with mean, median, mode.

6) Standard Deviation Notes. We went step-by-step through the calculations of standard deviation using the example of punting distances. I explained the Normal Curve and its key percentages: 68%, 95%, 99.7%

7) Correlation Coefficient Notes. You do not need to know how to calculate it, but you do need to know what it means. There are two major questions to ask: Is it positive or negative? What is the strength? We went through examples and I encouraged you to find more in your life.

8) We tried out the new video series, "Inside Out" with the episode called "Endless Questions." It is a good summary for chapter 1.

Assignments:

1) Finish Chapter 1

2) Study for the first big test on Thursday. 100 Multiple Choice Questions in 70 Minutes. Get together with your study buddy. Review flashcards. Re-read the sections that were confusing. Send a message me. Good Luck! Remember to overlearn!

3) Placebo Effect Extra Credit DVD at lunch if you are interested...

August 28: Research Methods

2009-08-29T19:42:00.000-07:00

What a wacky shortened period! Lock-down. Swine Flu. We'll get into this school routine somehow!

In-Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You read responses from last class' questions and you asked new questions in regards to the reading.

2) Since the period was shortened, I chose to cut the pop quiz you were going to take today. Many of you have ROCKSTAR notes so I expect you would have gotten a 10/10! Keep up the hard work!

3) We got into our groups from the naturalistic observation. You brainstormed different human behaviors that make us curious. This is what research psychologists do -- spending their days ask questions, using the scientific method to find answers to those questions, refining their questions, and doing more studies. You made a list of interesting behaviors you observed and developed hypotheses based on those interesting behaviors. Then, you tried to operationally define your hypotheses from your observation and determine a plan for trying to do more research on your prediction. We shared our hypothesis with each other. I collected all of the naturalistic work.

4) We took notes over Description Research methods of surveys, naturalistic observation, interviews, case studies and all of pros and cons for using them. Then we took notes over Correlational Research or Non-Experimental Research and how it is used to find associations between variables. We discussed when and why it is used. And we took notes over Experimentation and analyzed the five basic parts of an experiment: Hypothesis, Independent Variable, Dependent Variable, Experimental Group, and Control Group. You heard about Theresa Amabile's experiment examining creativity and competitive rewards. We dissected her experiment into the five basic elements. We also discussed operational definitions, confounding variables, random assignment, lab vs. field experiments, and replication.

Assignments:

1) Read Chapter 1 pp. 41-47 or just finish it!

2) Psych Sim on Descriptive Statistics and Correlation. Use the textbook's website and complete the two simulations. Then practice what you learned with this handout.

3) Test over Prologue and Chapter 1 is next Thursday.

August 26: Introduction to Research

2009-08-26T13:02:00.000-07:00

Good Job Everyone! I am impressed by most of you...great notes, nice system for notecards, thoughtful Neuron Note questions, connections made with other classmates. Way to go! If you cannot keep up, you need to talk to me now before it becomes a problem. Send me an email if you are having issues.

In-Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note...You read my responses to last class period's questions and wrote a new question. What do you think of this? I also gave you a "Question of the Day" -- a difficult but relevant concept that you might have found while reading or settling into the routine of studying psychology.

Today's Question: Why was Roger Sperry important?

2) You turned in your textbook website assignment. If you were not able to get it via email, I apologize. Please do it tonight. FYI: Late work will earn half points and I will not accept it once it becomes a habit.

3) Scissors Game. You passed scissors around the room as I said "Correct" of "Incorrect."
You tried to figure out the rule of this odd game. It was fun and gave you a chance to "feel" the scientific method. Observing, making a hypothesis, doing your research, finding conclusions and doing it all over again.

4) We tried to continue understanding how psychologists use critical thinking to understand behavior and mental processes by taking some notes.

5) We watched the Phil Zimbardo video "Understanding Research" to get our minds turned on to why psychologists do experiments and other types of research. It talked about placebo effect, double-blind studies, correlation is not necessarily causation, placebo effect, and more.

5) You got the Naturalistic Observation assignment. With a partner in class, you must to observe two or more people interacting for ~10 minutes and take notes. Once your notes are complete and before you talk to your partner, you write up a 1-page summary of your observation and then swap with your partner. After reading their response, you record the differences in your observations. You must complete this assignment before class on Friday.

Assignments:
1) Read chapter 1 pp. 31-42
2) Naturalistic Observation

August 24: Approaches to Psychology

2009-08-24T11:51:00.000-07:00

ATTENTION 2B!! I FORGOT TO GIVE YOU THE HANDOUT TO EXAMINE THE TEXTBOOK'S WEBSITE! I AM SENDING IT TO YOU AS AN ATTACHMENT VIA EMAIL AND IT IS ALSO HANGING ON MY CLASSROOM DOOR!

In Class-Activities:

1) You wrote a Neuron Note and read the responses to last period's Neuron Note questions. This will be a regular activity at the start of class every day. Hopefully, you will make the most of it by getting out your notes, reviewing them, writing a thoughtful question or comment, and then reading my answers to your previous questions. The goal is to REVIEW the textbook reading. If you haven't read, please do not write a question. Keep up with the reading!!! And reviewing!!!

2) We made sure everyone was ready to start learning so it was the last time to show me a book covered, parent signature, binder with dividers, and notecards. I also checked that you had created the vocabulary notecards of the Prologue and Chapter 1. Nice Job. There were some very creative ways to keep them organized. Keep up the good work!

3) As a way to really understand each perspective of psychology, you broke into your table teams and made a poster of all the approaches to psychology. In your group, you compared the chart on page 11 in your textbook with the College Board Outline and then with the "Psychology & You" textbook's explanation of the approaches. You made a poster of perspectives. With each perspective, you wrote the definition, listed famous people, and gave examples. At the end of class, we analyzed a situation with a woman who was depressed after dating a man of a different religion. The goal of the day was to REALLY understand the differing views psychologists take when examining human behavior.

Assignments:

1) Read the beginning of chapter 1 up to page 30.

2) Review all the notecards you made for the Prologue and chapter1.

3) Visit the textbook's website and complete the handout. OH NO!!! I forgot to give it to Pierod 2B! I'll email it to all of you! You can get a copy of it on my classroom door!

August 20: Introduction/History of Psych

2009-08-20T12:03:00.000-07:00

In-Class Activities:

1) You wrote your first Neuron Note. This is a way for you to ask me questions about the reading every class period. If you do not have a question from the reading, you can make a thoughtful comment. I do this activity for many reasons but the main one is so you continually review the reading. Think about it: You read and took notes over the assigned pages at home. Today, you reviewed your notes by thinking about them as you wrote your Neuron Note. Tonight, I am responding to your questions and you will be able to read all the answers on Monday. It keeps you reviewing and reviewing the reading. If you do not read, please do not waste your time and my time writing a bogus question. This daily activity is for serious students who have genuine questions and thoughts about the reading.

2) I checked your Book Cover, Parent Signature, Binder with Dividers. You must have a system and these easy activities some me that you are getting yourself organized. I am impressed by some of you. Those of you who could not do these simple assignments need to reconsider whether or not you can keep up with this class. It is an AP elective and you will need to be on top of the assignments. Please think about your ability to participate fully if these easy tasks were too much.

3) Study Skills Assessment. We went over the assignment to assess your study skills. Knowing what kind of learner you are, along with how well you take notes on the reading and lectures, are key to doing well in AP Psych. Please consider all of this as you settle into the routine of this class. Again, some of you might consider choosing another elective if this activity was too challenging.

4) We watched the first in a video series called "Discovering Psychology." It is outdated and we will not be using it this year, but is iconic in the world of psychology. Even though the clips are old, it is a fabulous review on the major units of study. Philip Zimbardo, former professor and researcher at Stanford and APA President, is the narrator. Today's video was a simple introduction to psychology with a great review of the major historical figures.

5) We completed a "quiz" that challenged your assumptions. For example, what professional baseball player stole the most bases in a year? The answer is Sophie Kurys, a female who played on the Women's Professional Baseball Team of the Racine Belles in 1946. While trying to understand human behavior, we jump to conclusions that we believe to be true, but we haven't seen the whole picture. I encourage you to let go of your overconfidence in what you know to be true and realize much of our assumptions are not 100% accurate.

6) I lectured on the History of Psychology: its roots, its beginning as a science and as therapy, as well as current views.

Assignments:

1) Read the rest of the Prologue pp.9-16 Take serious notes and think about what you might ask as a Neuron Note question next class.

2) Send me an email answering one of the eight FAQ of psychology and the name of your Study Buddy.

3) Complete all the vocabulary notecards for the Prologue and Ch.1

August 18: First Day of AP Psych

2009-08-18T11:58:00.000-07:00

Welcome to AP Psychology!

I am psyched! I hope you are psyched too.

Over the years, I have used many ways to communicate with students regularly outside of class, but the blog has been super helpful since I am only at LAHS on B days. My goal is for you to feel very connected to AP Psych and never feel like you "don't know what is going on." Please bookmark this blog and visit it before you come to class everyday. I will post our class activities, assignments, great websites, fresh ideas, and more.

In-Class Activities:

1) I welcomed you and told you about myself and the class.

2) We went through the AP Psychology Expectations handout, the College Board's AP Psychology outline, Exam Tidbits, and Advice from Last Year's AP Psych students. This is a college level class and we will be taking the AP exam in May. If this commitment is too much, you should make an appointment with your counselor for a schedule change. Regular Psychology might better suit your needs.

3) You completed a notecard of information about yourself: basic information as well as your strengths/weaknesses/worthwhile learning experiences/ineffective learning experiences.

4) You completed a survey on contentious topics of psychology. We had a mini discussion on the topics. Nature vs. Nurture, man!

Tonight's Assignments:
Quick stuff...
1) Cover your book
2) Have your parent's sign the AP Psych Expectations handout.
3) Get a binder with 14 dividers (that can just be colored paper) that correspond with the units on the College Board Outline

Online activities...
4) Email me at l.ovaska@laschools.net
*One topic from you textbook that interests you.
*One cool fact about yourself.
5) Bookmark this blog and www.apa.org

REAL WORK...
6) Complete the AP PSYCH STUDY SKILLS ASSESSMENT. This will give you and me a better understanding of your study habits and skills.
* Take the multiple intelligences quiz and think about how you can in corporate those skills into your studying. Here is the link: Find Your Strengths
*Watch 30 minutes of an educational show and take notes. Bring them so I can assess your notetaking. I suggest PBS' "The Brain Fitness" on tonight (Tuesday) at 9pm on channel 5.
*Look up the Cornell and SQ3R methods of taking notes on a textbook.
*Assess your time management.

7) Read the Prologue pp.1-9 and take superstar notes and make notecards of all the vocabulary in the Prologue if you haven't.

Oh! I forgot...bring Kleenex if you can! :)

Extra Information:

Not only should you visit this blog at: http://ovaska-appsych.blogspot.com/, the American Psychological Association at: www.apa.org, but you should explore the textbook's website at: http://bcs.worthpublishers.com/myers7e

WELCOME 2009-2010 AP PSYCH-OS!

2009-08-17T19:57:00.000-07:00

Hello and Welcome to AP Psychology at Los Alamos High School!

I am honored to be your teacher for this school year and I look forward to getting to know you. You have selected a challenging and extremely interesting elective as an upperclassmen. My expectations are high and I assume yours are too. Let's make the most of our year together and have fun as we examine human behavior from a scientific perspective.

The goal of this blog is to help you stay connected to psychology beyond class. I'll post our daily class activities and the assignments. I will also try to provide links to other great websites that will help you learn more. Please bookmark it and check it out daily. The more you review, the more you talk about psychology, the more you remember, the more you'll learn, and the better you do on the test.

If you are absent, you'll always know what we did that day and what assignments you need to get done. If you came to class but forgot your agenda, you also can double-check that you got all the assignments. If you would like to review what you've learned before a test, you can look at the recent posts.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow morning when we meet! I hope you are getting lots of sleep. If not, you might want to read ahead to chapter 7 on consciousness and see why sleep is so important. Or visit the American Psychological Association's article
"Why Sleep is Important and What Happens When You Don't Get Enough"

May 15: CELEBRATION!

2009-05-15T10:27:00.000-07:00

Class Activities:

1) Class Awards:
2B
Best Chapter - Social Psych and Brain
Best Activity - Disorders project (Others...Neuron Model, Naturalistic Observation, Cow Eye)
Most Likely to Get a 5 - Daniel Trugman (And...Lauren, Hannah, Jennifer,...)
Most Likely to Be Psychologist - Craig Mortenson (And...Hannah, and many OTHERS!)
Most Creative - Andrew Vierra (And...Natasha, Craig M., Gwen, Arielle)
Most Likely to Miss Phil Z. - Alex Martin (And...Craig M, Craig S., Rachel)
Most Likely to Remember It all - EVERYONE! :)
Best Review Outline - Sarah & Craig (Brain) and Lauren & Gina (Disorders)
Best AP Psych Class - 2B!!
Class Clown - The Craigs
Best Hair?

3B
Best Chapter - Social Psych (Others...Disorders, Brain, Sensation/Perception...)
Best Activity - Disorders project (Others...Neuron Model, Naturalistic Observation, Cow Eye)
Most Likely to Get a 5 - Alec McNamara (And...Bethany, Yvette, Emma...)
Most Likely to Be Psychologist - Yvette Padilla (And...Emma, Bethany...)
Most Creative - Maslyn Locke (And...Bethany)
Most Likely to Miss Phil Z. - Mrs. Ovaska (And...Everyone!)
Most Likely to Remember It - Alec McNamara (And...Emma, Jacinta Bethany, Brianne, Maslyn)
Best Review Outline - Alec & Bethany (S & P) and Yvette & Maslyn (Brain)
Best News Treat - Amy Casson
Notecard Champions - Emma Carroll and Maslyn Locke

2) "What About Bob?" Movie to Celebrate the hard work you've done in AP Psych.

3) While you watched the movie, you completed the Final Exam of questions including advice for next year's AP Psych students.

Assignments:

Find a book related to psychology to read this summer!

Make the most of all you new psych knowledge!

I'll miss you guys! Keep in touch!

May 13: YOU DID IT!!

2009-05-13T12:00:00.000-07:00

Class Activities:

1) HIGH FIVE!!

2) Careers you could have if you are interested in majoring in psychology.

3) Fun.
2B: Presentation from Abnormal Psych Independent Study Dudes on disorders. Great conversation!
3B: Cranium.

Assignments:

CELEBRATE!!

May 11: Final Review

2009-05-11T14:21:00.000-07:00

Class Activities:

1) Announcements. TEST IS TOMORROW!!!STUDY!! Study those last tricky vocabulary!

2) Review 2004 AP Test. We went through every 100 multiple choice question. Good job everybody! You are doing a good job getting ready for the REAL test!

3) Graded the free-response from the test. Crazy topics, long, but you did it!

Assignments:

BE A ROCKSTAR!!

Tomorrow! Tuesday, May 12th
12:30-3:30 Be there by 12:20. You get released at 11:30 from 3A.
Speech Theater No food allowed so eat a healthy lunch.
100 Multiple Choice in 70 minutes
2 Free-Response in 50 minutes

YOU CAN DO IT!!

May 7: 2004 AP EXAM (aka Your Final)

2009-05-07T14:33:00.000-07:00

Class Activities:

1) Announcements. STUDY!! Review the rubrics for the old free-responses. Determine the last tricky vocabulary for you and study those. Re-read old Neuron Notes. Study those awesome outlines.

2) 2004 AP Test. 100 Multiple Choice.

3) Free-Response 2007 Question 1. Long and hard!

Assignments:

1) STUDY!! AP PSYCHOLOGY TEST is next!!!

Tuesday, May 12th
12:30-3:30
Speech Theater
100 Multiple Choice in 70 minutes
2 Free-Response in 50 minutes