In-Class Activities:
1) Neuron Note. You read answers to your questions about heritability and more.
2) Striking Similarities. You finished your conversation with your neighbor trying to find similarities between you. Have you traveled to the same places? Do you like the same foods? Are you interested in the same books? The point of this activity is to show that even though identical twins who were separated at birth and reunited might have some striking similarities, so do you when you sit down and talk to someone who is not genetically close to you.
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.
Assignments:
1) Start chapter 4.
2) Chapter vocabulary notecards (optional)
3) Extra credit video at lunch all week
Monday, September 29, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
September 25: Hot Topics of Nature/Nurture
In-Class Activities:
1) Neuron Note. I was not able to finish your Neuron Notes question for today since we have our grandma in town, but you wrote a new question. I'll get both sheets prepared this weekend.
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) Chapter 3 vocabulary notecards (optional)
Have a great Homecoming weekend!!!
1) Neuron Note. I was not able to finish your Neuron Notes question for today since we have our grandma in town, but you wrote a new question. I'll get both sheets prepared this weekend.
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) Chapter 3 vocabulary notecards (optional)
Have a great Homecoming weekend!!!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
September 23: Review Brain Test/Responsive Brain
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 three people earned a 96, 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 #75. 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), how the nervous system is divided, and what each hemisphere is specialized in doing.
3) 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.
4) "The Responsive Brain" Video: Philip Zimbardo told you about some important research on human touch and how it changes the brain as well as memory, evolution of human behavior, and more.
5) Striking Similarities. We spend the last 10 minutes of class finding similarities and differences between your neighbor and you. We'll use these at the start of class on Thursday
Assignments:
1) Read chapter 3 pages 116-125.
2) Chapter 3 vocabulary notecards (optional)
Please enjoy Homecoming week!!!
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 three people earned a 96, 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 #75. 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), how the nervous system is divided, and what each hemisphere is specialized in doing.
3) 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.
4) "The Responsive Brain" Video: Philip Zimbardo told you about some important research on human touch and how it changes the brain as well as memory, evolution of human behavior, and more.
5) Striking Similarities. We spend the last 10 minutes of class finding similarities and differences between your neighbor and you. We'll use these at the start of class on Thursday
Assignments:
1) Read chapter 3 pages 116-125.
2) Chapter 3 vocabulary notecards (optional)
Please enjoy Homecoming week!!!
Friday, September 19, 2008
September 19: Chapter 2 Test
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) Endocrine System. I did a short review of hormones and the endocrine system.
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!
Assignments:
1) Read chapter 3 up to page 116.
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) Endocrine System. I did a short review of hormones and the endocrine system.
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!
Assignments:
1) Read chapter 3 up to page 116.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
September 17: Hemisphere Dominance
In -Class Activities
1) Neuron Note. You wrote a new questions and I finished answering your questions while you watched the video. 2B got a copy of these answers but 3B was not able to get them since the copier was broken. I went over the answers orally and you can get a copy of the answers at the end of the day.
2) Hemisphere Dominance. We took a little survey to see if you are left/right dominant. This is a bit silly since we all use both sides of our brains ALWAYS! But it gives us a place to start so 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) Finish chapter 2
2) Test on chapter 2 is on Friday! STUDY HARD!
1) Neuron Note. You wrote a new questions and I finished answering your questions while you watched the video. 2B got a copy of these answers but 3B was not able to get them since the copier was broken. I went over the answers orally and you can get a copy of the answers at the end of the day.
2) Hemisphere Dominance. We took a little survey to see if you are left/right dominant. This is a bit silly since we all use both sides of our brains ALWAYS! But it gives us a place to start so 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) Finish chapter 2
2) Test on chapter 2 is on Friday! STUDY HARD!
Monday, September 15, 2008
September 15: Play-Doh Brains
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) Check Chapter 2 Notecards. I made sure you had completed the chapter 2 notecards. Way to go! Now use them to study for Friday's test!
3) Pop Quiz on pages 70-85.
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) TEST on Friday!
3) Extra credit videos at lunch today and Wednesday.
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) Check Chapter 2 Notecards. I made sure you had completed the chapter 2 notecards. Way to go! Now use them to study for Friday's test!
3) Pop Quiz on pages 70-85.
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) TEST on Friday!
3) Extra credit videos at lunch today and Wednesday.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
September 11: Neurons
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!
2) Neuron Models. WOW! You guys are super creative! Not one lame neuron model. Whether they were made out of food, felt, or famous people, 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:
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) Nervous System. 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) All chapter 2 notecards are due on Monday
3) Don't forget your play-doh for Monday's brain creation
FYI: Chapter 2 test is on Friday, the 19th.
1) Neuron Note. You read answers to your awesome questions and asked a new question related to the brain. Nice work everyone!
2) Neuron Models. WOW! You guys are super creative! Not one lame neuron model. Whether they were made out of food, felt, or famous people, 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 Jennifer Kwon's Origami Neuron
#2 Natasha Roberts' Ballet Neuron
#3 (tie) Craig Mortenson's Steve Erwin Neuron and Arielle Owens' Wearable Neuron
#2 Natasha Roberts' Ballet Neuron
#3 (tie) Craig Mortenson's Steve Erwin Neuron and Arielle Owens' Wearable Neuron
3B's Best Neurons
#1 Jacinta Lestone's Doggie Neuron
#2 Alec mcNamara's Rubix Neuron
#3 Bethany Sullivan's Espresson Neuron
#2 Alec mcNamara's Rubix Neuron
#3 Bethany Sullivan's Espresson 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. Then we did it again. Hopefully, it was helpful.
4) Nervous System. 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) All chapter 2 notecards are due on Monday
3) Don't forget your play-doh for Monday's brain creation
FYI: Chapter 2 test is on Friday, the 19th.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
September 9: Review Test/Animal Research Discussion
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 95, 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.
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 Monday.
4) Play-doh is needed for class on Monday.
FYI: Chapter 2 test is Friday, September 19.
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 95, 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.
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 Monday.
4) Play-doh is needed for class on Monday.
FYI: Chapter 2 test is Friday, September 19.
Friday, September 5, 2008
September 5: Prologue/Ch.1 Test
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) Sampling. Yum! 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/
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 19...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.
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) Sampling. Yum! 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/
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 19...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.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
September 3: Statistics
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!
3) Central Tendency and Height. You all became "data" and we organized ourselves into a dichotomy, trichotomy, continuum, range, and histogram with mean, median, mode.
4) 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%
5) 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.
Assignments:
1) Finish Chapter 1
2) Study for the first big test on Friday. 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!
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!
3) Central Tendency and Height. You all became "data" and we organized ourselves into a dichotomy, trichotomy, continuum, range, and histogram with mean, median, mode.
4) 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%
5) 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.
Assignments:
1) Finish Chapter 1
2) Study for the first big test on Friday. 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!
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