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.
Friday, September 5, 2008
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!
Friday, August 29, 2008
August 29: Research Methods
In-Class Activities:
1) Neuron Note. You read responses from last class' questions and you asked new questions in regards to the reading.
2) We reviewed the approaches posters from Monday and made sure everyone understood each perspective of psychology. You got to fight over who can take home the poster. :)
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.
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.
5) I collected all of the naturalistic work.
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.
1) Neuron Note. You read responses from last class' questions and you asked new questions in regards to the reading.
2) We reviewed the approaches posters from Monday and made sure everyone understood each perspective of psychology. You got to fight over who can take home the poster. :)
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.
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.
5) I collected all of the naturalistic work.
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.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
August 27: Introduction to Research
Good Job Everyone! I hope you have developed an efficient system to handle reading the textbook, taking notes, making notecards, and more.
In-Class Activities:
1) Neuron Note...You read my responses to last class period's questions and wrote new questions.
2) You turned in your textbook website assignment. If you did not get it done, please do it ASAP. Late work will earn half points and I will not accept it once it becomes a habit.
3) We had a pop quiz on pages 1-30. You used your notes and notecards. If you were absent, make it up in class on Friday.
4) We tried to get into the mind set of psychologists use to understand behavior and mental processes by taking some notes on thinking critically.
5) We watched the Phil Zimbardo video segment "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, you are 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
In-Class Activities:
1) Neuron Note...You read my responses to last class period's questions and wrote new questions.
2) You turned in your textbook website assignment. If you did not get it done, please do it ASAP. Late work will earn half points and I will not accept it once it becomes a habit.
3) We had a pop quiz on pages 1-30. You used your notes and notecards. If you were absent, make it up in class on Friday.
4) We tried to get into the mind set of psychologists use to understand behavior and mental processes by taking some notes on thinking critically.
5) We watched the Phil Zimbardo video segment "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, you are 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
Monday, August 25, 2008
August 25: Approaches to Psychology
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 review!!!
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!
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 web 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. This will give you a chance to sample all that it has to offer.
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 review!!!
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!
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 web 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. This will give you a chance to sample all that it has to offer.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
August 21: Introduction and History of Psychology
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. I need you to develop 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) 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.
4) We watched the first in a video series called "Discovering Psychology." It is a bit outdated, but a fabulous review on the major units of study. Philip Zimbardo, former professor and researcher at Stanford and APA President, is the narrator and we will use these short videos to get ourselves tuned into the chapters we cover. 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.
3) Complete all the vocabulary notecards for the Prologue and Ch.1
4) Find a study buddy from your class or the other AP class.
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. I need you to develop 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) 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.
4) We watched the first in a video series called "Discovering Psychology." It is a bit outdated, but a fabulous review on the major units of study. Philip Zimbardo, former professor and researcher at Stanford and APA President, is the narrator and we will use these short videos to get ourselves tuned into the chapters we cover. 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.
3) Complete all the vocabulary notecards for the Prologue and Ch.1
4) Find a study buddy from your class or the other AP class.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
August 19: WELCOME NEW AP PSYCH-Os!
Welcome New AP Psych-os!
I am psyched! I hope you all are 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 go to bed on B days. 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 (during 4B) 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 Agree/Disagree discussion on the topics of IQ and gender differences. Nature vs. Nurture, man!
Tonight's Assignments:
1) Cover your book
2) Have your parent's sign the AP Psych Expectations handout.
3) Email me at l.ovaska@laschools.net
One topic from you textbook that interests you.
One cool fact about yourself.
4) Read the Prologue pp.1-9 and take superstar notes and make notecards of all the vocabulary in the Prologue.
5) Get a binder with 14 dividers that correspond with the units on the College Board Outline
6) Check out www.apa.org
7) Bring Kleenex
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
I am psyched! I hope you all are 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 go to bed on B days. 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 (during 4B) 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 Agree/Disagree discussion on the topics of IQ and gender differences. Nature vs. Nurture, man!
Tonight's Assignments:
1) Cover your book
2) Have your parent's sign the AP Psych Expectations handout.
3) Email me at l.ovaska@laschools.net
One topic from you textbook that interests you.
One cool fact about yourself.
4) Read the Prologue pp.1-9 and take superstar notes and make notecards of all the vocabulary in the Prologue.
5) Get a binder with 14 dividers that correspond with the units on the College Board Outline
6) Check out www.apa.org
7) Bring Kleenex
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
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