Mrs. Bales’ Syllabus

Psychology: Fall 2013

Bourbon County High School - Room 217

(859) 987-2185

Website: **:

Course Description:

This is anelective course for students designed to provide a foundation for understanding the field of Psychology. Introduction to Psychology is a semester-long/year-long course for elective credit. The course is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. Students will be exposed to the psychological facts, principles and phenomena associated with the major sub-fields within psychology. They will also learn about the methods psychologists use to monitor and evaluate psychological processes. Evaluation will be based on a combination of student and class projects, objective tests, presentations, a psychological book analysis, and class participation.

Supply List

  • Notebook/Folder/ Binder
  • Pencils/Pens and Notebook Paper
  • Hand Sanitizer/Kleenexes**
  • Colored Pencils/Markers**

Grading

40% - SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENTS

-Multiple Choice Exams

-Open Response Questions

-Research Projects/Presentations

40% - DAILY WORK / PARTICIPATION/FORMATIVE ASSESSMENTS

-Cooperative Group/Individual Activities

-Writing Assignments

-In-Class Analysis and Guided Readings

-Debates and Simulations

-Homework

-Complete your Bellringer and Exit slip every day.

-Remain organized, as I will check to be sure you are taking thorough notes each unit.

-Maintain positive and appropriate participation in class.

-Bring class materials every day.

-Contribute meaningfully to class discussions and group activities.

20% - FINAL EXAM

BCHS and Classroom Expectations

In order for you to learn and do your best in my class, you will need to follow BCHS rules/code of conduct as well as my own class rules. Please understand that ALL school rules will be enforced consistently in this classroom.

Bales’ Top Five
  • Turn in high-quality work to become college/career ready
  • Use school-appropriate language, tone, and voice levels
  • Be in class or with a hall pass
  • Follow adult directions
  • Treat people with respect and compassion

Bales’ Class Expectations
  • Everyone will follow instructions given by all BCHS staff members and adult visitors.
  • Everyone will come to class prepared and ready to learn. Please arrive with all materials ready, personal conversations paused, and bathroom business taken care of.
  • Everyone will work every day.Class time is designated for class work and activities. You will be expected to participate and pay attention at all times. You will also be expected to work quietly, without distracting others. We will work until the end of class, so you need to stay in your seat until you are dismissed.
  • Everyone will be respectful to others in the classroom. Respect for yourself, others, and the learning climate is shown through your attitude, words, and actions. Anything that distracts you or others from the learning experience will be considered disrespect. You are also asked to respect the property, personal space and ideas of others. Absolutely no insulting, hurtful or provocative comments will be tolerated.
  • We will all take responsibility for our own actions. Only you can control your own behavior. If you misbehave, you must accept the consequences of your actions. Excuses or blaming others is not acceptable. Any problems that you might have in the classroom will be discussed privately, before or after class.

Behavioral/Academic Concerns

As long as you behave in a thoughtful and respectful way, problems should not occur; however, should concerns arise, they will be addressed. I will try to initially solve conflicts with students, but there are occasions where parents and the administration should and will be involved (fighting, overt and/or repeated disrespect, dismal grades or attendance). I encourage parental involvement and attempt to communicate with parents on a regular basis in order to prevent potential problems. Should parents or administrators request frequent updates or specific information, it will be provided.

Class Procedures

It is my job to provide you with a safe, organized and efficient classroom. It is your responsibility to ensure it stays that way.

First 10/Last 10

Approximately the first 10 minutes of class is dedicated to announcements/reminders and bellringers. You will get your bellringer/warm-up sheet from the appropriate folder will and complete the bellringerposted on the board. The last 10 minutes of class is typically used for exit slips and a wrap-up of the day’s objectives. Please take time to clean up before leaving class. Be aware that floors and desks are not trashcans. Please use the bin for recycling paper and plastic. Do NOT, under any circumstances, line up at the door before the bell rings.

Tardy Policy

If you are late to class you must have a tardy slip to enter the classroom. If you do not have a tardy slip, you must go to the office and speak with Adminstration.

Absences/Late Work

  • Make-up work is YOUR responsibility to get what work you missed. There is a missing work file on the back table for you to get your work or you can use the class website.**
  • Exams must be made up before or after school within three days of the absence.
  • If you are absent the day something is due (an essay, project, etc.) you must turn in the assignment the next class period. It is preferred that you send the assignment with a peer on the day it is due.
  • If you know you are going to be absent, please ask me about getting make-up work in advance.
  • Late work will not be accepted unless it is from an excused absence. I am confident you will not only meet the high expectations set in my class, but will exceed them.

Hall Passes

I don’t give them unless it is an EXTREME emergency. Please do not ask to use the bathroom during the first/last 10 minutes of class (school policy), during presentations, or when I am giving instructions regarding an assignment. Only ask to go when you are working independently and it won’t disrupt the class. Thanks in advance for your cooperation to keep our class running smoothly! It is best to go to the bathroom or water fountain before or after class.

Cell phones/Cheating
Do NOT cheat; it’s not worth it! If you do not know the answer, guessing is better than cheating. DO NOT pull out your cellphone to check Wikipedia (awful site, btw) for said answer. If you have been given permission to use a cellular device, then you may use it in class. This is the teacher’s discretion, however, and I reserve the right to adjust/modify or cancel this policy as I deem necessary. You will not be allowed to have one on test day and if I see you with one, you will be asked to hand it over, speak with an Administrator about the violation, and also been given a zero for the test/exam.

Coming to Attention

When you see me at the front of the room, it is a signal that we need peace and quiet throughout the classroom. There should be no talking, no one out of their seat, and all eyes on the teacher.

Emergency Procedures

It is imperative that you follow directions during a drill or actual emergency. I am responsible for your well-being, so please quickly proceed to and remain in the assigned location for the duration of the drill/emergency.

  • Fire: turn left out of the classroom, down the stairs, exit the building, congregate away from the building and look for our class placard.
  • Severe Weather: turn right out of the classroom and tuck against the lockers.
  • Earthquake: get into “tucked” position under your desk.
  • Lockdown: move to the front/right corner of our classroom and remain silent until an officer physically enters our room with the “all clear.”

Course Outline:**

Our major topics of study will include the following:

  • Introduction to psychology and careers
  • Neuroscience/Brain and Behavior
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Learning (Classical Conditioning, Operant Conditioning, Social Learning)
  • Altered States of Consciousness
  • Memory and Cognitive Processes
  • Motivation
  • Stress
  • Personality Theories/Schools of Thought in Psychology
  • Abnormal Psychology/Mental Illness and Therapy
  • Social Psychology
  • **The veryfine print: The teacher reserves the right to change this at any given time!**
  • To demonstrate your level of commitment to this class and to my rules and expectations, I am asking you and your parents to fill out the following information and sign/return this covenant as your first grade in this class.
  • Name:
  • Preferred Name:
  • Age/Grade level:
  • Previous Social Studies Class (high school level only):
  • Your signature:
  • Parent/caregiver signature:
  • Anything else I should know about your child here (hobbies, interests, allergies, etc.):