Hi! Welcome to my Psychology classroom!
What do we learn?
In Psychology, we learn about the deep inner recesses of the brain. We will explore how the outer experience of the world is shaped or perceived by a person's brain and the reverse.
Uncomfortable Conversations
Part of Psychology is the act of having uncomfortable conversations.
Here are some guidelines for having uncomfortable conversations in the classroom.
- Accept the idea that this conversation is making you uncomfortable and
- that in that discomfort, you can grow.
- Listen - REALLY listen - hear what the person is saying.
- You don’t have to agree or even understand their viewpoint but empathy is required.
- Don’t assume that by looking at a person you know what their experience is.
- Let them explain it in their own words.
- Be prepared for emotional reactions either from yourself or the people who are in the conversation. Remember it’s ok to have emotions.
- You are not responsible for people’s emotions or reactions.
- Don’t be a fixer. We are not having conversations to ‘fix’ a person’s life.
- They will have their own process.
- Ask or answer questions openly and without judgement or criticism.
- Be aware of language and tone.
- Experience openness.
- Be open to allow yourself to feel and others to have space.
- A huge part of Psychology is being open to the process of therapy.
- Trust - Know that the conversations that happen in Psychology need to stay in Psychology.
How do we learn in here?
In Psychology, we are here to prep for life by learning more about ourselves and the people around us. It is our goal to set a solid foundation of both skills and material for entry into college or the workplace. Psychology tells the story of how we are formed as humans mentally.
1. Daily Journals and Articles - Be prepared to record your deepest thoughts. Psychology is about the human brain, experience, emotions, and human development. Psychologists use their own experience to help them understand and empathize with others. They also know that the key to a healthy life experience is to understand one's self and their relationships with others.
2. Projects - Most of the work in this class will be in project form. Project information will be posted on the Google Classroom site.
3. Homework - Forms will be sent in the email which will cover information in each of the units, important vocabulary, and basic concepts.
4. Vocabulary - Psychology is a college level course and taught in a medical capacity so you must be prepared to learn complex vocabulary words and key ideas associated with the field.
5. Discussion - Class discussions will center around articles and broach sensitive subjects on a variety of life experiences.
6. Quizzes - Early Release Wednesday Quizzes are on the vocabulary and topics from the weeks between quizzes. Any journal topics, project information, or vocabulary from those weeks are study material. Quizzes are the only part of your grade that may result in direct points on the total points for the class and do not fall under the scoring guide below.
How are we graded?
1. Standards - every assignment has standards that we must meet.
2. Scoring - For each standard in an assignment, you receive a score.
Grading Scale:
4 pt. Scale
4
Exceptional
|
In addition to exhibiting level 10 performance, in-depth inferences and applications that go BEYOND what was taught in class and assigned.
Level 4 learners are very creative and analytical.
They add details from many sources.
They put all of the details in their own words and add their ideas with those ideas.
Level 4 learners ask questions of all different types (see levels questions).
Level 4 learners spend time explaining their answers.
|
3
Mastery
|
No major error or omission regarding any of the information or processes (SIMPLE or COMPLEX, that were taught)
Level 3 learners have some creativity and analysis
They may only rely on a few sources.
They may leave out some details but cover the question.
Level 3 learners have their own words and ideas but may not fully understand or research the questions.
They spend time explaining but may have holes in explanation.
|
2
Passing
|
No major errors or omissions regarding SIMPLER details and processes BUT major errors or omission regarding the more complex ideas and processes.
Level 2 learners know the right answers, but they are basic answers and lacking in creativity or analysis.
They answer with details from single source.
They will answer question without explaining or expanding ideas.
Level 2 learners will not always use their own thoughts or words to answer.
|
1
Striving to Reach Standard
|
With HELP, a partial knowledge of some of the simpler ideas/details and processes demonstrated.
Level 1 learners are trying to understand questions or ideas.
Level 1 learners may only have basic information in their answers.
They struggle with research and gathering details.
Level 1 learners may not be able to analyze information.
|
0
Missed Attempt
|
Even with help, little understanding or skill demonstrated
Level 0 learners frequently don't complete their work.
Level 0 learners are not able to analyze information or just have a few facts. Level 0 learners did not do the assignment. |
If you received a zero on the assignment, it was because more than 1/3 of your information came directly from the sources you used to answer questions or construct the assignment. This is plagiarism and in a work or higher learning environment can result in severe consequences such as loss of pay or job and/or credit.
How will I know what my overall grade is?
You are responsible for checking your grade in Skyward.
Your grade is weighted according to the chart below.
Categories and Weighting:
Feedback On Your Work
I will return feedback and comments to you on your assignments or through your email. To improve assignments, please do not remove the feedback. I will compare your original work to your redone work and need my feedback to help guide me. If you remove the feedback and scores that I originally gave you, I will likely score you lower or not give you a new score.
What is late work? Anything that you were supposed to submit on the due date that you failed to submit.
Excused Absences do NOT excuse you from due dates for any work submitted online.
How do I turn in work to this class?
There are a variety of ways that we will turn in work.
- The main way that we will turn in work is through Google Classroom. Our class code is
- jmm2bj
- The second way to turn in work is through the emails that I send you. These are called forms and you will fill them out in your email and submit them. These forms are dated when you submit your answers. I will not grade anything that is past the due date unless you have an excused absence.
- The third way is through the folders. If we have paper products such as posters, I will put out a folder on the day that it is due. If the assignment does not make it into the folder, it will not be graded. If you are absent with an excused absence on the day that we turn in a paper assignment, please make sure that you get it directly to me as soon as you return to school.
So what can I do to get a better grade?
Extra Credit:
- Will be offered as appropriate at teacher discretion
- Will be designed to supplement student learning
- Chances are fairly high that any extra rewards opportunities will NOT raise your grade.
- Extra opportunities will go under the assignment or citizenship categories.
You are better off if you do these strategies;
Always do your Daily Notebook - Make sure that even if you don't finish your notebook during the class period that you go home and finish it for homework. Before you submit your daily notebook, you should;
a) Proofread it for grammar and spelling
b) Check for enough description, examples, or explanations.
On Time Work - Always turn in your work on-time EVEN if it is not finished. Getting a 1 or 2 on an assignment is better than getting a zero. Even if you get zero on PART of your assignment, it is better because you get a chance to do THE REDO. Work in class can have multiple parts to it. Make sure that you complete it so that you can get grades in all the standards.
Retakes
Retakes will be offered in the form of test or assessment revisions
- Students will have the opportunity to correct tests or revise their assessment to receive a higher score. Chances are high that a student will move up one score level only.
Students rarely move from a 3 to a 4.
- Time window for test corrections/revisions will be at teacher discretion - but in most cases 10 school days
- Corrections/revisions may be completed as a class assignment or after school.
Please save ALL of your emails. I will not resend you work. However, you can consult with me on what you can do better. Pay attention to the chart above to help you determine how you can do better not only on your redo but also on future assignments.
Tips for Good Retakes.
1. Fix any grammatical errors.
2. Add more detail, explanation, or examples.
3. Pay attention to comments.
4. Don't wait until the last minute to redo something.
5. Do not delete your original work. Instead, make the changes inside the original work so that I can compare.
6. Follow the retake format that is given to you.
7. Some retakes will be mandatory. You will be given instructions.
Daily Work - We will always have work to do in class. Either through Google Classroom or in your email (or sometimes both) I will deliver assignment instructions to you. Those assignments will be the ones that we work on in class.
Homework - You will always have homework. There is more than enough world history to learn! I will send out vocabulary in Google Docs (make your own copy and you can fill it in!) and other questions (such as video questions) in Google Forms (These forms have boxes to fill in and you will submit them when you are finished.)
Technology is very important in this classroom. All North Thurston Public Schools policies will be followed while using this valuable resource. If those policies are not followed, it is at my discretion to remove you from the technology and/or follow the NTPS disciplinary procedures. Please note that this will have a severe impact on your grade as most of the work that we do in class does not have a hard copy option.
I have high expectations for your behavior.
I expect you to communicate freely and maturely with your teacher and peers.
Sensitive material will be discussed in the classroom.
Since this is a psychology class, some of those sensitive subjects may include personal challenges that your peers are going through, relationships, gender, and sexuality, race and economics.
Please maintain a safe environment for your peers at ALL times.
In order to maintain a safe environment;
Respect the privacy of everyone around you. What is said in class must stay in class.
Hold judgement or be cautious about commentary on what students are sharing. Empathy (the ability to understand other's situations and approach them with compassion) is a key trait to understanding psychology.
Understand that you won't always agree with those around you.
If the behavior clauses above are violated, Mrs. Ward can take disciplinary action in a multitude of way including reporting to the office for harassment and intimidation, discussions with parents about expected code of conduct, or removal from class.
As always we follow all the rules of the school and district including the RAMS standard.
Respect Ourselves and Others
Act Responsibly
Model Safety
Strive For Excellence
Absences and Tardies - In this classroom, all absence reporting is done according to the district and state rules. If you have an excused absence, you may turn in papers upon your return. Extra time is not given on assignments unless the time has been long enough that the assignment was given in absence. In other words, if you are gone on Thursday during the course of an assignment that was given prior to your absence, you are expected to turn the PAPER in when you arrive on Friday EXCEPT in the cases of ONLINE work which is expected to be turned in on deadline.
Tardies - If you receive two tardies in one week, you will receive a lunch detention on the same day as the second tardy. You will receive a special lunch detention pass and will be reported to detention so that the detention teacher can check you in a report back to me whether you arrived.
Behavior
Lunch detention passes can be given for other discrepancies as well. Examples of reasons why lunch detentions might be give are;
a) overuse of cellphones
b) profane language
c) inappropriate use of class time
These are just a FEW examples of the reasons why you might receive lunch detention.
Other methods of discipline may include; removal of student from classroom, email home to parent, notes made in Skyward about behavior, or a write-up to the office.
Behaviors that I like to see in the classroom include;
Productive work with all of your peers.
Positive communication with your teacher and peers.
Respect towards yourself and others
Responsible use of all of the technologies around you.
Acceptance and understanding of differences.
Responsibility towards being a good student.
Owning your behaviors and improving on them.
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