Lafayette High School - Commack Schools



[pic] Welcome to IB Psychology! [pic]

Mr. Joseph A. Zaidinski

jzaidinski@commack.k12.ny.us

2019 – 2020 Student Contract

NATURE OF THE SUBJECT:

Psychology takes its roots in the natural and social sciences. Through a systematic approach using diverse methods, psychology delves into the study of behavior and mental processes. The IB psychology course develops an integrative approach in understanding behavior by examining three levels of analysis: the biological, cognitive, and socio-cultural. The biological level of analysis demonstrates what humans share, whereas the cognitive and socio-cultural levels of analysis reveal the diversity that exists between human behavior and mental processes.

COURSE CONTENT:

The IB component of the course requires students to examine human behavior using the three levels of analysis. The level of analysis (LOA) approach reflects a modern movement in psychology which demonstrates how explanations by each of the levels of analysis complement one another to attain a more holistic understanding of behavior. Success of this component relies heavily on the student’s ability to synthesize these levels of analysis through diverse content of modern psychology.

The levels of analysis approach can be understood through the metaphor of a microscope. Each lens reveals a different angle of behavior, but no single lens explains the whole object. Therefore, synthesis of each lens is necessary to see the whole picture.

In addition to the three levels of analysis, the IB curriculum requires an in-depth study of another area of psychology.

OBJECTIVES:

There are five assessment objectives for the SL psychology course. Having followed the course at HL or at SL, students should expect questions asking them to:

1. Demonstrate the acquisition of knowledge and skills required for experimental design, data collection, data analysis and interpretation.

2. Identify and explain the strengths and limitations of various explanations of behavior

3. Describe and evaluate relevant theories and empirical studies

4. Explain and evaluate applications of psychological research

5. Discuss how biological, cognitive-behavioral and sociocultural systems can be used to explain

behavior

TEXTBOOK(S): Psychology: Eighth Edition in Modules. David G. Myers

IB Diploma Programme: Psychology Course Companion. John Crane & Jeanette Hannibal

Oxford Study Guide: Psychology for the IB Diploma. Jeanette Hannibal

USEFUL WEBSITES:

diploma/assessment/subjectoutlines/documents/d_3_psych_gui-out_0902_1_e.pdf

To ensure your success, please read the following classroom policies and procedures and then complete and return the contract on the last page (return just the last page).

PREPARATION:

▪ Come to class every day, on time, prepared to work

▪ Supplies:

o Organization is the key to Success!! You will be taking a large amount of notes this year, in addition to receiving a larger number of articles, worksheets and supplementary information and you need to keep it all organized.

▪ 3-ring hard cover binder (IB PSYCHOLOGY ONLY)

▪ 5 Dividers: Class notes, Homework, Tests/Quizzes, Internal Assessment, and IB Review.

▪ Loose-leaf paper

▪ Pens (black or blue only) and pencils

▪ Flashdrive: For working on your Internal Assessment (IA) in class and at home

▪ Highlighter(s) – at least TWO different colors!

▪ Hole Puncher

▪ You must be prepared and bring your binder to class EVERY DAY, as well as a pen, pencil, and homework assignments.

HOMEWORK:

▪ Homework will be assigned and is used to reflect on course material or to prepare for the next class.

▪ Homework is randomly collected and graded. Each homework is worth 10 points; incomplete or sloppy homework will receive partial credit. (Will be modeled and discussed).

▪ Homework is due on the assigned date during your class period. Any other time is considered late. Homework can be made up for partial credit.

▪ If you are absent from class the day an assignment is due, you should turn it in on the day you return to class to receive full credit. It is your responsibility to show it to me (the day you return) - you will not be asked.

**Absences do NOT excuse students from homework assignments**

ATTENDANCE & LATENESS:

▪ Students are expected to be present every class in order to ensure they are gaining a complete understanding of the course material. However, life happens so…

o If you are absent it is your responsibility to find out what you missed and make up any work. There are numerous ways you can do this:

▪ Contact a classmate

▪ See your assignment sheet and check my website

▪ Feel free to see me or email me ( jzaidinski@commack.k12.ny.us) or come to extra help

▪ BE ON TIME! You are expected to be in your seat when the bell rings. If you are late please come in with a pass or you will be marked illegal. Three illegal late to class equals a cut…school policy!

▪ If you are absent the day of an assessment (test/quiz/presentation…etc.) you must take a make up the day you return.

▪ If you are illegally absent, you will receive a ZERO for that days activities, including (but not limited to) tests, quizzes, projects and/or papers.

EXAMS/QUIZZES:

Tests, quizzes and assessments will be given throughout each marking period. They are given to help and demonstrate your understanding of the material we are learning.

Quizzes will be given regularly; they can be announced or unannounced. These will can be IB style or non-IB style questions but may include free response, short answer, multiple choice and/or vocabulary based on material covered. This portion of your grade is worth 20% of your final marking period grade.

Exams will be given at the end of each unit and will mimic the IB Exam. Tests will normally consist of short answer questions (SAQs) and/or essay response questions. This portion of your grade is worth 60% of your final marking period grade and includes other general assessments (see next page).

Exams and other assessments (listed on next page) may be in the form of multiple-choice, vocabulary, essays, presentations… etc. Any assessment can be given as individual or with a group. These can be in the form of multiple choice, presentations or research papers. If you are absent the day of an assessment (test/quiz/presentation/paper…etc.) you must take a make up and/or hand it in the day you return.

Other General Assessments: Experiments/Papers/Reflections/Projects … etc.:

Psychology is a science rooted in the fundamentals of research and experimentation. The IB Psychology exam is an essay-based assessment. Therefore, we will be doing a lot of writing this year. In class assessments include: written exams, quizzes, Socratic Seminars, debates, presentations, and take-home essays. We will also be writing a review of literature this year.

Throughout the course of the year you will not only be expected to replicate a famous study for your Internal Assessment, but we will critique a multitude of experiments and reflect on them to help you prepare for the IB exam at the end of the year. This may include writing a quick paragraph about the flaws of an experiment or a reflection paper addresses an ethical issues or aspect of psychology. Parts of the Internal Assessment (IA) will be collected each marking period and will be counted as an assessment. When appropriate, IB published criteria and rubrics will be used when assessing student work.

INTERNAL ASSESSMENT (IA):

This assessment allows you to apply the scientific method and process by replicating a famous published study in psychology. Results of the experiment will be submitted in a formal APA style written report. Requirements will be discussed in class. The Internal Assessment is a requirement by the IB Course Curriculum and is worth 25% of your IB score for Psychology.

IB ASSESSMENT OVERVIEW: PSYCHOLOGY SL

|Assessment component |Weighting |

| | |

|External assessment (3 hours) – See paper 1 & Paper 2 |75% |

| | |

|Paper 1 (2 hours) | |

|Section A: Three compulsory questions on part 1 of the syllabus. | |

| | |

|Section B: Three questions on part 1 of the syllabus. Students choose one question to answer in essay form. |50% |

| | |

|(46 marks) | |

| | |

|Paper 2 (1 hour) | |

|Fifteen questions on part 2 of the syllabus. Students choose one question to answer in essay form. | |

| |25% |

|(22 marks) | |

| | |

|Internal assessment | |

| | |

|A report of a simple experimental study conducted by the student. |25% |

| | |

|(20 marks) | |

PARTICIPATION:

The IB diploma prides itself on creating individual, critical thinkers; therefore you are expected to participate often and without reservation. This course is very much a student-based course, centered on discussions so your participation in each day’s lesson is critical for the development of classroom unity and an understanding of psychology.

It’s a fact - the more you participate and become involved the better your understanding of the material will be. I will make sure that the classroom is an open environment that encourages every student to express their views and ideas, so feel free to speak up and be heard! Participation averages will be determined according to student self-evaluations and a teacher assessment and combined with your notebook makes up 5% of your marking period average.

EXTRA HELP:

Extra help is offered weekly in 220 on Wednesday Morning (7:00 -7:30) and Wednesday Afternoon (2:25-2:55). This may change and if so, notice will be given. Please note if you are attending extra help, you must let me know so I can prepare.

CLASSROOM RULES / BEHAVIOR:

1. Respect all of those you meet.

2. Always try your best and communicate any concerns (both positive and negative respectfully).

3. Unless being used in the lesson, leave all cell phone/communication devices off and away when not used for instruction.

4. Be on time and prepared with materials and a positive work ethic. This increases your participation grade.

5. Help to keep the room neat and orderly.

6. All homework and class work will be due on the dates assigned. Even if a student is absent from a class, students are required to have all work and be prepared for the next class. It is expected that all assignments counting as a quiz, test, or project will be emailed on the submission date even if a student is absent. Failure to do so may result in a loss of credit. All work missing will have a grade of zero posted until completed.

7. Should any rules not be followed, the following steps will be taken.

-Warning

-Phone Call Home

-Referral

-Issue to be discussed with school administration

|Rewards for Success: |Reminders for Improvement: |

|Positive Calls Home |Brief Conversation |

|Positive Notes Home |Phone Call Home |

| |Note Home |

| |Parent-Teacher Conference |

| |Student Contract |

EMAILING: Email is a wonderful form of communication. However, I have noticed that students don’t always fully understand the parameters of email. Email is not instantaneous of a response like a text message, is not monitored 24 hours a day, and it is not a forum for depth discussion since we have face time every day. Please use email to attach work owed, to alert me of an absence, and to communicate that we may need to chat about something during the school day. Help me to help you!

GRADES: Other Assessments:

Internal Assessment: 25%

• Quizzes = 20% IB Paper 1 & 2: 75%

• Assessments (Exams, Papers, Reactions, Articles, Research, Projects etc.) = 60%

• Homework Grade = 15% Midterm Exam

• Participation Grade = 5% Final Exam/Project

You will get out of this course what you put in.

If you put all your effort into this course you will not only learn a lot,

but have a lot of fun as well!

PLEASE JUST RETURN THIS ENTIRE PAGE UPON SIGNING!

Note to Parent/Guardian:

Throughout this course, in order to help the students better understand certain concepts; we may demonstrate certain aspects of psychology through film/television. Please be advised that these films/shows are possibilities and others may be added throughout the year.

A Beautiful Mind Dead Poets Society Girl Interrupted One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

Rain Man Stand By Me Billy Elliot Good Will Hunting

As Good As It Gets Vantage Point The Blind Side I am Sam

A Soldiers Heart John Q Criminal Minds To Iraq and Back

Memento Inception Shutter Island Don’t Say a Word

The Breakfast Club Mean Girls 50 Firsts Dates The Bucket List

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Please sign after reading and discussing the information outlined above and return this entire page.

Student’s Name: _________________________________ Student’s Signature: ___________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature: ____________________________________ Date: _________________________

Parent/Guardian Email: _______________________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Phone #: _____________________________________________________________________

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