Study Tools for your Learning Test

Your unit test on Learning Theory will take place on Wednesday, December 17th. In order to help you prepare, you have tons of tools at your disposal! Including:

• Tuesday's Study Session (4-7 PM) - Note the extended time frame for those hoping to attend funeral/wake events.
• Quizlet Flashcards - remember, you'll want to be prepared to write about each one of these, not just recognize examples from a list!
• More practice MC Questions (if your printed Study Guide is not enough)
• Crash Course Videos: How to Train Your Brain (Classical and Operant Conditioning) and Bobo Beatdown (Observational Learning and Social-Cognitive Perspective)

Quizlet Flashcards

Notes: Classical and Operant Conditioning

Observational Learning


What the Behaviorists Missed

Chatzy Link for Substance Dependence Discussion

In order to access our online discussion of Substance Dependence, you'll need this link: Chatzy.com/17731263905262

ACK! Just kidding. Try this one? http://today.io/vjlk

National Geographic Channel: Sleepless In America

Thanks to the friendly folks at the Teaching High School Psychology Blog for alerting me to this PERFECTLY TIMED television event. The National Geographic Channel will be airing a special called Sleepless in America on Sunday, December 7th. It looks to be a great program, since it was produced in partnership with the National Institutes of Health

Since my students are in the midst of their unit on Sleep and Dreams, this opportunity could not have come at a better time.

Resources: High School Start Times and Adolescent Sleep

National Sleep Foundation

• Backgrounder: Later School Start Times and Sleep
• School Start Time and Sleep
• Eight Major Obstacles to Delaying School Start Times

American Academy of Pediatrics

• Let Them Sleep: AAP Recommends Delaying Start Times of Middle and High Schools to Combat Teen Sleep Deprivation

Washington Post:

• U.S. Doctors Urge Later School Start Times for Teens

CNN

• Doctors: Early School Start Times Unhealthy for Students

The Atlantic

• Students Aren’t Getting Enough Sleep--School Starts Too Early

St. Paul Public Schools: Rethinking Start Times for 2015-16

The Impact of School Start Times on Adolescent Health

Research Reports:

Examining the Impact of Later High School Start Times on the Health and Academic Performance of High School Students: A Multi-Site Study (2014)

Impact of School Start Times on Student Learning

When Worlds Collide: Adolescent Need for Sleep Versus Societal Demands

Changing Times: Findings from the First Longitudinal Study of Later High School Start Times

Stroop Effect Online

If we have time, we'll be using this link to explore the limits of our ability to attend to multiple aspects of a stimulus at once, a phenomenon called the Stroop Effect.

Online Synesthesia Test & More Info

If today's discussion of synesthesia has you wondering whether this condition describes you, it might be helpful to visit http://synesthete.org/. The site gives more information about synesthesia research and provides online tests for different forms of synesthesia.

Study Tools for Sensation & Perception Test

I've thoroughly enjoyed this unit and its fun demos, but all good things must come to an end. For us, the end will be on Thursday as you complete your test on Sensation and Perception. Now, even though this unit is cool, I'll warn you that the unit test can be a challenge. There are a LOT of concepts and terms to remember this unit, so don't kid yourself about the amount of studying you'll need to do in order to be ready.

Here are some things you can do to help prepare:

• Quizlet flashcards - Remember, you should be ready to provide written examples or explanations of these things in your own words, so practice doing so!
• Don't forget that List of Confusing Term Pairs you received in class. Can you explain how these are similar to AND different from each other?
• More practice MC items: Sensation and Perception
• Crash Course Videos: Sensation & Perception, Perceiving is Believing, Homunculus Crash Course

Sensation and Perception Notes:


Vision


Audition


The Other Senses

Substance Use Related Disorder Project(s)

Remember, if you would like to complete the IceKube Simulation for your project on Substance Use Related Disorders, you must obtain parental permission to do so. If I do not have a signed permission slip from you by Friday, November 21, I will assume you are completing one of the alternative project choices.

For those who decide to explore issues of use and dependence in other ways, you've got several options to choose from. You are also welcome to propose your own alternative project ideas, but they must be approved by Mrs. Welle no later than Friday, November 21.

Auditory Explorations Links

We'll be exploring the hearing process on Friday and Monday. If time allows, we may be using some of these links.

PsychSim 5: Auditory System

Virtual Barbershop Illusion: Explore sound localization with this simulated "haircut."

Sound Illusions: Can Your Ears be Fooled?

Links for Visual Perception Demos

Color Blindness Test - test your ability to perceive color in this (non-diagnostic) test

FYI: In Case of Snow Day

So, the weather people are expecting snow. I guess that means the rest of us should as well. Sadly, it's so early we haven't even had a chance to have the "what-happens-if-we-have-a-snow-day" talk in person yet, so this will have to suffice.

There are many great things about being an AP Psych student. (Heck, you got to sniff scented markers as part of a demo last week!) Snow days, unfortunately, are not one of them. Given that the AP Psych exam happens on May 4th, 2015, no matter how many blizzards, ice days, earthquakes, mudslides, floods, or other natural and man-made disasters we endure, we've got to stay on track NO MATTER WHAT.

So, in the event of a snow day tomorrow (or any other time this year), I'll be posting several things for you to do on this blog. (Most likely a combination of some notes, some online modules/demos for you to try, and maybe some questions to answer). I do expect that you complete them, since we'll fall behind in our learning otherwise. Sometimes, if I have to record notes, they may not be up until Noon because of uploading times, and I apologize for the inconvenience. On the upside, you can "attend" AP Psych in your pajamas if that is the case.

I really hope I see you in person tomorrow...in part because I hate getting up and recording this stuff, and I'd rather just hang out with  you guys in real life. But please take note that I'll be spending some time this evening getting ready for the possibility that class may happen remotely tomorrow (or Tuesday?).

Stay safe and warm everyone. I hope to see you in the morning.

Brain Food Contest!

I tend to believe that the best models of the brain are edible ones. So, our next Psych Club (Friday, Nov 7) meeting will feature a celebration of delicious neuroanatomy through a "Brain Food" contest. 

Current AP Psych students who participate will earn 5 points extra credit (computed in test category), as this will help them review important structures in the brain/nervous system.

The Rules:

• Entries must be edible representations of the brain or portions of the nervous system (e.g. neuron, synapse, brain stem, etc).
• Component parts must be accurately labeled.
• Entries will be judged during LUNCH A, so they must be delivered to room 136 no later than 12:15. You have to set up/complete registration for your entry during lunch (or have a friend do so), so please don't just leave your creation in my room in the morning an assume it will get set out.
• Winners will be announced and snacking will commence during our regular meeting time (Lunch B)!

Even if you do not wish to enter (and earn Extra Credit), you are welcome to join us for the meeting and eating. There is always plenty of food to go around.

If you are looking for inspiration and ideas, check out the AP Psychology facebook page for pictures of some of last year's entries and winners.

Threshold Demonstrations

Today in class we'll be learning about psychophysics and different types of thresholds. To that end, we'll be trying a couple of online tests for sensory ability.

Absolute Threshold - Vision - This module introduces you to how absolute thresholds are measured. You won't get a score, but you will try out some practice test items.

Difference Threshold (JND) - Adaptive Pitch Test - determines your sensitivity to detecting differences between two presented tones. This is a difference threshold test because the test attempts to determine what degree of difference is necessary

Study Resources for Your Nature & Nurture Test

Your test on the Nature-Nurture unit will be Monday, November 3. In addition to the resources you received in class (e.g., MC study guide), you might find these links helpful:

• Video overview of Twin Studies (3 min)
• Video: The Jim Twins - Describes the work of Thomas Bouchard, who studied identical twins separated at birth.
• Video Crash Course: Natural Selection - Though more animal biology-related, this video reviews the basic principle that applies in Evolutionary Psych as well.
• Video Crash Course: Heredity - NOTE: Heredity not the same thing as "heritabiliy," but this is still a helpful overview of genes, chromosomes, DNA, etc.
• Heritability Explained - more web articles & quiz questions to test your understanding of the concept.
• Video Crash Course: Epigenetics - biological overview of how epigenetics works
• Video: Epigenetics: Why Do Identical Twins Not Always Look the Same? - NOVA Science NOW
• Study Session Resources:
• Agenda Slideshow
• Practice FRQ

Quizlet Flashcards:



Notes - Behavior Genetics & Evolutionary Psych (Note: You will need to be signed in to your chipfalls.org account in order to view).



Notes (10/31/14) on Sex & Gender

Nature & Nurture Projects

Thanks, everyone, for your patience with my absence(s) over the past week. I promise I'll do my best to get us back on track this week, as we delve into the Nature-Nurture issue more deeply!

You'll have one project to complete this week (and one reading quiz, on Wednesday!). Take a moment to look over your project options and their related scoring guidelines. Both options have the same deadline - Friday, October 31st - which should help prepare you for your unit test on Monday, Nov. 3!

• Project Option #1 - The Nature & Nurture of You! (Poster + written interpretation). Be sure to consult the scoring guidelines for details about how your work will be evaluated.
• Project Option #2 - The Nature & Nurture of.....(Insert Topic of Your Interest Here). (Formal academic paper). You may wish to consult this list of links to relevant sources (will be updated throughout the week...send me more if you wish to have them added!). Scoring guidelines are posted here. 

Dueling Brains PsychSim

Here's the link to PsychSim 5. You'll need to click on "Dueling Brains" to complete the activity measuring hemispheric specialization in word recognition.

Study Resources: Biological Bases of Behavior

The Biological Bases of Behavior test is almost upon us (scheduled for Tuesday, October 21). To that end, you'll want to take advantage of the spacing effect and break up your studying time over the next few days.

Just a reminder, your study session for this unit will start a little earlier than planned in order to accommodate the National Honor Society Induction also taking place that evening. So, we'll kick things off at 4:30 PM (rather than 5:00, as planned) on Monday, October 20.

In the meantime you may wish to use some of these handy tools to assist with your review:

• Your MC Study Guide Packet (distributed after the quiz on Wednesday). 
• The Unit Objectives - Can you do all of these things? If not, hit the books!
• Quizlet Flashcards for this unit (also embedded below for your convenience).
• Practice Multiple Choice Questions: on Neuroscience and The Brain
• Video Review: The Chemical Mind
• Video Review: Meet Your Master - The Brain
• 3D Brain - for practicing identification of those brain parts. 
• Materials we will be using at Monday's Study Session:
• Agenda/Slide Show
• Brain Damage Exercise
• Neural Transmission Practice WS
• Practice FRQ

Notes: Neurons, Neurotransmitters, and Drugs


Notes: Nervous System Divisions & Endocrine System


Notes: Techniques for Studying the Brain


Notes: Brain Anatomy & Hemispheric Specialization (10-14 through 10-20)

Link to Community Program Registration Site

On Wednesday, October 22, Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire, WI is hosting a free event for the community. At 6 PM, a speaker will be presenting information about Opioid Prescription and Heroin Addiction, and there will be a panel of local experts to discuss the nature of this problem in Eau Claire and Chippewa Counties. This is a timely topic for my AP Psych classes, as we are just wrapping up our unit on the biological bases of behavior and have learned about how drugs affect the nervous system.

The program is scheduled to last from 6-7:30 PM, and AP Psych students with an interest in this topic are encouraged to attend. There is no cost, but the organizers of the event would like you to register in advance to ensure adequate space is available.

To register, or to learn more about the event, go here: http://www.uwec.edu/CE/programs/community-program-on-heroin-and-prescription-drug-abuse.htm

THE BRAIN!!!!

Over the next several days in class we will be exploring the structures of the brain and their associated functions. You may find this link helpful as you try to make sense of the many diagrams and charts you will be presented with, as it offers 3D rotational views of major brain parts:

• 3D Brain

You will probably also find that link to be a useful resource as you complete your Brain Choice Project for this unit! Enjoy!

Neurotransmitter Exploration

Today in class we'll be exploring the functions of several different neurotransmitters. In addition to the informational chart you can find on pg. 82 of your textbook, you might find the following links helpful:

• Here's a great overview of what neurotransmitters are, as well as the functions of particular types (including relationships to diseases and drugs that alter their activity).
• This chart of drugs and their effects can be helpful, particularly if you scroll to the bottom for the table that is sorted by neurotransmitter type.
• Here's a more simplified neurotransmitter list.

Mouse Party Interactive

Sorry for the delay in getting this link posted! Here's the Mouse Party interactive that you'll need to complete this worksheet for tomorrow (10/10).

PsychSim: Neural Messages

We'll be learning about the processes by which neurons communicate over the next couple of days in class. To that end, you'll be completing this PsychSim on Neural Messaging in order to gain some familiarity with the topic. To access the online module, visit this website and click on Neural Messages.

Completed worksheet will be due Thursday, October 9.

Study Resources for your Cognition & Memory Test

I can hardly believe it, but your second unit in AP Psychology is almost over! We've learned a LOT about thinking and memory this unit, and I hope this will help you as you prepare for this and other tests.

To help you harness the power of the testing effect, I'm including links below to several resources that you can use to test your understanding of material from this unit. I'm also embedding what I can from slides/resources and materials that we used in class (since we've had many folks out ill over the course of this unit). (Note: Sorry, the Memory notes are harder to post, since they're in a different file format that is not super compatible with Google Slides.)

• Quizlet flashcards
• MC Practice Tests on Memory and Cognition
• If you're practicing loci, here's that 50 Word List you can memorize for some extra points!
• Study Session Materials (if attending the study session, you will use these): 
• Memory Vocabulary Sorting 
• Practice FRQ
• Slide Show w/ agenda

Check-In Meetings

I will be meeting individually with students starting on Monday, a process I always look forward to. Use this link to sign up for a time to meet with me over the next two weeks. NOTE: You'll need to be signed into your Google Account with your chipfalls.org identity in order to edit the document.

We'll be talking about how the class is going, how I can help you better, and whether you're looking to make changes to your study practices in the future.

Short Term Memory Test

Want to try a quick test of the capacity of your short term memory (STM)?

Eyewitness Testimony: How Reliable is it?

Hello, AP Psychology Students!

Since I'm out of the building (once again) for some meetings this (Tuesday) morning, I've got your activities posted here. If you need to see me about anything today, don't worry: I'll be back by 12:30 PM and will be with my afternoon classes.

For today's activities, you'll be completing this worksheet and viewing the two video clips below. Your teacher (either myself or the sub) will lead you in a discussion about what you learned.

Clip #1


Clip #2

How to Get the Most Out of Studying

Greetings, AP Psychology students!

I'm sorry I couldn't be with you today. I'm attending meetings in Washington, D.C. as part of my affiliation with Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools (TOPSS) and the APA. But that doesn't mean your learning will be put on hold!

The unit of study we are beginning today concerns Cognition (i.e., thinking) and Memory. Happily, researchers have learned A LOT about what helps people understand and remember what they have learned, and this information should be immediately useful to students hoping to improve and refine their study strategies (and, by extension, their course grades).

Regardless of how you think yesterday's test went--whether you think it was a face-plant or you feel you knocked it out of the park--today's assignment will give you some helpful ideas about how to study more efficiently and more effectively, AND it will introduce you to some basic memory terminology that we will encounter this unit.

You'll have time in class to view this video series by Dr. Stephen Chew of Samford University, and you should complete this worksheet as you go. The worksheet is due Monday (Sept. 22), so anything that you don't finish in class should be completed over the weekend. Note: since there is sound with this video, please use a pair of headphones when viewing so that you don't disturb others.

Enjoy! Happy Learning!

Mrs. Welle

Study Resources for your History, Approaches, and Research Methods Test

On Thursday we'll reach an important milestone in our AP Psych journey together: our first unit test! I know you've been working hard to prepare, and to help you with that process, I'm posting some resources here that students typically find useful.

As your textbook suggests, not all study strategies are created equal. Thus, I'd highly recommend using the testing effect to your advantage by focusing on self-quizzing via Quizlet or practice MC items. Additionally, you were provided with a lengthy, printed study guide with practice problems last week. That's also a great place to start.

The video links I've posted below can also be helpful, especially if you're still confused about a particular concept (e.g., the difference between random assignment and random sampling). However, just passively viewing the Crash Course videos and calling it good is unlikely to get you the test results you want come Thursday. The best approaches to studying are active (involving actual practice retrieving information from memory and using it), not passive. That also means they feel "hard," but don't let that deter you! If studying feels "easy," you might not be gaining much from it.

During our (optional) study session on Wednesday (5-7 PM), I'll be directing some activities that involve very active study strategies, so it might be a good idea to drop in and get some tips if you are free. :)

• Quizlet Flashcards for Unit I and Unit II. I've embedded the flashcard mode below, but visit the site to take advantage of other study modes (games, self-testing, etc.)
• Practice MC Tests: Schools of Thought in Psychology and Research Methods
• Crash Course Videos: Introduction to Psychology and Research Methods.
• Review Video: Correlations
• Review Video: Why Experiments Can Show Cause & Effect
• Review Video: Random Assignment v. Random Sampling

Descriptive Stats PsychSim

Congrats! If you are reading this, you probably just finished your first reading quiz!

To access the PsychSim Module on Descriptive Stats, you'll need to use this link and click on "Descriptive Statistics" in the menu screen that appears. Then, just use the next and back buttons to navigate through the module. The accompanying worksheet is due Monday.

Practice with Correlation Coeffecients

Need some practice matching Scatterplots to their Correlation Coefficients? Try this link: http://www.istics.net/Correlations/ 

By request, here is the Spurious Correlations website I shared in class, as well. :) Enjoy the ridiculous, but real, correlations!

So Many Psychologists!

For the benefit of those who were gone today (and those who didn't have a chance to finish the activity), I'm posting the links to the documents we used in class today to explore career subfields in psychology.

This worksheet was used to record 1.) the career subfield students identified for each psychologist profile, as well as 2.) whether that is considered a basic research subfield, an applied research subfield, or a helping profession. You may wish to review the descriptions found in Module 3 of your text if you are not sure where a particular psychologist fits.

The psychologist profiles students used to answer these questions are located here. Each of the 16 career areas described in your text are used only once, so attempt to identify which individual is the best fit for each area (some have done work in more than one subfield, which can make things confusing).

Tomorrow, when we return to class, we'll go over answers and have an opportunity to ask questions.

Strive for a 5's have Arrived!

Hi all,

I found this box full of learning potential waiting for me in the mailroom today!

If you ordered a Strive for 5 study guide (for your own use) during textbook pick-up, you'll be happy to know that they have arrived! (If you did not order one, feel free to disregard this message). This is perfect timing, since I'm sure you are anxious to begin using it in preparation for your first unit of reading in AP Psych! If you would like to pick up your purchased copy before the first day of classes, I'll be available to distribute them a few times this week:

• I'll be working in my classroom today (Monday 8/25) until 4:00 PM. I know this is short notice, but if you're headed to school for some reason this afternoon, just swing by. :)

• On Tuesday (8/26), I'm in meetings pretty much all day, but will stay from 3-5 PM for anyone who would like to stop in.

• On Wednesday (8/27), I'll be working in my classroom from 8AM-12, though I have meetings after that time. If you're around that morning just stop by. 

Depending on how the week goes, I may be coming in to work on Friday as well, but I'm not sure of the time yet. I'll send out a message if I end up being around that day.

If you can't make it in this week, don't fret. I'll have it for you on the first day of classes. I just know some folks will want to get theirs ASAP, and this is to help them out.

If you would like to bring back your school-owned/issued copy of Strive for 5, I can take it off of your hands when you pick up your personal copy. :) If you haven't yet paid for your copy, payment would be appreciated at the time of pick-up. 

Getting Off to a Good Start in AP Psych

Way to go, AP Psych Class of 2015! The vast majority of you made it in to pick up your textbook and first assignment over the past couple of days, and I'm hoping I'll see the remainder of you in the days ahead.

By picking up your textbook and materials, you’ve already taken the first steps toward experiencing a year of success in AP Psych. Congratulations! Let’s keep it rolling over the next few weeks and into the school year. We will have a TON of fun learning about psychology this year, and you can ensure that you will get the most enjoyment out of this class by staying on track with your reading and studies (since it’s no fun to feel behind and overwhelmed).

Use this handy checklist to ease yourself into the workload for this course and start the year strong, by getting started on the following tasks over the next couple of weeks:

1. Complete the Blog Exploration Assignment in this packet (due Friday, Sept 5). This will help introduce you to all of the web resources that are available to help you with your studies this year.
2. Read through the Course Syllabus. Make a note of any questions you have so that you can ask them during the first few days of class. Have your parents/guardians review the syllabus, as well. When finished, all of you should sign the last page to indicate understanding. The signed page will be due Friday, Sept 5^th, as well.
3. Begin reading Units I & II (pp. 1-70) in your text, using the Strive for a 5 book to guide your study, if desired. Take notes in any way you feel comfortable, since you can use them on your first reading quiz on Sept. 12.
4. Decide if you would like to purchase your own copy of Strive for a 5 (i.e., one that you could write in) for $30. I will place one order at the end of textbook pick-up (August 15), and one during the first week of school.
5. Begin storing course materials in your 3-ring binder. Bring this to class with you on Sept. 2, and every day thereafter!

This is going to be an exciting year, and I can't wait to start! Looking forward to seeing you again when classes begin!

Textbook Pick-Up is Just Around the Corner!

I'm looking forward to meeting a great crop of AP Psych students at Textbook Pick-Up next week! During the times listed below, you'll have the opportunity to:

• Meet your AP Psych teacher!
• Get your textbook, syllabus, and first assignment! This will help you ease into the reading and work after (hopefully) a relaxing summer. 
• Optional: Order and pay for your own copy of the Strive for a Five textbook companion study guide (if desired). Make $30 check payable to Chippewa Falls Senior High School.
• Ask questions, see your classroom, and get started learning about psychology!

Stop by my classroom (rm 136) during any of the times listed below:

Monday, August 11th - 9 AM - 5 PM 

Tuesday, August 12th - 9 AM - 5 PM

Wednesday, August 13th - 9 AM - 5 PM

Thursday, August 14th - 3 PM* - 8 PM

*Please note the slight change in availability on Thursday the 14th. When I emailed students & parents back in May, I had indicated a 12 PM start time. However, since then I've had a meeting scheduled that will take from 8 AM - 3 PM...so I'll be back in my room a bit later than originally planned. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

As always, if you have any questions, feel free to email me: wellevk@chipfalls.org. Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Back to School Shopping for AP Psych

Click here for a printer-friendly version of this message.

Greetings, AP Psych Students and Parents!

I hope this message finds you enjoying a pleasant Wisconsin summer. However, according to virtually every retail establishment I’ve visited during the past two weeks, it’s time for back-to-school shopping. Whether that thought excites you or makes you cringe, I figured I’d give you the heads up about what you’ll need for AP Psych. That way, we can streamline your shopping trip (whenever it happens).

Required:

• Be sure to pick up a 3-ring binder for use throughout the year in AP Psych. You’ll need this to keep your notes and handouts organized by topic area. Look for one 1.5 to 2.5 inches in width (3 in is usually too unwieldy to carry in a backpack daily). Note: I do have a number of free binders generously donated by the parent of a former student (her workplace was discarding them). I’ll have them available at textbook pick-up on a first-come, first-served basis. If you want to save some cash, you are welcome to take one at no cost!
• You’ll also want paper for note-taking (loose-leaf or notebook, your choice). Student preference is the key here: some folks like to use loose-leaf paper so they can insert notes into the binder by topic area, others like keeping their notes all in one notebook (post-it tabs to mark chapters/units can be helpful if going that route). If you like notebooks, be aware that many students fill up their notebooks by spring in AP Psych, so having more than one on hand will help. Also, some students prefer to keep their book notes and class notes separate (not a bad idea), so you’ll want to think about your “system” when shopping.
• Pens and pencils are going to be necessary. Perhaps this is obvious, but I thought I’d be thorough.

Optional:

Some students like to purchase these items to assist with their studying and test preparation throughout the year (and prior to the AP Psych Exam). However, they are not required. (Tip: Parents sometimes purchase these as very practical gifts at birthdays and holidays, so you may want to hang on to this for future reference).

• (New this year) Strive for a 5 Study Guide (cost $30; accompanies the new textbook). This workbook helps students process what they read in the text and practice skills in preparation for unit tests and the AP Psych Exam. I’m very excited about this, because I think it’s a great resource for students! The district provides each student with a copy; HOWEVER (and this is a big drawback, I think), because the district’s copies will be reused from year-to-year, students cannot write in them. That is a bummer, because they are set up like workbooks and would be much easier to use if students could write in them. Because I think that students might be interested in purchasing their own copies (to be able to write in them), I’m happy to organize an order for those who wish to do so. Students will be getting the copies provided by the district at textbook pick-up in mid-August, so you are free to take a look at the item and decide if you’d like to buy your own instead. If you know you would like to order your own, payments will be accepted at that time (then I can hopefully get the order submitted in time for them to arrive for the start of the school year). Depending on interest, I may place a second order in September (if students would like to wait and see how the first unit goes before buying). Unfortunately, the publisher does not have a direct retail website, so all ordering will have to be organized through the school.

• Additional test-prep book(s). There are a lot of these on the market (and you can find them online or at large book stores in the test-prep section), and are not many differences from one brand to another. Cost is usually $17-20. Some students like using them (especially the practice tests usually found in them) as the AP Exam approaches in the spring, but this is completely a matter of personal preference. If purchasing one of these, be sure to look for the 2014-2015 version, since our curriculum changes slightly this year (and 2013-2014 versions will not be up to date). I’ve got examples of these for viewing (or classroom use), so feel free to take a look at them when you come in for textbook pick-up if you want to see what they are like.

Barron's is just one of the test-prep books available. Princeton Review and 5 Steps to a 5 are also popular.

• Flash card sets. Like the test-prep books, it’s easy to find these online or at large book stores, and some students appreciate not having to print/make 1000+ flashcards on their own. (Note, however, that online flashcards are linked up to the class website for free;  this would be for folks who like having physical versions on hand for study.) However, if you wait until March or April to buy them, you may have trouble, since they tend to be in high demand as the AP Exam approaches (when, suddenly, 260,000 AP Psych students decide to simultaneously purchase them). Like the test-prep books, I’ve got sample sets for classroom use, so you can peruse them before deciding if it’s worth buying your own.

If you have any questions, feel free to shoot me an email (wellevk@chipfalls.org) or ask when you come in to pick-up your textbook in August. Enjoy the rest of your summer, and happy shopping!

Summer in AP Psych Land

This summer I've been pretty busy getting ready and renewed for what I hope will be a banner year for AP Psych in 2014-15. Just thought I'd give you a brief summary of all that has been happening to prepare for your arrival in rm 136.

AP Exam Reading

In early June, I joined 400+ AP Psychology teachers and Psych Professors from across the country at the AP Exam Reading in Kansas City, MO. This is my third year of participating in the Reading, and it was great to connect with my colleagues from across the country, see old friends, make new ones, and (of course), score endless stacks of FRQs from the 2014 exam.

I was assigned to Question 1, which was a research methods question, and was happy to be scoring lots and lots of bar graphs much of the week. In all, over a quarter million exams were read by the crew that week. 

With the recently retired (from teaching) Charlie Blair-Broeker at the AP Reading. 

Steve Jones and I take a serious selfie during lunch at the Kansas City Convention Center.

Brad Wray, Mike Ray, and I can't figure out why there are no cars in downtown Kansas City on Sunday afternoon. Or at least cheering crowds to celebrate the end of the AP Psych Reading.

Then, after the end of the school year, I did attempt to become a hermit for about 2 weeks. I got caught up on sleep and was able to clean my house for once. How nice, right?

Chi-Hi AP Psych Exam Results

In early July, scores for our AP Psych students at Chi-Hi became available, and we had a lot to celebrate! The 2014 crop of AP Psych students was our largest group of test takers yet: 95 students took the AP Psych Exam! And, they did quite well. 

As a group, we can boast a 86% percent pass rate (which was substantially higher than the national pass rate of 65%), and 33 of our 95 test takers earned 5's (the highest possible score). This is impressive, given how much instructional time we lost due to snow days over the 2014-15 school year. 

AP Annual Conference

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the AP Annual Conference in Philadelphia, PA. It was an invigorating conference, as I picked up a lot of great ideas for use in my own classroom and for growing and supporting AP programs in general. 

As a side bonus, during non-conference hours I tried to squeeze in as many Philadelphia tourist activities as possible, including a run up "Rocky's" steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the early morning hours. 

I've got the Eye of the Tiger...

Now that mid-July is upon us, however, it's time to get focused again. I'll be at school more days than not over the next few weeks updating my plans for the year and getting things ready for textbook pick-up in mid-August. If you visit the blog during that time, you'll notice many pages and features are "under construction" as I make adjustments and updates for the 2014-15 school year.  

I'm looking forward to the planning and preparation, since it means I'll be seeing AP Psych students again soon.

The Year in Review

Since I'm heading out for the AP Exam Reading on Sunday, this week marks my last days with the Class of 2014. Despite a TON of challenges (me returning partway into the school year after my internship, more snow days than anyone ever wanted, and the hassle of being "in-between" versions of the DSM), this group stuck with it. And they did it with patience and a sense of humor.

Below, a compilation of some of our best moments from the past year.


AP Psych 2013-14 from Virginia Welle on Vimeo.

Implicit Attitudes: Immaculate Perception?

TED Talk by Jerry Kang:



Curious to see how you would do on the Implicit Association Test? Try out one of the versions of the IAT here.

Class Picture Day

Today we took advantage of the beautiful weather (and an opportune moment in the lesson schedule) and headed out to take our last class pictures. We've got some great people in AP Psych this year, and it was nice to take a moment to document the AP Psych classes of 2013-14 before the fury of final projects hits.

1st Hour

2nd Hour

3rd Hour

6th Hour

7th Hour

Research Project - Resources

Your final project for this course involves using psychological science to understand (and generate a solution to) a modern problem. You should have received a copy of the project directions in class last week, but we will begin working on the written part during lab time over the next several days.

Stuck? Need topic ideas?

• The American Psychological Association has great, general topic ideas and may even point you toward the authors of scholarly articles that could be used in your paper.
• You can also peruse recent copies of the Monitor on Psychology (in classroom) for ideas. 

What is a scholarly journal article and how do I find them?

• Not sure what a scholarly article is? This tutorial ought to help.
• This website outlines the difference between scholarly, peer-reviewed work and popular articles.
• Badgerlink
• Google Scholar

Using APA Style in Formal Papers

• APA Style - In-text Citations & Reference
• APA Style References
• Example: Paper written in APA style (although your paper will not contain the same sections, this gives you an idea of what APA style papers look like when finished, and it explains why certain APA style elements exist). 
• Was that last one scary? Here's a less intimidating example paper. 

Preparing for Online Score Reports

You took the AP Psych Exam this afternoon. You spent a LOT of time preparing for that test this year, so you're going to want to find out how you did as soon as possible! Unfortunately for you, AP Scores aren't available until July, so you'll have to practice some patience.

Also, scores are ONLY available online (you won't get a printed score report mailed to you), so you'll need to have a College Board Account in order to access them. Here are the steps you'll need to take to access your scores:

Students need to:

• Fill in AP answer sheets carefully and consistently during AP testing. Especially important are name, date of birth, sex, mailing address, and email address.
• Sign up for a College Board account at apscore.org. Students must have an account to access their scores. Some students may already have an account. Have them confirm this by signing in.
• Remember their College Board username and password and their 2014 AP number (or student ID number if they provided it on their AP answer sheet).
• Look for an email at the email address they put on their AP answer sheet reminding them how and when to access their scores.