Introduction to Psychology Syllabus

2018 – 2019
Ms. Hall

Contact Info: Class website:

School phone: 502-485-8330 http://mshallhistory.weebly.com – go here
Email Address: for calendar updates and online resources!
sierra.hall@jefferson.kyschools.us
Room: 234 Southern High School Vision: At the heart
Planning Period: 3rd and 4th period of Southern High School is our vision ... to
develop and graduate college and career
ready students.

Course Description:
Introduction to Psychology is meant to be an overview of the major topics in Psychology. You will
be exposed to themes and topics related to all aspects of human thinking and behavior. Units of
study include the following: History and Approaches, Biological Bases of Behavior, States of
Consciousness, Sensation and Perception, Learning Theories, Memory, Development through the
Life Span, Intelligence, Personality, Motivation and Emotion, Abnormal Psychology and
Treatments, and Social Psychology.

Supplies:
Students will be required to have the following supplies on a daily basis for the US History course.

Class Folder or binder:
Notebook/Loose Leaf Paper:
Pen or Pencil:
Markers (optional):
Pronged folder preferred to store class work and assignments
Bellwork, daily assignments, and notes will need to be kept in a
notebook for the semester
We will do projects in this class, so you may bring your own
supplies if you want

Absences, Make-up Work and Tardy Policy:

1. If you have an excused absence, place the note on my desk at the beginning of class. Check
your class bin to see what assignments you have missed. It is the STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY
to obtain and complete make-up work.
2. According to JCPS policy, you will have however many days you have missed, plus one, to
complete your work and turn it in
3. You will be expected to turn in all work that is assigned in this class. You aren’t given a
free pass even if you are absent.
4. If you arrive to class after the tardy bell rings, you must see an Assistant Principal for a
tardy pass before you will be allowed into class.

Scheduling & Graduation Requirement:

Psychology is not a required course for graduation, but it does count as an elective credit.
Psychology is a two semester course (A&B).

Grading:
This class will be using a form of grading that may be unfamiliar to some. Students will now be
graded based on their ability to meet a set of specific standards for each unit. Grades will be
given based on a 0-4 scoring guide. Below you will find an explanation of what each scores means
and how it fits within the district grading policy.

Score Description of Mastery, Proficiency and Competency

More Complex Content (Mastery) – this is better than the goal! This means that you
3.5 - 4 have gone above and beyond and you know the standard very well!
Target Learning goal (Proficiency) – this is the goal! This means that you have met
2.5 - 3 the standard and know the information well. We do not consider anything lower than
this as a passing grade for the standards.
Simpler Content (Competency) – this does not meet the goal. This means that you do
1.5 - 2 not know the content for the standard well enough to meet it and that you need a little
more help.
With help, partial success (Minimal Understanding) – this does not meet the goal. This
0.5 - 1 means that you have very little understanding of the content for this standard and that
you need some extra help.
Even with help no success/incomplete (Little/No Understanding) – this does not meet
0 the goal. This means that you either don’t know the content at all, or that you didn’t
even try.

Score: Grade Equivalent:

4 100 District Grading Scale
3.5 92
3 85 A (Exceeds Standards) 90–100%
2.5 80 B (Meets Standards) 80–89%
C (Marginally Meets Standards) 70–79%
2 75
D (Below Standards) 60–69%
1.5 70 U (Unsatisfactory Performance) Below 60%
1 65
0 50

Grade Composition:

70% Student Mastery:

 Tests – 25%
 Quizzes - 10%
 Projects – 25%
 Essays – 10%

20% Student Progression:

 Daily In class work – 15%
 Homework – 5%

10% Student Engagement:

Daily reflection for formative evaluations and participation in class.
 Bellwork/Exit Slips or self/peer evaluations

Summative Assessments and Retakes: There will be a summative assessment after each unit
(exam, project, paper, etc). Students have the option to recover a failed summative grade after
they have participated in intervention with the teacher at least once during lunch or after school
(Student must schedule intervention time in advance). Once intervention has been completed, a
student has ONE attempt at a test/paper/project retake per unit.

Students are responsible for keeping track of their own grades and monitoring their success via
Infinite Campus.

Plagiarism/Academic Dishonesty Policy:

Plagiarism and academic dishonesty are serious offenses. The academic work of a student is
expected to be his/her own effort. Students must give the author(s) credit for any source material
used. To represent ideas or interpretations taken from a source without giving credit is a flagrant
act. To present a borrowed passage after having changed a few words, even if the source is cited,
is also plagiarism. Students who commit any act of academic dishonesty (i.e.-students who are
caught cheating on an assessment) will receive a failing grade in that portion of the course work
and will not be allowed to make up the grade for that assignment. Acts of academic dishonesty
will be reported to the administration.

Classroom Expectations:
These guidelines are based on the principles of mutual respect between students and the school
community. Failure to adhere to these will result in disciplinary action, including verbal warnings,
individual/team/parent conferences, and referral to the office.

School and Classroom

Expectations Consequences
Guidelines
1. Sit quietly for the teacher to begin class 1. Warning
2. Raise your hand before speaking 2. Conference
3. Use appropriate language 3.Parent Contact
Respect
4. Comply with teacher directives 4. Referral to your assistant principal or
5. Be respectful to others thoughts, opinions, counselor
belongings, and personal space
1. Come to class prepared 1. Warning
2. Be in your seat and working on bellwork when the 2. Conference
bell rings 3.Parent Contact
Responsibility
3. Be familiar with classroom expectations and 4. Referral to your assistant principal or
procedures counselor
4. Take ownership of your learning
1. Warning
1. Take initiative in class
2. Conference
2. Add to the classroom community
Character 3.Parent Contact
3. Use class time effectively
4. Referral to your assistant principal or
4. Communicate kindly with all class members
counselor
1. Electronic devices are not permitted unless
1. Warning
otherwise specified for instructional use only and
2. Conference
are to be away at all times. No charging phones!
3.Parent Contact
Ms. Hall’s Classroom 2. Stay in your assigned seat unless directed
4. Referral to your assistant principal or
otherwise
counselor
3. Ask permission to leave the classroom – take care
of personal business between classes

Electronics Policy:
Unless instructed to use electronic devices (phones, ipads, headphones, etc.), they must be stored
in a purse, backpack, etc. They should not be seen (even face down on a desk).
** If failure to comply with the electronics policy occurs and any of the items listed above are
visible or used during class time the office will be called immediately and the student will
report to ISAP for the remainder of class time and the next two days classes as well.
Classroom Procedures:

1. Entering the classroom: I will greet you as you enter the classroom. Materials for the day are
to be gathered before taking your seat. You are to sit in your assigned seat immediately and begin
getting your materials out for the period and start working on the bellwork silently.

2. Tardiness: Enter the class quietly, present tardy slip to me and begin working. The day’s
learning target and activity will be posted on the board.

3. While I am teaching: You are to be actively participating: listening, taking notes, asking
questions, thinking. Do not get up for any reason unless to sharpen your pencil (after asking). If
you have a question or something to add raise your hand; do not call out.

4. Independent work: You should work quietly. If you need help, ask someone sitting next to you
or raise your hand to ask me. If I can’t see your hand raised politely say, “Ms. Hall” and I will
assist you.

5. Group work: Group work is a vital part of the learning process. Groups should keep voice levels
low and stay on task. Often you will be put into groups by me, but if not please choose your
partners wisely; if a group can’t work together I will reassign them. Failure to complete group
work according to expectations will result in consequences which vary from working by oneself,
receiving a new group, conferencing, parental contact, and a referral in extreme cases.

6. Assignments: When I give an assignment you are expected to work on it right then, utilizing
class time efficiently. Assignments not completed in class become homework unless otherwise
specified. If assignments are turned in late, points will be deducted.

7. Moving Desks: Unless instructed please do not move desks during class; if moving desks is
required during the class period please return them to their original arrangement before the end
of class (marked by tape).

8. Leaving the classroom: I will dismiss you from class, not the bell. You are to clean up your
area, gather your things, and exit the room in an orderly manner. DO NOT LEAVE TRASH OR
BOOKS ON THE FLOOR. Always stay in your seat until the bell rings.

9. Turning in papers: Each class period will have a bin at a designated area in the classroom.
There will be a bin for work to be turned in, and to pick up graded work.