This is a copy of the syllabus/class procedures that is handed out to all students on their first day. It is to be signed (which indicates the student and parent/guardian have read it and understood it):
Course Title:  General Psychology
This is the class syllabus that I have been using with added modifications for this year (2020-21).
I have done this with the hope that we will be back in class at some point and can go back to the original syllabus

EXPLANATION/COURSE DESCRIPTION:
         General Psychology is a 2 semester College Preparatory elective course which satisfies UC Subject A-G requirements.
        This course will cover basic or general Psychology with an emphasis on the interaction between the mind and the body.  It will be a solid foundation for any college-level Psychology or Sociology course in addition to a better understanding of one's self, and surroundings. Click here for a detailed list of topics covered throughout the year.

Website Access:

         Almost all class information (assignments, explanations, due dates, etc.) can be found at the following web address: http://pfleischer.com (hey, you're already here!)
I will also be using Google Classroom now but mostly just for turning in work. Please check Google Classroom but THIS site (pfleischer.com) will be the main site for information.

Instructional Materials/Methods:
         The required text is Thinking About Psychology ('19) by Blair-Broeker & Ernst. Instruction will consist of lectures, discussions, reading assignments, group & individual projects and activities, research papers, guest speakers, music & video analyses, and "real-life" observations in and out of the classroom.
Obviously, and unfortunately, we won't be doing the same activities that we would be doing if we were in class. However, we will still be doing activities with an emphasis on discussions and small group activities. The goal is not to be on the computer all the time but to be able to experience psychology everywhere.
 
         You will be required to bring to every class meeting your own...
*Psych Notebook (keep ALL notes/assignments; separate from other classes)
*Textbook *Non-red pen  *Agenda/Planner/Device for recording due dates
*Paper *Red pen *Graph paper (at least a few sheets)
*Pencil *Journal
*Open Mind
        Additional supplies will be needed for particular labs/activities/projects and will be announced at that time.  All donated supplies are greatly appreciated and participation points will be awarded.
The main item to have handy is your technology. This means a computer, phone or other resource which can be used to access the internet and also submit work online.


Assignments:
  (Psychology/Sciences follow APA format)
        Turn in ALL assignments (homework, lab/activity write-ups, redone work, etc.) into assigned boxes ("In" Box/"Notes" Box) with the following format:


Please Note: Plagiarism (using someone else's work as your own) can get you expelled from college. That usually doesn't happen in high school but if you copy/paste from the internet and use it as your own work, I will NOT grade it. Please evaluate/rate your work when you turn it in. More on that under Explanation of Graded Work.
For now, you will be turning in assignments on Google Classroom. There is also the option of submitting your Google Doc or photo of your assignment to the online folder in the shared drive.

Re-done work:
        If you are not satisfied with the score you earned on an assignment, you may redo the assignment or a RELATED assignment to make up points but the decision on what to do is up to you.  Credit will be given ONLY IF the following are completed:
•Include an explanation about your corrections (i.e. HOW you changed it and what you did to make sure it is now correct-[what you learned])
*For tests, each corrected question must be accompanies by an explanation.
•Include the original "graded" assignment (no original=no new score)
Nothing really new here. I have always believed redoing low scored work and explaining what you did to improve it demonstrates "learning". The problem is that very few students actually take advantage of this opportunity.

Late Work:

        Turn in your work on the day it is due!!

(See absence policy)

Absence: (this one is VERY important)
        IF YOU ARE ABSENT... when you return you will have normal "due" time to turn in an assignment (the assignment will not be late, but you have the same amount of time everyone else had. Please note on the assignment that you were absent so I will not think it is "LATE"). Exceptions will be made for medical excuses for labs/activities that cannot be made up but it is YOUR responsibility to show me the note or verify the absence with me (this is posted/explained more in class [above my desk]).
   
Upon your return, it is YOUR responsibility to get any missed assignments from the assignment calendar online/in class.
Attendance will be taken daily and it is expected that you attend regular Zoom meetings, attend office hours when needed, submit assignments and communicate with me (email, messages, etc.) in order to be marked present. As participation is a part of your grade, this is the easiest way to make sure you stay up to date with what's going on. I will follow the attendance guidelines set forth by the district.

EXTRA CREDIT: 
        E. C. will ONLY be accepted if you have ALL assignments turned in. Please don’t ask me for extra work if you haven’t done what you were assigned in the first place. Redoing low scores is the best way to raise your grade.

GRADING:
        Your grade will be based on how well you demonstrate proficiency on the standards throughout the semester. This will be accomplished through lab reports, oral and written responses to activities/lessons, Cornell notes, and exams. Each standard is worth about 15% of your semester grade. There will be about 6 standards per semester and the remaining percentage (about 15%) of your grade will be based on participation, attendance, homework, journal entries, etc.
Assignments will be scored based on the 0 – 4 system. (0: No work; 1: Below Basic; 2: Basic; 3: Proficient; 4: Advanced)        
I don't have any plans of changing the Standards Based Grading or the 0 - 4 grading system. However, Google Classroom currently does not work with SBG, so grades will continue to be posted and updated via Illuminate, not on Google Classroom.
    A list of the standard topics is below and will also be handed out in class:
Background/History, Research Methods, Biological Bases of Behavior, Sensation and Perception, States of Consciousness, Learning, Memory & Thought, Intelligence, Motivation & Emotion, Developmental, Personality, Abnormal (Disorders), Social, Investigation/Experimentation.

As this new semester is a work in progress, the assignments will continue to be posted on the Assignment Calendar of pfleischer.com; some of the assignments will be modified so stay up to date by checking the Assignment Calendar often.


CLASS RULES:
       
Demonstrate a sense of respect for others and yourself (including equipment and materials). Take responsibility for your own actions.  Follow rules from the Student Handbook.
Very Simple Class Rules (Posted in class)
Rule #1: Respect people, equipment, materials
Consequence: Student/Parent conference; pay for damaged items; suspension
Rule #2: No gum/food/drink (except water)
Consequence: Clean room (floor, desks, chairs)

Since we don't have to be concerned with the cleanliness of the classroom, the focus here will be respect, including APPROPRIATE ETIQUETTE online and with each other during Zoom meetings. Appropriate online behavior includes treating people respectfully as you would if you were face to face and not hiding behind the anonymity or cowardice of a computer screen. Academic Honesty will also be expected (be aware that plagiarism is a way to get expelled from college; understand the consequences for inappropriate behavior).
TREAT OTHERS THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED. Please understand I will respect you, as everyone deserves that, but only you can cause that trust and respect to be changed..

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/HELPFUL HINTS:

•Tardy policy: If you are not in class before the bell stops ringing, you are tardy. I will follow the school

tardy policy (you receive a referral for each tardy beginning with your third one)

•Participation helps! When you get involved, you learn more and the time goes by more quickly. Seriously!

•You need blood in your brain to think, not your bottom. If you need to get up and stretch or move around,

please do, but be respectful of others and do not disturb or distract them.

•Please raise your hand to ask a question (if you feel you’ll forget it, write it down). I will usually call on an individual to answer a question and if I do, it means I want to hear from THAT individual! Telling them the answer or yelling it out doesn’t help them learn and it shows a lack of self-control. Believe me, everyone will get a chance to talk.

•I want everyone to feel comfortable but challenged. If you don’t feel this way, please discuss it with me.
I'll just put a note here to address these bullets: being punctual (on time) is important, not just in school but in most aspects of life. Being late to work will result in being fired. Start your good habits now. Also, if you are late to Zoom meetings, I might not be able to let you in from the waiting room right away. The more you participate, the less bored you will be and the more you will gain from anything you do. Stay active, get up, move around; and most of all, challenge yourself!! I will do what I can to challenge you but what you get out of this depends on what you are willing to put in.

 

 

Sign/return this form for credit, and then keep it in your folder for reference throughout the year

 

We have read and understand the above class procedures

Student  Signature                                                                                                       Date                           

Parent  Signature                                                                                                         Date