Year 10 Psychology
Scope and sequence, learning intention, activities & assessment tasks, VELS (domains), AusVELS (levels)
Term 1, 2013
Text: Oxford Psychology Year 10 (Including some sections of Oxford Psychology Year 11)
Topic
Lessons
Activities & Assessment
Learning Intention
VELS
AusVELS
Domain
Dimension
Levels
REVISION of HEADSTART content
To introduce and increase
students’ existing knowledge
on Psychology as a science
of inquiry into human
behaviour
Science
~ Science knowledge
and understanding
Science understanding:
~Biological sciences – Level 10
~ Science at work
Science as a human endeavour:
~Nature and development of science Levels 9-10
~Use and influence of science –
Levels 9-10
--------To participate in an empirical
research activity* on
mnemonic techniques and to
evaluate the findings (as a
--------Science & Maths
(Timeframe)
REVISE:
Introduction to
Psychology:
*Chapter 1
Week 1
31 Jan
to
01 Feb
~What is Psychology?
~Differences in
Psychology &
Psychiatry
~Pseudosciences
~Mnemonic
techniques
~Ethical
considerations
*Chapter 2
~The brain
Memory
Learning
Balance &
coordination
Sleep & dreams
Hormones
Introduction to
Psychology:
~ERA (data
distribution &
evaluation, writing
sections of an
investigation report)
**Requires instruction
handout and a simple,
model report.
~ Introduction to Psychology, its
practice and understanding it as a
discipline
~ Psychological terms and meanings
~Introduction to the brain and its
functions: Memory, learning,
physiological processes, and sleep
--------~ Participation in an Empirical
Research Activity (ERA) (Mnemonic
techniques – with a written
evaluation of the activity as an
assessment task. Use 1.5
Investigate on p.9 as the base for
ERA)
~Ethical considerations (linked to the
above research activity evaluation
process)
Science inquiry skills:
~Questioning and predicting
~Planning and conducting
~Processing and analysing data and
information
~Evaluating
~Communicating
Levels 9-10
small demonstration of scientific
research methods, analysis of
data, and ethical considerations)
SUBMISSION OF HOLIDAY
HOMEWORK – due this week
(One-page report on a pseudoscience)
Week 2
04 Feb
to
08 Feb
~ Psychological terms and meanings
(including IV & DV and constructing a
hypothesis)
~Glossary of terms and phrases
(Language of Psychology &
research)
# 1 ASSESSMENT TASK Finalise 1.5 INVESTIGATE (p. 9)
Mnemonic techniques
Data analysis & sections of an ERA
to be completed
--------Additional activities to complete:
2.1 Investigate (p. 15)
2.3 Investigate (p. 17)
2.1 Review (p. 18)
2.2 Review (p. 21)
To provide a practical
example of a research
activity* (physically participating
Science & Maths
in a class experiment of a
psychological nature)
* Required skills & knowledge linked
throughout VCE Psychology
--------To understand what it means
to be human - through
looking at the functions and
components of the human
brain
--------Science - biology
As above
As above
Scope and sequence, learning intention, activities & assessment tasks, VELS (domains), AusVELS (levels)
Year 10 Psychology
Text: Oxford Psychology Year 10 (Including some sections of Oxford Psychology Year 11)
Topic
Lessons
Activities & Assessment
Learning Intention
VELS
AusVELS
~ Overview of the functions of the
brain, using the basic concepts within
the text:
Memory, learning, balance &
coordination, sleep & dreams,
hormones.
Activities to complete:
2.1 Review (p.18)
2.2 Review (p.21)
--------~ Detailed coverage of brain
components & functions.
Activities to complete:
3.1 Review (p.27)
3.1 Investigate (p.28)
3.2 Investigate (p.29)
3.2 Review (p.30)
3.4 Investigate (p.31)
3.5 Investigate (p.33)
3.3 Review (p.34)
3.4 Review (p.38)
End of Chapter test (p.40-41)
To introduce students to the
components, functions and
processes within the brain
and the nervous system.
~ The Central & Peripheral Nervous
systems
~ Neurons – components of a neuron
~ Neurotransmitters and dendrites
--------Activities to complete:
4.1 Review (p.45)
4.2 Review (p. 47)
4.3 Review (p. 48)
End of Chapter test (p.51-52)
To provide an understanding
of how the brain
communicates with the body,
and of how both systems
connect for our survival
Science - biology
As above
As above
To provide a brief overview of
when the brain may not
function normally, and the
implications for our behaviour
and cognitive thinking
processes. To also provide
an overview on neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to
adapt after damage).
Science - biology
As above
As Above
(Timeframe)
Chapter 2
~The brain
Memory
Learning
Balance &
coordination
Sleep & dreams
Hormones
Week 3
11 Feb
to
15 Feb
Chapter 3
~ Inside the brain
Brain damage
Beneath the
cerebral cortex
Brain hemispheres
Brain imaging
Chapter 4
~ Nervous System
Neurons
Neurotransmitters
Technology and
our brain
Week 4
18 Feb
to
22 Feb
Domain
Dimension
Levels
Science - biology
~ Science knowledge
and understanding
Science understanding:
~Biological sciences – Level 10
~ Science at work
Science as a human endeavour:
~Nature and development of science Levels 9-10
~Use and influence of science –
Levels 9-10
Science inquiry skills:
~Questioning and predicting
~Planning and conducting
~Processing and analysing data and
information
~Evaluating
~Communicating
Levels 9-10
--------To outline the major functions
of specific components of the
brain – including brain
damage, hemisphere
specialisation & brain
imaging techniques.
***Variation on 4.1 Investigate: Create a
model of a neuron (practical activity)
Chapter 5
~ Mental Illness &
Brain Injury
Week 5
25 Feb
to
1 Mar
~ When the brain does not function
normally – mental illness & brain
injury (and neuroplasticity)
--------Activities to complete:
5.1 Review (p.61)
End of Chapter test (p.65-66)
Chapters 2, 3, 4 & 5
~ Revise content
(with theory & practical
activities)
Week 6
4 Mar
to
8 Mar
~ Brain Boosters
Exercise
Sleep
Technology use
Diet & nutrition
Music
~ Sleep
REM & NREM
Chapter 7
~ Dreaming
Dream analysis
Other forms of
dreaming
Chapter 8
~ Hypnosis
Processes
Applications
Week 7
4 Mar
to
8 Mar
Week 8
18 Mar
to
22 Mar
Week 9
25 Mar
to
28 Mar
# 2 ASSESSMENT TASK – TEST
on the brain and the nervous system
Science - Biology
~ Science knowledge
and understanding
Science understanding:
~Biological sciences – Level 10
~ Science at work
Science as a human endeavour:
~Nature and development of science Levels 9-10
~Use and influence of science –
Levels 9-10
Science inquiry skills:
~Questioning and predicting
~Planning and conducting
~Processing and analysing data and
information
~Evaluating
~Communicating
Levels 9-10
To provide students with a
tangible link to the benefits of
maintaining optimal brain
function and capacity. (Covers
most of what has been taught in
previous weeks)
To introduce students to the
area of sleep, sleep
phenomenon and altered
states of consciousness
Science - Biology
As above
As above
~ Dream analysis & problem solving
~ Lucid dreaming & daydreaming
--------Activities to complete:
7.6 Investigate (p.90)
7.2 Review (p.91)
7.3 Review (p.93)
End of Chapter test (p.95)
To introduce students to the
area of sleep, sleep
phenomenon and altered
states of consciousness
Science
As above
As above
~ Hypnosis – Introduction
~ Applications of hypnosis
--------Activities to complete:
8.1 Review (p.100)
8.2 Review (p.103)
8.3 Review (p.106)
End of Chapter test (p.108)
Bringing the idea of different
levels of consciousness to
students’ awareness and
understanding – linked to
sleep
Science
As above
As above
--------~ Characteristics of REM & NREM
sleep
--------Activities to complete:
7.1 Review (p.88)
7.4 Investigate (p.88)
# 3 ASSESSMENT TASK – ESSAY
OR MEDIA RESPONSE
on sleep and altered states of
consciousness
Term Holidays
To consolidate student
understanding on the
features and functions of the
brain & the nervous system
#Cover Chapters 2 – 5
--------~ Brain Boosters – Exercise, sleep,
Technology, diet & music.
--------Activities to complete:
6.1 Review (p.69)
6.2 Review (p.73)
6.4 Review (p.77)
6.5 Review (p.80)
End of Chapter test (p.82-83)
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
~ Summary of content on the brain
and the nervous system for
assessment task (Week 7)