A.P. PSYCHOLOGY (B-305)
HIGHLAND PARK HIGH SCHOOL: 2015 - 2016
Ms. Pretet
Contact Information
Email: cpretet@dist113.org
Office: A-311
Office Phone #: (224) 765-2495
Office Hours: Study Hall (A343) = Per. 2
During School/Free Periods = 3 & 8
After School = By Appointment Only
I believe that communication is a key element for success. Should you wish to communicate with me, email is
the most effective means of contact; I will try to return communication within 24 hours.
Welcome to AP Psych! Over the course of this year, you will be introduced to the multi-faceted
field of psychology. This is a challenging, yet engaging course designed to help you prepare for the
AP Psychology exam in May and to challenge you to think critically about the causes of human
behavior, including your own. The course will be organized in the following way:
1st Quarter:
History & Approaches/ Social Psychology
Research Methods
Biological Bases of Behavior
2nd Quarter:
Sensation & Perception
States of Consciousness
Learning
Cognition
1st Sem Final Exam--a simulated A.P.
Exam
3rd Quarter:
Motivation
Emotion, Stress, & Health
Development
Personality
4th Quarter :( AP Exam- May 2nd)
Testing & Individual Differences
Abnormal Behavior & Treatment
AP Exam review
The following guidelines represent responsibilities and expectations that both the teacher and students
should adhere to in order to ensure a positive classroom environment:

Attendance and missed work: Out of respect for your teacher and peers, please try not to be tardy.
Chronic tardiness will negatively affect your overall participation. Regular attendance is crucial.
Much of what we do in class will consist of demonstrations and activities which cannot be made
up. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to find out what assignments you may have missed. If
you miss a day, please check the “outbox” bin for any missed handouts, consult your unit syllabus,
and check the class website before emailing me to see if you have missed anything. Our classroom
website will be updated as we move through the material with links to videos and electronic
handouts. Please check the “Daily Assignments and Activities” Page under “AP Psych” on our
website to see what we did in class.
-
https://sites.google.com/a/dist113.org/hphspretetappsych/
-
If you miss a test, you are responsible for arranging your makeup within a reasonable
period of time. In most cases, you should be prepared to take the test upon your return in
the Testing Center or with me during a free period. Missing class the day before a test,
quiz or project due date does not excuse you from taking the test or quiz or turning in the
project on its due date.
Please note: I understand that there may be times when extenuating circumstances arise which may make
it difficult for you to meet project deadlines or perform to the best of your abilities. However, if this is ever
the case, I advise you to see me before class to discuss the matter.

Test retakes: Tests and quizzes make up the majority of the total points we have each semester.
So as not to penalize you if you have an unusually low test score on one test, I offer the
opportunity to retake ONE TEST PER QUARTER. The retake must be made up within approximately
one week of receiving your grade. A new test score will be calculated. Your original score will be
worth 1/3 of the new test score and the retake will be worth 2/3 of the new score.

Late work: Each student will be issued two “oops” passes per quarter. The purpose of an “oops”
pass is to allow you two opportunities (if needed) to get full credit on an assignment which is not
completed on time. The assignment must be turned in with the “oops” pass stapled to the
assignment at the next class meeting in order to receive credit without penalty (you are allowed to
use 2 “oops” passes for one assignment). Assignments turned in late may not receive full credit.
Additionally, extra credit will not be awarded for unused oops passes. And… they DO NOT roll
over. (sorry guys! )
- I will adhere to District 113 guidelines in regards to late work grading procedures.

Class materials: You will need a 3 ring binder and a spiral notebook that you will bring to every
class. The binder and notebook should be separate from what you use in other classes. The binder
should contain unit outlines, notes, handouts, and current and past assignments. The notebook
will be used as a double entry journal where you will respond to every reading. The notebook will
also be used as a place to respond to “questions of the day.” I will check journals daily and
periodically collect them for points on test days.
** If you are well prepared and bring the above items to class every day, textbooks may be left at
home.
- Book website:
http://bcs.worthpublishers.com/myersap2e/default.asp#t_924621____
-
On this website, you can find Web Quizzes that are similar to the test questions you will
see in class.
It is completely FREE!

Chromebooks/Digital Devices - Overall, the digital classroom is new for teachers and students;
the overriding goal of this class is to expand your learning. Where digital devices serve this
purpose, all the better. Where digital devices distract from this purpose, the following policies
apply:
o Chrome books will be used frequently to access course information, facilitate group work,
and to present information to peers in a paperless and dynamic way.
o Notebook and pen are required for class every day; some class periods we will devote solely
to notebook work; we will explicitly develop note-taking skills in a paper and pen medium.
(Smutko and Broaders, 2013)
o Students will keep digital devices closed unless explicitly required for class. Students are
still subject to the rules of the student handbook regarding cell phones and other devices
o Students caught using off-task websites may lose the privilege of using Chromebooks for
the day, and for, repeat offenses indefinitely.

Learning Targets: Student learning targets are shared through rubrics, evaluation criteria, and
examples. Much of our work focuses on building analytical reasoning skills through formative
assessments that emphasize the exploration and application of psychological concepts. In-class and
out of class assignments are designed to provide opportunities to practice skills and develop
competency to succeed on summative assessments, including the Advanced Placement Exam.

Grading: Grades will be assessed cumulatively according to a point system in which all
assignments, papers, quizzes/tests, group activities, community involvement, and projects will be
assigned a point value and combined to make up 85% of your total semester grade. Grading will be
cumulative through each semester. You should expect to take a final exam first semester worth
15% of the total semester grade. Therefore, the quarter grade serves as a progress report that shows
the student’s current standing halfway through the semester.
 On occasion we will have pop reading quizzes to help you gauge and demonstrate your
level of your comprehension before the major unit tests.
PERCENTAGES CALCULATE AS FOLLOWS: I round grades at .5 or above at SEMESTER only.
93-100
A
90-92
A87-89
B+
83-86
B
80-82
B77-79
C+
73-76
C
70-72
C67-69
D+
63-66
D
60-62
D59 & below
E
Please note: academic honesty is a top priority. Cheating in any form will not be tolerated and
could result in a zero for the assignment.
Please read these policies carefully and keep them in your binder. If you have any questions or concerns
please feel free to contact me. I am looking forward to our class this year and working together to make
this a positive experience for all.
-
Ms. Pretet