Mrs. Lopez
E-mail: Lopezkl1@unit5.org
Website: www.unit5.org/lopez
Conference Hours: 1 st & 5 th
Room 008
Overview
Welcome to AP Psych! Advanced Placement Psychology is the equivalent of an introductory college course. This is a rigorous and demanding course, intended to provide the scope and level of accomplishment expected in a college or university setting. The curriculum of this course places a heavy emphasis on essential readings, writing assignments, independent projects, and frequent tests intended to prepare students for the AP Psychology Exam at the end of the semester. Please understand from the beginning a fact of paramount importance: the most important person in this classroom is YOU. Acting as a college student, you are expected to “charge ahead” on your own; to seek, find, and internalize knowledge on your own. In short, you must be the agent in the educational process. The instructor’s role is to facilitate your drive and accomplishment by structuring learning situations and selecting learning tools to help you attain your goals: a successful score on the AP exam, an enrichment of your life through the acquisition of psychological knowledge, and enjoyment of the course.
Workload Expectations
The AP Psychology curriculum is constructed to mirror that of a three credit general psychology course at the college level. One college credit is defined as the equivalent to an average of three hours of learning per week necessary for an average student to achieve an average grade (C) in the course. So if this course is equivalent of three credit hours, you will spend an average of nine hours per week preparing and learning information for AP Psychology. This is, of course, a general guideline. The amount of time necessary outside of class varies greatly, and is dependent on both the individual and the letter grade sought.
Required Materials
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3 Ring-Binder (14 Dividers: 1 per unit) o Although much of this course will be present on my classroom website, I also encourage you to keep any paper assignments, handouts, or notes sheet provided in class
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Notebook/loose leaf paper to keep in your binder
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Writing Utensil
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Your AP Psych book (Myers) o It is not required to bring your green and purple AP Psych prep book to class each day, but I do encourage it
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I will recommend additional books and provide review guides throughout the semester.
Evaluation & Grade Calculation
Unit Exams
Homework/Classwork
Reading Quizzes
Projects
40% of total grade
30% of total grade
15% of total grade
15% of total grade

Unit Exams
Seven unit exams will be given through the semester. Each unit includes two chapters. The length of each chapter ranges from 4-7 days. Some of the content covered was discussed in detail during first semester psychology, so please consult saved material as we work through each unit. Exams will include questions from old AP exams, as well as free response
(FRQs) from previous exams.
Important Note Regarding Performance on Exams: It is highly recommended that students keep a notebook, create flashcards, or compile a Google document of all reading guides to better understand the terminology associated with each unit. While this is not a required or graded element of the course, it is the most concrete and likely way to increase performance on exams
Homework/Classwork
Students will be given individual projects, reading guide assignments, and in-class work throughout the semester to reinforce certain material. While this grade is a small percentage of the semester grade than tests, the assignments completed are essential to the overall understanding of the course material.
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Reading Guides will be graded on a random interval schedule to encourage you to keep completing reading guides (operant conditioning at its finest!)
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Reading Guides can be completed on the provided paper handout, but can also be typed out and handed in.
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Reading Guides cannot be handed in on the Google classroom because they are to be used for reading quizzes, which are not taken on the computer
Reading Quizzes
You will be responsible for reading approximately one chapter of the textbook per week. There will be a comprehensive reading quiz over that week’s chapter every TUESDAY unless otherwise stated. We will discuss much of the chapter in class during the week, but you are responsible for all of the material in that chapter.
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Students may use their completed Reading Guides while taking the weekly reading quiz
Projects
There will be multiple projects throughout the semester. Some will be completed individually, while others will be done with a partner or small group. The semester will end with an in-depth, cumulative project, rather than taking a final exam.
General Class Expectations
It is expected that you are in this course because you have an interest in Psychology, took the required prerequisite, desire to work at college-pace, and/or have an ultimate goal of passing the AP Exam. Any disruption or behavioral issue that you create will be a distraction to the learning environment, and to the progress of your fellow classmates. Our time together will be spent on content – not on behavioral distractions. The following classroom guidelines have been created to ensure an optimal learning environment for everyone involved:
1.) Respectful Speaking and Listening – Make a genuine attempt to differentiate between relevant comments that are suitable for the entire class, those which would be better served in a one-on-one conversation, and those which would be better left unsaid. Respect and listen to your classmates and their opinions
2.) Preparation, Focus, & Attention – Be prepared for class each day by being on time with appropriate learning tools on your desk. These required tools include: Notebook/paper, binder, and writing utensil. Please keep all unrelated work out of sight since your behavior should be directed towards learning.
3.) Distractions – The consumption of food or uncovered beverages is strictly prohibited in class. Also, the obvious possession and/or use of cell phones, tablets, or electronic gaming devices will not be tolerated unless they are used for an academic purpose.

4.) Attendance and Classroom Efficiency – If you must be tardy, please make an entrance that will not disrupt the learning of others. If you choose to disrupt your classmates, I expect an extremely dramatic and entertaining entrance. The bar has been set. Your move. o Also, provide a pass if you enter the room late. After two tardies within the same quarter, you will be forced to serve a lunch detention
5.) Late Work/Absences – NO late work will be accepted in this course. In order to prepare you for a true college class (where most of your grade will come from 3-4 exams taken throughout the semester), work will only be collected the day it is due. The only exception is for absences. However, chapter reading guides will be passed out over a week in advance. Therefore, in the event of an absence the day before a reading guide is due or a quiz is administered, students will still be expected to turn in all required work on the official due date.
I am very excited to learn, grow, and be challenged with you this semester! AP Psychology, along with all Advanced
Placement courses, can be outrageously rewarding if you choose to put in the required effort. If not, I fear you will become overwhelmed and disappointed with the class. In the event of questions, comments, or confusion, please consult me throughout the semester via e-mail or my office hours. Cheers!

Week 1 (Jan 6- Jan 9): History & Approaches (Prologue)
Week 2 (Jan 12- Jan 16): Research Methods (Chapter 1)
JAN 16: Exam 1
Week 3 (Jan 20-Jan 23): Sensation & Perception (Chapter 6)
Week 4 (Jan 26-Jan 30): Biological Bases of Behavior (Chapters 2 & 4)
Week 5 (Feb 2- Feb 6): Biological Bases of Behavior (Chapters 2 & 4)
FEB 6: Exam 2
Week 6 (Feb 9 - Feb 13): Learning (Chapter 7) (7-9%)
Week 7 (Feb 18 - Feb 20): Personality (Chapter 13) (5-7%)
Week 8 (Feb 23 - Feb 27): Testing & Individual Differences (Chapter 10)
FEB 27: Exam 3
Week 9 (Mar 2 - Mar 6): States of Consciousness (Chapter 3)
Week 10 (Mar 9 - Mar 13): Cognition (Chapters 8 & 9) (8-10%)
MAR 13: Exam 4
Week 11 (Mar 16 - Mar 20): Developmental Psychology (Chapter 5) (7-9%)
Week 12 (Mar 23 - Mar 27): Spring Break
Week 13 (Mar 30 - Apr 2): Motivation & Emotion (Chapters 11 & 12)
APR 2: Exam 5
Week 14 (Apr 6 - Apr 10): Abnormal Psychology (Chapter 14) (7-9%)
Week 15 (Apr 13 - Apr 17): Methods of Treatment (Chapter 15)
APR 17: Exam 6
Week 16 (Apr 20 - Apr 23): Social Psychology (Chapter 16) (8-10%)
Week 17 (Apr 27 - May 1): Social Psychology/Review
MAY 1: Exam 7 (Cumulative Exam)
**MAY 4: AP EXAM**
Week 17 (May 4 -May 8): Post-Test Discussion, Inception
Week 18 (May 11 - May 15): Begin final project
Week 19 (May 18 - May 22): Present and finish final project
Begin optional review sessions