Friday, January 25, 2013

Agenda: Week of January 28 - February 1, 2013

Advanced Placement Psychology
UNIT 2: Biological Bases of Behavior (Brain, CNS, Sensation & Perception)
QUICK AGENDA:
MON - Distribute Take Home Exam, Discuss Brain Project, Brain Rules Video & Discussion.
TUE - Continue Brain Rules Video & Discussion, Begin Sensation & Perception.
WED/THU - Finish Brain Rules (if necessary); Notes, Video, Discussion Overview of Biological Bases of Behavior.
FRI - Brain & CNS: Neurons & how they function; Multiple Sclerosis. 

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Monday, January 28, 2013
Quote"The brain is wider than the sky." - Emily Dickinson, 1830-1886

Learning Targets:
* Analyze how a person's biology can impact their behavior. 
*How does sensation & perception impact behavior?
Essential Questions:
1. Compare the different methods for peering into the human brain.
2. Analyze the areas that the brain controls?
3. Explain the structure and function of the neuron?
4. How does action potential function?
5. Explain the role of neurotransmitters in neural transmission?

Agenda:
1. Do Now QuestionChoose a comparison that you believe would work.  Compare the human brain to how a car, computer, television, or some other machine or system functions? 
2. Discuss the Take Home Exam for Unit 2 - "Biological Bases of Behavior." Brain, Central Nervous System, Sensation & Perception. 
We will study, discuss, and explore these topics over the next two weeks. There are two major assessments - The Brain Project and The Take Home Exam
Brain Project is due Wed/Thu Feb 6/7
Take Home Exam is due on Friday, Feb. 8th.
3. Introduce the Brain Project. Show examples of great work.
4. Notes, Discussion, & Video: Brain RulesShow the video clip for Brain Rules. Check this website for more information: http://www.brainrules.net/
Some good examples from the series:
Brain Rule #3: Every Brain is Wired Differently
Where do memories go? The Story of HM
Brain Rule #7: Sleep well, think well. Sleep loss = brain drain
John Medina, author of "Brain Rules," and Melissa Allison, Seattle Times reporter, explain why smell is important to Starbucks. Howard Schultz announced on Jan 30 he is taking the sandwiches out of their stores. How does smelling coffee change purchase potential?
How the brain impacts negotiations: Interview with Negotiations Expert
It is NOT True that we only use 10% of our brains. Explanation (and graphic brain surgery imagery) with Jeffery Ojemann, Neurosurgeon.
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Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Quote"Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself." - John Dewey

Learning Targets:
* Analyze how a person's biology can impact their behavior. 
*How does sensation & perception impact behavior?
Essential Questions:
1. Compare the different methods for peering into the human brain.
2. Analyze the areas that the brain controls?
3. Explain the structure and function of the neuron?
4. How does action potential function?
5. Explain the role of neurotransmitters in neural transmission?

Agenda:
1. Do Now Question: Which brain rule has interested you the most? Which surprised you? Which seemed the most common sense or simplistic?
2. Notes, Discussion, & Video: Brain RulesShow the video clip for Brain Rules. Check this website for more information: http://www.brainrules.net/
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Wednesday, January 30th and Thursday, January 31st, 2013
Quote"I have not failed. I have just found 10,000 things that do not work." - Thomas Edison, 1847-1931

Learning Targets:
Understand how the nervous system works.
* Trace the parts and functions of the synapse: Where Neurons Meet - synaptic cleft, neurotransmitters.
* Explain the Organization of the Nervous System

* Understand the meaning behind our 3 brains - Reptilian Brain, Old Mammalian Brain, Frontal Cortex
Essential Questions:
* What is the nature of the Teenage Brain?
* What accounts for the behavior of teenagers (mood swings, decision-making, and preoccupation with sex)?
* How can the brain determine a person's behavior?

Agenda:
1. Do Now Question: We are 1/2 way through the Brain Rules videos. So far, which surprised you the most? Which seemed to be the most "common sense"?

2. Notes, Discussion, & Video: Brain RulesShow the video clip for Brain Rules. Check this website for more information: http://www.brainrules.net/
3. The story of Phineas Gage. As told by Hank Green. As sung and played by Hank Green.
4. Use the PsykTrek3 CD to explain how neurons function. 
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Friday, February 1, 2013
Quote: "Great spirits have often overcome violent opposition from mediocre minds." - Albert Einstein, 1879-1955

Learning Targets:
* Multiple Sclerosis Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is a disorder that turns the body's immune system against itself. It is a chronic, typically progressive disease involving damage to the sheaths of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, whose symptoms may include numbness, impairment of speech and of muscular coordination, blurred vision, and severe fatigue
Essential Questions:
* How do neurons deliver signals?
* How can damage to the central nervous system and the brain impact a person's life and psychological functions (see MS)?

Agenda:
1. DO NOW QUESTION: Why would psychology be so interested in studying people who have a medical disorder or disease?

2. We will discuss the causes of Multiple Sclerosis, because it is a great example of how neurons not functioning properly can have an adverse impact on the human condition.
3. Video - if time we will compare what we have learned and discuss along with viewing these video examples (great to watch if you were absent from class):
The Human Body: Nervous System
What does MS Feel Like Article
What is Myelin?
Meet Sallie - Everyday Matters Video from the National MS Foundation
Meet Sallie, a fourth-grade teacher and mom of three from rural Oklahoma, who was diagnosed with MS in 2011 after years of unexplained symptoms. Sallie teaches children how to serve their community and make a difference in the world, but she worries that MS may compromise her ability to continue her career as a teacher.


5. (if time) Video Study: Begin study of the brain by exploring the world of the teen brain. Video - "Teen Dreams" 


Next Tue, Feb. 5 -> Quiz over Unit 2. Targets For Unit are here.
Next Wed/Thu, Feb. 6 & 7 -> Brain Unit Project is due in class.
Next Friday, Feb. 8 -> Unit 2 Test is due in class.