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Friday, September 25, 2015

Agenda: Week of Sept. 28th, 2015

Advanced Placement Psychology with Mr. Duez
Unit 2 - Biological Basis of Behavior & Sensation/Perception
WEEK AT A GLANCE:
MON - Article Due: Nature vs. Nurture; The Neuron & Neuro-anatomy; Multiple Sclerosis; 
TUENeurotransmittersMultiple Sclerosis & Study of disease to understand biology: MS, ALS, Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease: Neurotransmission is damaged, interrupted, or not functioning properly.
WED/THUIntro Brain Sketch Project; Parts/Functions of the Brain; Endocrine System compared to Nervous System.
FRI - Collect Brain Sketch; Nervous System & Endocrine System Compared
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ARTICLE ON NATURE vs. NURTURE DUE ON Monday
BRAIN SKETCH DUE ON FRIDAY
Quiz on Weiten Chapter 3 is Monday, Oct. 5th 
TEST on Biological Bases of Behavior is Wed/Thu Oct. 7th/8th
Yeah, Mr. Duez isn't always fond of this process when it doesn't work. :(
_________________________________________________
Monday, Sept 28, 2015
Quote: Quote: "In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on." - Robert Frost

Learning Targets:
★ Analyze how a person's biology can impact their behavior. 
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? 

Major points to understand:
1. The different methods for peering into the human brain
2. What the areas does the brain control
3. The structure of the neuron
4. The action potential
5. The role of neurotransmitters in neural transmission

Key OBJECTIVES :
★ Distinguish between the Central Nervous System (CNS) and the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
★ Provide an overview of the peripheral nervous system, including its subdivisions.
★ Describe the main functions of the two types of nervous tissues.
★ Identify the location and various parts of the neuron and discuss their functions.
★ Describe the neural impulse and absolute refractory period.

Agenda:
1. DO NOW: Prepare Nature v. Nurture article
2. Discuss article. What does Nature via Nurture mean to you?
2. Notes, Video, Discussion: 

Assignment:
Work through the Learning Targets and answer the questions at the end over Biological Bases of Behavior
Read & Study the Notes and YouTube Lectures over Unit 2: Biological Basis of Behavior
BRAIN SKETCH DUE ON FRIDAY
Quiz on Weiten Chapter 3 is Monday, Oct. 5th 
TEST on Biological Bases of Behavior is Wed/Thu Oct. 7th/8th
__________________________________________________
Tuesday, Sept 29, 2015
Quote"The shoe that fits one person pinches another; there is no recipe for living that suits all cases." - Carl Jung

Learning Targets:
★ Analyze how a person's biology can impact their behavior. 
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? 

Major points to understand:
1. The different methods for peering into the human brain
2. What the areas does the brain control
3. The structure of the neuron
4. The action potential
5. The role of neurotransmitters in neural transmission

Key OBJECTIVES :
★ Distinguish between the Central Nervous System (CNS) and the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
★ Provide an overview of the peripheral nervous system, including its subdivisions.
★ Describe the main functions of the two types of nervous tissues.
★ Identify the location and various parts of the neuron and discuss their functions.
★ Describe the neural impulse and absolute refractory period.

Agenda:
1. DO NOW: Pick up article: What MS Feels Like
2. Discuss the article: How does MS impact someone's life? Where does the problem occur? It is in the neuroanatomy of the brain and Central Nervous System (CNS).
3. Notes, Video, Discussion: Neuroanatomy, The Neuron, The Nervous System, and how we study it through looking at disorders and disease. Specific focus on Multiple Sclerosis.
Notes: The Nervous System
4. Video & Discussion: Parts of the Brain. & Brain Scans

Assignment:
Work through the Learning Targets & the Questions at the back for:
Learning Targets: Biological Bases of Behavior
Read & Study the Notes and YouTube Lectures over Unit 2: Biological Basis of Behavior
BRAIN SKETCH DUE ON FRIDAY
Quiz on Weiten Chapter 3 is Monday, Oct. 5th 
TEST on Biological Bases of Behavior is Wed/Thu Oct. 7th/8th
Know your brain!
_____________________________________________
Wednesday, Sept 30th, 2015 & Thursday, Oct 1, 2015
Quote"Every man dies. Not every man really lives." - William Wallace

Learning Targets:
★ Analyze how a person's biology can impact their behavior. 
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? 

Major points to understand:
1. The different methods for peering into the human brain
2. What the areas does the brain control
3. The structure of the neuron
4. The action potential
5. The role of neurotransmitters in neural transmission

Key OBJECTIVES :
★ Distinguish between the Central Nervous System (CNS) and the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
★ Provide an overview of the peripheral nervous system, including its subdivisions.
★ Describe the main functions of the two types of nervous tissues.
★ Identify the location and various parts of the neuron and discuss their functions.
★ Describe the neural impulse and absolute refractory period.

Agenda:
1. DO NOW: To what extent do you agree with the "astonishing hypothesis of Dr. Crick?"
2. Intro Intro Brain Sketch Project. Due on Friday.
3. Review Parts of the Brain & begin working on the Brain Sketch in class.
4. Discuss: The Teen Brain - differences in the brain 
The brain develops from the back to the front, in terms of pruning connections. 25 years.
Assignment:
Brain Sketch Project. Due on Friday.
Work through the Learning Targets & the Questions at the back for:
Learning Targets: Biological Bases of Behavior
Read & Study the Notes and YouTube Lectures over Unit 2: Biological Basis of Behavior
BRAIN SKETCH DUE ON FRIDAY
Quiz on Weiten Chapter 3 is Monday, Oct. 5th 
TEST on Biological Bases of Behavior is Wed/Thu Oct. 7th/8th
__________________________________________________
Friday, Oct. 2, 2015
Quote"All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on." - Henry Ellis

Learning Targets:
★ Analyze how a person's biology can impact their behavior. 
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? 

Major points to understand:
1. The different methods for peering into the human brain
2. What the areas does the brain control
3. The structure of the neuron
4. The action potential
5. The role of neurotransmitters in neural transmission

Key OBJECTIVES :
★ Distinguish between the Central Nervous System (CNS) and the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
★ Provide an overview of the peripheral nervous system, including its subdivisions.
★ Describe the main functions of the two types of nervous tissues.
★ Identify the location and various parts of the neuron and discuss their functions.
★ Describe the neural impulse and absolute refractory period.

Agenda:
1. DO NOW: Prep Brain Sketch to turn in to Mr. Duez
2. Discuss your brain... at least the sketch anyway.
3. Review parts of the brain.
4. Brain Sketch Project: Collect and discuss.

Assignment:
Work through the Learning Targets & the Questions at the back for:
Learning Targets: Biological Bases of Behavior
Read & Study the Notes and YouTube Lectures over Unit 2: Biological Basis of Behavior
Quiz on Weiten Chapter 3 is Monday, Oct. 5th 
TEST on Biological Bases of Behavior is Wed/Thu Oct. 7th/8th

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Happy Mountain Day!

Every year at my alma mater, Juniata College, we celebrate Mountain Day. It is a surprise announcement and quite an awesome relief! It is traditions like this one that made college so much fun and so rewarding. 

Happy Mountain Day!
Established: 1896

Mountain Day is the oldest tradition at Juniata, in existence in some form since the late 1800s. On a beautiful fall day, classes are canceled and everyone flocks to one of the state parks in the area for a day of outdoor fun including a picnic lunch, nature walks, crafts, music, tug-of-war, and the spirited faculty/staff vs. seniors co-ed flag football game.

The most unique element of Mountain Day is that no one knows in advance when it is going to occur! 


Trying to guess the date of Mountain Day is one of the most-popular topics of conversation among the students and faculty in the weeks leading up to the event.

On a side note, this was also the VERY toughest day of football practice every year. The football team doesn't get the day off from practice, so we always had to return early to hit the practice field. There were a lot of moans and groans during warm ups. The entire campus was still empty and we knew that everyone else's Mountain Day was a lot longer than ours. Still I wouldn't change a thing.

For more information on Juniata College, click here.
They must enjoy Mountain Day now, for at JC "Winter is Coming."

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Agenda: Week of Sept 21, 2015

Advanced Placement Psychology with Mr. Duez
Unit 1: History & Methods - Weiten 1 & 2
Unit 2: Biological Bases of Behavior - Weiten 3
WEEK AT A GLANCE:
MON - PsychTrek 3 Experimentation; Research Methods: Experimentation; Hogwarts stat exercise in groups
TUE - Research Methods: Experimentation & Experimental Statistics
WED/THU - TEST UNIT 1: CH 1 & 2 History & Methods; Pick up: Article: Nature vs. Nurture Due on Monday, Sept 28
FRI - Introduction to Unit 2: Ch. 3 - Biological Basis of Behavior

Assignments:
Read Weiten 1 & 2; Take Notes; Presentations & YouTube Lectures; PsychTrek 3
Wed/Thu: TEST UNIT 1: CH 1 & 2 History & Methods
Article: Nature vs. Nurture Due on Monday, Sept 28
Coffee is good. 
_________________________________________________
Monday, Sept 21, 2015
Quote: Quote: "In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on." - Robert Frost
Agenda:
1. DO NOW: Explain the importance of operational-ism and operational definitions in psychological research.
2. Introduction to PsychTrek 3 - Research Methods
3. Notes, Discussion, Video: Research Methods
4. Hogwarts stat exercise in groups

Assignment:
Wed/Thu: TEST UNIT 1: CH 1 & 2 History & Methods
Read Weiten 1 & 2; Take Notes; Presentations & YouTube Lectures; PsychTrek 3
__________________________________________________
Tuesday, Sept 22, 2015
Quote"The shoe that fits one person pinches another; there is no recipe for living that suits all cases." - Carl Jung
Agenda:
1. DO NOW: Why do researchers use correlations if they can not say for sure if they are causal? What is the point?
2. Notes, Discussion, Video: Research Methods - Correlations & Statistics
3. Discuss how to prepare for the Test.
Read Weiten 1 & 2; Take Notes; Presentations & YouTube Lectures; PsychTrek 3

Assignment:
Wed/Thu: TEST UNIT 1: CH 1 & 2 History & Methods
Read Weiten 3; Take Notes; Presentations & YouTube Lectures; PsychTrek 3
_______________________________________________
Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015 & Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015
Quote"Every man dies. Not every man really lives." - William Wallace

Agenda:
1. DO NOW: Prepare for Test Unit 1 Ch 1 & 2 "History & Methods" -- Also pick up article. Due on Monday, Sept 28 - work on it after the test.
2. TEST UNIT 1: CH 1 & 2 History & Methods
3. If time, introduce Unit 2: Weiten 3 - Biological Bases of Behavior

Assignment:
Article: Nature vs. Nurture Due on Monday, Sept 28
Read Weiten 3; Take Notes; Presentations & YouTube Lectures; PsychTrek 3
__________________________________________________
Friday, Sept 25, 2015
Quote"All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on." - Henry Ellis
Agenda:
1. DO NOW: Which is stronger? - Nature or Nurture?
2. Notes, Discussion, Video: Introduction to Weiten 2 - Biological Bases of Behavior
3. Crash Course Psychology - The Chemical Mind

Assignment:
Article: Nature vs. Nurture Due on Monday, Sept 28
Read Weiten 3; Take Notes; Presentations & YouTube Lectures; PsychTrek 3

Monday, September 14, 2015

Agenda: Week of Monday, Sept. 14, 2015

Advanced Placement Psychology with Mr. Duez
Unit 1: History & Evolution of Psychology -and- Research Methods
Weiten 1 - Evolution of Psychology
Weiten 2 - The Research Enterprise in Psychology
WEEK AT A GLANCE:
MON: Mr. Duez is out. Sub will show a series of videos to help understand Chapter 2
TUE: Descriptive Research, Experimentation & Operational definitions, Research Statistics
WED/THU: Research Statistics, Hogwarts stat exercise in groups,
FRIQuiz Weiten 2: Research Methods; Review Quiz

ASSIGNMENTS:
Take notes, use the target sheets, prepare for the quiz - Friday over Ch 2. Research Methods
QUIZ FRIDAY - RESEARCH METHODS
Next Wed/Thu, Sept. 16 & 17 - Unit 1 TEST Ch 1 & 2 History/Approaches & Research Methods

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Monday, Sept. 14, 2015
Quote: "I was taught that the human brain was the crowning glory of evolution so far, but I think it's a very poor scheme for survival." - Kurt Vonnegut



Video - Crash Course "Research & Experimentation" 
Crash Course Psychology: Research & Experimentation  So how do we apply the scientific method to psychological research? Lots of ways, but today Hank talks about case studies, naturalistic observation, surveys and interviews, and experimentation. Also he covers different kinds of bias in experimentation and how research practices help us avoid them.

ASSIGNMENTS:
Take notes, use the target sheets, prepare for the quiz - Friday over Ch 2. Research Methods
QUIZ FRIDAY - RESEARCH METHODS
Next Wed/Thu, Sept. 16 & 17 - Unit 1 TEST Ch 1 & 2 History/Approaches & Research Methods
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Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2015
Quote: "No matter how closely you examine the water, glucose, and electrolyte salts in the human brain, you can't find the point where these molecules became conscious." - Deepak Chopra



Agenda:
1. DO NOW: What are the 3 types of Research?
2. Notes, Discussion, Video: Research Methods
3. Discuss the nature of Operational Definitions & the need for them in learning psychology research design.

ASSIGNMENTS:
Take notes, use the target sheets, prepare for the quiz - Friday over Ch 2. Research Methods
QUIZ FRIDAY - RESEARCH METHODS
Next Wed/Thu, Sept. 16 & 17 - Unit 1 TEST Ch 1 & 2 History/Approaches & Research Methods
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Wednesday, Sept 16 & Thursday, Sept 17, 2015
Quote: "Everything we do, every thought we've ever had, is produced by the human brain. But exactly how it operates remains one of the biggest unsolved mysteries, and it seems the more we probe its secrets, the more surprises we find." - Neil deGrasse Tyson
Essential Questions:
Agenda:
1. DO NOW: What are the 3 basic types of research? Advantages/Disadvantages to each?
2. Notes, Video, Discussion: Research Statistics
3. Hogwarts stat exercise in groups
4. Notes, Video, Discussion: Correlations

ASSIGNMENTS:
Take notes, use the target sheets, prepare for the quiz - Friday over Ch 2. Research Methods
QUIZ FRIDAY - RESEARCH METHODS
Next Wed/Thu, Sept. 16 & 17 - Unit 1 TEST Ch 1 & 2 History/Approaches & Research Methods
Remember, for tough topics like "Correlations & Statistics" Mr. Duez has YouTube Lectures available.
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Friday, Sep 18, 2015
Quote: "Science is nothing but perception." - Plato

Essential Questions:
Agenda:
1. DO NOW: Prep for the Quiz over Research Methods
2. QUIZ - RESEARCH METHODS
3. Review Quiz

ASSIGNMENTS:
Take notes, use the target sheets, prepare for the quiz - Friday over Ch 2. Research Methods
Next Wed/Thu, Sept. 16 & 17 - Unit 1 TEST Ch 1 & 2 History/Approaches & Research Methods

Monday, September 7, 2015

Agenda: Week of September 7, 2015

Advanced Placement Psychology with Mr. Duez
Unit 1: History & Evolution of Psychology -and- Research Methods
Weiten 1 - Evolution of Psychology
Weiten 2 - The Research Enterprise in Psychology
WEEK AT A GLANCE:
MON: Labor Day - NO SCHOOL
TUE: Quiz Weiten 1: Evolution of Psychology; Review Quiz
WED/THU: Review Approaches of Psychology; Introduce Research Methods - Ethics!
FRI: Research Methods: Descriptive & Inferential Research

ASSIGNMENTS:
Take notes, use the target sheets, prepare for the quiz and test next week.
Next Monday, Sept. 14 - Quiz on Chapter 2 - Research Methods
Next Wed/Thu, Sept. 16 & 17 - Unit 1 TEST Ch 1 & 2 History/Approaches & Research Methods
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Monday, Sept. 7, 2015
NO SCHOOL DUE TO LABOR DAY!!!
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Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015
Quote: “People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.” - Zig Ziglar

Unit 1 - Evolution of Psychology & Research Methods
1. Psychology is a science.
2. Science can be used as a process to determine truth.
3. Science & Psychology has changed and evolved over time as we have learned more.
Essential Questions:
1. What is psychology?
2. Understand the major approaches to psychology.
3. Who were the people who helped psychology begin as a science and were instrumental in creating the field today? 
4. Understand each person's contribution to the specific approach to psychology that they represented.
Agenda:
1. Quiz: Reading Check Quiz over Chapter 1 - Evolution of Psychology.
2. DO NOW after Quiz: Which approach to Psychology do you agree with the most?
3. Quiz Review

ASSIGNMENTS:
Take notes, use the target sheets, prepare for the quiz and test next week.
Next Monday, Sept. 14 - Quiz on Chapter 2 - Research Methods
Next Wed/Thu, Sept. 16 & 17 - Unit 1 TEST Ch 1 & 2 History/Approaches & Research Methods
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Wednesday, Sept. 9 & Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015
Quote: "If you want to achieve excellence, you can get there today. As of this second, quit doing less-than-excellent work." - Thomas J. Watson

Unit 1 - Evolution of Psychology & Research Methods
  • Observation is the most important aspect of psychological research.
  • Operationalism means to define our variables in the manner in which we are going to measure them.
  • Correlation measures degree of relationship between variables and ranges from -1 to +1. Correlation does NOT imply causation.
  • Experimental, correlational, & descriptive methods all have strengths & weaknesses in describing human behavior.
  • Descriptive statistics describe the data gathered in research, while inferential statistics allow us to draw conclusions about how this data can be generalized to a larger population.
  • Following ethical principles is vitally important in any kind of psychological research.
Essential Questions:
Agenda:
1. DO NOW: Compare Behaviorism & Psychoanalysis
2. Video - Crash Course Psych #1
Crash Course Psychology Introduction What does Psychology mean? Where does it come from? Hank gives you a 10 minute intro to one of the more tricky sciences and talks about some of the big names in the development of the field. Welcome to Crash Course Psychology!!!
3. Notes, Video, Discussion: Introduction to Research Methods. 
4.1 Research Methods: Ethics
4.2 Research Methods - Intro

ASSIGNMENTS:
Take notes, use the target sheets, prepare for the quiz and test next week.
Next Monday, Sept. 14 - Quiz on Chapter 2 - Research Methods
Next Wed/Thu, Sept. 16 & 17 - Unit 1 TEST Ch 1 & 2 History/Approaches & Research Methods
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Friday, Sept. 11, 2015
Quote: "Adversity is the state in which man mostly easily becomes acquainted with himself, being especially free of admirers then." - John Wooden

Unit 1 - Evolution of Psychology & Research Methods
  • Observation is the most important aspect of psychological research.
  • Operationalism means to define our variables in the manner in which we are going to measure them.
  • Correlation measures degree of relationship between variables and ranges from -1 to +1. Correlation does NOT imply causation.
  • Experimental, correlational, & descriptive methods all have strengths & weaknesses in describing human behavior.
  • Descriptive statistics describe the data gathered in research, while inferential statistics allow us to draw conclusions about how this data can be generalized to a larger population.
  • Following ethical principles is vitally important in any kind of psychological research.
Essential Questions:
Agenda:
1. DO NOW: What are the 5 Key Components of Ethical Research Design?
2. Notes, Video, Discussion: Research Methods
Students will work on creating a Stat Sheet to help explain how statistics and done and analyzed. 
3. Video - Crash Course "Research & Experimentation" 
Crash Course Psychology: Research & Experimentation  So how do we apply the scientific method to psychological research? Lots of ways, but today Hank talks about case studies, naturalistic observation, surveys and interviews, and experimentation. Also he covers different kinds of bias in experimentation and how research practices help us avoid them.

ASSIGNMENTS:
Take notes, use the target sheets, prepare for the quiz and test next week.
Next Monday, Sept. 14 - Quiz on Chapter 2 - Research Methods
Next Wed/Thu, Sept. 16 & 17 - Unit 1 TEST Ch 1 & 2 History/Approaches & Research Methods

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

MS Society Volleyball Game: AHS vs. The Woodlands -- T-Shirt Sales


My former student and captain of the Volleyball team, Kailtlyn Smith (#4 above) has been gracious enough to organize a student t-shirt signup and is asking me to collect T-Shirt orders in class this week. Details in the picture below.

I will pass out the sign up sheet in class on Thursday and Friday. Unfortunately, they need the order pretty quickly since the game is just a couple of weeks away.

The game is Tuesday, Sept. 15th against The Woodlands. Even if you can't purchase a shirt, it would be great to see everyone there. As I mentioned in class, I really don't (and can't) go to many after school or evening events. But, since they are honoring me and it is for such a great cause, I'm glad to go. My wife and son will be coming along with me. Hope to see you there, if you can make it.