Expectations and Grading Policy

Mr. Riley’s Course Expectations and Grading Policy for Psychology I

This is a single semester course that is designed to cover the issues and topics of psychology, the science of behavior and mental processes. We will look at behavior of people, even ourselves, throughout this course. The course will cover methods of research, behavior, senses, consciousness, learning, memory, motivation, and intelligence.

General Expectations

Participate in a thoughtful and knowledge manner. Come prepared both mentally and physically. At this point in your lives you are all mature enough to know how to behave and what to do. I will expect nothing but your best. If you fail to do your best I will let you know. If you do not strive for excellence, you will accept mediocrity, and I, for one, am not willing to do that. If you do not fulfill the course requirements, you will fail.

Grading Policy

I grade on a point system and you can expect the total to be approximately 500 points per marking period.

1. Quizzes:

a. A quiz will be given at the end of each week.

b. I reserve the right to give “pop quizzes” or surprise quizzes whenever I

choose. These will be unannounced.

c. All quizzes will contain essay and short answer questions.

There is a lot of vocabulary involved in this course therefore I design

tests that will demonstrate your knowledge of the vocabulary and your

ability to apply the ideas covered in depth.

d. Quizzes will cover all of the material of the week, including anything in the reading that may not have been covered in class.

2. Exams:

a. A final exam will be given at the end of the semester, and it will be all

inclusive

b. The final exam will contain essay and short answer questions.

3. Papers:

a. There may be papers in this course. All will have a rubric

given when they are assigned. All papers must be typed.

b. The Dual Enrollment course has a 10-15 page paper required.

3. Homework:

a. Homework assignments will be readings. You are responsible for all of

the reading prior to the beginning of a new module.

b. You will also have an short assignment at the end of each module

c. There will also be a few larger assignments throughout the year.

4. Class Participation:

a. Class participation includes discussion, group work, questions, and

assignments completed in class. It is class participation that makes your

experience meaningful and fun. Students who actively participate will

enjoy class, learn more, and generally do quite well. School is not a

passive medium, you must be active to get the most out of it.

5. Projects:

a. There MAY be projects assigned during the semester. These projects

may include library research, group work, and or presentations.

6. Final Exam:

a. The Final Exam will count as ten (10%) percent of the fourth marking

period’s grade. The exam will include all material covered in the

course.

Attendance

1. I expect you here everyday, I will be.
2. Cutting class is not allowed and will not be tolerated. Anyone cutting the class should expect a phone call home, detention, and a negative impact on their grade.
3. You are expected to be to class on time, all the time. Do not enter class late without a pass. Lateness takes away from class time and learning time and is an indicator of how much you care. Chronic lateness will result in a phone call home and detention.
4. Absence: You are required to complete any work assigned while you are absent. There is no such thing as an “excused” absence, only an explained one. If you are absent I expect you to come see me during homeroom or before school to find out what you missed as soon as you return to school. I will not explain the lesson you missed to you during a class period, I believe that takes away from the students who were present and are ready to move on.

Other Requirements

1. Behavior: Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Any actions not befitting the nature of the class will result in parental contact and detentions.
2. Getting Help: It is your responsibility to ask for help if you feel it is needed. Help is available before and after school everyday, but please make an appointment. I am usually in the building early and leave late, but I may be somewhere else, not in my room, therefore make an appointment with me.
3. Dual Enrollment will have additional requirements as per the college syllabus.
4. Electronic devices in the classroom are allowed. Their purpose is to further your understanding and they are to be used as a resource. They are not to be used for personal, non-educational reasons during my class time.

Email – griley@pasdedu.org