Teacher: Tim Donaldson

Principal/Executive Director: Dr. K. Wicks

Grades 9th-12 Supervisor: Lauren Traynham
School Phone: (843) 784-2630​230
Email: ​tim.donaldson@rloacs.org
Planning/Conf. Times:​0 * 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Royal Live Oaks Academy
2018-2019 School Year

Course: High School Psychology

Notes from the Instructor​:​My name is Tim Donaldson, a social studies teacher from Tabor
City, North Carolina. I am a South Carolina trained/professionally certified educator.
I am happy to welcome you to the 2018- 2019 school year! I am looking forward to a productive
partnership with you to ensure that students achieve to their highest potential. I recognize that in
order to be successful in school, our students need support from home and school. I know a
strong partnership with you will make a great difference in your child's education. As partners,
we share the responsibility for our students’ success.
I am committed and will provide the right environment that will help them attain the necessary
skills needed to improve academic success and build confidence.

Purpose of the Course

Psychology is defined as the scientific study of the mind and behavior. In a high school psychology
course, students are introduced to the scientific method and the core ideas and theories of
psychology. As a result, students gain an understanding of the complexities and diversity of human
thought and behavior.

High School Psychology in the United States is usually taught by social studies or science educators.
Additionally, neither social studies nor science curriculum standards have adequately addressed
psychology as a discipline. In the state of South Carolina, Psychology is defined as a SOCIAL science.
Therefore, it is apart of the social studies curriculum at Royal Live Oaks Academy.

In High School Psychology, most of society’s challenging problems—including crime, poverty,

prejudice, violence, and environmental sustainability—are related to human attitudes, values, and
behavior. Psychological science, in collaboration with other scientific fields, informs our
understanding of these problems and their solutions. I am very excited about this semester. We
will work very hard, but we have very much to learn!
​Classroom Expectations

1) Be on time.
2) Keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
3) Raise your hand and wait for permission to speak.
4) Sit in your seat unless you have permission to leave it.
5) Walk, don’t run at all times in the classroom
6) Be prepared.
7) Be a CHAMP.
8) Be techwise.

RLOA High School Classroom Consequences

First Offense Direct Verbal Warning w/Expectation

Second Offense Seat Change with one-on-one conference

2nd one-on-one, Teacher/Student Conference

Third Offense
(Parent Contact)

Parent/Teacher Face to Face Conference with or

Fourth Offense
without Admin Present (w/Plan)

Fifth Offense Administrative or Guidance Referral

RLOA High Administrative Consequences

(Non-Guidance Referrals)

First Referral Saturday School/Community service

Second Referral 1 Day OSS

Third Referral 3 Days OSS

Fourth Referral 5 Days OSS

Fifth Referral 10 Days OSS Pending Hearing

Required Materials
·​ ​Textbook

·​ ​Notebook & Paper

·​ ​Pens & Pencils

·​ ​Good Attitude

Grades

Tests – 40%​ - Tests need little explanation. Tests in this class will vary in format, from multiple
choice and matching to short essays and map identification. The best way to prepare for these
exams is very simple: do your assignments and take notes in class. You will never find material on
my tests that we did not cover in class! Tests or authentic assessments will include:

·​ ​Multiple Choice Tests

·​ ​Essays which include Free Response Questions, papers, etc.

Classwork & Notes Quizzes – 25%

All classwork should be completed. Quizzes will be given to check for understanding and to ensure
you that you understand what I give you within your notes. Classwork includes the following:
·​ ​Dailey Journals
·​ ​Copies Notes
·​ ​Webquests

Projects – 30%
Throughout the semester, you will be given out-of-class project assignments, which will count as a
major grade for the quarter in which it is assigned. Project activities includes the following:
● Problem Based Learning
● Poster boards
● Power Points
● 3D Models
● Webquests

Practice – 5%
Practice is important since it reinforces what is taught in the classroom. This includes:
·​ ​Exit Slips
·​ ​Copied Objectives
·​ ​Board work
·​ ​Group support
South Carolina Grading Scale:
100 – 90 A
89 – 80 B
79 – 70 C
69 – 60 D
59 – 0 F

Is there an End Of Course(EOC) State Exam?

No, there is not an end of course(eoc) state exam because Psychology is an elective course. It is still
very important because it helps students to learn more about themselves in terms of what they
think about and how they think about it.

Is there a final?

Yes, there is a teacher made final exam at the end of the school year. It will count 20 percent of your
overall grade.

Cheating

Obviously, there is zero tolerance for cheating. Cheating, in my class, is defined as copying
another student’s work and presenting it as one’s own either in my presence, such as on a test, or
out of class, such as copying a paper. It is also defined as ​plagiarism​, which is copying a
copyrighted source and presenting it as one’s own original work. Any instance where a student is
caught cheating will result in zero credit for the test, assignment, paper, etc., and immediate
notification of a parent/guardian.

All objectives are in accordance with the South Carolina Department of Education, and the National
Standards for the learning of Psychology.

Absences

● It is your responsibility to acquire and complete make up work within the time permitted.
● IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY​ to get the notes from a classmate or me.
● Unit review days are a privilege. You are not excused from a test if you miss the review day.
● If you are absent from a test, you will be responsible for scheduling a time with me to make
it up. The sooner the better…the longer you wait, the more time you have to forget!
Additional Assistance
Tutoring is available after school as needed. Please make an appointment with the
teacher.

Go Royal Knights!!!!!