READING STRATEGIESFOR AP PSYCHOLOGY

“What should I be doing when I’m reading the AP Psych text book?”

AP PSYCH IS LIKE LASAGNA . . .

There are layers of understanding that need to be built:

INDEPENDENT LEARNING Vocabulary (al dente noodles) Objectives (meat/tofu)

CLASS LEARNING Notes/Discussions (sauce) Activities (cheese)

READING TO BE INFORMED BEFORE YOU READ:

Scan over the assigned reading How is the book formatted? What do you notice?

Ask yourself “what do I already know about the topics?”

AS YOU READ: Take notes to help you construct meaning and recall information

When you don’t understand something, reread the passage. If that still doesn’t work, ask Mr. McBride the next day!

While You’re Reading . . .

Hand write the bold vocabulary words as you read.

Options: Create flashcards

Use the 3 Column Method

FLASHCARDS FOR VOCAB Front side =

1. Vocabulary term2. Number

Back side = 1. Definition in your own

words2. Connection to your life

OR Example OR Analogy OR Picture OR Mnemonic Device OR Use the term in a sentence

THREE COLUMN METHOD First Column:

Vocabulary Term Number

Second Column: Definition in your own words

Third Column: Connection to your life OR

Example OR Analogy OR Picture OR Mnemonic Device OR Use the term in a

sentence

Let’s try one vocab term together

In addition to the vocab . . .

Take notes!

Record the Objectives in your notebook/on paper.

Respond to the objectives after you’ve finished the section.

KEY THINGS TO LOOK FOR…

Names/famous studies Italicized terms Good examples Pictures/charts/graphs Turn headings into questions…can you answer them

WHAT NOT TO DO…

DO NOT… Rewrite the entire textbook

Write in complete sentences

Write down something you already know well

Try to multi-task

Let’s try one objective together!

AFTER YOU READ . . . USE METACOGNITION TECHNIQUES:

Metacoding This makes senseX This contradicts what I thought? I don’t get this?? I really don’t get this* This idea is important+ This is new to me and interesting

EVALUATE YOUR NOTES AND LEVEL OF UNDERSTANDING

JOT DOWN QUESTIONS YOU STILL HAVE – ASK Mr. McBride IN CLASS

USE THE CHAPTER REVIEW!

At the end of each chapter Great resource before a test Double check your notes – are they sufficient?

Test yourself!!! AND DON’T FORGET ABOUT YOUR STUDY GUIDE

A LEARNING PROCESS

Adjust as you go May be more, may be less Use test results to guide you