WELCOME! Join me for an adventure in learning ✨️

🌟 Dive into the exciting world of psychology and explore the fascinating study of the human mind and behavior! 🧠 Psychology, as defined by the American Psychological Association, is a dynamic field that encompasses a wide range of sub-disciplines, from human development and sports psychology to clinical, social, and cognitive processes. In this course, your teen will embark on an accelerated journey into the intricacies of the brain, the central nervous system, and the endocrine system, all intricately linked to behavior. By understanding these complex systems, they’ll gain insights into how our bodies and minds work together to influence our actions, thoughts, and emotions. 💡

🤗 This class is designed for homeschoolers 🏠, after-schoolers 🎒, or anyone looking for fun and enrichment 🎉!  

✏️ This is not your typical 'fluff' class – it’s packed with engaging, meaningful content that challenges students while keeping things exciting and fun! We dive deep, discuss, and learn actively together, making each session an adventure in understanding. Join us for a class that’s both rigorous and full of enthusiasm! 😊

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🛑 🚀 💸 Are you brand new to Outschool? Is this your teen's first class? If so, use promo code DRKAIKA2020 at checkout after enrolling your teen into this class to instantly save $20.00! 💫 🙌

This class goes beyond academic enrichment—it’s a profound exploration of identity, relationships, and the underlying reasons behind human behavior. ✨ Your teen will dive deep into human development, discovering how different personality types are formed and how complex social interactions shape our lives. They'll explore the psychology behind decision-making, understanding why people think the way they do and why they behave in certain ways. Have you ever wondered why some people are more resilient 🛡️, while others struggle with stress? 😰 This class will provide the answers! 📚

⚕️ As they delve deeper, your teen will explore the essence of human existence, becoming adept at recognizing various mental health conditions. 🧩 We’ll cover a range of topics, including anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges, as well as their risk factors and possible treatments. This knowledge will empower them to make informed choices about their own well-being and help them understand the importance of mental health in their lives and the lives of those around them. They’ll also investigate the science of human interactions, looking at socialization, individual behavior, and group dynamics 🌍, which are essential for navigating today’s interconnected world. 🤝

📚 This course is part of the Social Sciences realm, and it’s not just about reading textbooks and taking tests—it’s a fun, interactive adventure! 🎢 We’ll tackle engaging chapter assignments, watch thought-provoking videos, and encourage creativity with projects like animated slideshows using Canva, featuring eye-catching images and informative content. To keep things lively and exciting, we’ll also incorporate Kahoot games 🎮 for fun and interactive reviews. Education should be enjoyable, and this class is designed to make learning an engaging and dynamic experience! 🎉

Every live meeting is structured to be enriching and engaging, featuring vibrant class discussions 🗣️ that encourage students to think critically and share their insights. Your teen will be challenged to apply what they’ve learned in real-world contexts, making the material more relatable and easier to understand. These discussions will keep them on their toes and actively involved in their learning journey. 🎤

Here’s a glimpse of what they’ll cover throughout this exciting course: 📝 They will start with an introduction to various methodologies and perspectives in psychology, exploring different approaches that professionals use to understand human behavior. 🔍 Next, they’ll delve into human development across different stages of life, from infancy to old age, examining how we grow and change both physically and mentally. They'll then explore the intricate connections between mental processes and physiological functions, learning how the mind and body interact and influence each other. 🤔

As they progress, they’ll examine how individuals acquire knowledge and process information, studying the learning and cognitive processes that shape our understanding of the world. 📖 They’ll also discover the unique characteristics and traits that make us who we are, delving into the complexities of personality and individuality. 🌟 This leads to a critical look at how people cope with stress, adapt to change, and respond to life’s challenges, analyzing mechanisms of adjustment and what happens when things break down. ⚖️💔

The course will also explore social psychology, focusing on how individuals’ thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by their social interactions and environments. 👥🌐 Your teen will gain a deeper understanding of how we are all interconnected and how our behaviors can impact others in society. 🌍

🚀 Get ready for your teen to embark on a thrilling journey through the captivating realm of psychology! This class will be their gateway to a deeper understanding of the human mind and behavior, and it’s going to be an unforgettable experience. They’ll not only learn about psychology but also about themselves and the people around them, gaining valuable insights that will serve them for a lifetime. 🗝️

👀 For more details on what’s in store, be sure to check out the "Syllabus" section below, which contains crucial details and our exciting weekly schedule. 🗓️ Throughout the course, students will stay engaged by reporting on researched current event topics each week, culminating in short oral reports during our live meetings. 🎤 We’ll also have a blast with Kahoot games 🎉 for fun reviews, making learning both effective and enjoyable. Education can be exciting, and this psychology course is designed to prove just that! 💥

👍 High school doesn’t have to be a tedious journey. Let’s break free from the traditional mold! Think of high school in terms of grade levels and credits. After all, high school credit is about the knowledge and effort your teen puts in, not the weeks or months they spend studying. With this perspective, we can accelerate your teen’s learning journey. Remember to follow your state’s homeschooling laws, as parents are legally considered teachers in the eyes of the Department of Education. But enjoy the freedom and flexibility in crafting your teen’s education!

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🗓️ In our first live meeting, I'll introduce myself, the subject, and provide background information. Students will then introduce themselves, share their preferred name, the state they live in, why they chose this class, and a fun fact about themselves. We’ll go over the class details, including weekly assignments, and I'll introduce the first week’s readings and guidance for the chapter ahead. Each week includes a short introductory video to get us started.

🗓️ In subsequent live meetings, we’ll have meaningful group discussions about the previous week’s readings, lessons, and homework. Each student will give a short talk about their newly acquired knowledge, share their current events via short oral reports, and I'll introduce the new week’s chapters, lessons, and homework. Questions are encouraged, and I’m here to provide answers and support. I teach by adding additional information and context during discussions and student feedback on assignments.

✨️ Our weekly live meetings for 45 minutes unfold like this:

1. 🤗🙋‍♂️ Welcome & Check-in

2. 🗣📰 Engage in dynamic discussions as students present their Current Events with slideshows tailored to the week’s topic.

3. 🗣💡 Share insights on newfound knowledge and discoveries from the previous week’s readings, videos, and research. Every student has a voice!

4. 🗣🍎 Immerse in an interactive mini-lecture, delving deeper into the chapters and answering questions.

5. 💻📚 Anticipate the excitement as we unveil the upcoming week’s topic, chapters, and assignments.

6. 🚀🎮 Enjoy a spirited Kahoot session, reinforcing the week’s lessons with friendly competition.

7. 🤔✔️ Conclude with closing remarks, addressing questions, concerns, and suggestions from students.

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Your tuition covers so much to ensure your teen has a fulfilling and supportive learning experience! 🎉 This includes weekly live meetings, engaging assignments, and exciting projects, all conducted in our virtual classroom. I provide detailed feedback on each student's work, plan lessons weekly, and grade homework with care. 💼✨

🍎 📃 Here's a list of everything I do "behind the scenes" 7 days a week, each week to support our class: 

• Provide detailed feedback on every student's assignments, adding extra context, information, and examples to enhance learning 📚✨

• Design fun and educational Kahoot games for our live meetings to make learning enjoyable 🎉🎮

• Carefully plan each week's lessons and assignments for posting to the "Assignements" tab in the classroom to ensure meaningful engagement and progress 📅 ✍️

• Respond to all parent and student private messages within 24 hours to stay connected and supportive 💬📥

• Prepare progress reports every three weeks for each learner, giving parents a snapshot of their teen's achievements and areas of growth 📊📋

• Grade homework thoroughly, ensuring every detail is reviewed to guide improvement and celebrate strengths 📝💯

• Prepare and host our weekly live meetings, where students can interact, ask questions, and deepen their understanding through engaging discussions plus prepare my mini-lecture for after their shares 🌍🗣️

• Create engaging assignments and exciting projects, making our virtual classroom an inspiring place to learn and grow 💼🌱

Your tuition covers all of this and so much more, ensuring your teen has a supportive, fulfilling, and dynamic learning experience! 🌟

I’m fully committed to supporting your teen every step of the way, offering assistance seven days a week! You can count on quick responses to messages within 24 hours, and I’m also available for private, one-on-one video meetings up to two times during the semester, if needed, to provide extra help or guidance. 😊 It’s my goal to make sure your teen feels supported and successful throughout the course! 

📚 As professional educators, we recognize that students benefit most from interactive sessions, not long or even moderate lectures. We strive to be coaches, guides, and mentors, facilitating meaningful conversations through strategic questioning and creating valuable teaching moments.

🔁 👐 In my class, I use an exciting blend of both the flipped classroom and open classroom models to create a dynamic and engaging learning experience for your teen! These models are highly effective at helping students truly grasp the material. 💡 The flipped classroom approach means students come to our weekly live meetings fully prepared by engaging with lesson materials beforehand—whether it's through videos, textbook readings, or even independent research. During our live sessions, students step into the role of both learner and teacher by giving a verbal presentation on their takes and learnings from the weekly lesson!  

🗣 ✍️ Students give verbal presentations based on their note-taking, sharing what they’ve absorbed from the weekly lesson materials with their classmates. This is such a powerful way for them to solidify their understanding, and it builds the confidence to explain concepts in their own words. It’s so inspiring to see them take charge of their learning! Even better, their presentations allow classmates to pick up on details or perspectives they might have missed. Everyone’s voice is heard in this class, and every student plays an active part in the learning process. 

As they present, I join in to add extra information, clarify key points, or offer additional context, making the discussion lively and interactive. This method not only enhances their communication skills but also reinforces their learning in a way that feels collaborative and fun! 🎓 Watching them grow into mini-experts is truly a rewarding experience for everyone involved! 🔥

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🎒 Although this is a thirteen-week class, we’ll actually have fourteen live meetings. The extra session at the end serves as a wrap-up to address any lingering questions and provide and receive feedback. it also doubles as a pre-scheduled “make-up” meeting if, in a rare occurrence, any previous live meetings had to be canceled.

🚫 This class doesn’t include live meetings or assignments during the following weeks:

🍂 Fall Semester: FALL BREAK is the 4th full week of November  (Thanksgiving, USA)
🌺 Spring Semester: SPRING BREAK is the 1st full week of March

You are not charged for these weeks.

💁‍♂️ Parents will need to assist their teens in setting up their free Canva accounts and guide them in creating slideshow videos. You will also need to help them learn how to download their slideshow videos, save them as an MP4 file, and attach them to their assignments. These tools are user-friendly once learned, and I’ve included detailed instructions in the "Supply List." 

⌛ This class requires very good time management skills and self-motivation as students will complete the coursework independently and asynchronously from me and from the live meetings. But don't worry—I'm always available through private messages to answer questions, provide guidance, give support, and offer them coaching. Your teen is never alone, and I respond promptly, even on weekends, 7 days a week on the same day or by the next morning! If a longer conversation is needed I'm available for a private, one-on-one live video meeting up to two times during the semester in the Outschool Classroom for both you and your teen. Just send a message at least 72 hours in advance to schedule.

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🫣 The "Hidden Curriculum" also known as "Adulting" of this class:

In this class, there’s more than just the subject material — I’m thrilled to prepare your teen for the broader world, offering a glimpse into life beyond the classroom. Most of this will take time and practice, and that’s exactly what we’re here to do: learn and practice. Here’s how we’ll achieve that:

⏰ Firstly, we focus on time management and setting schedules to meet deadlines. This skill is crucial not only in high school but also in college, vocational schools, and future careers. Students need to submit their assignments by their due dates every week, with deadlines staggered to give them ample time to plan and organize their work.

📰 Secondly, independent research is a key component. Students will delve into current events related to our weekly topics, honing their ability to find reliable sources and create presentations. They’ll have a current event assignment where they’ll conduct internet research to find unbiased articles or videos, take notes on the "who, what, when, where, why, and how," create a simple two-slide slideshow with relevant photos, and then share their slides and articulate their findings concisely in a presentation.

🗣️ Next, we emphasize clarity and public speaking. Learning to communicate effectively and succinctly is invaluable throughout life. Students will practice giving their "talks" and actively participating in discussions during our live meetings. This mirrors the real-world skills of presenting ideas clearly and engaging in professional discussions, essential for success in any career.

✍️ Efficient note-taking is another skill we’ll develop. Students will take brief notes on chapter introduction videos, the textbook, and any additional research they find interesting or valuable. They’ll focus on topics that gave them new knowledge or that they believe are important to discuss in our live meetings. This skill links to the real-world necessity of capturing and processing key information quickly, a valuable asset in both academic and professional environments.

📽️ In addition, students will learn how to create engaging slideshow videos using Canva. For some assignments, they’ll make a slideshow video that not only answers assignment questions but also showcases their creativity. They will incorporate photos, images, emojis, animations, music, and more to craft visually appealing and informative presentations. This task will help them develop skills in digital content creation, a valuable asset in many modern careers where effective visual communication is essential.  This experience mirrors the real-world skill of creating multimedia content, an important aspect of many professions today.

🌍 Lastly, staying informed about the world around them is encouraged. This habit of curiosity and self-directed learning prepares them for lifelong learning, a cornerstone of personal growth and success. They’ll research and prepare their current events to share, and actively listen to and engage with their classmates’ presentations, fostering a well-rounded perspective on global issues.

👀 Throughout the week, I provide feedback on assignments with additional details, context, information, and real-world examples. It’s important for students to read, assimilate, and acknowledge this feedback to fully benefit from the learning process. This approach ensures they’re not only meeting the requirements but also gaining deeper insights and practical knowledge.

🪞 Together, these lessons form a “hidden curriculum” that mirrors the demands of higher education, careers, and adult responsibilities. It’s not just about getting through this class; it’s about preparing for a successful future.

🧑‍🏫 I’m committed to being kind, compassionate, and flexible. If any adjustments are needed for individual students, I’m more than happy to discuss them. Just send me a private message, and we can ensure that your teen is getting the most out of the class while meeting their unique needs.

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We're not in school; we're OUTschool, and that makes all the difference! This course is designed to somewhat mirror the structure of programs at in-person and online colleges, trade schools, vocational schools, and future careers, offering your teen an incredible head start on their journey into adulting! 🎓 It’s a challenging and rigorous experience, but the rewards are absolutely worth it! While the course is accelerated and somewhat advanced, don't worry — I am always here to provide flexible support for each teen’s unique abilities and needs to the best of my abilities! 🚀