Teaching Resources from APA and TOPSS

APA Policy

• National Standards for High School Psychology Curricula
  This document is constructed to guide curriculum decisions by providing content and performance standards for those designing psychology instruction.

• Guidelines for Preparing High School Psychology Teachers: Course-Based and Standards-Based Approaches
  The purpose of these guidelines is to outline training models for the preparation of teachers of high school psychology.

Tools for Teachers

• Unit lesson plans
  APA TOPSS provides teachers with unit lesson plans, each containing a content outline, suggested resources and activities, and references.

• Resource manual for new teachers of high school psychology
  This manual provides resources and helpful suggestions to new psychology teachers.

• PowerPoint presentations
  Demonstrations for teachers of high school psychology to use in the classroom.

• Videos for psychology teachers
  The APA Education Directorate and TOPSS have provided videos for psychology teachers to view and/or use in class as appropriate.

• Psychology: Science in Action
  APA's public education campaign features videos, posters and more to help teachers give students the tools they need to launch careers in psychology.

• Pacing calendars
  Samples of actual calendars provided by psychology teachers.

• Classroom posters
  Use these to illustrate the role psychologists play in preventing violence, promoting health and protecting the environment.

• Research methods, measurement and statistics
  A module to review topics such as research methods and measurements used to study behavior and mental processes, ethical issues in research with human and nonhuman animals, and basic concepts in data analysis.

• Key points to remember in biopsychology
  A module on seven key points high school students should know after studying biopsychology.

• Classroom activities in biopsychology
  A module to accompany the "Biological Bases of Behavior" TOPSS unit lesson plan.

• TOPSS Listserv
  Join the mailing list to receive periodic news and updates.

• Website toolbar
  APA's toolbar includes links to the most relevant and practical content, tools and feeds from APA. Easy to download to your web browser.

• Certification requirements
  Teacher certification requirements for the 50 States, collected by the University of Kentucky, College of Education to facilitate movement from one state to another.

• Sample two-day lesson plans
  Lesson plans and activities submitted by winners of the APA TOPSS Charles T. Blair-Broeker Excellence in Teaching Awards. 
  

TOPSS Webcasts for Psychology Teachers

A webcast series for psychology teachers, available for free to TOPSS members using the provided discount codes.

• Does that Psychology Demonstration Really Work?
  Presented by Robert McEntarffer.

• Neuroethics and Neurotechnology
  Presented by Eric Chudler, PhD.

• Local/State Groups for Psychology Teachers
  A listing of local, regional or state groups or conferences (workshops) for high school psychology teachers.

• TOPSS Speakers Bureau
  Find and contact local psychologists who are available to visit high school and community college psychology classrooms and speak with students.

• Psychology Awareness Initiative
  Promote awareness of psychology in your school and community.

• TOPSS minority recruiting recommendations
  Encourage and motivate minority high school students to consider pursuing psychology as a career through meetings with role models and mentors.

Newsletters

• Psychology Teacher Network
  PTN is a quarterly newsletter for teachers of introductory psychology.

• Psychology Student Network
  PSN is published twice a year for precollege and undergraduate psychology students.

• Subscribe to other APA newsletters
  TOPSS members can opt-in to receive a variety of newsletters from APA, including the Psychological Science Agenda and more. 

Magazine

• Monitor on Psychology  
  APA’s monthly magazine with current news, articles and research findings in the field of psychology. Sent to all APA members and affiliates.

Journal

• American Psychologist
  APA’s flagship journal; published nine times a year. Included with APA high school teacher affiliate (TOPSS) membership.

Books

• Activities Handbook for the Teaching of Psychology
  Demonstrations, assignments and experiments to complement psychology course textbooks.

• Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Sixth Edition
  A complete style manual for writers, editors, students and educators in the social and behavioral sciences.

• Careers in Psychology
  “Psychology: Scientific Problem Solvers — Careers for the 21st Century” booklet and video.

• Graduate Study in Psychology
  Offers practical information about over 500 psychology programs in the United States and Canada.

Databases

• Graduate Study Online Database

• APA databases for members and affiliates

• APA Board of Educational Affairs Grants
  $10,000 to enhance the quality of teaching and learning outcomes.

• Professional Development Awards for High School Psychology Teachers
  $500 to help high school psychology teachers travel to and attend APA's Annual Convention.

• High School Psychology Teacher Network Grants
  $2,500 to support the development of local and regional networks of, and a teaching workshop for, high school psychology teachers.

Get Your Students Involved

• Online Psychology Laboratory
  The OPL website offers students opportunities to participate in studies and engage in data analysis.

• Conducting research with students
  Students learn the practical applications of psychology by participating in a school psychology club or creating experiments for a science fair.

• Psychology clubs
  Many schools offer psychology clubs to give students a more complete view of the world of psychology.

• APA TOPSS Competition for High School Psychology Students

• TOPSS Academic Achievement in Psychology Certificates

• The APA supports student research through the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) and through ISEF-affiliated regional science fairs.

• Join APA as a Student Affiliate
  Become a High School Student Affiliate and enjoy many great benefits!

Careers

• Careers in Psychology
  This guide provides a look at psychology as a career in many different fields, such as research, consulting, diagnosing and teaching. It includes an outlook of the current job market and testimonials from psychologists on the career paths they have chosen.

• Career Guides
  Guides to careers in psychology, including a general guide, and guides for high school and college students of color, as well as information on applying to graduate school.