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AP PsychCivicsIB HOTA
APPAP Psychology
← Unit 5AUnit 5C →
UNIT5B

Thinking and Language — Cognition, Pt. 2

A shareable 10-day sequence for 90-minute blocks.

Thinking = CED Topic 2.2Language = CED Topic 3.57–9% of the AP Exam10 class days
Full unit page
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The through-line

This is the unit where the content is aimed directly at the students in the room. Every cognitive trap on the list is one they will demonstrate, live, within minutes of learning its name — and that's the design. The 9-dot problem produces fixation. The divergent thinking puzzles produce mental set. The Reason It Out activities produce exactly the judgment errors they're about to study. The 9-dot test only teaches fixation if students genuinely get stuck. The divergent thinking puzzles only teach mental set if students commit to a wrong approach. Explaining the trap before setting it wastes the trap.

How to use the lesson pages

  • Same conventions as every unit in this course — one path per slot, 90-minute blocks, bold non-negotiables, alternates in the appendices. The full how-to is on the course page.
The unit at a glance10 class days · 10 with lesson pages
DAY 0Memory debrief → into thinking
Anchor move
  • Reason It Out
SWBAT / I can
  • Identify strengths and gaps from the Memory test; describe the nature of concepts and the role of prototypes.
DAY 1Concepts, prototypes, divergent thinking2.2
Anchor move
  • Divergent Thinking Puzzles
SWBAT / I can
  • Describe concepts and prototypes; distinguish convergent from divergent thinking; begin explaining how we approach problems.
Prep
  • Prep: print the 9-Dot Test and have it ready to distribute face-down at the end of class — for Day 2
DAY 2Problem solving and mental sets2.2
Anchor move
  • The 9-Dot Test
SWBAT / I can
  • Describe the cognitive strategies that assist problem solving and the obstacles that hinder it; explain trial and error, algorithms, heuristics, and insight.
Prep
  • 9-Dot Test sheets were printed and distributed face-down at the end of Day 1 — no reprint needed today
DAY 3Cognitive traps I: heuristics and bias2.2
Anchor move
  • Poster project assigned
SWBAT / I can
  • Explain how the representativeness and availability heuristics influence judgment; describe how confirmation bias interferes with problem solving.
Homework
  • Study the trap terms for the upcoming cognition and cognitive traps quiz.
DAY 4Cognitive traps II: confidence and framing2.2
Anchor move
  • Poster work time; quiz
SWBAT / I can
  • Describe the effects of overconfidence and framing on judgment; explain belief perseverance and how beliefs distort logical reasoning.
Prep
  • Quiz today: Cognition & Cognitive Traps — first 22 minutes
Homework
  • Finish the Problem Solving & Decision Making Guide — your own definitions and examples.
DAY 5Language I: structure and acquisition3.5
Anchor move
  • Chomsky vs. Skinner
SWBAT / I can
  • Describe the structural components of language; sequence the milestones of language development; contrast the behaviorist and nativist accounts of acquisition.
Prep
  • Genie video begins today — preview it before class; it covers prolonged child abuse and confinement
DAY 6Language II: critical period, relativity3.5
Anchor move
  • Genie
SWBAT / I can
  • Evaluate the critical-period hypothesis using the Genie case; explain linguistic relativity and assess the evidence for it.
Prep
  • The Genie video (10–40) covers prolonged child abuse and confinement with no warning in the original plans — preview it before class; see the tnote on that move.
DAY 7Cumulative practice-exam activityall
Anchor move
  • Phase 1
SWBAT / I can
  • Assess current content knowledge across all units taught to date.
Prep
  • Have the 5B test date and format ready to announce at the end of class
DAY 8Whole-unit review
Anchor move
  • Phase 2 + back-of-chapter questions
SWBAT / I can
  • Consolidate thinking and language; identify gaps before the unit test.
Prep
  • Distribute the 5C (Testing and Intelligence) self-guided assignment — set the due date today
Homework
  • Study for the Unit 5B test using the Cognition Part 2 Review Presentation and the Thought & Language Graphic Organizer (see Materials).
  • Complete the Unit 5C (Testing and Intelligence) self-guided assignment — due date as announced in class (see Materials).
DAY 9Unit 5B assessment → bridge into 5C
Anchor move
  • Testing & Intelligence intro
SWBAT / I can
  • Assess mastery of thinking and language; begin Unit 5C.
Prep
  • 5C due date: the source leaves it blank (__/__/____) — confirm it before distributing the assignment.
Homework
  • Begin the 5C Self-Guided Assignment — due date to be confirmed in class (the source leaves it blank).

Taylored Works

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