Psych: Super-Note-cards
Directions: Each student will be required to make vocabulary note-cards that can be used to
study for the test and quiz. Since students will be required to make note-cards they will receive
a Class III grade for completing their note-cards.
Students will be asked to make their note-cards in such a way that they will be more prone to
learning what the term actually means rather than just matching the word to a “key word”
within the definition. To do so, complete your note-cards including these following items:
 Grouping: (The front side of the card where the word itself is written)
o Group your words into three color coordinated groups:
 Black: these are the words that you know the best, maybe you learned them
in another class
 Blue: these are the words that you have at least some idea what they mean
even if it is only something you have heard before
 Red: these are the words that you absolutely have no idea what they mean
o As you study your words, study them in this order: Red, then Black, then Blue
 Psychologists have found that you will more easily remember the first and
last items in a list (serial position effect)
 Defining: (The back side of the card where typically the definition is written)
o In order to gain a better understanding of the words you are being asked to learn,
you need to do 2 things with your definitions:
 First: Define all words by their glossary definitions
 Second: Define all words by writing their definitions using YOUR OWN
WORDS
 Try writing it without using the “key words” in the original definition
 NEVER use the actual word in the definition
 You may also write a sentence that uses the word appropriately, or
provide an example of the word in use.
When you study your note-cards remember to use the following order: Red, Black, and Blue.
Don’t forget that it is best to study with a friend, and having note-cards makes that easy to do.
Finally, save your note-cards. These items will go a long way in not only preparing you for
tests and quizzes in my class, but also the final exams, mid-terms, and AP exam at the end of
the year.