Course title

Pre-requisite

Course description

Astronomy (SCxx)

The history; content; and evolution of the solar system and the universe in general. Curriculum includes planets; moons; sun; comets; stars and star formation; galaxies; cosmology; and the possibility of life on other planets. Astronomical observations and exercises are designed to familiarize students with the sky; telescopes; and methods used in astronomy.

Contact Information
Tyler Sawyer
Room 225 (480) 545-3100x6782
tyler.sawyer@gilbertschools.net
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Grading Standards
Students will be graded on a typical scale; consisting of the following:
A 100-90%
B 89-80%
C 79-70%
D 69-60%
F 59% and Below
Grades will be weighted; as follows:
Assignments 30%
Tests and Quizzes 40%
Quarter Projects 10%
Note: Semester Exams will be weighted at 20% of the Final grade.

Late/Missing Work
Missing and late assignments may be turned in one day late for 50% credit.

Approximate point values of routine student work
Tests 500 points
Quizzes 100 points
Major assignments (including labs) 100-400 points
Minor assignments (small tasks that require little time) 10-50 points
Quarter Projects 500 points per project

Extra Credit
Extra credit will not be issued to students.

Student Notebooks
Students are required to acquire and keep a notebook only for Science. The notebook will be a composition-type; college ruled is preferred due to space constraints. The collection of work in the notebook will be counted as a grade.
Notebooks will be used for daily vocabulary and warmups; any note taking; various laboratory activities; and selected quizzes.
Assignments will be collected on a regular basis; but notebooks will be graded over a longer time scale; approximately once per month. Students are responsible for maintaining this notebook as each semester progresses.

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
As members of the Coyote family; we pride ourselves on our dedication to Community; Values; Honor and Scholarship. Students are expected to meet specific positive behavioral standards both in and out of the classroom. These behaviors; such as being respectful and practicing academic honesty; are what make Campo Verde such an amazing place to learn. During this school year; students will participate in a school-wide initiative focused on the promotion and reinforcement of the expected standards of behavior.

Behavior Expectations
Students will treat each other with respect.
Classroom behavior will remain modest and under control; in order to foster an appropriate environment for learning.
Student cell phones or other electronic devices will remain in backpacks; pockets; or purses.
Students will participate actively and appropriately in classroom discussions and activities.
Students will respond when requested; and in an appropriate manner.
Students will be dressed appropriately to maintain an effective learning environment. Students that stray from the approved dress code will be directed to the front office.
Students will direct specific issues not related to instruction to times outside of class.
Students will refrain from eating or drinking; due to inherent risks in the laboratory setting.

Behavior Consequences/Plan
Verbal Warning to student; followed by:
Assignment to 30 minute detention; either before school; at lunch; or after school
Call to Parent
Student-Parent-Teacher conference
Referral
In some instances; students may be immediately removed from the class for the remainder of the period in addition to a detention and Student-Parent-Teacher conference.

Safety
Student safety is paramount in the science classroom. During laboratory activities; students may come into contact with certain necessary hazards while working.
Injury in the laboratory can be reduced by:
Avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing
Tie long hair back securely
Be aware when moving about the lab- of yourself and others
Wear safety goggles when appropriate
Report broken glass and solution spills to the instructor immediately
Refraining from horseplay in the lab
Refraining from eating or drinking
Note: Students who breach reasonable laboratory safety practices will be removed from the classroom for the remainder of the activity; with no warning. Due to the potential hazardous nature of science; this is an issue that is handled with zero tolerance.

Leaving During Class Time
Every semester; each student will be given two “emergency” passes to the restroom or to the drinking fountain. My classroom is located near to both locations; so all drinks or needs should (and can) be taken care of during passing periods. Time spent outside of class is very hard to make up for- students will miss much more than they realize. As success depends partly upon being in class; these two passes should only be used if there is no possible way the student can wait. Physical passes will not be handed out but rather kept accounted for; for each individual student.

Tardies
Students are expected to promptly arrive in class; on time. Students who are excessively tardy will receive the following consequences:
3 Tardies: Call home
5 Tardies: Administrator Referral

Scope and Sequence of the Course
Semester 1
1. History of Astronomy
A. Ancient Astronomers
B. Naming of the Stars
C. Revolutionary Ideas
D. Early Modern Astronomers and the Age of Reason
F. Modern Day Astronomy
2. The Night Sky
A. Celestial Sphere
B. Stargazing
C. Constellations
D. Light Pollution
3. Amatuer Astronomy
A. History of the Telescope
B. Optics
C. The Observable Spectrum
D. Common objects
E. Telescope Building
F. Radio Telescopes
Semester 2
4. Solar System
A. Planets
B. Moons
C. Asteroids
D. Comets
E. The Sun
5. Stars
A. Composition
B. Size
C. Life Cycles
D. Nebulas
E. Neutron Stars
F. Black Holes
6. Galaxies
A. Survey of Galaxies
B. The Milky Way
C. The Big Bang and Universe Expansion
7. Exploring Space
A. Rocket Science
B. Satellites
C. Probes
D. The Moon
E. Mars
F. Astrobiology

Lab activities will include direct observation of the Moon; Sun; Planets; Galaxies; Nebulae; and Star Clusters using a variety of tools including visual telescopes; spectroscopy; astrophotography; and radio telescopes. Additional activities will include model building; optics building; amatuer rocketry; robotics; and basic microbiology (astrobiology). At certain points of the year; students will be required to make observations at night on their own at home.

Extra Help
Students can seek extra help before school; at lunch; or after school by coming to Room 225. Students may wish to make arrangements beforehand of when they plan to come in.

Studying
At times; this course may be difficult. Typically students can expect to have to study outside of class. Reasonable study practices include reading the book; re-writing notes; re-drawing diagrams; making flashcards; and informal quizzing. Student success can be largely influenced by individual effort outside of class.

School country

School state

School city

High school

School / district Address

School zip code

Requested competency code

Date submitted

Approved

Approved competency code

• LPHY
• Physics

Approved date

Online / Virtual