Astronomy and Meteorology Syllabus Wren High School Instructor: Dr. Mary Dillingham Classroom:

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Jennifer Tate
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1 Astronomy and Meteorology Syllabus Wren High School Instructor: Dr. Mary Dillingham Classroom: Astronomy and meteorology is a one unit lab science offered to students who have successfully completed Physical Science and either Biology or Chemistry. The course will introduce students to the structure of the Earth, the Earth s climate and weather; meteorology: Earth s weather patterns and how to recognize them and make predictions; and Astronomy: where is planet Earth, in relation other celestial structures, and characteristics of planets, moons, stars, and other important structures, and how they compare to Earth, and our solar system. The information in this course is best suited for students pursuing a career in physical sciences, or other technical area, but any student willing to put in effort can learn a great deal about the Astronomy and Meteorology. Course Objectives 1. Identify structural components of planet Earth. 2. Develop an understanding of the Earth s structure and how it affects climate, and how Earth interacts with other structures in space. 3. Evaluate the interaction of our planet with its immediate surroundings recognizing the important role the sun plays in our day-to-day life 4. Develop an appreciation of the complexity of the Earth, its immediate surroundings, and the Galaxy, and outer space. 5. Be aware of the contributions technology is making in the identification and characterization of the Earth, its immediate surroundings, and the Galaxy, and outer space. This course combines the essentials of astronomy and meteorology lessons. Lessons include components about our galaxy, solar system, gravitation, constellations, stars, technology applications, and planetary routines. Highlighted are topics covering the forces of weather, water and ocean features, light properties, and the electromagnetic spectrum. The overall objective is to allow the student to utilize higher order thinking skills in the pursuit of a broader understanding of Evaluate the interaction of our planet with its immediate surroundings. Topics will be adjusted as needed, and as time allows. Topics covered: Unit One: Earth You are Here! Structure of the Earth Scientific Method Introduction to Plate Tectonics Earth s Structure and Motion Unit Two: Climate on Earth What s Going on Here? Temperature Zones/regions Wind/air movement Water movement/precipitation Climate Patterns worldwide Individual Climate Zones Unit Three: Space What s Going On Out There?

2 Our Solar System: Earth in relation to its nearest neighbors Our Solar System and its Neighbors Distant structures Woven into the list of topics will be related topics in the news. This list/order may be modified as needed. Students will earn a grade based on their performance in these categories: Tests/Projects 100 points each Labs/other reports 50 points each News Article Summaries 15 points each Quizzes 10 points each Classwork/bell ringers Notebook checks Homework points each 10 points each check points each Homework is assigned every class period, with few exceptions. This is a cumulative point system. The number of total points and point values for specific assignments may vary each quarter. For an average 9 weeks grade, there will be approximately points available, out of which points are tests/projects. Special Projects may be announced separately. Grading and deadlines will be announced well in advance. Information for projects is posted on my website, as a project is assigned. Laboratory Activities include all designated laboratory activities. Participation in laboratory activities will depend on the students demonstration of a consistent level of good behavior, so that I may be sure of their compliance with safety rules and regulations. Any student who fails to follow directions in class will be excluded from laboratory activities. The safety rules and regulations always apply to everyone. No student will be allowed to participate in laboratories, who cannot follow the rules. This includes dress code violations. Classroom Procedures: Beginning Class: 1. Come in quietly. 2. Sit down in your seat; be seated by the tardy bell 3. Take out your notebook, and pen/pencil, or ipad, as directed. If the assignment is not an ipad assignment, then DO NOT HAVE YOUR ipad out. 4. Begin the assignment on the board or handout. 5. Work quietly during the time allotted for the assignment. Classroom Rules 1. Treat people, materials and equipment with respect.

3 2. Bring supplies, notebooks, textbooks pen/pencil, to every class. 3. Sit in your assigned seat unless you have permission to leave it. 4. Immediately follow directions given by Dr. Dillingham 5. Raise your hand and wait for permission to speak. 6. Work on assignments during times given 7. Keep your hands, feet, and other objects to yourself (no projectiles) 8. Use only school appropriate language (oral or written) 9. Turn in completed assignments on time, have notebook materials in notebook for regular notebook checks. 10. Students are required to follow ipad procedures established for this class and for the school/district. Students who do not comply with ipad procedures will have their ipads collected by the teacher. Repeated non-compliance will result in the student losing ipad privileges. How does ipad Technology fit into this procedure system? All sounds and notifications OFF before you enter class. ipads OFF, unless or until directed by the teacher to turn them on. When directed, ipads will be turned ON or OFF. It is the student s responsibility to follow these directions, and to do so the first time asked. Do NOT take pictures, audio or video recordings of anyone in class. You will be instructed at times to use these features, as might be appropriate to labs or projects. It is the student s responsibility to follow directions. ipads are to be used for instructional purposes only, NOT other functions or uses. The presence of an ipad/ipads in class does NOT give any student permission to use a cell phone in class. School Board policy still applies to cell phones, and will be followed. Repeated failure to comply with procedures may result in a student losing the ipad option in my classroom. As we go through the school year, and become more accustomed to the ipads, we will update procedures for everyone. Updates will be shared with students. *Note: Any serious infraction of the classroom procedures, or other school rules or guidelines will be dealt with immediately and seriously. **No food or drink in class. No gum, candy, or snacks during class. Clear water bottles with a lid are allowed in classes, but not near computers and never during laboratories. Diligence and Responsibility: Students are expected to take responsibility for their own learning. Students are responsible for keeping up with the units we are studying, by reading in the text, completing homework, class work, laboratories, and any other assignments. Students are expected to keep track of assignments and due dates. Students are expected to take the initiative to seek assistance. Tests or other projects are announced well in advance. It is the students responsibility to complete all assignments according to announced deadlines. Tutoring: I am available regularly on Tuesdays for my students in room 421, and at other times by appointment. I am generally available for tutoring in the afternoons. Tutoring is available Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, schoolwide.

4 Homework Policy: Homework is assigned on most days. Students are expected to make a legitimate attempt to complete the assignment. In most cases, answers to homework will be discussed at the beginning of the next class; therefore, homework will not be accepted late except in the case of excused absence. Please note, all homework, class work, and tests must be completed showing all work, to receive credit! Late work is not accepted! Make Up Policy: 1. If absent the day before a test/quiz (including major chapter/unit tests), the student will be expected to take the test at the same time as the rest of the class since tests are announced well in advance. 2. If absent the day of a MAJOR test, the student will be expected to take the test during afternoon tutoring times, after scheduling a time with me. (Students may see me if they wish to take the test on the day before their class meets, or before a planned absence; I accommodate those requests when possible.) 3. If an extended absence occurs, an appropriate length of time will be set for making up work on an individual basis; however, ARRANGEMENTS for making up work should be made the day the student returns. School policy is followed for this time line, and it is the STUDENT S responsibility to seek and complete makeup work that he/she may be eligible to complete. 4 Absences for school-sponsored activities, such as field trips, should be discussed with me prior to the absence and all work made up in advance when possible. 5. All work missed MUST be made up or a grade of zero will be assigned. If a homework assignment is due when a student is absent, it should be turned in at the beginning of the class period, the first day the student returns. 6. Lab work: Due to the time required for lab preparation and the inability to leave many materials out overnight, it is seldom possible to make up a lab. For this reason, it is strongly recommended that students not miss a scheduled lab except in cases of emergency. Alternate assignments can in some cases be given to substitute for missed lab work, and it is the student s responsibility to ask if such an assignment is required. If the alternate assignment is of acceptable quality, the maximum grade given will be the class average for the lab. Materials to Bring EVERY Class: Notebook, paper, pen/pencil, coloring pencils, highlighter(s). It is a school requirement for students to have ipads at school, charged and ready, in compliance, everyday. ipads are used regularly, but may not be needed for an assignment in this class every day. Reading materials NOT on ipads, are required for students in 3A and 3B classes, for SSR; SSR is reading time, not gaming time. This policy may change later in the school year, for structured assignments using the ipads, at teacher direction.

5 Receipt of Course Description for Astronomy and Meteorology, with Dr. Dillingham, school year. Print Student Name section Students must return this receipt to earn homework points for the first homework assignment of the year, these will be accepted until Friday, August 28 th for A Day classes, and until Monday, August 31 st, for B Day classes for homework points. This is a 10 point assignment. Parents: Please sign below, indicating, I read over the Astronomy and Meteorology course description, and Class Policies, and the Supplies List. I understand that these materials are also available online at the teachers website. Parent Signature Date Print parent name Student: I have received a course description and will keep it in my Astronomy and Meteorology notebook. Student signature Date Parents, if there is anything that you would like for me to know about your child, that might pertain to Astronomy and Meteorology, please use the space below to tell me. You may use the back or attach another sheet if needed

CLASSROOM PROCEDURES FOR MRS.

CLASSROOM PROCEDURES FOR MRS. BURNSED S 7 TH GRADE SCIENCE CLASS PRIDE + RESPONSIBILTY + RESPECT = APRENDE Welcome to 7 th grade Important facts for Parents and Students about my classroom policies Classroom