Syllabus

Copyright James Scotti, Morning Comet II

Welcome to Honors Astronomy.  This is a two semester class: 1st semester is Observational Astronomy and second Semester is Planetary Science.  This class falls under the science category of physics and Earth Science.

During the 1st semester, we will look at the history of astronomy through the discoveries of those we have built astronomy upon.  You will learn how to explore the night sky and we will look at the basics of stars.  You yourself will choose a project of interest to study.  Your homework will include reading assignments, monthly outside observations and one project of your choice.   

During 2nd semester, Planetary Science, we will explore the nature and origin of our solar system.  We will look at the formation of Earth and the basics of its geology.  From there we will apply it to the planets in our solar system.  We will look at our sun, moon, asteroids, & comets.  You will be doing a science fair project of your choice in the area of astronomy.  This will be presented at SARSEF. There are four field trips planned for this semester.  

There are a couple of fieldtrips planned: one to the U of A Planetarium (mandatory) that has a fee, the  Mirror Lab, an Opitcs lab tour, Kitt Peak, the gem and Mineral show, Grand Canyon/meteor crater (this will have a $400 fee and is only for those interested - currently planned for end of October - more info to come).  We will need parents for transportation and chaperoning.

        I sponsor the Astronomy club at THMS along with my astronomer husband.  This club is also tied to the geology club.  We put on at least one star party for the school as well as weekend fieldtrips of interest to students.  It is not manditory.  The club fee is $10.  If families have a problem with the fee, please let me know.  THMS has grants.   The purpose of the fee is to allow us to be able to get tax credit monies for some of our activities. 

        I have an open door policy and I am always willing to listen to solutions to any problems life is throwing at people – not excuses.  I am a fan of the Apollo 13 moto "failure is not an option".  It of course happens but it is often a choice.  If you need help, please let me know.   

        Parents, the best way to contact me is via e-mail: Karriaunna.Scotti@tusd1.org.  Students, for asking questions outside of school hours, email me at: ScottiTHMS@gmail.com. For assignments, you will be uploaded those to Canvas. I am usually very good about returning emails.  If you have not heard from me within two days, please resend as the likelihood is it did not go through.  For those who do not have access to email, the same applies to a written note.   

I am looking forward to working with parents and students this year and engaging our natural curiosity in a safe environment.

Again, Welcome!

Work expectations:

Come to class prepared!!!

Homework: Is for learning... I know how busy we all are, especially as a Junior or Senior.  And I understand that with everything going on in folks’ lives, which vary greatly, homework is one of the last things you want to do.  However, there are some things I need you to do at home.  Reading  assignments are often done at home due to all the various levels of readers we have in class; I will try to give these to you for the weekend before.  Those of you who take notes from powerpoints, will find those online.  Again, students are different in taking notes between taking too many, like me, to taking a long time to write.  And I do not want to waste students time.

Most of the assignments you will need will be located on Canvas which most students are now familiar with.  Should anyone have any problem with their assignments, they can email me or come briefly after school or during 1st lunch.  There is also conference and Badger Power Hour on Friday.  BPH is a good time to do your reading.

Assessments:  Quizzes can be given whenever to check for student understanding.  Formal Assessments are often given after each unit is finished.  Final:  There may be an end of the semester final.  Those with an A do not have to take it.  Projects: Units may have a project and/or a presentation that are usually graded with rubrics in place of a test.   NOTE: You must have your computer for taking tests; you may not use your cell phone.  Cheating:  Any cheating results in a zero that cannot be made up and remains on your record.  Cell phones out during tests are marked as cheating and cannot be retaken.  If you forget your computer, you can temporarily check one out from the library.  Also, make ups are usually done during BPH; talk to me if there is a problem.

  Science Journals are an important component of science and engineering.  Every scientist keeps a journal of their work and during my class all students are citizen scientists.   Journals are for keeping notes which may often be used on quizzes and tests as well as used for classwork.  And projects or lab data will go in them.  During the school year, you will take a picture of your work from your journal and upload it into TEAMs.  I will collect the journals at the end of each quarter for a grade.

Assignments:  Many class assignments are group work.   Note:  Students are not penalized for a groupmate who does not do their part. All assignments have a due date.  Life happens - If there is a reason for an assignment to be turned in late, parent or student can inform me.  Should a student do poorly on a completed assignment, they can have the option to fix it within ONE week for a better grade with no penalty.

Late Work: Again, life happens.  Let me know in advance if there is going to be a problem - email is a wonderful thing.  I usually give a  grace period of two days.  Once I begin grading, for every two days it is late, it will be marked down 10%  I will not take work beyond 2 weeks without prior communication. 

Fieldtrips: There are a few fieldtrips planned for this class:   1st Quarter we will be going to the Planetarium to look at the formation of the solar system.  2nd Quarter we may be doing something with Osiris Rex with the return mission in Oct.  These are not manditory.  You will do make-up work in class.  The Gem & Mineral show will be 3rd quarter and is manditory.  When possible, we will have others.  However, one of the key components are parents willing to chaperone and in some cases drive; we walk for the gem and mineral show and the university.  I will send out emails in advance so parents know and can hopefully take off work.

Grades will be based on a combination using the Point System and a Rubric.  Labs and projects are graded using a rubric and are assigned F – A – M or E, for FAME. Quizzes and tests are graded using the traditional point value system.  Both will be totaled at the end of each quarter to determine a student’s grade.  Grades will be based on: 

Points                  Rubric

105%    E = Excels                    (The student has taken the work beyond what was asked.)

90%      M = Meets                   (Student has done what was asked of them and done it well.)

75%      A = Approaches         (Student has the basic concepts.)

50 %     F = Falling bellow     (Student has done the work, but does not understand concepts or has chosen not to finish it)

0%        NC = Not Completed (Student needs to finish for the grade to be figured out)

 Grade break down:

Class assignments:                30%

Homework Assignments:     10%   Given as a completion grade - pts are USUALLY given for completion, not accuracy.

Quizzes   10%

Assessments/Projects           50%

Keep track of your grades through synergy. There is no excuse for not knowing what assignments are missing or what your grade is.  You do not need to ask your teachers.  As personal work is often put on TEAMs, you know if you have turned your work in or not.

Classroom general routine:

Check the whiteboard and overhead  for the day’s agenda and supplies as well as objectives.  You should have a planner to make note of expectations and due dates (Your cell phones have callandars).   Most of you have one on your cell phone.  Please be in your seat by the time the final bell rings.  Most days will begin with a bell assignment and end with an informal assessment of some form with activities in between. 

Everyone in my class is a young adult who fully knows the rules of behavior in the classroom and are expected to follow them as a good student.  This is a science class.  The rules are for safety as well as for allowing everyone the chance to learn.  A student does not have the right to prevent others from learning. 

Policy on discipline: Check student handbook.

Tardies are disruptive.  Check student handbook for consequences.  A student who is more than 25 minutes late is considered absent.  When tardy, it is important to sign in if you do not have a hall pass (preferred).  This is a record that a student was actually here and corrections can be made later.  If a student does not sign in when late, they are absent.  Please do not ask me to change your attendance for an absence if you did not sign in.  You are expected to be in your seat when the bell rings - attendance is taken by the use of a seating chart at the beginning of class.  At the end of the day, I double check the tardy sheet.  

Absences are frustrating to everyone.  This class will have projects you will be part of.  It makes it a challange to do projects if one or more of your group is missing.  Life does happen and when possible you can make up your part or will be given an alternative assignment if it is a long term absence; stay in touch not only with your teachers should this occur but your partners.  District policy allows a student 10 unexcused absences.  After ten unexcused absences, a student is given an NC = no credit.  This means that a student will have to repeat the class physically, they are not given the opportunity to replace the grade online.

Cell phones: All teachers are required to have a “cell phone free zone” within the classroom; this includes any accessories that are synced to phones (watches, earbuds, etc.).   Educators understand that cell phones have great utility, but cell phone use has increasingly become a source of distraction in the classroom decreasing student engagement and time spent on learning. With one on one computers, we should not need cell phones, but if we do, I will let students know.  All cell phones are to remain in backpacks, school bag, or purse.  In case of emergencies, parents can reach students through the main office at 225-5000 or 225-5002.  If something is going on in a students life that they need to have the cell phone handy, let the teacher know.    Please note:  loss or damage of a cell phone is not a teachers responsibility.  If you find you are unable to leave your cell phone alone, your cell phone will be stored at the front of the room to be collected at the end of the period.  

Food and drinks are not allowed in the building and definitely not in a science classroom where a spill can alter data or damage technology or projects.  Water in a closed container is acceptable and encouraged at this school.  We even have drinking fountains to accomodate water bottles.  Please make sure you have your name on your water bottle in case you forget it.   

Misbehavior:  Some days just do not go right and a warning is needed for unacceptable behavior.  If a warning is not enough the student will be taken  aside to discuss the problem.  If the problem cannot be resolved or the situation is a safety hazard during a lab, the student will be asked to go to time out in room T165 or T150 or a monitor will be called to take them to the security office.  A call home to the parent will be made.  If the situation continues, a conference will be set up between myself, parents, possibly an administrator or counselor, and the individual to decide on the next steps needed to resolve the issue.

Conference & Badger Power Hour is built into students schedule on Friday. If a student has a grade less then a C in any of their classes, or they need a place to do homework, or they need time to finish work, or they need help from their teacher, etc.… take advantage of it.  The time given is not meant to be extra sleep in time.  And if you are good to go?  Bring something to occupy yourself during that time period.  Cell phones are not an option.

Bathroom/Water breaks:  Only ONE student at a time has permission to leave the classroom; this is district and school policy.  Students are expected to take care of their needs and return immediately; it is unfair to make other students wait because you have an itch to wonder.  Each teacher has a pass requirement.  Mine is the watering can.  If it is not there, you must wait for its return.  Please note, school policy says if you are gone more then 15 minutes, it becomes an automatic unexcused absence.  

Weekly Contact: I usually send one or more email home each week.  These emails are often reminders of assignments due, upcoming events or extra credit, or what is going on in the classroom.  It is important that students AND parents read their emails.  If you do not read the emails and you do not make use of a planner, the responsibility of something missed or forgotten is that of the student.  Both parents and students PLEASE keep your synergy email up to date!!!  

Classroom Rules

Rule #1: Treat all within with respect. 

Rule #2: No excuses, find solutions. 

3.  When I am talking to the class, or anyone else is, you are to be listening; Simple Courtesy.  

4.  Come to class prepared to learn.   This includes bringing your curiosity, supplies, & homework. 

5.  Follow all instructions/procedures for your own safety as well as others.

 For some of you this is your last year of high school and for others, you have one more to go.  I hope you will enjoy my class as you learn about the planet you live on, a very unique and changing world… enough so you will want to learn more in your senior year.