ASTRONOMY COURSE SYLLABUS

School Year: 2021-2022

Grade Level: 09-12 Credit Available: 0.5

Instructor Contact Information:

Name: Farrah Champion Room #: B3
Email Address: farrah.champion@threerivers.k12.or.us
NVHS Phone #: 541-479-3388 (leave message)
District Webpage: www. threerivers.k12.or.us/index.asp

Course Description:
This is a semester long course that introduces students to the study of astronomy, including its history and
development, basic scientific laws of motion and gravity, the concepts of modern astronomy, and the methods
used by astronomers to learn more about the universe. Additional topics include the solar system, the Milky
Way and other galaxies, and the sun and stars. Students examine the life cycle of stars, the properties of
planets, and the exploration of space.

Course Standards: The complete list of standards taught in this course can be found at the following web address:
https://ngss.nsta.org/DisplayStandard.aspx?view=topic&id=50

HS-ESS1-1. Develop a model based on evidence to illustrate the life span of the sun and the role of nuclear fusion
in the sun’s core to release energy that eventually reaches Earth in the form of radiation.
HS-ESS1-2. Construct an explanation of the Big Bang theory based on astronomical evidence of light spectra,
motion of distant galaxies, and composition of matter in the universe.
HS-ESS1-3. Communicate scientific ideas about the way stars, over their life cycle, produce elements.
HS-ESS1-4. Use mathematical or computational representations to predict the motion of orbiting objects in the solar
system.

Course Content:
At the conclusion of this semester, students will be able to:
 Demonstrate Kepler’s laws to describe common features of the motions of orbiting objects, including their
elliptical paths around the sun. Orbits may change due to the gravitational effects from, or collisions with, other
objects in the solar system.
 Describe how Nuclear Fusion processes in the center of the sun release the energy that ultimately reaches Earth as
radiation.
 Illustrate that atoms of each element emit and absorb characteristic frequencies of light. These characteristics
allow identification of the presence of an element, even in microscopic quantities.
 Understand that the star called the sun is changing and will burn out over a lifespan of approximately 10 billion
years.
 Compare a stars’ light spectra and brightness to identify compositional elements of stars, their movements, and
their distances from Earth.
 Describe how the Big Bang theory is supported by observations of distant galaxies receding from our own, of the
measured composition of stars and non-stellar gases, and of the maps of spectra of the primordial radiation
(cosmic microwave background) that still fills the universe.
 Explain that other than the hydrogen and helium formed at the time of the Big Bang, nuclear fusion within stars
produces all atomic nuclei lighter than and including iron, and the process releases electromagnetic energy.
Heavier elements are produced when certain massive stars achieve a supernova stage and explode.
Supplies:
 Composition Notebook
 Pencil and/or pen
 Eraser and/or white out
 Colored Pencils
 Calculator
Grading:

Content Knowledge and Skills: (80% of Grade) Participation/Citizenship: (20% of Grade)

Any direct assessment of a standard or its learning  Bell Work/ Exit Tickets
targets including:  Class Work
● Tests and Quizzes  Science Notebook
● Inquiry Labs  Personal Responsibility (3 R’s)
● Projects  Effort in Learning
● Alternative Assessments – Verbal etc.  Participation
 Classroom Preparedness

● Grading Criteria for Content Knowledge and Skills: For each project or assignment, grading will
be based upon a grading rubric or some other point based criteria as deemed appropriate by the
instructor. Academic grades under the Proficiency Based Learning model will reflect a student’s
mastery of the subject knowledge and skills according to state standards.

● Proficiency Based Learning Grading Scale:

A (Mastery) 90.0% - 100 %
B (Approaching Mastery) 80.0% - 89.9%
C (Proficient) 70.0% - 79.9%
I (Incomplete)/F <70.0%

● Reassessment: Students may be given opportunities to retake assessments they fail, or wish to retake,
in order to demonstrate proficiency, provided that they are making adequate progress toward
proficiency. The assessment grade will NOT be the average of all the assessments. The highest grade
for each assessment will be awarded to the student.

● Academic Support: Please talk with me to get any additional support you may need to be successful
in my class. My door is always open! For students who are struggling with content, tutoring is also
available in our after-school program. After school hours will be from 3:30 until 5:45, on Tuesday
and Thursday, during most weeks of school.

Class Policies:
 Late Work: Assignments are due at the beginning of the period on the date which it’s due. I will
accept late work if it is accompanied by a Late Work Pink Slip. For each day late, up to four days, 10
% will be deducted from the grade the student earned on the assignment. After that, any assignment
turned in will be graded out of 60%. Late work will be accepted up until two weeks before the quarter
ends.
 Absent on a Lab, Quiz, or Midterm: Students that miss assignments, labs, or assessments should
make up the missing work in a timely manner. Missed assignments can be found in the “Absent” file
in class and/or on Canvas. Each day absent results in one additional day to complete work before it is
considered to be “Late”.
 Tardy Policy: On-time means, you are in your assigned seat, prepared for class, and working on the
Bell Work or following other instructions when the bell rings; if not, you are tardy. Please read the
student handbook for the school tardy policy.
 Passes out of Class: To leave the classroom you must ask during the appropriate times, sign Out AND
back In, and use the appropriate pass. Excessive use of hall pass will lead to a lowering of Participation
Grade.
 Food/Drink in the Classroom: Unless there is a sanctioned activity in the classroom, there is no food
or drink allowed in the classroom - other than bottled water with a cap.
 Electronics/Phones: IPOD’s/MP3/music players are prohibited unless specifically sanctioned by me
during certain times such as during a test. We will be using personal tablets or smart phones as for
research, calculators, stopwatches, or for academic applications. Phones may not be used for texting,
 or talking to anybody, not even parents. Consequences of inappropriate electronic use results in taking
the device and it is sent to the office. Please see the Student Handbook about electronic and phone use,
how people can contact students through the office, and the consequences.
 Academic Dishonesty: See student handbook. Results in a zero on assignment.
 Ed Lab: Students that do not follow classroom rules or interfere with the learning environment of the
classroom may be sent to Ed Lab. They must complete the Ed Lab assignment before they return to the
regular classroom.

School and Classroom Culture Guidelines:

The Three R’s:

● Respect
● Responsibility
● Resiliency

E + R = O: Event + Response = Outcome

For the “R” in the equation E + R = O, you can have “Above the Line” responses and “Below the Line”
responses. Above the line responses lead to better/good “O” (Outcomes). For “Above the Line” responses and
“Below the Line” responses, see below:

Above the Line: Good/Desirable Character Driven Responses

● Press Pause
● Get your mind right
● Step up
● Adapt and Adjust
● Make a difference

Below the Line: Poor/ Undesirable Character Driven Responses

● A = Attitude (often body language)
● B= Blame
● C = Complain
● D = Defend
● E = Excuses

-----------------------------------------------Return this page to Mrs. Champion--------------------------------------

Parent/Student Astronomy Course Contract

Student Name (Please Print): _________________________________________Class Period: _______

My student and I have read the North Valley Astronomy Course Syllabus and understand
what is expected.  We have read the grading procedures and classroom policies and
understand how the students will be graded for this class.
Student Signature: ________________________________________________ Date: ______________

Parent/Guardian Name (Please Print): ___________________________________________________

Cell Phone:  ________________________________

E-mail: _____________________________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature:  ________________________________________ Date: ______________

***Return this Contract to your student’s Science teacher by ___________ ***