S+Stoutamyer,+Bianca

**Office:** Ricker 310 **Office Hours:** Tuesday, Thursday 10-12 ** E-mail: **​ bianca.stoutamyer@maine.edu
 * Teacher:** Ms. Stoutamyer

=Summary of Unit= The students will investigate the world around them beyond our own atmosphere through projects, investigation, and teacher taught lessons. Not only will the students be learning about the individual objects of our Universe but will also be learning about how they interact with each other and how they can affect each other. In order to teach the students the complexity and vastness of the universe we will start the lesson with the Earth, Moon, Sun and Solar System because it is the closest to us and the most well known to the students. After learning about our own Sun the students will then begin to learn about all the different types of stars and how stars live and die like humans and mammals. Because all of the different types of stars make up galaxies I would then have my students study the different galaxies and location of the galaxies. Common themes that will spread throughout the unit are size, complexity and the spread of the universe. Throughout the unit I will have the students do six different smaller projects and then at the end of the unit they will do a sketchup project where they create their own planet that can support life and include all of the life sustaining materials.

=Establish Goals= Students explain the movements and describe the location, composition, and characteristics of our solar system and universe, including planets, the sun and galaxies.
 * Maine Learning Results**
 * Content Area-** Science and Technology
 * Standard Label-** D The Physical Setting
 * Standard-** D1 Universe and Solar System
 * Grade Level**- 6-8
 * Performance Indicators-** a,b and c

= = =Students will understand that= •the constantly changing universe can affect Earth. •there are more galaxies and solar systems than just our own. •the moon is affected by the Earth and Sun.

= = =Essential Questions= •How does the Universe affect Earth? •Why is the Milky Way the only galaxy with life that we know of? •How do the Sun and Earth affect the moon?

= = =Students will know= •__Terminology__- eclipses, galaxies, seasons, rotation, revolution, axis, planes, planets, phases, solar day, supernova, light year, stars, asteroid, comets, etc. •__Key Factual Information__- how Earth rotates and revolves, movement of the solar system, elliptical orbits, etc. •__Sequence and Timelines__- history of astronomy, history of telescopes and their development, etc.

= = =Students will be able to= •describe the affects the Sun and Moon have on Earth. •illustrate the phases of the moon. •design a model of a solar or lunar eclipse. •argue the destruction of Earth. •imagine another solar system/galaxy with life. •be aware of the size and complexity of the universe.

**Performance Task Overview** The Discovery Channel is taking applications for creations of a planet that can support life outside of our Solar System and Galaxy for a special on extraterrestrial life and extra-solar planets. As a NASA employed Astronomer investigating extra-solar planets you decide to take your knowledge and enter an application. Like any contest there are stipulations. The Discovery Channel executives are looking for planets that are unique, can sustain life, and do not look like Earth. In order to be selected for the televised broadcast you must first submit a proposal of what you would include on your planet and how your planet can support life. If your proposal is selected as a finalist you must then create a visual of your planet and give a presentation to the Discovery Channel Executives. The Astronomer selected will have their planet featured on the Discovery Channel special and will be an expert featured on the special as well.

=Expectations=
 * Absences:** Attendance to this class is mandatory all students should be present for each and every class. The school's policy on attendance will be upheld. Any student who missed class will have to look at the notes for that class on the class wiki and will have to pick up the graphic organizers, assignments and other papers from the absent work binder. Students are responsible for obtaining all of their missed work and completing it for the same due date as the rest of the class. If the student knows they will be excused from classes a week or more in advance they are required to approach me and obtain their work before the missed classes.
 * Assignments and Late Work:** All assignments should be turned in on time and be completed to the students best ability. Late work will have a 10 point subtraction each class period that it is late. If the student has made a prior arrangement with the teacher to hand in the assignment on a different date then if the work is late from that day the 10 point subtraction applies. If the student is absent on the due date of an assignment the assignment is due the next class period.
 * Classroom Expectations:** Students are expected to come to class prepared with all of their classwork and assignments ready to pass in. Students will show respect to each other, the teacher and school property. There will be no tolerance for bullying, profanities, or sexual harassment. All school rules will be upheld and the school's policy on punishments for breaking school rules will be upheld in this classroom.
 * Plagiarism:** All sources used for research must be cited for all assignments. Any assignment with incorrect citations will be returned to the student with feedback on how to correct the mistakes. The students must then return the assignment with their citations corrected. Students should see the school's policy on plagiarism which will be upheld in this class.

=Benchmarks (550 points)=
 * •Blog-** (50) The students will write a blog entry in the form of a journal about how Earth is affected by the Sun and the Moon. This will include aspects such as seasons, tides, and how the rotation and revolution of Earth plays a part. If research is done students must include citations and sources.
 * •Glogster-** (50) On Glogster students will create a poster about the phases of the moon. Will include pictures of each of the phases and why the moon has phases. If research is done students must include sources.
 * •Sketchup-** (50) Students will model a solar or a lunar eclipse on Sketchup. Eclipse must be labeled and accurate. Students must also write a short paragraph on when the last solar or lunar eclipse happened and when the next is predicted to occur. Sources must be included and cited.
 * •Fakebook-** (50) Students will take on the role of a historical or modern astronomer and create a Fakebook where they will discuss with their fellow astronomers if the destruction of Earth is possible and if so how they believe it to happen. They must research their astronomer and successfully take on their opinion and beliefs of what the solar system and universe is like whether or not that information is not accurate today. Students will be respectful and professional on the Fakebook and no profanities will be tolerated. Sources must be cited and handed in.
 * •Googledoc-** (50) Students will participate in a discussion of several key questions about life on other planets on Googledocs. All opinions must be supported with facts and students must remain respectful of others opinions and beliefs. Sources found and used mys be cited and turned in.
 * •Prezi-** (50) Students will write a story about traveling to a star in our galaxy (excluding the Sun) or about traveling to another galaxy. They must include how long it would take to get to their destination. Facts about the stars and galaxies must be accurate but the author can be as creative with their traveling as they like. Sources used must be cited and handed in.
 * •Planet Presentation-** (100) (See Task Performance Above)
 * Participation-** (25)
 * Assignments-** (25)
 * Tests-** (100)

=Grading Scale= **A** (93 -100), **A-** (90 - 92), **B+** (87 - 89), **B** (83 - 86), **B-** (80 - 82), **C+**(77 - 79), **C** (73-76), **C-** (70 - 72), **D+**(67 - 69), **D** (63 - 66), **D-** (60 - 62), **F** (0 - 59).