Los Angeles Unified School District
Dr. John Deasy, Superintendent
Chatsworth Charter
High School
Dr. Timothy Guy, Principal
10027 LURLINE AVENUE, CHATSWORTH CA. 91311 TEL: (818) 678-3400
FAX: (818) 709-6952
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Astronomy Semester 1 Syllabus
Instructor: Mr. Vahan Minassian
Phone: 818-678-3400
Room #: H-52
E-mail: minassianscience@gmail.com
Welcome back to school. The first semester will include an introduction to the history of Astronomy and
the parts of our Solar System. The class is organized into blocks, approximately two weeks or five class meeting
each. The first semester has 9 blocks. Some blocks include holidays, Labor Day, Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving,
etc… as well as, pupil free days and shortened days. Students are encouraged to spend adequate time at home
reviewing material for mastery. The State Science Standards that are required for this class will structure the
instruction of each block. Students will have classwork and homework every day the class meets. Each block will
have 1 test, and 1 or 2 quizzes. A Packet of work will need to be turned in for each block on the day of the test.
There will also be other assignments collected during the block not in the packet. There will be three projects during
the semester (more on those later this semester) and a culminating final at the end of the semester. Block work
turned in at the end of the block must be signed by parent/guardian and student to receive credit. All items subject to
change with notice 9 blocks ~ 2 weeks each:
Unit 1 Discovering Astronomy
Block 1 Discovering the Night Sky
Block 2 Gravitation and the Waltz of the Planet
Block 3 Light and Telescopes
Block 4 The origin and nature of light
Unit 2 The Solar System
Block 5 Earth and the Moon
Block 6 The other Terrestrial Planets
Block 7 The Outer (Jovian / Gas) Planets
Block 8 Vagabonds of the Solar System
Block 9 Our Star, the Sun (Includes Semester Final)
Materials you are required to bring to class everyday
Spiral notebook (for laboratory assignments)
Scientific calculator
Notebook paper
Pens (blue, black, and red)
Colored pencils
Highlighters – pink, orange, blue, yellow, and green
Three-ring binder
Pencil and eraser
Covered textbook
Course Objectives
The student gives evidence of having achieved the objectives of ESS when he/she has the ability to:
 Ask meaningful questions, design, and conduct laboratory investigations.
 Accept the responsibility for the safe and careful handling of laboratory materials and equipment.
 Comprehend how astronomy and planetary exploration reveal the solar system’s structure, scale, and change
over time.
 Understand energy enters the Earth system primarily as solar radiation.
 Demonstrate through scientific evidence that plate tectonics operating over geologic time, has changed the
patterns of land, sea, and mountains on Earth’s surface.
 Show how each element on Earth moves among reservoirs, which exist in the solid earth, in oceans, in the
atmosphere, and within and among organisms as part of biogeochemical cycles.
 Appreciate that the geology of California underlies the state’s wealth of natural resources as well as its natural
hazards.
 Relate the heating of Earth’s surface and atmosphere by the Sun and convection within the atmosphere and
oceans, producing winds and ocean currents.
 Describe climate as the long-term average of a region’s weather and depends on many factors.


Understand that human life has changed Earth’s atmosphere, and changes in the atmosphere affect conditions
for life.
Differentiate between different scientific professions and how each relates to Earth systems.
Class Instruction
 The class is organized into blocks, approximately two weeks each. Some blocks include holidays, Labor Day,
Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving, as well as, pupil free days etc. Students are encouraged to spend adequate
time at home reviewing material for mastery.
 The Common Core State Standards, California State Science Standards and the National Research Council’s
Framework for K-12 Science Education, and the Next Generation Science Standards that are required for this
class will structure the instruction of each block. Students will have classwork and homework every day the
class meets. Each block will have 1 test, and 1 or 2 quizzes.

A Packet of work will need to be turned in for each block on the day of the test. There will also be other
assignments collected during the block not in the packet.
 A notebook single subject, must be kept for laboratories, this is the Lab-book
 A Portfolio will be kept throughout the semester-a portfolio includes, a Lab-book and a folder of all graded
work with a grade-sheet kept.
 Four projects will be assigned-projects include 2 portfolio checks, and 2 formal presentation projects
 Grades will be given based on the accumulation of points. Points will be divided appropriately. Overall
percentage of each category of grades:

Classwork
Homework
Test/Quiz
Projects
25%
20%
35%
20%
No extra credit but when you do excellent advanced work bonus points are granted. No unexcused absence late
work.
Attendance Policy
 Absences: Attendance is extremely important to your success in this course. Excessive absences are the main
reason for failure. All absences must be cleared through the Attendance office upon return. Not cleared
absences are recorded as truancies until cleared. There is no make-up work for truancies. This course includes a
laboratory component. Because of the limitations on equipment, most laboratory activities cannot be made up.
With a cleared absence for an assignment due date, you must turn it in the next time you return from class. Late
work will be lowered by 50% for 1 day late and 0% for 2 or more. Remember 0% is better than a blank score.
With a 0% you are still eligible for an E in cooperation. If absent for a test you will take it the class period
you’re in next. If you miss any assignments or you’re not sure ask. This is your responsibility.
 Tardiness: You must be IN YOUR SEAT when the bell rings. The CCHS Tardy Policy will be strictly
enforced
Grading Policy
Student grades are based on all required work this includes laboratory activities, classwork, homework, quizzes,
tests, projects. An accumulative point system will be used in determining your grade.



Grading scale: 100-90% = A
89 – 80% = B
79 – 65% = C
64 – 50% = D
Below 50% = Fail
Work Habits based on assignments turned on
100 – 90% = Excellent
89 – 75% = Satisfactory
Below 75% = Unsatisfactory
Cooperation Grade is based on attendance, tardiness, classroom behavior, and the HONOR CODE.
Appropriate =Excellent
Mostly appropriate=Satisfactory
Struggling to be appropriate = Unsatisfactory
Conduct
 Students must complete the Student Survey
The survey is to get a basic understanding of your Science history and understanding.
 Students must complete the Safety Contract
Activation of any emergency equipment (eye wash/extinguisher/fire blankets/etc.) without a REAL emergency
occurring is considered the same as pulling a false fire alarm. Immediate disciplinary action will be taken. All school
CODE OF CONDUCT rules will be enforced.
 Students must complete the Honor code survey
The students’ signature is required on all assignments turned in (including homework, tests, quizzes, labs, etc.) and
will signify your agreement to the HONOR CODE, which expects students to complete their own work without the
assistance of others or plagiarizing others. Plagiarizing is taking work that someone else did and passing it off as
your own. This means “copying” texts or references or another student’s work and claiming credit for it as your
own work. Copying homework will result in no credit for the assignment, forfeiture of any bonus points, and a U
for the grading period. Two such infractions will result in a possible U in cooperation on the semester grade.
Cheating on exams/quizzes receives no credit and a U in cooperation on the semester grade.
Students with certain needs must let me know so that appropriate modifications and accommodations can be made.
Each student is expected to:
 Demonstrate courtesy, even when others do not.
 Behave in a responsible manner, always exercising self-discipline.
 Attend all classes, regularly and on time.
 Prepare for each class; take appropriate materials and assignments to class.
 Meet State, District, Campus, and Classroom Standards
 Respect the rights and privileges of students, teachers, and other district staff and volunteers.
 Respects the property of students, teachers, and other district staff and volunteers.
 Cooperate with the school staff in maintaining safety learning environment.
 Adhere to the requirements of the Student Code of Conduct.
The following discipline management techniques may be used—alone or in combination
 Certificate of Completion or Award
 Verbal Praise (oral or written)
 Verbal Construction (oral or written)
 Cooling-off time or “time-out”
 Call Home (when student is good or bad)
 Seating changes within the classroom (when student is good or bad)
 Temporary confiscation of items that disrupt the educational process
 Behavioral contracts
 Parent/Guardian-teacher conference (when student is good or bad)
 Grade reductions for cheating, plagiarism
 Referral for intervention by Counselor
 Referral for intervention by Dean
--------------------------------------------------------------Cut-tear and return portion--------------------------------------------I understand all parts to the syllabus and will follow all District, School and Classroom policies.
Astronomy Semester 1 Syllabus
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