Astronomy Class Bulletin Board

Rule Change

Just a simple Astronomy Notice: I am adjusting rules for your homework.

The Former Rules
- Copy and paste homework questions and point values
- Misspelled Technical terms (Planets, stars, etc.) will result in point loss
- Anonymity
- Answers aren't necessarily in the lessons, you can explore elsewhere as needed.
- No shorthand or slang writing. All text should be in English.
- No word count limits/no sentence requirements.
- No second chances upon submission of homework
- Plagiarism will not be tolerated.
- Send an owl with proof of grade if you didn't get points after grading (only if you're not a first year.)
- RPG sections of the homework require a wordcount, keep the rpg within the site limits.
- Write in Arabic numbers (46) instead of in a written format (forty six)

The New Rules
- Copy and Paste Homework Questions and Point Values. Failure to do so will result in no points regardless of the level of correctness.
- Anonymity, meaning your character name and house aren't revealed in the assignment at any point. This also corresponds with a unique format you may use for your homework- if we can recognize that it's your writing/homework, then it's breaking anonymity. The consequence of broken anonymity is a returned assignment for first year assignments and in later years a T grade maximum but if done in lieu of HW completion we reserve the right to pursue removing your ability to submit HW in the future.
- Answers aren't necessarily in the lessons, you can explore elsewhere as needed.
- All text should be in English, as we are an English-speaking site. Any and all homework will be submitted in English or will be returned to the sender and possibly reported to administration. This rule entails the following: no slang, no shorthand writing, nor other languages except English.
- All answers should be written in full sentences and contain a minimum of 15 words.
- You get the grade you are given unless it was a grading error. We will not allow anyone to submit a new submission to replace said grade.
- No plagiarism of anyone's work- whether from a website or from your own work in the past- or even anyone in general. Failure to abide will result in an automatic troll.
- Points are manually added to users who complete an assignment from a previous year. If you have gotten a grade but you have not gotten a house point for your completed homework, please owl me with a screenshot as proof of the grade you had gotten if no points were received or given after grading.

Why are there new rules?
I've noticed that there may come an occasion where a user gets confused by the rules but continues on with whatever they think may be right, when they might not be in the end. Additionally, the anonymity and plagiarism features have been expanded to explain what it might entail, as well as possible consequence for breaking that rule.

Why do we have a word count now?
While this is not 50 words, you are expected to give a bare minimum of 15 words, which can be used to give you at least a sentence per question. Yes, this will be actively checked, so ensure that you have at least 15 words or more per question.

Is there a new grading scale?
Well, in the near future, the grading scale might be changed slightly, but as of right now, it will remain the same. The point totals should add up to 20, and if there are extra credit, it would be additional points to your grade (in other words, I might suggest doing extra credit just in case you get a question wrong so you can possibly get a better grade.)

Released Lessons

Year 3, Lesson 5: Everyone Look To The West - Western Equatorial Stars
Year 4, Lesson 4: The Tides and The Moon- Effects of the tide and weather from the moon
Year 4, Lesson 5: Father Time - Leap Years, Calendars, and Keeping Time
Year 5, Lesson 4: Shooting Rocks and Gum - Comets, Asteroids, and Meteorites
Year 5, Lesson 5: History of Astronomy - History of Astro
Year 6, Lesson 3: An Apple For Your Thought - Gravity
Year 6, Lesson 4: The Space-Time Continuum - Spacetime & Its Implications
Year 6, Lesson 5: The Tempting Wind - Astronomy + Theology
NEWTs: Astronomy NEWTs - Split into 8 sections, but a total of 15 questions, points adding up to 65.

Compulsory Subject

Regarding this section, I am adjusting the classes so that only the first lesson of each year, as well as the exams (OWLs and NEWTs) are Compulsory. The second lesson, third lesson, fourth lesson, and the fifth lesson of each year will not be Compulsory, meaning that after you do the first lesson of your year, you will be able to choose any of the four other lessons of that year to do at random and out of order.

In my opinion, this is a way so anonymity is not revealed, as there are fewer people taking this class, and when they do each lesson in order, I know exactly who it is, and will have to pass it on to someone else to grade.

What does Compulsory mean? Compulsory means "required"- even when homework is not required out of character. What Compulsory does, is that it is a requirement for you to do the preq. lesson before you can do the next lesson. When a class is NOT Compulsory, it means that you can choose any of the lessons available in that class to do.

How this works in my class, is that the first lesson of each year will be Compulsory. The other four of that year will be NOT Compulsory. The only exceptions to each section- in the report card- is that the exams (OWLs, NEWTs) are going to be Compulsory. Do the first lesson, then you unlock access to the rest of the year's lessons.

By the way, just for notice- a compulsory lesson has a "!" in it's box. A not compulsory lesson has a "-" in it's box. A graded lesson would have any of the six grading letters in it's box.

Released Lessons

Year 7, Lesson 1: Back In My Day - Time for me to tell a story... "Back In My Day.." We had different theories that people would come up with. We talk about three of the most important theories to take place with the Creation of the Universe. You also get to learn the Expulso Curse, and cause powerful explosions.

Released Lesson

Originally was going to post this a few days ago when I released Y7L1, but decided I'd adjust the classwork a bit more.

So here is...

Year 7, Lesson 2- Into the Unknown. Learn about the Multiverse! Learn how to seal out muggles as well as how to prevent wizards from using portals and magical barriers.

Released Lesson

Year 7, Lesson 3 has been released! In Another World, learn about the possibility of there being life out in space, and some of the missions that go with it. Would anyone want to explain why there was organic compounds and salt water found on one of saturn's moons if there weren't a possibility that there were life out in space? Argue with a possible theory, or perhaps even agree with it. This lesson is made for your opinions, so have fun.

Released Lesson

Year 7, Lesson 4 has a new lesson out! Learn about space exploration as well as how we got as far as we did now in the space program. Additionally, as extra credit, you can make a lunch box note for five extra credit points. Just have some fun! Explore... Tomorrowland.

Released Lesson and Information

I'm a rocketman, rocketman, burning up his fuse out here alone. The final lesson has been created. Year 7, you have a complete astronomy set to work on upon graduation this year. Have fun, learn about moon phases, moon explorations, and the lunar/solar eclipses. (Year 7, Lesson 5: Rocketman) This doesn't mean my job is done though. I have more to do than just creating new lessons. Have fun. I think it's been a long long time since touchdown, dontcha think?

Information

I will be rewriting Year 1 and Year 2 lessons throughout this month. If you have a draft or are working on your assignments that are in those years, please finish them as soon as you possibly can.

Released Lesson

Year 1, Lesson 1 has been recreated. In.. A Part Of Your World, you will find an introduction to the Astronomy classroom and some tools, as well as two minor additional rules.