Middle School Earth and Space Science: Introduction to Space

This course is designed for small communities of learners and is a hybrid of individualized tutoring and traditional instruction covering middle school science content. Each section has no more than six learners which provide a foundation for strong relationships, social-emotional learning, and truly individualized instruction during this critical developmental period. These classes are specifically designed for the inclusion of neurodivergent learners including dyslexia-friendly font, explicit executive functioning skills instruction, and support for AAC users.
This series is designed according to the Next Generation Science Standards organized by subject area. In year one, students cover the earth science settings including astronomy. This curriculum is designed to allow students to develop skills to help them in traditional academic settings including high school or colleges such as note-taking and self-led learning. The class meets two days a week and homework reading and activities are completed on two additional weekdays. Students will complete a science notebook using graphic organizers and  traditional note-taking strategies.
In this unit, students will learn more about space beginning from gaining an understanding of our sun and solar system and expanding outwards to include exoplanets, galaxies, the expanding universe, and dark matter using lectures, online simulations, and scientific articles. 
Week 1: This week we will focus on an understanding of the features, processes, and characteristics of our sun and solar system as a whole. Students will learn the interior and surface features of the sun. We will also discussion gravity, orbits, and the ways we divide the solar system. 
Week 2: We will discuss the inner planets, Mercury, Venus, and Mars as well as Earth's moon. We will also begin discussing the outer planets by learning about Jupiter and Saturn. 
Week 3: We will learn about Uranus and Neptune. We will also discuss other things in our solar system such as exoplanets, dwarf planets, comets, meteors, and asteroids. 
Week 4: We will focus on stars. We will discuss how we classify stars, how we study stars, different types and powers of stars, and the life cycle of stars. We will also learn about constellations. 
Week 5: Students will complete and share a student-led project on space. We will also discuss black holes, the galaxy and the universe including dark matter.