In this ongoing class, we will meet once a week and learn about a new dwarf planet each class. Learners will explore our solar system and the dwarf planets inside our solar system. Each lesson will incorporate the program Nearpod (please see below about Nearpod). Students will explore the planet scheduled for that day and learn fun facts about the planet, and whether it can support life or not. Each student will have the opportunity to ask questions and interact with each other to learn about our vast solar system and the dwarf planets it includes. Each lesson will have an activity in the lesson, as well as a fun worksheet or coloring sheet for the week's lesson. Each lesson is scheduled for 25 minutes but may be longer depending on the amount of students and questions. Please remember, questions are welcomed and enjoyed! Below is the schedule for each day of this ongoing course. 

Fall Schedule: 

Tuesdays
9/10 - Ceres
9/17 - Pluto
9/24 - Eris
10/1 - Haumea
10/8 MakeMake


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NEARPOD
Nearpod is a free program that I like to implement in the class. Each night before class, I will post the link and code to our next class lesson. Nearpod is great program to help students participate in class and practice what they have learned through games and interaction. I also have a great resource uploaded in the class for parents to read to help set up Nearpod for the first time. If you have any questions about Nearpod, please feel free to message me and I will be more than happy to help set up this program. 

***Most parents like to have Nearpod set up on their tablets or phones, while the child is logged into zoom via a laptop or computer. 

CLASS EXPECTATIONS/MUTING
I do my best to encourage participation from learners enrolled in my classes. I prefer to leave learners unmuted, but I understand that there are instances where learners need to be muted due to background noise that cannot be prevented. Parents, please feel free to mute your learners at your discretion. 

As the teacher, there are also instances where I will need to utilize the mute function. If there is background noise that may be distracting to other learners enrolled in the class. I will advise the student that they are being muted to limit the background noise. 

At the beginning of each class, I will also advise the learners of my expectations. Students are required to raise their hand and wait for their name to be called before speaking. To be respectful of all learners and to give everyone a chance to participate, it is important for students to abide by these rules. I will use visual and verbal cues in an effort to remind young learners of these expectations. 

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SIBLINGS
If you have more than one learner enrolled in the class, each learner that wants to participate must be enrolled to be fair to other students participating. Enrolled siblings are always welcome to share a screen during class 

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REFUNDS & TRANSFERS
Per Outschool’s limited refund policy: “Full refund within 24 hours of purchase or up to a week in advance of the class.”

***Please ensure the time is AM or PM when signing up. I teach mornings and afternoons to suit most time zones and, unfortunately, I am not able to refill a spot last minute if it is realized that the time of day was mistaken or the class was missed. This is a non-refundable policy. 

For one-time classes
If within the week, you realize you won’t be able to make class, please submit a transfer request from the classroom at least 24 hours in advance. This ensures another student who would like to take the class has enough time to see the opening and enroll. 
If contacted after class, I cannot refund or transfer. I do understand personal/family emergencies come up and will do my best to support you if I am contacted before class. If your learner is withdrawn on your end within the non-refundable period, I am unable to transfer you. It is best to contact me first for your options. 

Please test Zoom before class. I like to be fully present with students as soon as we begin class, and do not access my conversations or classroom comments on Outschool after the class has already started 

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RECORDINGS:
Recordings are not automatically shown in the classroom. I like to create a safe, open space for students to be themselves and want them to be as interactive as possible. If you would like to access to the class recording or have missed class, feel free to message me so I can make it available to you. Teachers don’t get notifications if recordings are requested from the classroom tab, so messaging me is best. 

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CLASS CANCELLATIONS
If a class has not met the minimum number of enrollments, it is subject to being canceled. I will send a message asking if you’d like a transfer to another date & time or full refund if the class is canceled. Automatic refunds are issued for no responses after original class start time.