Introduction to Astronomy

1. Introduction to Astronomy Reading the Skies

2. Reading is Dialectical Text Reader

3. Reading • Is Active • Activates prior knowledge to make meaning • Makes observations • Is a conversation between the author and the reader • Agree • Disagree • Question • Relate • Reflect

4. Rhetorical Triangle

5. Syllabus • Audience • Who does the professor envision as the audience? What assumptions are made? What can you tell about the professor’s teaching style?

6. Syllabus • Purpose • What is the purpose of the class? What assignments will develop this purpose? How will you be tested and demonstrate your abilities?

7. Syllabus • Context • What context for the course is the professor establishing with the syllabus? What will the situation of the class be?

8. How will you respond? • Audience? • Purpose? • Context? • What must you do as the audience? • What will your purpose be for the course? How will you meet the challenges of the assignments? • How will you respond in the established context if you are to succeed?

9. Reading the Skies—Visual Literacy • What do you already know about? • Sky Conditions • Telescopes • Moon phase • Planets • Vocabulary

10. Observing the Sky • Access overview sources so you can make good observations and take good notes. • Peruse the Astronomy website before your observations to add to your knowledge bank. Activate Prior-Knowledge http://www.skyandtelescope.com/howto/basics/How_to_Start_Right_in_Astronomy.html What don’t you know? Finding what you need to know~before you observe.

11. Taking Good Notes Generates a Credible Report • Create a template for taking notes using the handout requirements. • One Note has pre-made templates. • Consult the weather ahead of time. • Consider drawing visuals of what you see. • Take specific and detailed notes as described in the course handout. • Create headings to organize your data. • Major Headings (APA) • Purpose, Methods, Results, Conclusions • Subheadings (within Results section) • Time & Date of visit • Sky Conditions • Moon Phase • Planets • Objects seen through telescope Document all sources as shown in handout. Gathering Data Writing a Report

12. Astronomy News @ Rod Library • Google up - UNI Library • Click on Databases A-Z • Try either: General OneFile or LexisNexis

13. Reading Astronomy News • Note and record source information and use APA style as shown in course handout • Underline key ideas that will be important for a summary. Topic sentences of paragraphs are usually the first sentences of paragraphs and contain general summary-like statements. • Note your reactions and reflections in the margins. Use handout questions as a guide.

14. Writing A Summary • Shorter than the original • Include only the main points. (What you underlined) • 1-3 paragraphs in length • Your own words and structure. • Avoid quoting. • Borrowed words in quotation marks. (Quoting should only be used when absolutely necessary/ Ex. Technical terms) • Parenthetical at the end of each paragraph. Ex. (Smith, 2010). If quotes are included, include page number (Smith, 2010, p. 5).

15. Writing a Reflection • Synthesize with the summary. • Use the handout questions to organize your ideas, reflections, questions, reactions, and connections you noted while reading. • Integrate key passages, visuals and quotes for support and elaboration. • Document the passages, visuals, and quotes integrated. • Edit and proofread.

16. Putting it all Together into a Critical Written Review • APA documentation (per class handout) • Organize with sections/headings • Source • Summary • Reflection