Constellations

                    

Objectives:

The students will be introduced to the origin of the stars they see at night.

They will learn that there are groups of stars called constellations.

The children will listen to a story read by the teacher and then will be given the opportunity to create their own constellation.

Materials:

Story: How the Stars Came to Be or a similar story about constellations, such as Find the Constellations by H. A. Rey.

Film Canister Constellations

Cut a constellation pattern on the film canister lid and replace.

Poke a hole on the bottom of the film canister.

Hold it up to the light and look through to see constellations

Black Construction Paper

Sticker Stars

White Crayons

Computer

Activities:

Ask: What do you know about stars? and discuss their answers.

Read the story "How the Stars Came to Be" to the students.

Discuss story and have students ask questions about the stars.

Introduce famous constellations (Orion, Pegasus, Big Dipper, Little Dipper)

Use film canister constellations so students can see what they look like.

Have students go on the Internet to Constellations and The Constellations

They will then take 10 star stickers and arrange them on black construction paper.

They will connect the stars using a white crayon to create their very own constellation.

The students will then name their constellations and share the story of how the constellation got its name with the class.

Evaluation:

The children will be evaluated on the creation of their constellations using a Constellation Checklist.

 

Extensions: Constellation Facts

  • Students will pick an interesting fact about a constellation. Each student should have a different fact
  • Type the fact
  • Change the font, font size and color
  • Add space and constellation clip art or graphics 
  • Resize pictures if necessary
  • Students should site their references
  • Print

More Extensions:

  • Have students visit Kids Connect- Stars to print out pictures of constellations and connect the dots and color.
  • Have students visit Constellations to play a picture match game with some constellations.

Homework:

Have students go outside and look up at the night sky for a seasonal constellation. (ex:  Fall - The Big Dipper). Student will draw a picture of the constellation and the time it was seen. Bring to school and log onto Kids Connect- Stars - determine the name of the constellation.

Field Trip:

Plan a trip to your local planetarium.