5 class periods of 45 minutes each
Small Groups
Students will be able to understand the links between the constellations and the stories about their origins.
"Constellation Notes"
Microsoft PowerPoint
"Past and Present Meet":
answer sheet
"Star Finder Wheel":
copy master
"Adopt-a-Constellation":
teacher instructions
student worksheet
research materials (books, mythology anthologies, encyclopedias, etc.)
film canisters
nails or push pins
"Constellation Brochure":
Microsoft Publisher
rubric
No special training beyond standard Integrated Science Endorsement required.
Students require no previous astronomical knowledge.
Students will be able to:
-associate the constellations with the myths that explain their origins
-write a creative story that tells the origin of their own original constellation
-create a three-fold brochure using Microsoft Publisher
-create the tools necessary to locate a constellation in the night sky
Day 1: Whole group activity, PowerPoint notes
Days 2-5: Rotation through the following four stations:
1) Technology Station: Where Past and Present Meet" UEN Activity
2) Exploration Station 1: Make a Star Finder
3) Exploration Station 2: Adopt-a-Constellation
4) Text Station: Constellation Brochure
Students with special needs will be able to work in small groups with more competent peers.
A rubric will be used to assess students' performance on the Constellation Brochure.
Wentz, B. (2000). Sky challengers. Berkeley, CA: Regents of the University of California.
Arnett, B. (2004). The nine planets. retrieved Mar 30, 2004, from A Multimedia Tour of the Solar System Web site: hhtp://www.seds.org/nineplanets/nineplanets/nineplanets.html.
Trimpe, T. (n.d.). Astronomy lesson plans. retrieved Mar 30, 2004, from Adopt a Constellation Web site: hhtp://www.sciencespot.net/Pages/classastro.html.