CONSTELLATIONS
By the end of this project, students should be able to Connect the dots to form constellations form stars. Students will be able to recognize a few constellations and realize that everyone views the world differently.
LESSON
Check their knowledge: the student the constellation sheet give the student a moment to study their handouts.
Ask the student what they see, Show them a horse or show them a dove. Tell them you see something different than they do. Then explain to them that it can be both.
Tell the students that they were like two ancient cultures seeing two different shapes in the same pattern of stars.
Give the students the grid handout or graph paper or create one. Tell them to think of a familiar object or person that would make a good constellation. Tell them to outline the object by drawing 6-10 stars on the grid or graph paper.
Students will follow up by writing a story or legend about their constellations
Additional task for a time filler!
Have the student go to SkyServer's Navigation tool, keeping their constellation outlines next to them. Show them how to use the tool, then let them look for their constellations.
http://skyserver.sdss.org/dr8/en/proj/teachers/kids/constellation/lesson.asp
MATERIALS
Link for Dove and Horse Constellations
https://skyserver.sdss.org/dr1/en/proj/kids/constellation/compare.asp