How to Teach the Constellations
A constellation is a group of stars in the sky that form a picture or shape, with a little imagination. According to Western belief, there are 88 named constellations in the sky. Many of the constellations have a myth, explaining how it came to appear in the sky. The ancient Greeks used constellation myths to explain the constellations and to teach moral values. Different cultures see different things when looking at the same constellations, therefore Chinese, Japanese and Egyptian people have their own stories for the pictures in the night sky.
Things You'll Need
- Chart paper
- Horse constellation handout
- Dove constellation handout
- Transparencies
- Projector
- Constellation pictures
- Black paper
- Star Stickers
- Chalk
- Graph Paper
Instructions
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1
Find out what students already know about constellations by creating a word splash. Write all the words or phrases the kids can come up with about constellations on chart paper. Define any unknown words to students and discuss any ideas they find confusing. Good words to know include: constellation, astronomer, hemisphere, magnitude and myth.
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2
Divide the class in half. Give half of your students a picture of a constellation depicting a horse. Give the other half a picture of a constellation depicting a dove. Show the star pattern (unlabeled) to the class on a transparency, projected onto the wall or a screen. Have the class pick out which stars make what parts of the animal. As the class begins to disagree on what they are seeing, explain to them, that is how different cultures view constellations as well. Share different star patterns of named constellations with the class using the projector and have them figure out what they see. Share what pictures different cultures saw in each constellation.
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3
Choose three or four constellations to study in depth with your students. Share pictures of the constellations and read the myth that tells how the constellation appeared in the sky.Taurus, Hydra, Orion and Cancer all have interesting myths to share with children.
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4
Create your own constellations using black construction paper and silver star stickers. Have students place the stickers on the paper to form a picture, then trace the constellation with a piece of white chalk. Older students can make their constellations on graph paper and plot the points, for more of a challenge.
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5
Have students write a myth to go with their constellation. They can work in pairs or individually to make up and record their own myth. Students can share completed constellation pictures and stories with the class.
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Assess how the students are learning by having them compare their made up myths and constellations with the real constellations you studied together. Ask them to find similarities and differences between them.
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Tips & Warnings
Use graphic organizers to help students organize ideas for their myths into a story including a hero, an explanation of the constellation and the moral.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Ablestock.com/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
