Curated OER
Stars and Constellations
Ninth graders investigate how ancient cultures viewed their world in terms of astronomy. They read and discuss an informational handout, construct an astrolabe, and locate stars and constellations using star charts.
Curated OER
Map the Constellations
Learners build constellation guides from empty sotf drink cans. Using star charts, they use straight pins to mark the major stars in the constellations. After turning the charts over, they connect the dots. When they look through cans...
Curated OER
Perimeters: Which Constellation is the Longest?
High schoolers use diagrams of the constellation Orion and the constellation Ursa Major which show the distances between the stars of the constellations. They calculate the perimeters of each, find the average distance of the stars for...
Curated OER
Sky Observation Project
In this sky observation activity, students make observations of the night sky and use their planisphere and star charts to help identify what they observe. They make observations and record what they see for 10-15 minutes. They draw a...
Curated OER
Star Gazing: Understanding the night sky
Students observe star charts to understand the difference between a star and a planet. In this star lesson plan, students also explain why we see different stars at different times of the year.
Curated OER
Illustrate the Constellations
Students explore space science by participating in a star identification activity. In this astronomy lesson plan, students identify different star patterns and discuss the movement of stars across the sky as the seasons change. Students...
Curated OER
Illustrate the Constellations
Students research ancient Greek heroes immortalized in constellations. They choose three constellations in either the summer or winter sky to illustrate and reinforce their understanding of the northern constellations.
Curated OER
Following the Stars - Polynesian Navigation
Middle schoolers explore star lines and constellations that ancient Hawaiians used for navigation, and create star charts.
Curated OER
Exploring the Constellations, a WebQuest Activity
Students explore space science by participating in a class WebQuest. In this constellation identification instructional activity, students view star charts based on the four seasons and identify the changes our sky goes through in the...
Curated OER
Astronomy Merit Badge
Young scholars explore astronomy through the Starry Night Constellation Adventure software. They print star charts and identify constellations. They sketch the Big Dipper and describe the Milky Way. They list the five most visible...
K5 Learning
The Astronomy Project
A passage about an astronomy lesson may leave readers starstruck. Fifth graders read about a class's exploration into the makeup of the galaxy and its constellations before answering six questions about the terms and vocabulary words...
Starry Night Education
The Year and Seasons
Turn your classroom into a live demonstration of how the earth and sun interact to create the four seasons. Using a globe, a light source, and a series of constellation cards, super scientists discover how the motion of these...
Curated OER
Summer Sky Tour
Learners explore space science by participating in a constellation identification activity. In this astronomy lesson, students view star charts based on the different seasons and define a list of astronomy related terms. Learners...
Curated OER
A Star Party
Students explore the parts and function of a telescope. In this investigative lesson students gain an understanding of a telescope and identify planets and constellations.
Curated OER
Astronomy: A Star Party
Students explain the functions of a telescope. They name the parts of the telescope. After previously learning the planets and constellations, students identify and view them during a star party.
Curated OER
Star Chart
In this space science worksheet, students name the constellations for the location of stars and answer some related questions.
Curated OER
Mars: Off the Charts--Until You Put It There
Learners explore the night sky and make illustrations which are shared in class the next day. Distinctions are made between the stars and the planets and views of the constellations for the season are made available. The work of early...
Curated OER
Introduction to the Day and Night Sky
Students explore space science by participating in a sky observation activity. In this astronomy instructional activity, students define a list of astronomy vocabulary terms and examine star charts of the four seasons. Students gather...
Curated OER
Space Science: Constellations and the Sun
Students review the zodiac signs and illustrate their movement using constellations on the wall and themselves to represent earth. Individually or in groups, they stand in the center of the room while a shadeless lamp is placed between...
Curated OER
Heavens Above
Middle schoolers study the stars and their positions. In this astronomy lesson students see how scientists can predict the positions of the stars and can tell how they would have appeared in the past.
Curated OER
Stories in the Sky
Students discover the concept of combining constellations and tall tales. In this tall tale lesson, students compare constellations to tale tales. They create their own tall tale and constellation.
Curated OER
Designed to Scale
Seventh graders study ratios, scale and distances according to a three dimensional model. In this exploratory lesson students create their own constellation and prepare an oral presentation that describes their model.
Curated OER
Geometry in the Heavens
Ninth graders access a star worksheet and determine properties of polygons. In this investigative lesson students complete a worksheet and discuss myths.
Curated OER
The Wanderers: Planets of Our Solar System
In this planets worksheet, students read a detailed 3 page text about the planets in our solar system. Students then complete 21 true/false and multiple choice questions about planets.