Constellations4th Grade

StandardsScience Standards

SC.4.E.5.1 Observe that the patterns of stars in the sky stay the same although they appear to shift across the sky nightly, and the different stars can be seen in different seasons.

SC.4.E.5.3 Recognize that Earth revolves around the Sun in a year and rotates on its axis in a 24-hour day.

SC.4.E.5.4 Relate that the rotation of Earth (day and night) and apparent movements of the Sun, Moon, and stars are connected.

Art Standards

VA.4.C.1.2 Describe observations and apply prior knowledge to interpret visual information and reflect on works of art.

VA.4.C.2.3 Develop and support ideas from various resources to create unique artworks.

VA.4.F.1.1 Combine art media with innovative ideas and techniques to create two- and/or three- dimensional works of art.

Materials

Flashlight

Computer or laptop

Black posterboard

Scissors

Pencils

Lesson

During this lesson students will learn how the rotation of the earth affects what stars we see at night throughout the year and where we see them in the sky.

Students will learn what constellations are.

Students will also learn how to be able to spot different constellations in the sky and be able to name them.

Google Sky

Astroviewer

ActivityStudents will be creating their own constellations.

Using pre cut out squares of black poster board they will poke holes in the squares to create different shapes.

When students are done the lights will be turned off in the class and they will take turns shining some flashlights through their papers and trying to guess what each others constellations are.

Assessment and Modifications

AssessmentWorksheet with various constellations on it the students would need to identify.

ModificationsIn the lesson models of the Moon, Earth, and Sun that actually spin could be used to further illustrate the point.

Videos

Resources

http://www.Cpalms.org

http://www.Google.sky

http://www.astroviewer.com