Curated OER
Big Dipper Story Wheel
Students research a Canadian Indian Tale. In this constellation lesson plan, students hear the story "Never-Ending Bear Hunt" which describes the constellations from the Native American perspective. They create their own constellation...
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Let the North Star Tell You Where You Are
Students participate in activities in which they find the Big Dipper and locate the North Star in the night sky, examine the relationship between the angle to Polaris and latitude, and determine latitude by using an astrolabe.
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Finding the Pole Star
Students study the constellations fo the Big Dipper and Cassiopeia and their use in finding the Pole Star. They realize that other celestial objects--Sun, Moon and planets--share the rotation (and hence rise and set), even though their...
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Astronomy Merit Badge
Students 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 planets and...
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It's Still Polaris
Students observe the changing night sky over the course of an evening and chart the circumpolar stars as they traverse the sky in a progression around Polaris. They infer and discuss the cause of the changing star positions.
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Our Sky Clock
Young scholars explore space science by completing a worksheet in class. In this astronomy lesson plan, students discuss and identify star patterns in the night sky and relate these patterns to the approximate time they appear. Young...
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Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
Students identify patterns in the stars. In this constellation lesson, students simulate constellations using black canisters and patterns. Students discuss the points on the constellations and how to draw imaginary lines to see the...
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Mapping Constellations
Students become familiar with constellations. In this space science lesson, the teacher introduces constellations by showing students the star patterns and reading myths. Students, observe the stars nightly, then choose one constellation...
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Quiz: Name the Constellation
In this science worksheet, 3rd graders focus on the stars and constellations. Students respond to nine questions using written clues and visual aids.
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Constellation Mapping
Students plot constellations on a grid map. They discuss the various ways early explorers planned their travels. Students identify and recognize major constellations. They color their maps and take them home to try to find various...
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Let the North Star Tell You Where You Are
Learners create an astrolabe and locate the North Star in the night sky. They determine the latitude of the North Star, and calculate an average latitude based on class results.
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Stars
In this stars learning exercise, students review characteristics of stars and different constellations. This learning exercise has 14 vocabulary words placed in a crossword puzzle.
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The Celestial Sphere
Pupils are introduced to the celestial sphere, describing its apparent rotation and the special role of the pole star.