Curated OER
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.
Curated OER
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...
CK-12 Foundation
Basic Geometric Definitions: Collinear Constellations
The stars are aligned for a great interactive resource. The interactive contains a graphic of Ursa Major. Given a movable ray, pupils check to see if the three stars that make the handle are collinear. They investigate the constellation...
American Museum of Natural History
Planetary Mysteries
A website all about planetary mysteries—it's a one-stop-shop for all things, stars, planets, and space travel. Scholars read an astronomy overview to discover the page's big ideas, then choose from the plethora of resources, including...
Curated OER
Constellations
In this constellations learning exercise, students read about the different constellations and how to locate them in the night sky. Then students complete 4 multiple choice and 7 short answer questions.
PBS
Reading Adventure Pack: Stars
A Reading Adventure Pack explores the night sky. Reading Her Seven Brothers by Paul Goble and Find the Constellations by H.A. Rey begin the learning experience. Scholars craft a night sky mobile, go stargazing, and write a mythical story...
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
Mars Curriculum
Middle schoolers study Mars and other plants in the night sky. In a planetarium setting using Digitarium planetarium system, students identify the Big Dipper and Polaris. They explore the major differences between the planets and the...
Curated OER
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...
Curated OER
Tanabata: The Japanese "Wish Upon a Star"Festival
High schoolers research the legend of Tanabata in order to explain some of the astronomical findings in the night sky. The Japanese tell the story in order to explain the origin of celestial bodies.
Curated OER
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.
Curated OER
Underground Railroad- People Get Ready...There's a Train a Comin'
Students learn about the Underground Railroad. In this Civil War and slavery instructional activity, students discuss how successful slaves would be moving around at night, learn the secret vocabulary used for escape routes and review...
Curated OER
Follow the Drinking Gourd
In this literature learning exercise, 3rd graders refer to the book entitled Follow the Drinking Gourd. Students respond to 15 short answer reading comprehension questions.
Curated OER
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...
Curated OER
Magpies across the milky way
Learners make origami birds after studying about Asian legends and culture. In this Asian legends lesson plan, students also learn about Asian art, constellations, and the Milky Way Galaxy.
Curated OER
The Dragonslayers Ch. 13 & 14
In this worksheet, 4th graders answer 14 comprehension questions from chapters 13 & 14 of the book, The Dragonslayers. An answer key is provided.
Curated OER
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.
Curated OER
Three D Constellations
Students are introduced to both celestial coordinates and to the first rung on the distance determination ladder. They convert spherical coordinates to Cartesian coordinates to construct a three dimensional model of a constellation...
Curated OER
Diverse Voices - African American Ventures
Students research African American history and the Underground Railroad. In this African American history lesson, students discuss the Drinking Gourd. Students read 'If You Traveled the Underground Railroad' and discuss. Students work in...
Curated OER
Follow the Drinking Gourd: Poem Activity
In this poem worksheet, students read a selection, "Follow the Drinking Gourd," then read about the background of the selection and complete a related crossword puzzle.
Curated OER
Glow in the Dark Stars and Planets
Young scholars view a "night sky" made from glow in the dark stars. They discuss stars, planets, the sun, and constellations.