Constellations
Third Grade Science
Do you REALLY know what a constellation is?
Constellations are made up of many stars in the sky. However, we do not see the
lines that form them. In third grade, you will learn some features about these
phenominal clusters called constellations.
GPS Standard: Recognize the physical attributes of stars in the night sky,
such as number, size, color, and pattern.
While browsing my page, try to answer the question above.
I hope you enjoy this page. You should be able to identify constellations
in the sky by the time you get done viewing it.
Table of Contents
1. Helpful Websites
2. Activity One
3. Activity Two
4. Activity Three
5. Helpful Software
6. Table of Links
7. Special Thanks
Some helpful websites for kids:
www.dustbunny.comFind out about the history of constellations at this terrific website.
kidsastronomy.comMake your own constellations here!
kidsastronomy.com/constellation:Play a cool constellation game here!
www.astro.wisc.eduView some constellation background information and history.
dibonsmith.comClick on a name of a constellation to learn about it.
Activities
Title: Toothpaste Constellations
Description: Students will make constellations using toothpaste.
PLO: Students will understand that constellations are made up of stars.
Materials: black construction paper
paper
pencil
toothpaste
computer with Internet connection
Dustbunny.com
Procedures
Answer these questions.
1) What are some of the names of the major constellations found in our universe?
` 2) When is the BEST time to view the Big Dipper from our area?
Have students choose a constellation and draw it.
Apply toothpaste to the points where the major stars are that form the constellation.
Product: Students will be able to identify the major stars within a constellation.
Activity Two:
Title: Name your Constellation
Description: Students will form their own constellation.
PLO: Students will understand that constellations are just stars with imaginary lines between them.
Materials: Computer with Internet connection
worksheet page from this website proteacher.com
black construction paper
white colored pencils
kidsastronomy.com/constellation
Procedures: View the above website and try to identify the major constellations.
Answer these questions.
1) Why can't you see the lines between the stars?
2) Are the lines really in the sky?
Print out the worksheet
Connect the stars to make your own constellation and name it.
Product: Students will be able to look for constellations in the night sky and identify some major ones.
Activity Three:
Title: Star Spill
Description: Student will try to quickly make the constellation using manipulatives.
PLO: Students will become familiar with the constellations in the night sky.
Materials: Computer with Internet connection
Star spill cards starspillcards.html
Oyster crackers or M&M's
Paper cups
This worksheet constellation worksheet
Stop watch
http://www.constellations.html
Procedures: Visit the website above
Answer these questions
1) Are constellations real?
2) Where did they originate from?
Pass out star spill cards
Divide the students into pairs for playing.
Start the timer
Select a card from the deck
Spill the "stars"
Arrange the crackers to match your constellation card
When finishes, stop the clock and record the time on this worksheet thursdaysclassroom
Title: Starry Night Constellation Adventure
Published by: Starry Night
Explore the night sky from your own backyard. Search the constellations for star clusters and galaxies with your personal planetarium. Includes 30 guided tours of the universe to spark your imagination.
This software might cost too much for a young child to play with on the computer. The games on the Internet would suffice.
Title: Encyclopedia of Space and the Universe
Published by: Eyewitness
Students can tour the universe through rich text, beautiful illustrations (many that animate), 3D models, interactive Sky Dome, activities and quizzes. In the Sky Dome, young astronomers can view the night sky at any point on the globe and any time in history. Students may think this will be a boring program to run because of the word, "encyclopedia" in it. With little enthusiasm from a student, learning will more than likely not occur.
Title: Space Traveler
Published by: FogWare
Spoken text is combined with amazing pictures to help students understand the concepts taught. By listening to the tour guide, a student can learn about the other objects in space other than constellations. This software program, however is seven full CD's long of information and activities. I would fear losing one of them.
Title: Microsoft Paint
Published by: Microsoft
Children can create their own constellation on this free software. By using the different media types, a picture of the galaxy can be constructed. This is a useful tool in a classroom if an extra center is needed while others are at the craft center, etc. The only problem is when students deviate from the original activity and create an unrelated picture.
Title: Microsoft Excell
Published by: Microsoft
Students can create a spreadsheet with this program to record the names of constellations and the names of the stars found in them. Excell is a little difficult to use. Students with computer knowledge may be able to function with this program, however most will not.
Description: Students will make constellations using toothpaste.
PLO: Students will understand that constellations are made up of stars.
Materials: black construction paper
paper
pencil
toothpaste
computer with Internet connection
Dustbunny.com
Procedures
Answer these questions.
1) What are some of the names of the major constellations found in our universe?
` 2) When is the BEST time to view the Big Dipper from our area?
Have students choose a constellation and draw it.
Apply toothpaste to the points where the major stars are that form the constellation.
Product: Students will be able to identify the major stars within a constellation.
Activity Two:
Title: Name your Constellation
Description: Students will form their own constellation.
PLO: Students will understand that constellations are just stars with imaginary lines between them.
Materials: Computer with Internet connection
worksheet page from this website proteacher.com
black construction paper
white colored pencils
kidsastronomy.com/constellation
Procedures: View the above website and try to identify the major constellations.
Answer these questions.
1) Why can't you see the lines between the stars?
2) Are the lines really in the sky?
Print out the worksheet
Connect the stars to make your own constellation and name it.
Product: Students will be able to look for constellations in the night sky and identify some major ones.
Activity Three:
Title: Star Spill
Description: Student will try to quickly make the constellation using manipulatives.
PLO: Students will become familiar with the constellations in the night sky.
Materials: Computer with Internet connection
Star spill cards starspillcards.html
Oyster crackers or M&M's
Paper cups
This worksheet constellation worksheet
Stop watch
http://www.constellations.html
Procedures: Visit the website above
Answer these questions
1) Are constellations real?
2) Where did they originate from?
Pass out star spill cards
Divide the students into pairs for playing.
Start the timer
Select a card from the deck
Spill the "stars"
Arrange the crackers to match your constellation card
When finishes, stop the clock and record the time on this worksheet thursdaysclassroom
Product: This game is a motivational means of familiarizing students with constellations that are common to the fall sky. The record keeping also promotes an understanding of organizing data.
Title: Starry Night Constellation Adventure
Published by: Starry Night
Explore the night sky from your own backyard. Search the constellations for star clusters and galaxies with your personal planetarium. Includes 30 guided tours of the universe to spark your imagination.
This software might cost too much for a young child to play with on the computer. The games on the Internet would suffice.
Title: Encyclopedia of Space and the Universe
Published by: Eyewitness
Students can tour the universe through rich text, beautiful illustrations (many that animate), 3D models, interactive Sky Dome, activities and quizzes. In the Sky Dome, young astronomers can view the night sky at any point on the globe and any time in history. Students may think this will be a boring program to run because of the word, "encyclopedia" in it. With little enthusiasm from a student, learning will more than likely not occur.
Title: Space Traveler
Published by: FogWare
Spoken text is combined with amazing pictures to help students understand the concepts taught. By listening to the tour guide, a student can learn about the other objects in space other than constellations. This software program, however is seven full CD's long of information and activities. I would fear losing one of them.
Title: Microsoft Paint
Published by: Microsoft
Children can create their own constellation on this free software. By using the different media types, a picture of the galaxy can be constructed. This is a useful tool in a classroom if an extra center is needed while others are at the craft center, etc. The only problem is when students deviate from the original activity and create an unrelated picture.
Title: Microsoft Excell
Published by: Microsoft
Students can create a spreadsheet with this program to record the names of constellations and the names of the stars found in them. Excell is a little difficult to use. Students with computer knowledge may be able to function with this program, however most will not.
| My
Hub
Page |
Resources
for Parents and Their Students |
| Global
Diversity Page Exploring the World through Literature |
Topic Page |
|
|
 |