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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Space Science: Zodiac Track

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students create posters of the constellations using glow-in-the-dark glue and black paper. They hang their posters around the room starting with Aries and moving through all the signs. Students create a jingle or acronym to help them...
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Lesson Plan
Space Awareness

Navigation in the Ancient Mediterranean and Beyond

For Teachers 9th - 11th Standards
Ancient texts, like Homer's Odyssey, mentions navigating ships by observing constellations. Pupils learn about the link between history and astronomy as they relate to navigation in the Bronze Age. Scholars complete two hands-on...
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Lesson Plan
California Academy of Science

Kinesthetic Astronomy: Birthday Stars

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Space explorers take a virtual trip around the sun right within your classroom! They stand in a circle facing away from the "sun" (a lamp) in the center of the room. As they move according to your instructions, they view different...
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Activity
Astronomical Society of the Pacific

Toilet Paper Solar System

For Teachers 3rd - 6th Standards
Can we model how large the solar system really is? Attempt an astronomical feat with a hands-on-activity that uses a roll of toilet paper. Young scientists measure the distances of the planets from the sun to create a scale model of the...
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Unit Plan
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Core Knowledge Foundation

Astronomy Tell It Again!™ Read-Aloud Anthologys

For Teachers 1st Standards
A read-aloud anthology focuses on astronomy. Each week for three weeks, first graders are introduced to and listen to a text, answer comprehension questions, then complete extensions that include a learning activity and skills practice....
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Unit Plan
Core Knowledge Foundation

Astronomy—Our Solar System and Beyond Tell It Again!™ Read-Aloud Anthology

For Teachers 3rd Standards
A read-aloud anthology explores our solar system and beyond. Informational texts about astronomy invite pupils to discuss readings. Extension activities examine vocabulary, sayings, and phrases. Scholars work through the writing process...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Classifying Stars and Constellations

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine stars and constellations. In this space science instructional activity, students visit selected websites to discover information about the classification of stars. Students also practice identifying constellations.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Using a Starfinder

For Students 5th
In this starfinder worksheet, 5th graders construct a starfinder in order to determine which stars are in the night sky on a given date and time. Students use their starfinder to answer 9 questions about the stars and constellations,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dot to Dot: Patterns in the Night Sky

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders are introduced to several major constellations and locate them in the night sky. They graph the constellations on grid paper and work in groups to research common myths and stories associated with specific constellations.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reach for the Stars

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students investigate the Underground Railroad. In this slavery lesson, students read books about slavery, the Undeground Railroad, and how slaves escaped the south. Students develop knowledge about coded songs and constellations that...
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Unit Plan
Curated OER

Spinning into Space

For Teachers 1st
Students, through hands-on activities, teacher demonstrations, pictures, and informational books, complete a unit on the Earth and its place in the Universe. They make mobiles of the Milky Way and watch demonstrations of lunar and solar...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Three D Constellations

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Learners 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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Star Master Viewer

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students construct the viewing tubes by cutting along the designated line shown on the template, rolling the paper into a tube, and taping the tube securely. Next they cut out the cardstock circles - the StarCards cutting on the outside...
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Interactive
American Museum of Natural History

What is Astronomy?

For Students 6th - 12th
Go study the universe. Pupils learn seven aspects about astronomy and astronomers. They begin to learn about constellations; distance and motion between objects; gravity; the electromagnetic spectrum; dark matter and energy; and teams of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Mystery Constellation

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Learners decipher two teacher chosen mystery constellations a month. They listen to stories, explain what they know about constellations and name the mystery constellation.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mystery Constellations

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders predict constellations each month. In this astronomy lesson, 4th graders are presented with two constellations every month, and guess what they are as clues are given.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Space Science: Constellations and the Sun

For Teachers 4th - 8th
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Constellations

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Learners explore constellations. They read trade books about constellations and write notes including their locations, origins, and names. They research and report on one constellation in the Northern Hemisphere and share their report...
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Activity
American Museum of Natural History

Create a Compass

For Students 6th - 12th
Historically, humans have used many methods of finding due north. Using a hands-on activity, learners create their own compasses. They then test their compasses in their neighborhood or to assist with stargazing.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sky Pictures

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students investigate constellations. For this space science lesson, students view transparencies of constellations and identify the zodiac constellations. Students research the legends connected with the constellations.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Star Stories

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
Students study constellations and the stories that go with them. They identify at least 3 constellations in the night sky. Students recognize some of the myths surrounding the constellations. They create their own constellation and myth.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Star Frames

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders study constellations. In this space science lesson, 4th graders discover what makes stars, how bright stars are, and why constellations were created. Students make their own constellation using Saran Wrap and a frame.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

High in the Sky

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore the concept of constellations. In this constellations instructional activity, 6th graders research Internet and print sources regarding constellations, particularly those that are named for mythological creatures....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Star Art

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students study about stars, constellations, and myths that accompany them. Then they create their own constellation using black paper and toothpicks and write a myth about their constellation. Their constellation can be viewed on an...