Curated OER
Exploring the Night Sky: Summer
Students explain how moon phases occur. They describe and explain at least two common misconceptions that people have about the moon. Students explain what a star is. They explain 3 ways that the night sky has been used throughout history.
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Banner of Stars
Young scholars create a motivational star banner to inspire the writing of poetry. As a class they read poems, songs, and quotes about stars and night skies, view and discuss "Starry Night" by Vincent Van Gogh, then create a star banner...
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Introduction to the Day and Night Sky
Students explore space science by participating in a sky observation activity. In this astronomy activity, students define a list of astronomy vocabulary terms and examine star charts of the four seasons. Students gather with their...
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Summer Sky Tour
Young scholars explore space science by participating in a constellation identification activity. In this astronomy lesson, students view star charts based on the different seasons and define a list of astronomy related terms. Young...
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Size of Stars
Fifth graders draw constellations in the sky and use the brightness levels of stars to show how big they are. In this constellations lesson plan, 5th graders describe what they see in the night sky by discussing the star's distances.
National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science
Mask of the Black God
Finally, an astronomy lesson for the high schooler! Explorers are able to read star maps for finding objects in the night sky by determining celestial coordinates. In particular, they locate the Pleiades and read about a Navajo legend...
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Eight Stars in the Night Sky
First graders explore the day and night sky. They complete a number 8 page for their counting books.
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The Night Sky
Third graders develop questions they have about the solar system. After being read a book, they view and discuss different constellations in the sky. In groups, they are given a piece of butcher paper and glow in the dark crayons in...
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Our Sky Clock
Students explore space science by completing a worksheet in class. In this astronomy instructional activity, students discuss and identify star patterns in the night sky and relate these patterns to the approximate time they appear....
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Stars and Constellations
Ninth graders investigate how ancient cultures viewed their world in terms of astronomy. They read and discuss an informational handout, construct an astrolabe, and locate stars and constellations using star charts.
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My! What a Sky!
First graders read "Goodnight Moon" or "Day And Night" and discuss what they see in day and night skies. They read and sing lyrics to the "Day and Night" song. They identify objects in the sky as day or night objects. They illustrate day...
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Starry, Starry Night
Students, using construction paper, and an empty black film canster with no lid, create their own night sky full of stars that can be seen in the middle of the day.
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Let the North Star Tell You Where You Are
Students 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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Star Stories
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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Nine in the Sky
First graders explore the day and night sky and complete a page for the number 9 for their counting book.
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Multicultural Sun, Moon, and Star Activities
Students research the multicultural stories and artistic representations of the Sun, Moon, and stars. In this multicultural space lesson, students discuss the symbols and stories for the sun in various cultures. Students construct a...
Curated OER
Sky Quest
Learners identify constellations in the evening sky. In this Sky Quest lesson, students create their own star patterns using a star map worksheet. Learners explain how different celestial bodies in space are viewed through a telescope.
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Star Art
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...
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The Starry Night Time and Day Time
Second graders complete a unit of lessons on the solar system. They complete various art projects inspired by Van Gogh's 'Starry Night,' create a moon phases book, create a moon phase wind chime, develop a timeline of space exploration,...
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Observational Astronomy
Students research about the characteristics of celestial bodies using a database. In this space science lesson, students collect data such as brightness, apparent color and size by observing the night sky. They share their findings with...
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Sky 2: Shadows
Students explore space science by participating in a shadow experiment. In this sky observation lesson, students identify how the sun creates different sized shadows by moving across the horizon. Students utilize yard sticks, markers,...
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Gazing At Cosmic Pinballs
Learners explore the world of stars. They see that the color of a star tells how hot or cold it is, that stars come in different sizes. and that stars are moving through space. They draw lines connecting start to star.
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Map the Constellations
Students build constellation guides from empty sotf drink cans. Using star charts, they use straight pins to mark the major stars in the constellations. After turning the charts over, they connect the dots. When they look through cans...
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Star Patterns
Third graders create constellation maps and record their own legends of how constellations came into existence. After observing the sky at night, 3rd graders discuss star maps, read previously recorded legends on the origin of stars. ...