Science Lesson

Courtney June

5th Grade

Science - Constellations

Content Standard:

·         5-ESS1-2: Represent data in graphical displays to reveal patterns of daily changes in length and direction of shadow, day and night, and the seasonal appearance of some star in the night sky.

Content Objective:

·         Students will be able to define the term constellation.

·         Students will be able to identify different constellations by researching an assigned constellation and observing classmates' work.

·         Students will be able to identify when certain constellations are visible by standing in order of what month or season their constellation can been seen.

Music Standard:

• Listening to, analyzing, and describing music

Music Objective:

• Students will be able to define constellation because of the song we listened to at the beginning of the lesson.

Materials for Instruction:

·         The Constellations: Stars & Stories by Chris Sasaki

·         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7t3aXb3LpWg “The Star Song” by The Storybots

·         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sZ15SUeS9w “Constellations: Connect the Dots in the Sky!” by the SciShow Kids

·         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D94lSrpe7Qg music playing in background while students work – Albedo 3.0 album by Vangelis

·         Flashlight

·         Black construction paper

·         White crayons and color pencils

·         Laptops, books, tablets to research constellations

·         Worksheet to collect information

·         List of constellations (http://www.astro.wisc.edu/~dolan/constellations/constellation_list.html)

Rationale for Instruction: It is important to learn about the constellations because not only will they be able to identify constellations in the night sky, but they also represent stories from many different cultures. Constellations are also important because they serve as a celestial map. “The Star Song” at the beginning of the lesson give the students a better understanding of what stars and constellations are. The song is a fun way to inform students rather than lecturing on them.

Teaching Process:

Introductory Activity:

1. T: Alright class, today we are going to be learning about constellations. We are first going to watch these two videos.

2. Show the “Constellations: Connect the Dots in the Sky!” video.

3. T: Does anyone recognize these constellations they described? Alright, now we are going to listen to a little song about the stars.

4. Show “The Star Song”, ask students what the thought of the video. Collect details from what they learned from the song.

Body of Lesson:

1. T: Now that we have a grasp on what constellations are, we are going to make some ourselves! Please come to me and I will assign you two constellations. You will then do some research on your assigned constellation including what it looks like, why it is named what it is, where it is located in the sky, etc. You may use the technology in the room or

2. Students will research their constellations. While they are researching their constellations, the Vangelis’ Albedo 3.0 album will be playing in the background.

3. Students will collect one piece of black construction paper which they will divide down the middle. On this piece of paper they will draw will white colored pencil or crayon their constellation and its name.

4. After the students have completed their depiction of their constellation the teacher will ask the students to get in order of when the constellation can be seen. Student will stand in a line during the process.

Closing Activity:

1. All students will use their pencil to poke holes through their stars in their constellation. After this, the teacher will turn off the lights and while using a flashlight display the constellation on the wall.

2. Teacher will bring the students back together for a group discussion asking:

1. What is the definition of a constellation?
2. What is one interesting fact that you learned about your constellation today?
3. Can we see all of the constellations year round?
4. Were there any constellations that you can see year round?
5. What do you think causes constellations to not always be visible?

Assessments:

• Students will be assessed on their research of their two constellations by a checklist rubric. Also on this rubric is a checklist for their depiction of their two constellations on the provided black construction paper.
• The teacher will also assess whether the research was done correctly when the students are asked to line up according to when their constellation is visible.
• The goals of the assessments are to evaluate whether the students were able to research the constellation and correctly draw the constellation given and to correctly identify when the assigned constellation is visible.

 The Constellations

·        Andromeda ·        Antlia ·        Apus ·        Aquarius ·        Aquila ·        Ara ·        Aries ·        Auriga ·        Boötes ·        Caelum ·        Camelopardalis ·        Cancer ·        Canes Venatici ·        Canis Major ·        Canis Minor ·        Capricornus ·        Carina ·        Cassiopeia ·        Centaurus ·        Cepheus ·        Cetus ·        Chamaeleon ·        Circinus ·        Columba ·        Coma Berenices ·        Corona Austrina ·        Corona Borealis ·        Corvus ·        Crater ·        Crux ·        Cygnus ·        Delphinus ·        Dorado ·        Draco ·        Equuleus ·        Eridanus ·        Fornax ·        Gemini

·        Grus ·        Hercules ·        Horologium ·        Hydra ·        Hydrus ·        Indus ·        Lacerta ·        Leo ·        Leo Minor ·        Lepus ·        Libra ·        Lupus ·        Lynx ·        Lyra ·        Mensa ·        Microscopium ·        Monoceros ·        Musca ·        Norma ·        Octans ·        Ophiuchus ·        Orion ·        Pavo ·        Pegasus ·        Perseus ·        Phoenix ·        Pictor ·        Pisces ·        Piscis Austrinus ·        Puppis ·        Pyxis ·        Reticulum ·        Sagitta ·        Sagittarius ·        Scorpius ·        Sculptor ·        Scutum ·        Serpens

·         Sextans ·         Taurus ·         Telescopium ·         Triangulum ·         Triangulum Australe ·         Tucana ·         Ursa Major ·         Ursa Minor ·         Vela ·         Virgo ·         Volans ·          Vulpecula