Introduction

The Task

The Process

Evaluation

Conclusion

Teacher Page

INTRODUCTION  

When you look up into the night sky, what do you see?  You probably see many dots up in the sky, that you know as stars.  These stars form constellations.  Constellations were first named and placed many years ago, during the time of the ancient Greeks.  For this reason, constellations have strange sounding  names, and stories behind them.  These stories often are based on Greek Gods and Goddesses or other characters in Greek folk tales.  The characters in these stories were put in the sky sometimes as a reward, and sometimes as a punishment.  In this activity, you will be creating your own constellation, the story behind it and describing how it moves across the sky.   

Now that you know about constellations and where they came from, let's make one!  At the end of this activity, each student will have their own constellation, written a myth about their constellation, described how their constellation  moves through the sky and will bring their constellation to life with the help of their friends.  Be sure to take each section one step at a time and have fun creating your constellation!  

Go to these sites to see what existing constellations looks like:

Photos of Constellations

Orion, the Big Dipper and the Little Dipper

At this site, click on the names of the given constellations to see what they look like in the real night sky.

THE PROCESS  

Now that you know what constellations look like, and how their stories were written, it is time to make your own.  After each section check-in with your teacher.  This is your mission and some extra hints on how to do it!

  The Story Behind the Stars.

        Brainstorm some ideas about a story line.

1. Decide on a plot line.

2. Write a first draft of a story about you or someone you know, and an event, either happy or sad.  (Hint: This story should have a beginning middle and end.  Make sure there is an exciting part to the story, that makes people want to read it.  Think about the stories of constellations you have read.)

3. Decide when your constellation will appear in the sky; i t can be whatever season you choose.  Use these links to help in your research:

   The seasons for constellations On this page, click on the part of the sky you want to see

4. Write the first draft of your story.

5. Self-edit your story and then find a friend to read it too.  (Hint: Make sure you have words spelled correctly and use correct punctuation.)

        Write the final copy of your story on paper from the teacher.  (Hint: Use your best                  handwriting!) 

    Your Constellation is Born!

        Sketch the first draft of your constellation.   Use between 5-10 stars for making your           constellation.

1. When you are happy with your constellation, get a piece of black paper, 10 brads, and a piece o precut string from your teacher.

2. Draw in pencil where each star should be on the black paper.  

3. Push a brad through each star and then stick a silver or gold star sticker on top. 

4. Get the teacher to help you connect the stars.

5. 
   

Your constellation is done!

     Your Constellation Comes to Life!

        Pick a friend for each star in your constellation to make your constellation come to              life.

1. Each friend will be one star.  Put your friends in their place and give each one part of the string to hold.

2. Practice making the constellation one or two times so you will be ready to show the class.

        When your class goes to the gym, show the class your constellation using your friends         and read your story.

EVALUATION    

Evaluation of Story	Needs Work (0 point)	Good ( 5 points)	Very Good  (10 points)
Tells a full story	Has no beginning, middle, end or details	Has beginning, middle and end, but no details	Has a beginning, middle and end, has good details and describes characters
Grammar, Punctuation, Handwriting	Does not use any good grammar, uses no punctuation, cannot read writing	Uses some incorrect grammar, misses some periods, not so clear writing	Has good grammar, punctuation, and clear handwriting
Spelling	Many words are spelled wrong	No big words are used, and some high frequency words are spelled wrong	High frequency words are spelled correctly, and some larger words are used
Description of when Constellation is visible in the night sky	Does not include when or where it is seen in the sky	Includes when or where it is seen, but not both	Includes when it is seen in the sky and where it is seen
Editing	Does not complete self and peer editing		Completes self and peer editing

Evaluation of Constellation Drawing	Needs Work (0 point)	Good (5 points)	Very Good (10 points)
Number of Stars	Uses less than 5 or more than 10 stars		Uses 5 to 10 stars
Neat use of string	Puckers, snags and or rips in paper, string is not used neatly	No puckers or snags in paper, few rips or not neat string use	No puckers, snags or rips in the paper, string is used neatly
Creativity	Shape is not interesting to look at, and does not fit the story	Shape is not interesting to look at, but does fit the story	Shape is interesting to look at, and fits the story
Participation	Student has not made arrangements with friends and cannot put constellation together in gym	Student has made arrangements with peers but the constellation is not put together quickly and easily	Student has practiced with friends and is the constellation is put together quickly and easily

CONCLUSION  

Now you have made your own constellation!  Constellations tell us about myths from the time of the Ancient Greeks.  They tell stories about things that were important to people at that time, or taught lessons on how  we should act.  The story behind your constellation may tell about something that happened in your life, or something you made up on your own.  Feel free to share your constellation with your friends and family.  Be sure to watch the night sky to learn more about the constellations and become an expert at picking them out!  Here are some other sites to visit if you want to learn more about constellations:

To see what different constellations really look like, go here and click on the Constellations link!

This site can answer many of your space questions!

This site is fun to explore!

This one is fun to do, but do it on your own time.

This link is a fun one to explore.

This is another site to explore on your own time. This one is sponsored by NASA so it can answer many of your space questions!