Stargazing with Star Chart

Students will:

• Be able to use the Star Chart app to map out constellations in the sky. 
• Be able to recognize constellations and name them 
• Be able to understand that some stars and/or groups of stars (e.g., constellations) can be seen in the sky all year, while others appear only at certain times of the year.

Vocabulary Words:

1. Constellation: A constellation is a group of stars visible within a particular region of the night sky that appears to form a pattern.
2. Axis of the Earth: The axis of the earth is an imaginary line around which the earth rotates. It passes through the north pole, the center of the earth and south pole.
3. Equator: An equator is an invisible line that divides a globe into two parts, north and south. 
4. Northern Hemisphere: The northern hemisphere Is the hemisphere that is to the north of the equator
5. Southern Hemisphere: The southern hemisphere is  the hemisphere to the south of the equator
6. Nova: A nova is a star that suddenly increases in brightness in just a few hours or days
7. White Dwarf: A white dwarf is a small dense star.
8. Parallax: A parallax is an apparent change in the position of a star due to the change in the Earth's position as the Earth moves around the sun.

To prepare for this lesson:

• Watch the star chart video tutorial. 

• Some helpful tips on the star chart can be found on this website. 

• Decide what devices (how many) to download Star Chart.  

• Decide if you want students in groups, partners or solo.

• Watch the Constellations for Kids video. 

• At this point, your students should have some knowledge of space 

Additional Resources

• Quizlet on constellations
• Constellation map/ stories printables

See Accommodations Page and Charts on the 21things4students.net site in the Teacher Resources. 

Directions for this activity:

1. Begin with this video tutorial. 

2. Have a conversation with your class.

   • What constellations did you see?

   • Are there some you did not see? Why?

3. Show the Constellations Video on why you see what you see in the sky

4. Discuss the video afterward. 

5. Students will then use the Star Chart Google Doc to map out what they see in the sky. (They will need to have their own copies. If the teacher uses Google Classroom the document can be pushed out to the students. )

Different options for assessing the students:

• Observations
• Check for understanding

• Students will turn in the worksheet with their findings.