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Starry Starry Sky

Students will create a starry night sky scene while learning about constellations.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

Steps

  • Step 1

    The night sky provides a window into the vastness and beauty of the universe. Ask students to think about some of the celestial objects they might see, such as the moon, planets, stars, etc. Then ask them about some of the constellations they know, perhaps Ursa Major (the big dipper), Ursa Minor (the little dipper), Orion's belt, etc. Explain that these constellations were named by people who were gazing at stars and imagined images that could be formed by connecting lines. The earliest known example of this practice originated around the 3rd century BCE.

  • Step 2

    Display some images of constellations, first without and then with the defining lines drawn in. Ask students if they can see the image before the lines are drawn. Then have them create their own constellations. They can begin by creating the night sky background. Have them paint a piece of paper using shades of blue watercolors.

  • Step 3

    While the paint is drying, have students cut "stars" out of a yellow piece of construction paper. When the paint is dry, ask students to scatter their stars across their night sky. Do they seem to suggest a form or picture? If they like where they have landed, they can glue them into place. Then have them define the image by drawing connecting lines with a marker.

  • Step 4

    Ask students to title their art and present their constellation creations.

Standards

SCI: Design pictorial or graphic representations/models that are useful in communicating ideas.

Adaptations

Introduce Greek mythology by learning about the figures in stories that inspired constellations, such as Andromeda, Cassiopeia, Perseus, Orion, etc.

Encourage students to look at the night sky and try to find the constellations. Have them also think about "new" constellations by looking for images that could be formed.