Stars And Constellations In The Night Sky

Introduction

   HELLO second grade students.  How are you doing today?  This is a great day for you to learn about stars and constellations.  Have you ever wondered about the size, brightness and patterns of stars?        If you have, then this webquest is especially for you.  We designed this webquest for you to be able to distinguish between the size, brightness, and patterns of stars.  Let's start the journey.  Climb aboard the spaceship to the stars.  Buckle up!  Let's go!  Wheeee!

Task

This activity will take two days to complete.  Enjoy the activity.  Here is what you do.  First find a partner or a friend to work with during the activity.  Now, think about the different stars and star patterns you have seen or would like to see in the night sky.

Your next task is to describe to your partner the different stars and star patterns that you have seen or would like to see in the night sky.  Now, allow your partner to discuss with you the different stars and star patterns they have seen or would like to see in the night sky.  Enjoy the discussion.  You have 10 minutes.

Your last set of tasks are 1.  to get the materials you need to help you draw the stars and star patterns you have seen or would like to see in the night sky. Your materials are science book, scissors, glue, black construction paper, and beans.  2.  Turn in your science book to the index and locate the topic, stars.  3.  Turn to the page about the definition of stars.  You and  your partner will write the definition of stars.    4.  Next, turn to the page about the brightness of stars.  Write two sentences in the science section of your math problem solving journal that you feel are important about the brightness of stars. 5.  Next, turn to the page about patterns of stars.  Write down any important words and definitions about patterns of stars.  Important words are highlighted in yellow.  6.  Write one sentence about patterns of stars.  Draw and cut and paste 3 pictures of constellations.  7.  You and your partner will create your own constellation by scattering dried beans onto a sheet of paper.  Look for the shapes made by the beans.  Draw the shape.  You made a constellation!  Now name your constellation.  8.  Draw a picture of you and your partner traveling through the stars.  Don't forget to work with your partner for understanding of the activity.  If you have any questions, raise your hand and the teacher or another student will assist you. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Process

Stars are huge spinning balls of very hot gases that give off light and heat. 

Some stars are smaller than the sun.  Some stars are larger than the sun.  All of the stars look like tiny points of light because they are so far away.  The brightness of a star depends on how much light they give off.  Also, a star's distance from earth makes it look brighter or dimmer. 

Constellations are groups of stars that form a pattern.  For example, the Big Dipper is a part of the constellation Ursa Major.   

Remember students, please click the websites below because they will help you answer the following questions.  Please remember to read and listen to the content.  Also, if you need help, please raise your hand for assistance.1.  Is the sun a star?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AKXpBeddu02.   What is a star?3.  What are constellations?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNDw1qD4jNMName some constellations For homework:  Draw a picture of you and your partner traveling through the stars in the night sky. Example below.Ask mom and dad to paste the website into the browser for you.

http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/k-4/playandlearn/dress-me-for-…

Evaluation

 

This is how we will evaluate you.

 

Evaluation Rubric   
    Good                             Very Good                             Excellent                          Score
  Creativity                            - If they weren't able to finish cutting and pasting  - Work is plain and passive.                       - If they were able to finish drawing, cutting and pasting. - Work is plain and passive.                       - If they were able to finish drawing, cutting and pasting. - Work is clean and creatively done.                          40%                    
  Originality                                      - If they weren't able to create their own constellation using dried beans.                      - If they partially created their own constellation using dried beans    - If they created their own constellation using dried beans              30%                   
  Resourcefulness                            - If they weren't able to draw  and identify at least 1 constellation                     - If they were able to find at least 2 constellations       - If they were able to find at least 3 constellations         20%                   
  Cleanliness                                    - If they weren't able to fix and put back the materials they used. - Materials are scattered around their work place.                       - If they were able to fix and put back the materials they used. - Materials are scattered around their work place.                       - If they were able to fix and put back the materials they used. - Work place is clean and orderly.                       10%                   
Total Score: 100%            
 
   

 

Conclusion

 

 

 

 

Excellent work!  Now that you have completed this webquest, I hope that you and your partner have enjoyed all the activities that you have done.

Credits
Teacher Page

This activity involves coloring, cutting, and pasting.  This activity will give the students an opportunity to interact with their classmates and learn how to be cooperative in a group, learn to be responsible for their work and keep their work places neat and orderly.

 

For the teachers, you may modify the activities in the WebQuest if your ideas will help make the activities more fun, exciting, and help the students grasp and understand the lesson.

 

This WebQuest helps students learn about stars and star patterns.

 

 

Science Standards

S2E1-Students will understand that stars have different sizes, brightness, and patterns.