Constellations in Science and Mythology

By Mrs. Debbie Scheinberg

Cherokee High School

Marlton, New Jersey

Introduction | The Task | Resources | The Process | Learning Advice | Conclusion| Grading

Introduction

For thousands of years humans have taken an interest in the patterns that the stars in the sky make.  There are 88 constellations; every star that we see is part of one of them.  The constellations are represented by stories out of Greek, Roman, Arabic, Chinese, and other mythologies. Constellations are landmarks toward which astronomers train their telescope to see deep space objects, such as galaxies, nebulae and clusters.  

The Task

1.Each group of four students will produce one illustrated book that would be appropriate for third to fifth grade students to read and enjoy.

2. Each student will be assigned a constellation from a season.

Student #1 -winter constellation        Student #2-summer constellation        

Student #3- spring constellation        Student #4- autumn constellation

3. The book must include the story in the mythology behind the constellation, information about the two brightest stars in the constellation, and Messier objects found in the constellation.

Resources

Constellations:

http://www.astro.wisc.edu/~dolan/constellations/

http://www.emufarm.org/~cmbell/myth/myth.html

http://einstein.stcloudstate.edu/Dome/constellns/constlist.html

http://www.astro.wisc.edu/~dolan/constellations/

http://www.dibonsmith.com/stars.htm

http://www.windows.ucar.edu/

http://www.ne.jp/asahi/stellar/scenes/data_e/const88.htm

http://www.astro.uiuc.edu/~kaler/sow/const.html

The Process

1. Find the constellation on the web pages provided.

2. Select a story about the constellation.

3. Select the major ideas and themes in the story.

4. Modify the story for a children's book.

5. Find or draw illustrations for the book.

6. Find the two or three brightest stars in the constellation and add their names to the book.

7. Find the two or three Messier objects in the constellation

8. Compile the book and edit the book as a team.

9. Design and decorate the book as a team

10. Present the book to the class

Learning Advice

1. Some stories will need to be modified to be appropriate for children.

2. Some constellations do not have Messier objects.

3. Some pictures can be obtained from the web or drawn by hand.

4. Illustrations should be numerous.

5. Cooperation will lead to a good product.

6. Please edit and proof read.  Must not have spelling errors.

Grading- Mastery points:

1. Book must cover a constellation from each season--------------------10

2. Book must have a decorated cover with a title-------------------------10

3. Books must be age appropriate -------------------------------------------5

4. Book must include the story of the constellations from the mythology-10

5. Books must have at least 5 illustrations inside-----------------------10

6. Book must have the Messier objects and brightest stars-------------10

7. Editing, spelling, cooperation of the group members------------------5

Conclusion-Congratulations on a remarkable book about the constellations.

This page written by D. Scheinberg
Last updated:9/30/2002

This page was adapted from Bernie Dodge 's WebQuest_Template1.html by Tom March