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. Messier objects are
such objects seen in or near some constellations. These classified objects are galaxies, clusters of stars, and
nebulae. For example, M1 is the
Crab Nebula.
The Task_______________________Your constellation
You are going to research
the science and mythology behind the constellation
You are going to make a
children’s’ book about this constellation
The book will be due in
class, on time, no extensions
Links
Constellations:
(You may use the links on the Constellation Web Quest on the Cherokee Media
Center Web Page) Look under Web Quests.
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.ne.jp/asahi/stellar/scenes/data_e/const88.htm
http://www.astro.uiuc.edu/~kaler/sow/const.html
2.
Select a story about the constellation from the stories you read.
3.
Select the major ideas and themes in the story.
4.
Modify the story for a children's book. (Must be “G” rated!)
5.
Find or draw illustrations for the book( at least 5)
6.
Find the two or three brightest stars in the constellation and add their names
to the book with a brief description
7.
Find the two or three Messier objects in the constellation
8.
Compile the book, illustrate, and edit the book.
9.
Design and decorate the book.
10.
Present the book to the class
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.
“Cutting and pasting” is considered plagiarism
6.
Please edit and proof read. Must not have spelling errors.
1.
Book must have a decorated cover with a title-------------------------
10
2.
Books must be age appropriate and interesting ---------------------
10
3.
Book must include the story of the constellation from the mythology
10
4.
Books must have at least 5 illustrations inside-----------------------
10
5.
Book must have the Messier objects and brightest stars-------------
10
6.
Editing, spelling, design, creativity----------------
10
Total Possible
60points
Mrs. D. Scheinberg
October 2002