Oct. 27 Stories in the Stars Astronomy
Have you ever wondered how the constellations got their names? In this interactive session, students will investigate the myths or stories behind specific constellations in the night sky. Students will work with their own cluster of stars to create a constellation and a story to go with it. Students will learn about current astronomical events, how to locate constellations in the night sky, and explore what they can find in the night sky right now.
Submit your star stories by tagging us on Facebook (@NC4hcamps) or submitting on Instagram with #NC4HStarStories. If submitted by 11 am on Friday, Oct. 30, we'll post our favorites to this site.
Required Materials: Print at least one of the following Connect the Dots star constellations. They will be used for an activity during the session. DO NOT connect the dots in advance.
Constellation A Constellation B Constellation C
Constellation D Constellation E Constellation F
Optional Materials: Download and print the Stories in the Stars Learning & Discussion Guide for students to use as they follow along; Parents/Guardians/Teachers can use the Stories in the Stars Answer Key to check the student's work.
Tech Requirements: Hosted on Zoom; Optional Download the 'Night Sky' or 'Star Chart' app for iPhone or the 'Sky View' app for Android
Recording: Stories in the Stars Zoom recording
Use this link to print a pdf of the vocabulary, learning concepts and standards alignment.
Key Vocabulary & Learning Concepts
Constellation Asterism Myth Full Moon
Blue Moon Meteor Meteor Shower Meteoroid
Radiant Point Asteroid Comet Planetary motion
Orbit Moon phases
This session aligns with the following NC teaching standards for grades 2 through 7
Second Grade
Science 2.E.1 Understand patterns of weather and factors that affect weather
Language Arts L.2.4 Determine and/or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 2 reading and content, choosing flexibly from an array of strategies: context clues, word parts, word relationships, and reference materials
Third Grade
Science 3.P.1 Understand motion and factors that affect motion
Science 3.E.1 Recognize the major components and patterns observed in the earth/moon/sun system
Social Studies 3.H.1.3 Exemplify the ideas that were significant in the development of local communities and regions
Social Studies 3.H.2.2 Explain how multiple perspectives are portrayed through historical narratives
Language Arts L.3.4 Determine and/or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 3 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies: context clues, word parts, word relationships, and reference materials
Language Arts L.3.6 Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate conversational, general academic, and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal spatial and temporal relationships
Fourth Grade
Science 4.E.1 Explain the causes of day and night and phases of the moon
Language Arts L4.4 Determine and/or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 4 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies: context clues, word parts, word relationships, and reference materials
Language Arts L.4.6 Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal precise actions, emotions, or states of being and that are basic to a particular topic
Fifth Grade
Science 5.E.1 Understand weather patterns and phenomena, making connections to the weather in a particular place and time
Sixth Grade
Science 6.E.1 Understand the earth/moon/sun system, and the properties, structures and predictable motions of celestial bodies in the Universe
Seventh Grade
Language Arts L.7.4 Determine and/or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 7 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies: context clues, word parts, word relationships, and reference materials
Language Arts L.7.6 Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; develop vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression