Constellation Story Books for Third Grade
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.
On a first come first serve basis you are to sign up for one of the following
constellations
The Major
Constellations:
This is your Greek subject for the Greek fest
In addition you will complete the following.
You are going to research the science and mythology behind
the constellation
You are going to make a children’s’ book about this
constellation
You will submit handwritten notes by December 6
You will submit a hand written rough draft by December 8 for
approval
The final book will be due by December 15
Links
Constellations:
http://www.astro.wisc.edu/~dolan/constellations/
http://www.emufarm.org/~cmbell/myth/myth.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
http://www.comfychair.org/~cmbell/myth/myth.html
The Process
1
Select and sign up for a constellation
2. Select a story about the constellation from the stories
you read. include in your notes
3. Select the major ideas and themes in the story. include in your notes
4. Modify the story for a children's book. (Must be “G”
rated!)
5. Find or draw illustrations for the book(
at least 5) Include a picture of the
star diagram. You may not cut and
paste. If you trace your rough and final
draft must have a final page that cite web page or book the art work is from.
6. Find the two or three brightest stars in the
constellation and add their names to the book with a brief description
include in your notes
7. Find the two or three Messier objects in the constellation include
in your notes
8
Sketch out a rough draft, cite any and
all web pages or books you use
How to cite a source: book
Author(s). Title
of Book. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication.
web site
Author(s). Name
of Page. Date of Posting/Revision. Name of
institution/organization affiliated with the site. Date of Access
<electronic address>.
9. Compile the book, illustrate, and edit the book.
10. Get approval on rough draft
11 Design and decorate the book.
12 . Present the book to the third
grade 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. Pictures can be drawn by hand or traced however you must cite source if
traced.
4. Illustrations should be numerous.
5. “Cutting and pasting” is considered plagiarism this includes text and art work
6. Please edit and proof read. Must not
have spelling errors.
Grading- Mastery points:
1 Handwritten
notes submitted on time December 6 with required information-----------------10
2 Handwritten rough draft submitted
on time draft has sources cited—and required art work 10
3
Book must have a decorated cover with a
title-----------------------------------------------------10
4
Book must have a title page that cites title,
author, and sources that story is adapted from- 10
5
Books must be age appropriate and interesting
--------------------------------------------------- 10
6
Book must include the story of the constellation
from the mythology------------------------- 10
7
Books must have at least 5 colorful illustrations
inside- one of the star diagram--------------10
8
Book must have the Messier objects and brightest
stars------------------------------------------ 10
9
Editing, spelling, design, neatness,
creativity-------------------------------------------------------20
total of 100 points
Adapted from:
Scheinberg, D. October 2002. Constellations in Science
and Mythology
<http://chsweb.lr.k12.nj.us/dscheinberg/constellationwebquest/constellation%20webquest%202002.htm>