Native American Constellations
OBJECTIVES:
1.
To
give students a better understanding of the origins of Native American
mythological stories.
2.
Students
will create an original story about a constellation.
3.
To
give students a better understanding of constellations.
RELATION TO MISSOURI FRAMEWORKS:
Sc6: Knowledge of composition and structure of the
universe and the motions of the objects within it.
Sc8: Knowledge of the impact of science, technology, and
human activity on resources and the environment.
SS6: Knowledge of the relationships of the individual and
groups to institutions and cultural traditions.
SS7: Knowledge of the use of tools of social science
inquiry (such as surveys, statistics, maps, and documents)
CA1: Knowledge of and proficiency in speaking and writing
standard English (including grammar, usage, punctuation, spelling, and
capitalization)
CA4: Knowledge and proficiency in writing formally (such
as reports, narratives, and essays)
CA7: Knowledge and proficiency in identifying and
evaluating relationships between language and culture.
G1.5 Ability to comprehend and evaluate written, visual,
and oral presentations and works.
G2.5 Ability to perform or produce works in the fine and
practical arts
CONTEXT:
Grade Level 3-6
Group of 15-25 for Star Lab presentation
PREREQUISITE:
Students should have some knowledge of constellations and myths from
other cultures.
MATERIALS:
Star Lab Portable Planetarium
Native American Mythology Cylinder
Arrow pointers
Red flashlights for reading
Script from the Star Lab Resource Book
PROCEDURE:
1.
Go
over the rules for Star Lab.
2.
After
the students are seated explain that today we will examine some of the stories
and myths of Native Americans who lived here long ago.
3.
Set
projector at October 15 at 9:00 p.m.
4.
Turn
down the lights. Begin the Full
Dark story.
5.
Slowly
begin to bring up the Native American Cylinder.
6.
Be
sure Black God is directly to the East.
7.
Turn
down the lights.
8.
Begin
reading the script.
9.
Turn
on the daily motion. Use the pointer to point out the constellations.
10.
When
the story is finished, check for understanding. Ask for various volunteers to point out various
constellations and tell what they remember.
11.
Increase
the side lamps and turn down the projector lamp.
12.
Review
the importance of constellations to Indian cultures.
13.
Quietly
leave the Star Lab.
14.
Hand
each student a copy of the mystery constellation worksheet.
Instruct them to connect the stars to create an original picture of a
constellation. Name it and write an
original myth to go with it.
REFERENCE:
Star Tales North American Indian Stories About the Stars by
Gretchen Will Mayo; 1987; Walker Publishing Company, Inc.
Earth Science Activities for the Elementary Classroom (KSAM); by Ernest
L. Kern, Curriculum Associates, Inc. 1997
Planetarium Activities for Student Success, Astronomy of
the Americas; Volume 11,1992, by The Regents of the
University of California
http://www.ac.wwu.edu/%7Eskywise/legends.html
http://msgc.engin.umich.edu/cgi-bin/tour_map.cg…/mythology&br=graphic&edu=elem&cd=fals
EXTENSIONS AND/OR ADAPTATIONS:
1.
Using
power point, intruct each student to draw their constellation using the tool bar
on a slide. When all students have
finished their slides print the show and place them in books along with their
stories.
2.
Compare
and contrast Native American and Greek mythological stories.
3.
Draw
original constellations on black construction paper and outline them with
marshmallows.
4.
Use
empty filmstrip canisters and poke holes in the shape of their constellation.
CONTENT BACKGROUND:
A constellation is a group of stars that form a picture of an animal,
human, or object in the sky. Many
ancient peoples from all over the world named the constellations in the sky.
People told different legends about the characters and objects they saw
in the sky. These legends help us
to better understand their cultures.
APPENDIX: KSAM Earth Science, page
142