Lesson Title: Stars
Subject Area / Course / Grade Level: Science 5th Grade
Lesson Length: 1 hr.
Materials: Access to www.learn360.com, Mobile Lab, Scientist Notebook, Speakers, Glow in the Dark Stars, Star Charts and Internet Access
Lesson Overview: TTW begin class with an, "Attention Getter.” TTW go over the objectives for the day. TLW watch a learn 360 video about stars. TLW use Sky Server to look at stars, and make up constellations. TLW make-up a story to go with their constellation that they made up. TLW answer two questions to evaluate what was learned in the lesson.
Tennessee Standards: Science – GLE 0507.TE.2 – Recognize the connection between a scientific advance and the development of a new tool or technology. 0507.6.3 – Identify methods and tools for identifying star patterns.
Lesson objective(s): TLW identify methods and tools for identifying star patterns. TLW recognize the connection between a scientific advance and the development of a new tool or technology. TLW define constellations and star chart.
Engagement: TLW look at the ceiling of the classroom. The teacher will turn out the lights. The ceiling will have glow in the dark stars on it. TLW be asked if he or she can find the constellation called the Big Dipper.
Exploration: TTW go to http://cas.sdss.org/dr7/en/tools/ to show students stars that haven’t really been studied that much. TTW explain how this site is for students to look for star patterns that they can discover that looks like a shape of something. Kids have named their new found constellations and a few have been saved on this site. TTW show the class the constellation found by a student that was named Rudolph. When you go to the web site follow the directions below:
1.  Click on Home.
2.  Click on for kids.
3.  Click on constellations.
4.  Click on Sky Server example.
5.  For other examples, click on Find Constellations.
Next, the students will go to this same web site and follow the below directions:
1.  Click on Visual Tools.
2.  Click on Navigate.
TLW type in the following to find the Rudolph constellation: ra= 219.75 and dec= 0.3
Next, the students will work in groups of 2 to look for patterns that they can make into a new constellation. Also, the students will name their constellation. When students find their constellations, they will click on one of the stars on the screen. This will give them the “ra” and “dec,” which they will write on their worksheet (see attachment). The students will sketch their constellation on the worksheet, also.
Explanation: TLW write in his/her Scientist Notebook a story to go along with the constellation they made up. TTW explain that constellations sometimes have storys that go along with them. For example, Orion the Hunter has a story. (Share Orion story. It can be found on the web site above.) After students write their stories, then they will share them along with their sketch. Also, they will share one of the “ra’s” and “dec’s” to see if students can find it on their lab tops. (TTW display it on his/her screen, also.)
Lastly, pass out a Star Chart to each student. Explain that people use these to locate a desired constellation in the night sky. Also, TTW teach the class that a telescope is a tool used to look at the night sky to see stars, etc. more closely.
Elaboration: TLW watch the Learn 360 video on www.lear360.com called Video Quiz: The Stars. (Make sure that it is the grades 3-5 video.) TLW have a worksheet with questions that go along with the video. TTW need to pause the video when it gets to these questions, so that the students can write down the answers.
Evaluation: To assess student knowledge of the stars the students will answer the following questions:
1.  A star chart is best to use to
A.  see stars up close.
B.  identify constellations.
C.  travel around the stars.
D.  predict how constellations move.
2.  A student looks for the Big Dipper constellation in the night sky. Which tool best helps the student identify this constellation?
A.  Star Chart
B.  Microscope
C.  Binoculars
D.  Globe