KINDERGARTEN ASTRONOMY

Activity 1
Constellations

Standards:
12.F.1a Identify and describe characteristics of the sun, Earth and moon as familiar objects in the solar system.
26.B.1d Visual Arts: Demonstrate knowledge and skills to create visual works of art using manipulation, eye-hand coordination, building and imagination.


After showing various star patterns and introducing their names, students can complete dot-to-dot worksheets to reinforce the lesson.

Art Activity: Have students make their own constellations. On black construction paper, have students draw out the dots that will form a constellation of their choice. Have the students then go back and glue grains of rain on those dots. These are their own constallations!

Supplies: Black construction paper, rice



Activity 2
Mapping the Sun

Standards: 12.F.1a Identify and describe characteristics of the sun, Earth and moon as familiar objects in the solar system.

After discussing that moves to different positions throughout the day, take the class outside to build a sundial. Using natural materials (such as rocks), construct a sundial early one morning. Note the lighting at that time, the shadows, where the light hits the sun dial, and where the sun appears to be in the sky. Bring a compass outside to determine from which direction the sun is rising. Record all of the class's observations. Later in the day (2hrs or so), return to that spot and observe how the lighting has changed. Record this information as well. A few hours later, repeat this observation.
Post: use information to form a graph


Materials: science journal, rocks, compass