Lesson Plan

Name: Deanna Ostafichuk

Course/Class: Science 9
Unit: Space Exploration
Topic: Constellations
A. Intents/Objectives/Purpose (from Aoki's IDAE Model)

Date: 15-09-2016
Grade:9

Program of Studies (Pedagogic Purpose):

Identify different ideas about the nature of Earth and space, based on culture and science
Describe in general terms, the distribution of matter in star systems
Skills: Communication and Team Work, Analyzing and Interpreting (identify new questions and problems that arise
from what was learned)
Attitudes: Interest in Science, Mutual Respect, Collaboration
Specific Intentions:
Students will explore how different cultures use the same raw data (stars in the sky) in different ways to obtain
different results (constellations and their meaning), and respect those differences.
Scientific intention
Students will identify the differences between constellations and asterisms
Students will describe how constellations contribute to our understanding of life on Earth (eg. change of seasons).

C. Activities

B. Displays/Resources

1.

Whiteboards and Pens

2.

Introduction/Set/Advanced Organizers (5 minutes)

Review and check prior knowledge/misconceptions about the topic
Whiteboard activity questions: Why are some stars brighter than others? What is a
constellation? Name a constellation.
Misconception: The big dipper is a constellation. It is actually an asterism.
Clarifying/Creating-Understanding/Concept-Development (10 minutes)

Lecture.
What is a constellation? What is an asterism? How are they different?
Why make shapes from stars? For a long time, before GPS people used these landmarks
in the sky to find their way at night. The Blackfoot tribe in Alberta used the big dipper
to tell time, while others used it to point themselves north.
The shapes that people see in sky are used to tell stories, which are different in different
cultures. Specifically look at ones about the big dipper
Greek (The Myths of Ursa Major, The Great Bear, 2010)
Blackfoot
Micmac/Iroquois (The Myths of Ursa Major, The Great Bear, 2010)
Arabian (if going over time cut this story) (The Myths of Ursa Major, The Great
Bear, 2010)
Remind students: just because stars look close together in the night sky doesnt mean
that they are actually close together. Constellations are created from our view point and
do not reflect how far apart the different stars are in space.
3. Coached/Guide-Practice/Seatwork
5 minutes individual
One of 4 or 5 handouts showing a constellation without the connecting lines
5 minutes to decide what shape they believe the stars form and draw it on the page
10 minutes groups
discuss the shapes that they saw in the stars with other people with the same
handout and why they think thats the shape it makes.
After everyone has spoken/shown their picture, receive the official constellation
Discuss why that shape is the officially recognized one rather than one of the ones
that the students, or other cultures made. Is this one more valid than theirs?
ITP:
Using https://www.fourmilab.ch/yoursky/cities.html or a Star Chart app
Students look at a simulated view of the night sky in different seasons, and record
which asterisms/constellations they can see and when

Lecture
Large Whiteboard, Pens
Lecture Notes
Handout with notes for
students who have difficulty
listening to longer lectures or
are unable to make their own
notes

Handouts

Tablets/Computer
https://www.fourmilab.ch/your
sky/cities.html

Lesson Plan
4.

Closure/Summary
Small groups can share their conclusions from the discussion part
Summarize the importance of constellations/asterisms in difference societies

5. Solitary Practice/Homework
Look at the website from the ITP section and compare what they see on the map to what
they can see from their home. If there are difference, why is it different?

https://www.fourmilab.ch/your
sky/cities.html

D. Evaluation (of lesson)

References for Lecture
Dempsey, F. (2016). Aboriginal Canadian sky lore of the big dipper. Journal Of The Royal
Astronomical Society Of Canada, 102(2), 59-60.
The Myths of Ursa Major, The Great Bear. (2010). American Association of Variable Star Observers.
Retrieved 14 September 2016, from https://www.aavso.org/myths-uma
Ursa Major. (2003). 88constellations.com. Retrieved 14 September 2016, from
http://88constellations.com/ursa_major.html