Activity set: using online resources and tools
Trigger – How to catch a star by Oliver Jeffers and the rhyme “Twinkle, twinkle little star”
Discussion about when they can see stars, where they can see stars, do they know the name of any stars. Introduce the word ‘constellation’ – this is a group of stars. Use the photo of the day from The Astronomy picture of the day to prompt questions and discussion.
Using Stellarium or Stellarium- web.org, we could look at the stars above where we live. I think it would be best used by the teacher on the IW board. For infants I would show them The Plough and then how to find the North Star (Polaris) from The Plough.
Small group activities:
Use i-pads to explore the app/ webpage further
Draw The Plough and The North Star on black paper – they could add other constellations too.
Using pegboards – creative their own constellations and name them.