Activity for learning about the constellations in the sky.
Senior Infants Level
Using the picture book The Squirrel that watched the Stars by Tom Kerss. This book could be used as a stimulus for the children to learn about constellations and the patterns stars make in the sky. After reading the book the children could create the Cygnus constellation and other star constellations using the star chart in the book or pictures of the night sky. The following activity could be used to create constellations with the kids. Afterwards they could create their own constellations using ‘Draw your own constellation’
Materials: Black construction paper, battery tea lights, pictures of constellations.
Activity: Show images of simple constellations like the Big Dipper or Orion. Children can recreate these constellations on black paper using chalk or battery tea lights. Using the picture of constellations the children lay out the battery tea lights in the formation of the constellation or use templates of the constellations such as Big Dipper or Orion and place the battery tea lights on them. Use a flashlight in a dark room to simulate a night sky and the switched on battery tea lights.