By observing natural cycles, farmers and mariners associated stars and planets with gods or mythological characters and therefore believed that they were responsible for certain events. Older students can study connections between various cultures such as South America, Asia, the Mediterranean and Egypt through how they utilized the zodiac. Students will learn how cultures are similar yet different in their beliefs.
Zodiac traits are said to determine qualities found in everyone. Promoting interaction, kids can share their personalities that fit their sign as well as those of family and friends. In addition, the adjectives learned to describe these personality traits allow students to increase vocabulary. Students can also track their daily horoscopes for fun.
Identifying and drawing the 12 constellations, students can create star maps. Then, they can track each constellation’s movement throughout the year. Preschool age children may enjoy designing their own constellations with chalk or star-shaped stickers on dark construction paper. Older kids can poke holes through the paper to form a specific constellation. As light shines through the holes, a constellation is projected onto the wall.
The Chinese zodiac is fodder for kids' art projects via folklore. Buddha summoned all animals to him and the order in which each one arrived determined the order of the zodiac. Students can create hand puppets, masks and other art related to each of the Chinese zodiac animals. Older children can make costumes and put on a Chinese zodiac parade for other classes in school.