Provide several books that include pictures and descriptions of constellations. Have each student in the class adopt a constellation. Allow class time for students to read about their constellation and conduct research on the Internet. Students should make a fact sheet including the constellation's nickname, history and the names of stars in the constellation. Ask each student to report to the rest of the class about the constellation he or she selected.
Give each student an empty black film canister. Students should make a miniature diagram of a constellation small enough to fit inside the lid of the canister. Have students cut out the diagram and center it inside the lid. Teachers should use a sharp tool to punch out the places for stars and a viewing hole at the other end of the canister. Students should label the canister with the names of their constellations. When students put the lids on and hold the canisters up to the light they will see their constellations.
Explain to students that a myth is a story that usually has a hero or heroine, explains a belief and has a moral at the end. Read some constellation myths to students. Discuss the highlights and morals in each one. Pass out black construction paper and silver star stickers to each student. Have the students make their own constellations with the star stickers, connecting the dots with white chalk or silver paint pens. Ask students to write constellation myths about their constellations. Students should describe their heroes and heroines, tell the story of how they came to be constellations, and provide a moral. Students can share their constellation myths with the class.
Have students use a pencil, ruler and graph paper and sketch a constellation introduced in class. Give each student black or blue foam board and instruct them to draw the constellation they sketched on the foam board. Have students cut stars out of white paper and decorate them with glue glitter. Students should glue stars onto the foam board drawing in the correct places. Have them connect the stars and label their constellations with the glitter glue.