Teach students star basics. Over 5,000 stars can be seen in the night sky without the aid of a telescope. Explain that their varying brightness comes from many factors including distance from Earth, size and temperature. Have students study the five major constellations always visible in the night sky, such as Ursa Major and Ursa Minor. Instruct them to draw the constellation with white chalk or paint marker on black paper. Have students clearly show which stars are brighter in the drawing and also include separate written details that explain which stars are brighter and why.
Teach students through direct teaching and student research that people long ago named the constellations as an aid in farming and navigation. Stars helped people understand seasonal changes and direction. Though some constellations remain constantly visible, some, such as Orion, change with the seasons. We see Orion best during the winter and it disappears completely during the summer. Have students investigate and research a constellation that can be seen only during certain months. Instruct students to create a visual and written product that illustrates why the constellation can be seen only during these months and explains when it can best be seen.
Many constellations have origins in Greek or Roman mythology. Have students research the origins of several constellation names. Discuss the characteristics of a myth, a story that attempts to explain something unexplainable with a details of heroic characters and deeds. Ask students to choose one constellation and imagine that they lived long ago. Have students write an original myth to explain the formation of the chosen constellation.
Have students create a mini field journal that contains constellation maps for the five constellations always visible on a clear night: Draco, Cassiopeia, Cepheus, Ursa Major and Ursa Minor. Instruct students to observe the night sky over the course of two weeks and make notes about each constellations. Have students note the ease with which they located the constellations, difficulties they had finding them and observations about individual star brightness and color.