Grade 5 TG Science Q4 Lesson 9
Grade 5 TG Science Q4 Lesson 9
Grade 5 TG Science Q4 Lesson 9
Duration: 5 days
I. Objective:
1. Identify star patterns that can be seen at particular times of the year.
2. Connect dots to form star patterns
3. Appreciate star patterns
II. A. Materials:
star stickers, silver wire, pictures, bond paper, boxes, video clip, pencil
B. References:
S5FE – IVi-1
Internet, Science
Exploring Science 6
Science & Health 6
Wikipedia.org.
C. Process Skills:
D. Values Integration:
* Cooperation
Day 1:
A. Engagement:
1. Show pictures of stars at night.
2. Sharing of ideas about the pictures.
B. Exploration:
1. “Connecting Dots” refer to LM Activity 1.
C. Explanation:
1. Reporting of pupils answers to their activities.
D. Elaboration:
History of Constellations
More than half of modern day constellations are based on the writings of Ptolemy.
For as long as mankind has walked the Earth it is likely we have always recognized patterns
formed by stars in the night sky. Some European cave paintings that date back over 10,000
years bare the marks of star formations that are familiar to us even to this day. The earliest
official records of constellations were made more than 3,000 years ago by the Babylonians,
an ancient civilization based in what is now modern day Iraq. The twelve signs of the zodiac
are based on their observations and those of their predecessors.
In the 4th century BC these zodiacal constellations and others recorded by the Babylonians
were introduced into ancient Greek culture by the astronomer Eudoxus of Cnidus. Some five
hundred years later the Greco-Roman scientist Claudius Ptolemy listed 48 constellations in
his book Almagest, these constellations and the names he gave them exist to this day and
are the basis for all the 88 official constellations listed by the International Astronomical
Union.
To find constellations you’ll need a star chart, these give you a snapshot of what the night
sky will look like at any one time and at any one location. The star chart above shows you
how the night sky will look above most of the United States at 8 pm in late January. These
maps may seem rather baffling and confusing at first but they’re actually very simple to use.
To simplify matters the chart above only shows constellations but normally they will also
indicate prominent stars, galaxies, nebulae and planets.
The first thing you may notice is that east and west seem to be the wrong way round, but if
you imagine holding the chart above your head, which is how they are designed to be used,
it becomes apparent this is not the case. The outer edge of the chart indicates the horizon,
so the further the stars are from the edge the higher they will be in the sky.
The center of the chart shows the stars and constellations that will be directly overhead, so
the map above shows you that the constellations of Auriga, Taurus and Perseus will be
directly above you at that time.
To find your bearings it is helpful to find Polaris, the star which always points north. First find
the famous Big Dipper, which is part of the constellation Ursa Major and visible all year in the
Northern hemisphere, draw an imaginary line through the outer two stars of the Big Dipper’s
bowl and you will come to Polaris, which is the brightest star in the constellation of Ursa
Minor. In the Southern hemisphere it is helpful to find the Southern Cross, which always
points south, this is done by drawing a line through the bright stars Alpha and Beta Centauri.
Once you have found your bearings you can start searching out constellations and the
objects they contain. Using the chart above if you look south you’ll notice the constellation of
Orion, perhaps the most recognizable constellation of them all. As well as the Orion nebula
the constellation also contains the bright supergiant stars Betelgeuse and Rigel. Overhead
and to the west you’ll find the Andromeda constellation which contains the Andromeda
Galaxy, the most distant object that can be viewed with the naked eye. There are many other
fascinating objects to look out for and a star chart will be essential in guiding you around the
night sky.
Stars do not stay fixed in the night sky, as the Earth rotates they change position, as a result
the night sky will look different at midnight from what it did several hours before or after. Most
constellations are also seasonal, meaning that ones that are visible in winter may not be
visible in summer and vice-versa, so sky charts usually come in seasonal versions.
Constellations may also be drawn slightly differently on each chart and it’s also worth noting
that there are separate charts for the Northern and Southern hemispheres.
Day 2:
B. Exploration:
C. Explanation:
1. Recognition of patterns formed.
Day 3:
B. Exploration:
1. Do a star gazer puzzle.
2. Do LM Activity No. 3
C. Explanation:
1. The pupils discuss their output.
D.Elaboration:
1. Appreciation of learners output andgive additional information about the results of their
activities.
Day 4:
B. Exploration:
1. Giving standards in watching video.
2. Watching a video presentation on constellation.
C. Explanation:
1. Answering guide questions given by the teacher.
D.Elaboration:
1. Discussion of further information about constellation.
The official definition is an area of the sky with defined boundaries, all stars and any other
objects within that boundary are considered part of the constellation.
There are 88 official constellations which are recognized by the International Astronomical
Union.
Some constellations are only visible in the northern hemisphere, while others are only visible
in the southern hemisphere.
Constellations that are visible in both hemispheres may appear upside down in the southern
hemisphere.
A few constellations can be viewed all year long but most are seasonal and can only be
viewed at certain times of the year.
Asterisms are groups of stars that form patterns but are actually part of one or multiple
constellations, the Big Dipper is the most famous example of an asterism.
The sun is the only known star in our galaxy which is not part of a constellation.
Day 5: