Chapter 5 Lesson 4 "Groups of Stars"

Materials:

• Worksheet, Groups of Stars Terms Review
• Scratch paper for writing a description

Objective:

• Students will explain what a constellation is.
• Students will identify some constellations.
• Students will explain what a galaxy is.
• Students will identify the galaxy that includes our solar system.

Anticipatory Set:* Students will be given a picture of stars. Students will then try to find a figure if the connect the dots from star to star. Students will be given 5 minutes to write a short paragraph about their imaginary figure in the sky. One student from each site will read their short paragraph about the group of stars.

Teacher Input:* Ancient people did the same thing as we just did. When they looked at the night sky they would imagine shapes of people, animals, and objects. They then related them to stories they had heard. What is the name for a group of these stars? Does anyone know how many constellations the Ancient Greeks divided the sky into? (44)Greek Constellations. Today scientists use even more, (88) Modern Constellations. why would scientist who don't believe in the ancient greek gods still use constellations? Look at the picture on Page 121, Do you recognize any of these? There is another place for you to go in the book to find constellations. Does anyone know where? P368-369

(show north star) (show time lapse photo)There is one very important star in the sky because it does not appear to move if you are in the northern hemisphere. Does anyone know why? (AxisTowardPolaris1, PolarisAxis1)What is the easiest way to find the north star?(Finding north Star 1, Finding North Star2)

(show Galaxy) Constellations may have stars that are very far apart as we learned before. However, the universe has lots of groups of stars close to one another. What is the name of a group of stars like this? (Galaxy) In fact this galaxy was first noted by a crew on the first ship to sail around the world. Who was the captain and what is the name of this star group? There are three types of Galaxies: Elliptical, spiral, and irregular. Irregular 2, Describe each.

(MilkyWaySunsPath)Our star is also traveling in space with a group of billions of other stars in our own Galaxy. Here is a picture of it: Milky way galaxy. MilkyWay2, MilkyWay3. What type of galaxy is it? Does anyone know its name? We can not see the spiral shape from our solar system. How does the Milky way look to us? (Milky way at night) Most stars you see without a telescope belong to the Milky Way.

Your book talks about light pollution. What is light pollution? Here is a picture to describe it. Light pollution1, Light pollution2, Light pollution3.

Guided Practice:* Students will complete the questions on Page 124. Each site will get one question.

Independent Practice:* Students will get the Groups of Stars: Terms Review worksheet.

Check for Understanding:* Students will take the quiz: 05-04 "Groups of Stars"

Duration:

30 minutes + 10-15 for Independent Practice (Could be longer if taken for homework).

Alaska Content Standards Addressed in this lesson:

• SCI A-3 Students will understand models describing the composition, age, and size of our universe, galaxy, and solar system and understand that the universe is constantly moving and changing (Universe);

• SCI A-15 Students will use science to understand and describe the local environment (Local Knowledge);