Children investigate what stars and constellations are, why the Sun appears larger and brighter than other stars, and how star patterns support navigation. Models, painting, dramatic play, projected constellations, and telescope-making turn observations of the night sky into hands-on inquiry.
What children learn
- Describe stars and recognise constellations such as Orion and the Big and Little Dippers.
- Understand that the Sun is the closest star to Earth and provides heat and light.
- Explore how distance affects the apparent brightness and size of stars.
- Explain how stars and constellations have helped sailors, explorers, and astronomers navigate.
- Recognise a telescope as a tool for viewing distant objects in space.
Key activities
- Discovering Stars and Constellations with visual aids and playdough-and-toothpick models
- Creating Watercolour Constellations with star stickers and connected patterns
- Comparing the Sun and other stars, then classifying stars as faint, medium, or bright
- Investigating constellation navigation with punched cards and flashlights
- Constructing a model telescope from paper tubes and cups
- Daylight Star Gazing through model telescopes and constellation cards
You’ll need
constellation pictures and cards, playdough, toothpicks, chart paper, crayons and markers, watercolours and brushes, star stickers and cut-outs, flashlights, paper tubes and cups, scissors, glue, telescope
Structure: 5 days; each day: Thought of the Day, Tuning-in Time, Warm-up, Social Studies/Science, Creative Learning, English, Maths