Diane LeFevers

December 12, 2015

Title: Stars and Constellations
Subjects: ELA and Science
Grade Level- 2nd
Duration: 2.5 hours (three 45 minute segments)
Type of Lesson: Metaphorical Expression

Standards and Elements:

W. 2.3-Write narratives in which students recount a short sequence of events,
include details to describe actions, thoughts, and feelings.

W. 2.7- Participate in shared research and writing projects.

SL. 2.1- Participate in collaborative conversations with partners about grade
2 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and large groups.
S2E1-Students will understand that stars have different sizes, brightness,
and patterns.
Essential Questions: What is a star? What is a constellation? How can
groups of stars form patterns in the sky?
TAG STANDARDS:
--Gifted students will develop and practice higher order and critical thinking
skills in an area of study.
--Gifted students will develop advanced communication skills that
incorporate new techniques, materials, and formats in the development of
products and ideas that will be shared with real audiences.
--Gifted students will develop advanced research skills and engage in
independent learning.

Lesson:
Day 1-Research-Stars and Constellations
Hook: STAR LAB by Elachee Nature Center
After the visit to the Star lab, have each child write about his/her experience
in a journal. Entries should include: an action they did, something the
presenter said about stars, something new learned about constellations,
their favorite constellation and facts about that constellation.
Students use the available resource materials to continue to learn about
constellations and stars.
Differentiation: Students are allowed to work alone, with a partner, or in
small groups as they do their research.

Day 2 Direct Analogies and Personal Analogies

Hook: Display objectskey, dinosaur, white blanket
Whole group-introduce / discuss direct analogies
The classroom was a zoo.
eyes were ice.

Her home was a prison.

Bobs

His bedroom was a disaster area.

Think/Pair/Sharework with a partner to think of analogies for the three
objectskey, dinosaur, and the white blanket.
Work with partners and discuss-- ____________ was an oven.
was a night owl.

__________

The peaceful lake was ______________.

Jake was a ___________ at dinner.
Introduce Personal AnalogiesImagine you are a flowerdiscuss with your
partnerWhat kind of flower would you be? What would you look like? How
would you feel when there hadnt been any rain for a week? Etc.

Day 3Assign TaskPersonal Analogy

Review personal analogies. Tell students that they are to create a story, act
out and/or create a piece of artwork to demonstrate their personal analogy
comparing themselves with a star or constellation.
Evaluation: Teacher observation. Students will present their constellation
artwork and/or stories to the group. Teacher will question students as they
present Why did you make your constellation a _____________? What does it
feel like to be a ___________?

Resources/Materials
Science text leveled readers: Sky Patterns and Patterns in the Sky
Zoo in the Sky Jacqueline Mitton
The Big Dipper Franklyn Branley
Watching the Stars Edana Eckart
Find the Constellations H. A. Rey
I-Pad app-- Exploring the Solar System-constellations
I-Pad app- Star Walk (constellations)