K-6 Activities - Dudley Observatory

K–6 Activities • B–54 •
Elementary Grades 4-6 Objectives
Objectives — Grade 4
The student should be able to:
1. Identify the cardinal directions and locate the North Star in the planetarium.
2. Describe the general east to west movement of the sun, stars, and moon.
3. Observe and describe the apparent motion of the Big Dipper in relation to the
North Star over a period of several hours.
4. Observe and discuss the concept that stars continually shine but may not be seen
by the naked eye due to other stronger light sources.
5. Observe and describe the movement of constellations.
6. Demonstrate that constellations are merely imaginary star groupings that are not
connected in any physical way.
7. Identify the circumpolar constellations, using the Constellation Cylinder in
STARLAB.
Objectives — Grade 5
The student should be able to:
1. Compare and discuss the work of early astronomers Copernicus, Galileo, Ptolemy.
2. Describe the phases of the moon in 5 stages (new to full).
3. Observe and discuss the major constellations not covered at previous levels, using
the Constellation Cylinder within the STARLAB.
4. Describe the comparative positions of the circumpolar stars in a given 24-hour
period.
5. Describe the relative positions of the circumpolar stars during different seasons.
6. Demonstrate why the North Star does not appear to change its relative position
in the sky.
7. Demonstrate an understanding that celestial bodies appear to move in a regular
path through the universe “dome.”
Objectives — Grade 6
The student should be able to:
1. Compare and discuss the work of some early astronomers. Review 5th level
astronomers and add Tycho Brahe, Kepler, and Eratosthenes.
2. Describe the relative changes in the sunrise and sunset times over one year.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the reasons for the apparent motion of the
stars.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the seasonal changes in stellar locations due to
the revolution of the earth around the sun.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the differences in stellar motion as observed
from the equator versus the polar regions.
6. Identify four major stellar reference points used in locating and describing positions
of other stellar bodies.