Lesson Plan | Teachy Methodology | Stars and Constellations

Objectives

Duration: 10 - 15 minutes

This stage of the lesson plan aims to clearly establish the learning objectives for the class, providing direction for both the teacher and the students. Defining objectives helps ensure that everyone is aware of what is expected to be achieved by the end of the lesson, facilitating the organization and execution of the proposed activities, as well as allowing for a more accurate assessment of students' progress.

Main Objectives

1. Understand what a star is and its main characteristics.

2. Comprehend the concept of constellation and how stars group together to form them.

3. Identify famous constellations, such as the Southern Cross and Ursa Major.

Side Objectives

1. Establish connections between the studied content and the modern world, including the use of digital tools for sky observation.
2. Stimulate interest in astronomy through interactive activities and the use of digital technologies.

Introduction

Duration: 15 - 20 minutes

 Purpose: This stage aims to awaken students' interest and engage them actively from the start of the lesson. By seeking interesting facts on their own, students begin to connect with the topic and set the stage for an initial debate. This initial engagement is crucial to ensure that the digital methodology is effective, as students become protagonists of their own learning.

Warming Up

⭐ Warm-up: Start the lesson by engagingly introducing the theme: 'Today we will explore the fascinating universe of stars and constellations! Did you know that the stars we see in the night sky are light-years away and form incredible patterns that we call constellations? To begin, take your phones and look up an interesting fact about stars or constellations. Share your discoveries with the class!'

Initial Reflections

1. What is a star?

2. Why do stars shine?

3. What is a constellation?

4. What are the most famous constellations you know?

5. How do different cultures identify and name constellations?

Development

Duration: 70 - 80 minutes

This stage aims to provide a practical and interactive learning experience, where students apply their knowledge of stars and constellations in activities using modern digital technologies. This not only enriches the content learned but also develops digital skills and group collaboration.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended that only one of the suggested activities be carried out

Activity 1 - Influential Constellation 

> Duration: 60 - 70 minutes

- Objective: Develop research, creative writing, and conscious social media usage skills, in addition to deepening knowledge of constellations in a playful and interactive manner.

- Description: Students will create a fictional Instagram profile for a constellation. They will need to post photos, stories, and write creative descriptions of the stars that make up the constellation, as if they were presenting them to the public.

- Instructions:

• Divide students into groups of up to 5 people.

• Each group must choose a famous constellation (such as the Southern Cross or Ursa Major).

• Create a fictional Instagram profile (it can be done on paper or using a specific school social media platform, if available).

• Post 'photos' (drawings, printed or digital images) of the stars that make up the constellation.

• Write creative descriptions for each photo, including interesting facts about the stars.

• Simulate live stories explaining curiosities about the constellation.

• At the end, each group must present their profile and posts to the class.

Activity 2 - Interactive Star Map ️

> Duration: 60 - 70 minutes

- Objective: Familiarize students with the use of technology for astronomical observation and deepen knowledge of constellations in an interactive and practical way.

- Description: Students will use star map apps (such as SkyView or Star Walk) to identify and explore constellations in the night sky. They must create a digital report or presentation on Google Slides about their discoveries.

- Instructions:

• Divide students into groups of up to 5 people.

• Each group must download a star map app on their phone.

• Explore the app to identify and observe different constellations in the night sky.

• Capture screenshots of the identified constellations.

• Create a report or presentation on Google Slides that includes the observed constellations, screenshots, and information about each constellation.

• Add curiosities and myths related to the observed constellations.

• At the end, each group must present their research and discoveries to the class.

Activity 3 - Cosmic Gamification 

> Duration: 60 - 70 minutes

- Objective: Stimulate collaborative learning, research, and creativity, while reinforcing knowledge about stars and constellations in a fun and engaging way.

- Description: Students will create a digital quiz game about stars and constellations using tools like Kahoot! or Quizizz. The game will be played by the whole class at the end of the creation.

- Instructions:

• Divide students into groups of up to 5 people.

• Each group must research and gather interesting facts about stars and constellations.

• Use a quiz creation platform (such as Kahoot! or Quizizz) to create a quiz game.

• Include questions based on the studied material, with multiple-choice options.

• Add images or diagrams to make the quiz visually appealing and interactive.

• When finished, each group must present their quiz, and the whole class will play the created quizzes.

• Discuss the answers and clarify doubts at the end of each game.

Feedback

Duration: (20 - 25 minutes)

 Purpose: This stage aims to enable students to reflect on what they learned, share their experiences, and receive constructive feedback from peers. By discussing and evaluating their own work and that of their classmates, students consolidate the knowledge acquired, develop communication skills, and learn to value teamwork.

Group Discussion

⭐ Group Discussion: Promote a group discussion among the students, where each group shares their experiences and conclusions about the activities carried out. Use the following script to introduce the discussion:

1. Introduction: 'Now let's share what each group learned during the activities. Tell us about the constellations you explored and how was the experience of creating the fictional profile, the interactive star map, or the quiz game.'

2. Experience Sharing: Request that each group present a summary of their findings and activities.

3. Feedback and Questions: Allow other students to ask questions and give feedback to the presenting group. Encourage an active and respectful exchange of ideas.

Reflections

1. What surprised you the most about the stars and constellations we studied? 2. How did technology help you better understand the lesson topic? 3. In what ways do you think knowledge about constellations can be useful or interesting in everyday life?

360° Feedback

 360° Feedback: Instruct students to carry out a 360° feedback step, where each student must receive feedback from the other members of their work group. Guide them to ensure that feedback is constructive and based on the following points:

1. Strengths: 'What did the person do well during the activities?'

2. Opportunities for Improvement: 'What aspects could the person improve for future activities?'

3. Important Contributions: 'In what ways did the person positively contribute to the group?'

Conclusion

Duration: 10 - 15 minutes

 Purpose: This stage aims to reinforce the main points covered in the lesson, connect the studied content with the students' reality, and highlight the importance of the topic. By concluding the lesson with a clear and fun perspective, students can consolidate their knowledge and see the practical relevance of what they learned, keeping them motivated and interested in the subject.

Summary

 Spatial Summary: Today we traveled through the vast universe of ✨ stars and constellations! We discovered that stars are huge spheres of gas that shine brightly in the night sky and that constellations are groupings of these stars forming visible patterns. We explored famous constellations like the Southern Cross and Ursa Major, and used our phones and creativity to bring these stellar groupings to life on social media, creating fictional profiles, interactive maps, and even fun games!

World Connection

 In Today's World: In this lesson, we showed how modern technology can help us understand the universe better. Star map apps and social media platforms are digital tools that connect directly with our daily lives and allow us to explore the sky in a completely new way. The integration of technology makes learning more interactive and aligned with the dynamics of modern life.

Practical Application

 Daily Applications: Knowing stars and constellations may seem far from everyday life, but it actually broadens our perspective on the universe and our position in it. Furthermore, skills acquired such as research, use of digital technologies, and teamwork are essential in various areas of life, from school work to the job market.