Today’s Walking Classroom podcast talks about constellations and the Greek stories behind them. Thousands of years ago, ancient Greeks noticed patterns of stars in the nighttime sky. They believed these patterns formed various pictures. These groups of stars, or “pictures in the sky” are known as constellations. Over time, the Greeks began to name these constellations and link them to myths in Greek culture.
Character Value: Wisdom
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Common Core
L–Language | SL–Speaking and Listening | RI–Reading: Informational | RL–Reading: Literature | W–Writing | RH–6-8 Literacy in History/Social Studies | RST–6-8 Literacy in Science & Technical Subjects Elementary School:RI.3.1, RI.3.2, RI.3.3, SL.3.1, SL.3.4
RL.4.7, RI.4.1, RI.4.2, RI.4.3, SL.4.1, SL.4.4
RL.5.7, RI.5.1, RI.5.2, RI.5.3, SL.5.1, SL.5.4
Middle School:
RL.6.2, RI.6.1, RI.6.2, RI.6.3, SL.6.1, SL.6.4
RL.7.2, RI.7.1, RI.7.2, RI.7.3, SL.7.1, SL.7.4
RL.8.2, RI.8.1, RI.8.2, RI.8.3, SL.8.1, SL.8.4
Supplemental Resource Links and Downloads
Quiz: (Make sure you're already logged into your Gmail account, then click to copy this Google form to your Google Drive. Quiz keys are here.)
Greek Constellations Google Quiz
Slide Deck:
Greek Constellations Slide Deck
Explains the science behind constellations and their Greek names.
Draw different constellations in this online activity from PBS.org, and learn about them too!
Make your own constellation in this activity.
Search for terms related to Greek constellations.