Sew Many Stars

Art and Science Integrated Lesson

Introduction:

The observable patterns and changes in the night sky are evidence that the Earth rotates on an axis around the Sun. Changes in the tilt of the Earth each season are reflected in the seasonal changes of the night sky and the constellations we see. In this lesson, students will reflect on the changes in the night sky and light pollution and learn about the major constellations visible to students in their region. Students will learn basic sewing skills: threading a needle and how to sew a basic whip stitch to sew a constellation pillow, or “stuffy.”

Lesson:

Upload Canva Slideshow: Sew Many Stars

Activity 1: Visible Thinking Routine: See, Wonder, Connect x 2

For Teachers-Prep Only: Charlotte Hawkins “See, Wonder, Connect x 2” 3:02

Why we use this thinking routine: “The goal of the routine is to help students appreciate how looking closely at something can expand one’s understanding of it, which in turn can provide a basis for making connections to other things. The routine encourages students to explore the interconnectedness of knowledge, and to understand that if they intentionally look for connections, they can find them.” -Harvard Project Zero

Slide 2: Visible Thinking Routine:

Pass out: Student See, Wonder, Connect x 2 Student Worksheet

Teacher: We are going to be looking at two different maps. We will be going through a series of steps to look closely at these maps and make some observations and connections. Then we will ask questions and make more connections.

Slide 3: Close Observation: Follow each step in order, soliciting student responses.

1. Look closely: What do you notice? Make many observations; students will begin their observations with “I see…”
2. How could this connect to subjects you study in school? Students might say, “The connection I’m making is…”
3. What questions do you have? What do you wonder about? Students might say, “I wonder…”
4. How could this connect to your personal interests or hobbies? Have students provide connections to their own lives.

Activity 2: Looking at Constellations
 

Slide 5: The Changing Night Skies
Show students the video on the changing night skies, “Let’s Look at Constellations.” This video will explain to students why we see different stars during different times of year. This change of view is evidence that our planet rotates on an axis around the sun.

Slide 6: Naming the Stars:

Teacher: The ancient Greeks and Arabs named many of the stars and constellations. Modern star naming follows scientific systems created by astronomers like Johann Bayer, who used Greek letters for brighter stars in constellations, and the International Astronomical Union (IAU), which is the authority for officially approving new star names. The Greeks and Egyptians created constellations by connecting stars to tell stories and assigning symbolic meaning: if they saw a ‘bear,’ they would name it the Big Bear and tell a story about it.

Slides 7-10: About the Constellations in the Northern Hemisphere:
Tell the name of each constellation, its more common name, and where it’s located in the sky.
 

Activity 3: Sewing Constellation “Stuffies”
 

For Teachers-Prep Only: Watch Charlotte teach the Art Project process 8:23

Teacher: We will be sewing constellation stuffies for our art project! I will show you the steps, and then we will choose a constellation from the selection of choices. We will learn how to thread a needle and sew together a stuffed star. Finally, we will paint the star pattern onto the stuffy to replicate the constellation as we view it in the night sky.

Slides 11-20: Step-by-step instructions
Show the students slides 11-20, take questions, and review the steps to make the constellation stuffies.

Slide 12: Sewing the Stars: Have students choose a constellation from the four choices: Leo, the Lion star; Canis Major, the dog star; Ursa Major, the Big Bear or Big Dipper; and Ursa Minor, the Little Bear or Little Dipper.

Slides 13-14: Tracing the Stars and Cutting out the Pattern
Give students their pattern of choice and have them cut the pattern out; then, trace the pattern TWICE onto TWO separate pieces of felt or material. They will then use sharp scissors to cut out the patterns.

Slides 15-16: Threading a needle and sewing a whip stitch

Slide 18: Finish the Sewing 

Finish the whip stitch to close the small hole. Tie a knot to finish the sewing and cut the thread. Note: don’t cut too close to the knot, or it will come undone.

Slides 19-20: Glow Up!
Give students a Sharpie or permanent marker to draw the star marks on the front of the stuffed constellation. Trace over and connect the dots with glow-in-the-dark puffy paint. Let it dry on a flat surface.

• Have students test their constellations in a dark room to see the glowing effect! Prompt them to find their constellation in the night sky!

Optional Activity 4: Meet Mr. Supernova

Slide 21: Patrick Wiggins, a local amateur astronomer, has personally discovered 3 supernovas. Have students watch the news story about him and his efforts to see the night sky and make discoveries.

Teacher: What do you know about telescopes and observatories? Where might you be able to look through a telescope like Mr. Supernova? Where would a good place for an observatory be? Where are some located in the U.S.?

Optional Activity 5: Read Aloud “What Miss Mitchell Saw” by Hayley Barrett. Learn about the life and discoveries of Maria Mitchell.

Slide 22: Maria Mitchell (pronounced Muh-rye-uh) was an amateur astronomer during the 1800s who observed the night sky and discovered a comet. She was given an award for her discovery. In a time when women weren’t allowed to vote, or even be considered ‘real’ scientists, she devoted her life to astronomy and the study of the night skies.

• Observe and describe patterns in the night sky and explain how Earth’s movement causes changes in visible stars and constellations. 
• Identify several major constellations visible in the Northern Hemisphere and recognize their shapes, names, and stories. 
• Explain what light pollution is and describe simple actions people can take to reduce it in their communities. 
• Use a visible thinking routine (See, Wonder, Connect) to make observations, ask questions, and connect new information to prior knowledge and personal experiences. 
• Demonstrate basic sewing skills, including threading a needle and sewing a whip stitch, to create a constellation art project. 
• Represent scientific ideas creatively by accurately placing and connecting stars to model a constellation as it appears in the night sky. 

Visual Art Standards Grade 4: 

• Standard 4.V.CR.3: Explore and invent art-making techniques and approaches by utilizing and caring for materials, tools, and equipment in a manner that prevents danger to oneself and others when making art, and by documenting, describing, and representing regional constructed environments. 
• Standard 4.V.P.1: Analyze how past, present, and emerging technologies have affected the preservation and presentation of artwork. 
• Standard 4.V.R.2: Analyze components in visual imagery that convey messages. 

SEEd Standards Grade 4:  

• Standard 4.4.1 Construct an explanation that differences in the apparent brightness of the Sun compared to other stars is due to the relative distance (scale) of stars from Earth. Emphasize relative distance from Earth. (ESS1.A) 
• Standard 4.4.2 Analyze and interpret data of observable patterns to show that Earth rotates on its axis and revolves around the Sun. Emphasize patterns that provide evidence of Earth’s rotation and orbit around the Sun. Examples of patterns could include day and night, daily changes in length and direction of shadows, and seasonal appearance of some stars in the night sky. Earth’s seasons and its connection to the tilt of Earth’s axis will be taught in Grades 6 through 8. (ESS1.B) 

ELA Standards Grade 4:  

• Standard 4.SL.1: Participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations, using age-appropriate vocabulary, on topics, texts, and issues. 
• a. Respectfully acknowledge and respond to comments and claims. 
• b. Participate in conversations by asking questions, acknowledging new information, connecting responses with reasoning and elaboration, and keeping the discussion on topic. 
• Standard 4.SL.3: Use age-appropriate language, grammar, volume, and clear pronunciation when speaking or presenting. 
• Standard 4.R.4: Read grade-level text* with accuracy and fluency to support comprehension. (RL & RI) 

• Upload Canva Slideshow: Sew Many Stars   
• Become familiar with: Visible Thinking Routine: See, Wonder, Connect x 2 
• For Teachers-Prep Only: Charlotte Hawkins “See, Wonder, Connect x 2”    3:02 
• Print one per student: Student See, Wonder, Connect x 2 Student Worksheet 
• For Teachers-Prep Only: Watch Charlotte teach the Art Project process  8:23 
• Print enough copies for students to be able to cut and trace: 4 Constellation options for stuffies   
• “Stuffie” Materials:  
• Felt 
• Yarn or embroidery floss 
• Blunt-tipped big-eye needles 
• Optional needle threaders 
• Glow-in-the-dark puffy paint 
• Polyester pillow stuffing 
• Child & adult scissors 
• Tracing pen or markers 
• Mini clothespins or border clips for holding ends of yarn/thread during sewing 
• Optional Materials: transfer paper or graphite transfer paper (for transferring traced-stuffy patterns onto felt), glow-in-the-dark yarn, glow-in-the-dark pony beads, star stickers, lithium button coin cell batteries, LED light-emitting diode (circuit components), double-sided copper foil tape 

• The life of Maria Mitchell, What Miss Mitchell Saw by Hayley Barrett. Published by Simon & Schuster, 2019. 
• Clark Planetarium 
• Books:  
• What We See in the Stars: An Illustrated Tour of the Night Sky by Kelsie Oseid 
• Constellations: A Glow-in-the-dark Guide to the Night Sky by Chris  Sasaki 
• Zoo in the Sky: A Book of Animal Constellations by Jacqueline Mitton 
• Supplies/Activities: Pinhole Constellations  
• Printable Northern Hemisphere Star Wheel 

Image 1-2: Charlotte Hawkins

Image 3-4: James Huston

Image 5: Charlotte Hawkins