Culture and History are often taught with a lack of truth/ignored in the elementary classroom. As a future teacher, I constantly discovering new ways in which I can entertain my students while giving them the information that the deserve. This specific idea came from my Native American heritage and the amazement in a child's face when they look up at the stars. With this assignment, we will learn about Native Americans and their beliefs. We will listen to the stories of the people and indulge ourselves in a small aspect of their lives with constellations and the stories that they hold. The students will duplicate a few constellations, but most importantly they will get to use their imagination when they create their own constellations and stories behind them.
***Please keep in mind that because of my lack of education in much of history and culture, I will be learning much more about Native American culture before I try this assignment with my students***

Step 1: Materials

Styrofoam Cup (This makes it incredibly easy to cut out a circle for the flashlight)
Pen/Pencil
Ruler
X-Acto Knife/Scissors
Paint & Paint Brushes (if you want to decorate)
Magazine/Newspaper for painting on
Cardboard or dark construction paper (This is so that the light does not shine out and ruin the constellation image)
Tape
Flashlight
Constellation Print Out/ On Screen

Step 2: Step 1

Place the head of the flashlight on the bottom of the cup. Trace the head of the flashlight.

Step 3: Step 2

Take the x-acto knife and cut the inside of the traced circle so that the head of the flashlight will not slip out of the cup.

Step 4: Step 3

Place the flashlight into the top of the cup and pull the flashlight handle through the newly cut out hole in the cup. Make sure that the on and off switch is out of the cup and can be easily used.

Step 5: Step 4

Place to top of the cup on the flat cardboard. Trace the top of the cup onto the cardboard.
*If you are doing this with students you can have them measure the top of the cup to work on their measuring skills and not have them trace it.

Step 6: Step 5

Measure the lines of the constellation.
***If you are not doing this with students, it is much easier to place a white piece of paper on the screen and trace the dots***

Step 7: Step 6

Draw these measurements inside the traced circle. Draw the image as it appears on the screen. Draw it on the side of the cardboard that you do not want to be visible. It will flip when you tape it to the cup.
***If you are not working with students place the white piece of paper on the cardboard and make slits on top of the traced dots***

Step 8: Step 7

Take the x-acto knife and make small x's on the dots. Take your pen and create circular holes.

Step 9: Step 8

Cut out the traced circle. Make sure to cut it outside of the line, so that no extra light shines out of the cup.

Step 10: Step 9

Tape the side that was not drawn on to the top of your cup.
OR I do not have the actual picture of this, but you should cut a thin strip of cardboard and tape/glue it around the outside rim of the cup. Glue half of the strip and leave the top half sticking about the cup. You will be able to fold the top half over the constellation, which makes it much easier to change constellation cardboards. It will also save tape and make your constellation cup last longer.

Step 11: Step 10

Paint the cup however you choose.
*I will have my students make up their own constellation story based on their culture. I would use my Hulk one as an example. I would tell the children that my nickname is Hulk and then I would come up with an elaborate story.

Step 12: Step 11

Turn off the light and turn on your flashlight. You'll find the constellations lit on the wall.

Step 13:

Constellation Cup

Lessons Prior to Activity
Before this activity is introduced the class will learn about Indiana history; specifically Native American history within the state of Indiana, Geometry, Measurements, and understanding symbols, themes and connection to culture in artwork. Once all of these subject areas are covered then the activity itself will be introduced.          *This will be drawn out of a several day time span.
I do not have much to talk about in the Native American area of this lesson plan because I have not been taught very much about it within my own education history; however, I am going to learn as much as I possibly can before I become a teacher. I will learn before I teach this lesson and I am more than willing to learn with my students. I will bring in books about the lives of the Native Americans, show books of the constellations, ask for guest speakers, show documentaries, and whatever else it is that I run across. I am very upset with my education and I truly hope to bring much more to my students.
Once the students learn how to properly measure and draw lines, estimate the volume and area of a shape, properly label a shape (sphere, cone), and use the terms line, segment, and point they will combine that knowledge with the knowledge of understanding symbols, themes and connection to culture in artwork and their states history to create their own constellation cup with already discovered constellations and they will also create their own constellations and stories behind them.
Materials for Activity
- Styrofoam Cup (This makes it incredibly easy to cut out a circle for the flashlight)
- Pen/Pencil
- Ruler
- X-Acto Knife
- Paint & Paint Brushes (if you want to decorate)
- Magazine/Newspaper for painting on
- Cardboard or dark construction paper (This is so that the light does not shine out and ruin the constellation image)
- Tape
- Flashlight
- Constellation Print Out/Constellation on A Screen
How to Do Activity
- Place the head of the flashlight on the bottom of the cup. Trace the head of the flashlight.
- Take the x-acto knife and cut the inside of the traced circle so that the head of the flashlight will not slip out of the cup.
- Place the flashlight into the top of the cup and pull the flashlight handle through the newly cut out hole in the cup. Make sure that the on and off switch is out of the cup and can be easily used.
- Place to top of the cup on the flat cardboard. Trace the top of the cup onto the cardboard. *If you are doing this with students you can have them measure the top of the cup to work on their measuring skills and not have them trace it.
- Measure the lines of the constellation from the screen or print out
- Draw these measurements inside the traced circle. Draw the image as it appears on the screen. Draw it on the side of the cardboard that you do not want to be visible. It will flip when you tape it to the cup.
- Take the x-acto knife and make small x's on the dots. Take your pen and create circular holes.
- Cut out the traced circle. Make sure to cut it outside of the line, so that no extra light shines out of the cup.
- Tape the side that was not drawn on to the top of your cup.
- Paint the cup however you choose.
- *I will have my students make up their own constellation story based on their culture. I would use my Hulk one as an example. I would tell the children that my nickname is Hulk and then I would come up with an elaborate story.
- Turn off the light and turn on your flashlight. You'll find the constellations lit on the wall.

Exemplary Meets Expectations Does Not meet expectations
Measurements are accurate/Drawn to scale
Volume/Area are estimated accurately
Story is detailed and unique
Terms are used correctly (line, form)
Genuine Effort
Can Identify the original constellation and it’s importance

Standards
SS.3.1.1 2007
Identify and describe Native American Woodland Indians who lived in the region when European settlers arrived.
Example: Miami, Shawnee, Kickapoo, Algonquian, Delaware, Potawatomi and Wyandotte
SS.3.1.8 2007
Chronological Thinking, Historical Comprehension, Analysis and Interpretation, Research: Write and illustrate descriptions of local communities and regions in Indiana past and present.
Example: Shawnee villages in Southern Indiana and Conner Prairie settlement
VA.3.1.2 2008
Speculate on the function or purpose of a work of art and make connections to culture.
VA.3.1.3 2008
Identify themes and symbols in works of art from various cultures, ethnicities, and historical periods.
MA.3.5.1 2000
Measure line segments to the nearest half-inch.
Estimate or find the area of shapes by covering them with squares.
MA.3.5.5 2000
Estimate or find the volume of objects by counting the number of cubes that would fill them.
MA.3.4.3 2000
Identify, describe, and classify: cube, sphere, prism, pyramid, cone, and cylinder.
MA.3.4.6 2000
Use the terms point, line, and line segment in describing two-dimensional shapes.
MA.3.4.7 2000
Draw line segments and lines.