Materials
- Flashlight Black construction paper, one piece per child
- Paper punch or sharp pencil Tape
- Chalk or star stickers
What to do
1. Cut many small circles to the diameter of the lighted end of the flashlight out of the construction paper, enough for each child to have two or three.
2. Allow the children to use a paper punch or sharp pencil to make a few holes in each of their circles.
3. Tape a sheet of black construction paper onto a wall. From a distance of 12" to 18" (30 cm x 45 cm), hold a punched circle against the flashlight head and shine the light through the circle at the paper taped to the wall to reveal each child's constellation in turn. Use a new sheet of black paper for each child.
4. Let the children use chalk to draw their pictures or patterns over the stars on their paper.
More to do
- Art: Use the constellation pictures to make a large mural or, if possible, a whole night sky that you can attach to the ceiling.
- Language: During circle time ask each child to describe his constellation to the other children.
- Science: Following steps one and two above, punch out real constellation patterns and shine them onto a wall for the children to identify.
-Leslie Kvehn Meyer, Austin, MN
