Felt Star Maps

For centuries, people have imagined pictures made of stars. Why not introduce your imaginitive child to some of these classic constellations? Summer is the perceft time to spend evenings gazing up at the stars; the nights are warm and comfortable, and some of our most famous constellations are over the United States. This activity will encourage your child to look for pictures in the sky. They may even make a few constellations of their own!

Materials:

• map of summer constellations or Star Gazing, Comet Tracking and Sky Mapping by Melvin Berger
• black felt squares, 6" x 6"
• star stickers (plain or glow-in-the-dark)

What to Do:

1. Show children a star map of summer constellations (Hercules, Pegasus, Scorpius, Cygnus, Sagittarius, Cassiopea, and the Big and Little Dippers). These constellations can be found in Star Gazing, Comet Tracking and Sky Mapping by Melvin Berger.
2. Ask the children to look at each constellation and count the number of stars in that constellation.
3. Give each child a piece of 6" x 6" square of black felt. Provide sheets of star stickers.
4. Encourage each child to stick stars on her felt square to make three or four summer constellations.
5. If using glow-in-the-dark stickers, hang the constellations on a bulletin board or tape them to a wall, turn off the lights, and watch them light up.