constellation myths teachers

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Constellation myths Teachers’ notes Introduction This resource is designed to follow-up the theme of constellations. Have pupils look out the star chart they plotted at the museum to refresh their memories. You should begin by introducing the pupils to the idea of myths and morals. Explain that myths were written about the constellations to explain the existence of stars in the sky. the pictures they could make from the stars. that often includes gods and heroes who have the power to make extraordinary things happen. in the sky and what causes a storm. S P A C E E X P L O R E R S

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Page 1: Constellation Myths Teachers

Constellation mythsTeachers’ notes

IntroductionThis resource is designed to follow-up the theme of constellations. Have pupils look out the star chart they plotted at the museum to refresh their memories. You should begin by introducing the pupils to the idea of myths and morals. Explain that myths were written about the constellations to explain the existence of stars in the sky.

the pictures they could make from the stars.

that often includes gods and heroes who have the power to make extraordinary things happen.

in the sky and what causes a storm.

SPACE EXPLORERS

Page 2: Constellation Myths Teachers

Constellation mythsMain activity

should follow the structure set out below but encourage them to use their imaginations as much as possible!

the sky to become a constellation!

Follow up

Page 3: Constellation Myths Teachers

Constellation mythsLeo (The Nemean Lion): An Ancient Greek mythThe Nemean Lionhe could not be killed by weapons. He terrorised the people of the city of

Hercules

to kill the Nemean lion.

wrestled it to death with his bare hands. He then removed one of the

impenetrable lion skin as protection against weapons.

Leo Major and Leo Minor

Page 4: Constellation Myths Teachers

Constellation mythsUrsa Major (The Great Bear): An Ancient Greek mythCallisto was a beautiful maiden who tied her hair with a white ribbon and

goddess of the hunt.

her into a great grizzly bear.

Great Bear and Lesser Bear.

Ursa Major

Page 5: Constellation Myths Teachers

Constellation mythsOrion (The Hunter): An Ancient Greek mythOrion

he had killed. Nine months later a baby boy was born in that spot.

death.

the constellation Scorpio

Orion Scorpio

Page 6: Constellation Myths Teachers

Constellation mythsCassiopeia (The Queen): An Ancient Greek mythCepheus and Cassiopeia were the King and Queen of Ethiopia. Cassiopeia

Andromeda. Cassiopea claimed

sea-nymphs.

Cetus to destroy

Perseus was travelling along the coast and on seeing

reward.

Cassiopea upside down in her to humiliate her for being so pretentious.

Perseus

Cepheus Cassiopeia Andromeda

Cetus

Page 7: Constellation Myths Teachers

Constellation myths

Cygnus (The Swan): An Ancient Greek mythCygnus

drive the chariot of the sun god.Cygnus kept diving into the river to search for his friend but was unable to

Cygnus was overcome with grief and out of

the sky.

Cygnus

Page 8: Constellation Myths Teachers

Constellation mythsUrsa Major (The Great Bear): A Native American myth

girl fell in love with a bear. Her father was angry about this and killed the

mother.

The bear-woman vowed to kill her siblings and chased after them. To help

her way through them.

children formed the Great Bear constellation.

Ursa Major

Page 9: Constellation Myths Teachers

Constellation mythsOrion: A Native American myth

Cassiopeia: A Native American myth

the hunter threw it up into the sky. The light shines through the holes creating the constellation Cassiopeia.

Cygnus: A Native American myth