Literature Inspired by The Night Sky

Imagine a classroom where  students are engaged with literature (both reading and writing) while actively designing circuits,  engineering projection device, and creating interactive displays to help an authentic audience more actively observe the night sky.  This is exactly what you would have witnessed last week if you had walked into Liam Gannon’s sixth grade classroom during our maker residency at  Newport City Elementary School

In the week’s prior to the residency, I worked with local educators to design possibilities for STEAM integration that  included English Language Arts. After learning that the students were studying astronomy in science class and learning about The Greeks in their ELA class, I began to see all types of possibilities for interdisciplinary learning between science and ELA.. It was the perfect topic for a project based learning experience. 

• The Night Sky theme combines science concepts with cultural storytelling
• Constellations provide natural bridges between astronomy and mythology
• The subject matter intrinsically motivates students through wonder and imaginationprior to the residency

After looking closely at both the science and language arts curriculum in this K to 6 school, I noticed that space  was a topic that students engaged with in grade 1, grade 3, grade 5 and grade 6.   This provided the perfect opportunity for our sixth grade students to have authentic audience for their hands on projects and lead to the following essential question. 

An additional goal of the project design was that we would introduce students to the school's new laser cutter. Therefore I designed three different project prototypes that would allow for some student voice and choice and also be a skill builder that would create confidence with this new tool for creating and making. 

Paper Circuit Journals: Students create illuminated journals that literally shine light on constellation stories. By building parallel circuits and designing journal covers, they practice and review knowledge gained in 4th grade about energy, while exploring new astronomical knowledge and writing creatively. A student guide inquiry about constellation and retelling of myths  would be printed in booklet format to fit inside the journal cover. 

  
Projection Flashlight Design: An engineering challenge that asks students to create constellation projection devices using a flashlight and maker tools and supplies found in their classroom. This device would be used by younger students during a read-aloud of the picture book - "Usha and the Big Digger".

 
Interactive Constellation Displays: Students develop displays that combine visual, auditory, and interactive elements using circuits and code to communicate what they are learning about astronomy. This project would deepen understanding of energy from the 4th grade NGSS and include some engineering design options while building switches for interactivity with the circuits.  It would also introduce students to computer science through the use of Scratch to control a circuit board such as the Makey Makey. 

In future posts I will include tutorials and resources to help students and teachers create all three of these projects.  You can also create confidence in building each of these projects along or similar projects this summer during a fun filled week of hands on learning at the Project Design Lab June 23 - 27 in Burlington Vermont.  (includes lodging and graduate credit)  

 This post will focus on the curricular integration possibilities with science, research, reading, and writing. 

Curriculum Alignment 

 

In this district,  the  Next Generation Science Standards - .Space Systems: Stars and the Solar System is addressed in Grade 5 and 6.  

The project also allows students to review and apply the concepts learned during their 4th grade exploration of Energy. (Next Generation Science Standards- 4-PS3 Energy)

The district also uses the Amplify Learning - CKLA curriculum for English Language Arts.

As we kicked off our project, the sixth grade ELA classes were immersed in the CKLA-Grade 6 Curriculum Unit (The Greeks).  

This proved to be a great alignment as students explored the constellations in science class and read associated Greek myths, while learning all about Greek culture in their ELA classes.  This project also provides alignment possibilities with the CKLA-Grade 6 Curriculum  unit focused on Beginning StoryTelling   that kicks off in Grade 6. 

When we  noticed that the Space Theme was part of the Amplify Learning CKLA curriculum in Grade 1 and 3, we immediately saw an opportunity for the sixth graders to share their learning about the night sky with younger learners - both through reading aloud to their younger peers and engaging them with discussions about the night sky with their paper circuits,  projection devices, and interactive posters.

The following books were referenced throughout the projects. Some of these served as inspiration and reference books, while some were used by the sixth grade students as read alouds for their younger reading buddies.

1. "Animals in the Sky" by Sarah Gillingham
   

• Perfect for younger learners

• Features 8 animal constellations with crisp, inspiring images

• Ideal for guiding students in drawing their own constellations

2. "Seeing Stars" by Sarah Gillingham
   

• Comprehensive guide to all 88 constellations

• Combines factual information with engaging stories and myths

• Accessible for middle-grade students

3. "Zodiac: Celestial Circle of the Sun" by Jacqueline Mitton
   

• Beautifully illustrated by Christina Balit

• Provides rich descriptions of constellation stories

• Offers deep insights into Greek mythology

4. "Zoo in the Sky" by Jacqueline Mitton
   

• Another beautifully illustrated book by Mitton

• Focuses on animal constellations

• A top recommendation that students love to reference

5. "Out of This World" by Sally M. Walker
   

• Unique approach combining science and poetry

• Features star-studded haiku that bring scientific concepts to life

• Praised for making astronomical spaces feel personal

6. "Our Stars" by Anne Rockwell
   

• Explains the universe with bright pictures and simple text

• Perfect for sparking curiosity in young learners

• Accessible explanation of complex astronomical concepts

7. "Usha and the Big Digger" by Amitha Jagannath Knight
   

• Part of the Storytelling Math series

• Introduces rotation, geometry, and spatial relationships

• Features diverse characters and cultural perspectives

8. "What We See in the Stars" by Kelsey Oseid
   

• Combines art, mythology, and science

• Over 100 original art pieces accompanying scientific facts

• Covers constellations, planets, and celestial phenomena

• Appeals to both young readers and adults rekindling their love of stargazing

Writing Opportunities

The project offers student choice with writing prompts for students who prefer creative writing as well as those who prefer non-fiction writing.

To scaffold the writing process we created this student guide to accompany the project.   This guide included guiding questions for reading fiction (associated myth). It then proceeds to scaffold summarizing and retelling the myth for a new audience. Finally it guides students through writing a new modern day version of the myth. This guide can  be printed in booklet format and inserted in the paper circuit journal cover created in science class. 

The power of learning through creating and making

I want to thank Newport City School for the opportunity to co-design a learning opportunity that invites students to see themselves as creators, storytellers, and explorers.

This project not only embodies the maker movement's core principle: learning is most powerful when students actively construct knowledge, but also

• Encourages scientific curiosity
• Develops storytelling skills
• Fosters engineering thinking
• Promotes collaborative learning

Ready to bring the creativity, circuits, and storytelling into your classroom? The universe is waiting.

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And if  you'd like to learn how to  design your own integrated STEAM infused project using creativity, circuits, & stories this summer, join me and other creative educators for a fun filled week of hands on learning at the Project Design Lab June 23 - 27 in Burlington Vermont.  (includes lodging and graduate credit)