This 3-page 5th grade science worksheet shows six star patterns in numbered boxes. For each one, students write a constellation name from one bank and a picture letter from another, matching the Big Dipper to a ladle, Orion to a hunter and Cygnus to a swan. Page 2 asks three short recall questions about Orion's belt, Cassiopeia and the Little Dipper's handle. Page 3 is the answer key.
“Recognize the star patterns of well-known constellations and the pictures they were named for.”
Page 1 asks students to match six patterns to a name and to a picture letter.
“Recall key facts about stars in the night sky.”
Page 2 asks for the three stars in Orion's belt, the W shape of Cassiopeia and the star at the end of the Little Dipper's handle.
Six boxes each hold a dot-and-line star pattern. Students write a name from the name bank and a letter from the picture bank (a hunter, a lion, a ladle, a swan, a small ladle, a queen on a throne).
Three questions with two answer lines each: how many stars are in Orion's belt, what letter Cassiopeia looks like, and which star is at the end of the Little Dipper's handle.
The name and picture letter for all six boxes, then 3, W and Polaris, the North Star, for the three questions.
Before a night sky watch
Hand it out a week ahead so students know the shapes before they look up. Pairs can compare their picture letters before you read out the key.
Dipper talk
The Big Dipper and Little Dipper boxes look alike. Ask students how they decided which was which, and you hear who is guessing.
Quick exit ticket
Page 2 stands alone as a three-question exit ticket. It takes about five minutes and the answers are one word each.
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