1. Choose the constellation you would like to learn more about.
2. Your first step is to understand your constellation scientifically. To complete your scientific information sheet, click here or here.
3. Your second step is to find 2-3 versions of the myth that describes your constellation. Click on each of the following to find your 2-3 versions. (Copy and paste each myth into one word document.)
Myth 1
Myth 2
Myth 3 (check out the different reading levels!)
Myth 4
You will need to work with your partner to answer the following questions. You will need to read and reread your myths to figure out the answers.
1. What is the purpose of your myth? What does it explain or teach?
Myth 2
Myth 3
Myth 4
You will need to work with your partner to answer the following questions. You will need to read and reread your myths to figure out the answers.
1. What is the purpose of your myth? What does it explain or teach?
2. Who is the main character of the myth?
- How does s/he change?
- Does she learn something or realize something at the end of the myth?
- How is s/he different at the end?
3. List the God, Goddesses, Demi-Gods and/or Mortals in the myth. What do they do in the myth? How do they help us learn the lesson? (For more information about the gods, click here.)
4. Who do you think is the intended audience of this myth? OR Who was the myth written for?
5. How does the Constellation's shape show this theme, moral or message.
6. Someone determined this myth and this constellation were important for others to know at one point in history. Why do you think this message was thought to be important?
7. What culture does this constellation represent? (Hint: Roman, Greek, other?)
Now it is YOUR turn! What would the story behind the constellation be if it represented YOU and/or YOUR culture? (You have to use the same stars, but the picture can be different.) Your story can only be 1 page long and must follow the format below.
- Introduction: Hint at the theme or lesson that will be learned.
- Beginning
- Middle
- End
- Conclusion: restate the theme or lesson learned (___ learned ____)
Example Myth:
My mother always said that birthdays should honor the mother not the birthday kid. She asked, "If the mother did all the work on the day, why doesn't she get the presents?" As Angel placed the birthday hat on her head, she remembered that question. It was as if the words were circling inside the hat, whispering their message into her ears. However, the screams, laughter, and excitement of the party, made it hard to remember the message.
Angel's excitement to eat cake and open presents made her yell, "Mom, hurry up! I don't have all day!" The look her mother gave her should have been enough to end her attitude, but instead she continued yelling. "You always ruin things! My friends are going to get bored if you don't hurry up!"
Before she knew it, the goddess Gaia appeared in the kitchen. She was beautiful. She filled the room with the Mother Energy for which she was worshiped. Gaia looked at Angel's mother and winked. She said to Angel, "So...it's your birthday?"
"Yes," Angel answered angrily, "and it's about to be OVER! Hurry up, Mom!"
Gaia asked gently, "Do you wish it was your birthday every day?"
"Yes, of course! MOM!!!"
Gaia said, with a twinkle in her eye, "As you wish..."
Before Angel could ask what she meant, she was a twinkle in the night's sky. She was hurled into the sky in the form of a droopy birthday hat to remind all children everywhere to honor their mothers every day, and especially on their birthdays.
