Funny Drawings Created Out of Constellation Stars

Use 7 Questions About Stars to Spark Astronomy Activities with Kids

November 29, 2021 by Christopher E. Nelson

Elementary student looking through a telescope with grandparent

This article was originally published in October 2015. It has been updated in November 2021 for relevance and accuracy.

Home learning activities come in all forms and subjects. It can supplement a homeschool curriculum, mix up the afternoon or weekend for a traditional brick-and-mortar student, or it can be a part of your accredited curriculum at a virtual school like Connections Academy.

When it comes to studying the sciences from home, you have so many science activities for kids to choose from. You can:

Study chemistry using common household supplies to make a lemon fruit battery or a lava lamp
Venture into STEM learning and design a 3D robot
Tackle physics by building your own Rube Goldberg Machine
And learn astronomy by stargazing at a park or your backyard on a clear night, triggering questions about constellations

What is Astronomy?

Astronomy is the study of celestial objects and phenomena, including the stars, planets, and moons. It can be a great subject to explore with your elementary or middle school-age child to pique his or her interest in science.

Astronomy for Kids

If your child loves asking thousands of questions, promote that curiosity. Let them ask questions about stars—but then let them find the answers. Answering their questions about constellations might begin an early hobby or interest in astronomy. Which would include eventually an interest in science and math.

According to NASA's website, "Think of the universe as a puzzle that has to be pieced together. Every new discovery made is fitted to another piece of the puzzle."

Below we've provided common questions about constellations, and astronomy learning activities.

4 Science Activities to Spark an Interest in Astronomy

Science Activity #1: 7 Constellation Questions and Answers

Get the discussion started with these seven questions about stars in our Milky Way galaxy. We've provided the answers! Download a copy of these constellation questions and answers for your next stargazing outing.

1. What is a star?

Stars are formed from clusters of gas (mostly hydrogen and helium) and dust, which give off heat and light from the churning nuclear forges inside their cores.

2. Why are some stars different colors?

The different colors of stars indicate how much heat a star gives off.

Red stars are the coolest of the stars.
Yellow stars, like our sun, are medium-heat stars.
White and blue stars are the hottest.

3. How large is our sun?

The diameter of the sun is about 864,938 miles. You could line up 109 earths—each with a diameter of 7,917.5 miles—across the face of the sun. That's huge! But the sun is just a medium-sized star among the hundreds of billions of stars in the Milky Way galaxy. Every star you see in the night sky is bigger and brighter than our sun.

Our sun is referred to as a "dwarf star," which, in comparison to "giants" and "supergiants," is a very small star. Supergiants may be a thousand times larger than our own sun. The sun appears larger than the rest of the stars only because it is so close to our planet.

4. How many stars can we see?

On a clear night, and with very good eyesight, a person may only be able to see 2,000 to 2,500 stars at one time, even though it may look like more. Astronomers estimate that in our Milky Way galaxy alone, there are about 300 billion stars.

5. What is a constellation?

Constellations are groups of stars that you can connect like a dot-to-dot puzzle. By connecting these specific imaginary lines, you can see outlines that represent animals, people or objects. Some fun constellations to find are:

Aquila, "the eagle," from Greek mythology. It is the keeper of Zeus' lightning bolts and has the ability to make rain. Aquila can be seen through the glowing band of the Milky Way.
Gemini, which refers to the fraternal twins Pollux and Castor in ancient Greek mythology. The constellation is located in the Geminid meteor shows, which peaks in mid-December.
Pisces, translated as "the fishes." Another ancient Greek constellation, it comes from the story of Aphrodite and her son, Eros. This is the 14^th largest constellation today.
Scorpius, "the scorpion," was sent to battle Orion, a hunter in ancient Greek mythology. Scorpius can be seen in the southern summer sky.

6. Who made up the constellations?

Of the 88 constellations recognized today, most originated with the ancient Greeks, although the true "inventors" of constellations are not known. Archaeological studies have found cave paintings in France that might depict astronomical symbols. Some scientists believe the Sumerians (c. 4500–c. 1900 BC) and Babylonians (1895 BC–539 BC) were the originators and passed along their knowledge of constellations to the ancient Greeks (700-480 BC).

7. What are constellations used for?

Constellations have served many different purposes throughout the years. Because they appear in the sky at specific locations during different times of the year, constellations have been used to:

Remind farmers to plant and harvest crops.
Help travelers navigate through deserts and across oceans.
Used to represent heroes and mythical creatures that have been the subjects of folk tales down through the generations.

There is also a constellation for each sign of the zodiac, which tracks the Earth's orbit around the sun as it is experienced in the Northern Hemisphere. The 12 constellations of the zodiac lie along the path of the orbit, which is known as the ecliptic.

As you know, it takes the earth a year to circle the sun, and each zodiac sign or constellation of the zodiac corresponds to a monthlong portion of the calendar year. Ophiuchus, the 13^th constellation on the ecliptic, is not part of the zodiac because when the signs were first described, the stars were not in the same position as they are today!

Science Activity #2: Build Your Own Constellation Projector

Too cold to go outside? You can still keep the astronomy fun going. Turn your child's bedroom into a planetarium for stargazing in the winter or rainy month with this astronomy activity. We've provided the constellation templates. All the additional supplies you'll need are common, household items.

Download the Homemade Constellation Projector Astronomy Activity Here

Download our Constellation Templates Here

Science Activity #3: Plan a Stargazing Experience

Plan your next stargazing experience with your child with NASA's Night Sky Planner, a fun resource that lets you know when certain stars and planets will be visible in your geographical location on any given day. Learning astronomy firsthand doesn't mean you need to be an expert. Bring our 7 Questions on Constellations with you!

Science Activity #4: Take a Virtual Field Trip to the Moon

Why should stars get all the fun? Check out our resources for virtually exploring the moon. When you come back down to earth, this resource will show you how to track the moon with supplies from your kitchen as a bonus astronomy activity.

How Virtual School Can Help

An interest in astronomy (or any STEM field) will likely prepare your child for the known (and unknown) jobs of the future. In this age of school choice, is your child's school properly set up to allow your child to fully explore all of their passions and career options?

Our alumni include Olympians, business owners, ballerinas, teachers, and more. Whatever their reasons for attending a virtual school, our flexible school schedules and personalized approach was exactly what they needed. Perhaps it might be a bit for you and your family. Learn more today!

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5 Strategies for Teaching Empathy to Teens

June 12, 2022 by Alyssa Austin
Empathy is a quality that has come to the forefront of social and professional conversations over the last several years—and with good reason! Not only is empathy a quality that can aid adults in the workplace(opens in a new tab), but it's also an important quality to focus on in childhood development.

Developing an empathetic heart and mind can help children, and especially teens, become more conscientious, self-aware, and sensitive to the needs of others, which can translate to greater ease in creating friendships, social relationships, productive conversation, and so much more.

Check out these insights from psychologists and other experts on how to nurture empathy in teenagers, plus five great ideas for teaching empathy to teens.

What Is Empathy?

To convey the importance of empathy for teens, it's necessary to first understand what empathy is. According to mental health education resource Verywell Mind,(opens in a new tab) empathy is defined as "the ability to emotionally understand what other people feel, see things from their point of view, and imagine yourself in their place." There are different levels and expressions of empathy, but essentially it has to do with the ability to put yourself in someone else's shoes.

Why Is Empathy Important?

Empathy is an important emotional response that has many benefits. Some of the benefits of developing empathy(opens in a new tab) for teens include:
- Ability to build stronger relationships with other teens and educators
- Increased tolerance and acceptance of others
- Reduced likelihood of bullying
In addition, adults who practice empathy are generally shown to have greater success, both personally and professionally. So, teaching empathy to teens can help equip them for a brighter future in many ways.

How to Teach Empathy to a Teenager

Here are seven tips for you to encourage the development of empathy in your household and assist you with teaching empathy to teens. Most of these are also great empathy activities for middle school students, and can help build a foundation for empathy in their formative years.

1. Be a positive role model.

One of the best ways to learn is through modeling desired practices. Do your best to model empathetic behavior in your daily life, and especially in your interactions with your teen. Give them your full attention. Ask them how they feel and ask questions about why they feel that way.

2. Play devil's advocate.

Teenage life comes with its own set of struggles and challenges, many of which will be centered around personal relationships and disagreements. When your teen runs into a disagreement, encourage them to see the other person's point of view, and put themselves in their shoes. Can they see where the other person may be coming from? This is a great way to discuss and implement empathy (and also a great practice for teaching empathy to middle schoolers).

3. Look to history for empathy-teaching moments.

Being a teenager offers the benefit of being able to look to difficult historical events that are not recommended for younger students. Learning about acts of injustice and social catastrophe, such as the Holocaust, can educate teens about empathy on a larger and more historically-driven scale.

4. Highlight lesser-told stories to encourage historical empathy.

Similar to observing and discussing large-scale historical events to promote empathy, another great tactic is to specifically seek out lesser-told stories of injustice and struggle that might prompt discussion on empathetic response. This allows teens to "analyze history through multiple perspectives," and tap into the power of historical empathy(opens in a new tab).

5. Use art and photography for empathy-teaching moments.

Another unique way to encourage empathetic thinking in teens was made popular by The New York Times in their "What's Going On in This Picture" series(opens in a new tab). This series presents a photo without a caption and prompts students and readers to make their own observations on what might be happening in the photo.

Other Great Resources for Instilling Empathy in Teens

In addition to the empathy exercises for teens mentioned above, here are some other great learning resources from Connections Academy^® that can help teach compassion and empathy to students:
- How to Teach Children Compassion
- 5 Social Emotional Learning Skills to Support Your Student
- 4 Ways to Teach Kids Kindness and Help Save the World
Focus on teaching your teen empathetic practices and watch their relationships, engagement with school and extracurricular activities, and self-esteem grow as a result!

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5 Ways Families Can Learn About Juneteenth

June 9, 2022 by Connections Academy
This month we recognize Juneteenth, an important day of Black history dedicated to commemorating independence, celebrating hope, and reflecting on the past. While some people have only heard of Juneteenth in recent years, the holiday has actually been observed for more than 150 years in America.

You may be wondering: Is Juneteenth taught in schools? How can I enhance my online student's curriculum with this topic? Juneteenth is a time to consider our country's history and how your family can participate first-hand. If you're looking for Juneteenth resources for kids, check out these five things your student can do to learn about the holiday and its significance while online school is out for the summer!

What Is Juneteenth?

Before you get started on these Juneteenth activities for kids, it's important to have a basic understanding of the holiday. Let's go back in history for a moment.

On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring enslaved people in the United States free. However, there were still enslaved people in Galveston, Texas. In the summer of 1865, news of freedom finally made its way to them, marking the end of slavery for them. Since then, African Americans have honored and recognized that historic day. Today, it is an opportunity for families of all heritages and backgrounds to acknowledge and celebrate Black history!

Now, let's delve into Juneteenth lessons for kids.

1. Teach Students About Juneteenth Through Books

Reading books is a great way to discover history. Whether a textbook or a nonfiction novel, there is something for students to discover on each page. For example, did you know Juneteenth stands for June 19? Or, that it has different names it's recognized by? Here are a few below:
- Freedom Day
- Emancipation Day
- Jubilee Day
- Liberation Day
Books are great learning tools with a wealth of information that can make learning about Juneteenth for kids easy. In fact, it has been proven that through reading, young children exhibit improved cognitive skills, which helps them better understand and process information.

To help your K–12 student learn more about the holiday, you could propose a "read-a-thon" to encourage your child to immerse themselves in the event. For example, you could talk daily with your young learner. While reading, you could ask questions to encourage active learning. After reading time concludes, ask them to point out something that they learned from the book.

Older learners can take on this task more independently. Instead of daily reading, assign them to read one book a week. After they finish, let them share what the book was about. They could even write a short book review to recap what they learned. For inspiration, here's a list of Juneteenth books for kids. You can also check out this book list for more mature learners to help them get started.

2. Teach Students About Juneteenth Through Media

When introducing a new concept to students in virtual school, video visuals can be helpful in building knowledge. Thankfully, there are many wonderful videos, TV shows, movies, and documentaries that explore Black history and culture. For instance, movies like The Color of Friendship and Ruby Bridges are available to watch on popular streaming platforms. Both movies explore important topics in Black history and culture. By watching, students will be able to learn about historical events and experiences first-hand. For older learners, PBS has a powerful series that delves into the holiday's history, and also offers a list of documentaries exploring Black culture.

In addition, Juneteenth lessons for kids can be taught through media like music. If you want to further expand your child's learning in the absence of virtual school, family-friendly radio stations like WEE Nation stream 24/7 R&B, Funk, Jazz, Go-Go, and Hip-Hop, which are all integral to Black culture. While at home, you can also play Juneteenth specific songs for a fun history lesson and dance break. For middle and high schoolers, you might recommend they listen to a podcast, TED talk, or watch a video that explains the significance of the holiday. Whatever form of media they select, there are ample opportunities for them to bring the past to life.

3. Teach Students About Juneteenth Through Cooking

When you celebrate your student's birthday, you probably incorporate their favorite things into that day. That could involve anything from games to food to special traditions. Something as simple as food can tell a story about their past and previous birthday celebrations. The same could be said about Juneteenth.

Food is a big part of the holiday and incorporating cooking as an activity is a fun way to celebrate. Red foods in particular are customary and also serve as a symbol of the resilience and ingenuity of enslaved people. Traditional Juneteenth foods like strawberries, watermelon, cherry pie, and red velvet cake are just some of the foods you can include in your feast. Before starting to cook, let your student do some research to assist with creating the menu. While you're in the kitchen together, you can go over this list of Juneteenth facts for kids to encourage dialogue around the holiday. Conversation can also be initiated when setting the table. Take that time to decorate and discuss the significance and history behind the meal you're sharing.

4. Teach Students About Juneteenth Through Decorations

You can honor and learn more about this holiday through decor! Encourage your child to do research on where enslaved people came from. They can honor those places by making a banner of African flags at home. For young learners, all you'll need is construction paper, glue, and markers. You could also craft a Juneteenth flag which symbolizes a new beginning in America. If you want to take it a step further, you could work on confetti poppers with green, black, and red colors. Not only are these great party favors that can be passed out during your Juneteenth feast, they are a concrete illustration of celebration.

The staple piece at any Juneteenth celebration will be the Pan-African flag, which represents liberation. Instead of doing crafts, have older learners study the meaning of the flag and why it is important to the celebration. Have them research what the red, black, and green colors mean and what parts of history they represent. As they're digging into history, they will be exploring and learning interesting facts they may have never known existed, which can benefit them when they return to online school!

5. Teach Students About Juneteenth Through Community

Community is an important aspect of Juneteenth celebrations. In prior years, communities have gathered together to host events like parades and block parties featuring marching bands, drumlines, and floats. Events like these are fun for the whole family and represent the true spirit of Juneteenth. This summer, there will likely be a variety of events that you and your K–12 student can attend to celebrate Juneteenth for its freedom, diversity, and inclusion.

Another great community outlet is your local library or museum. On historical holidays like Juneteenth, libraries often host readings that allow people to discover African American authors, musicians, and poets. Events may only last a few hours, but can give your student a glimpse into how meaningful community connections can be viewed as educational opportunities!

From books to community events, there are so many fun and empowering ways your online student can learn about this historical holiday!

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The Benefits of Music Education for Children

June 8, 2022 by Connections Academy
Children love music, especially elementary-school age children. Most of them can sing the theme song of their favorite show word for word, dancing around the living room. A recent study proved that music education for children has a positive impact on development and growth. While you celebrate World Day of Music on June 21, consider these educational music games for kids to increase their interest in music.

Mental and Physical Benefits of Music Education

Music games are fun for elementary school-aged children, improving their bodies mentally and physically. A recent study shows that early childhood and care educators believe that music is a creative outlet for children. It doesn't matter if the child is learning how to play an instrument or sing and dance. Music sparks a student's creativity, which encourages their vivid imagination. Honestly, that's not a bad thing. Besides becoming more imaginative, you will see:
- An improvement in their vocabulary and language
- More self-confidence
- More self-discipline
- Increased motor skills
- Improved listening skills
- Enhanced social skills
Music education has an impact on all learning. It makes children smarter and stimulates their brains, requiring them to simultaneously listen for the beat, read along with sheet music, and coordinate their movements to play the instrument or dance with the rhythm.

Educational Music Games for Elementary School Children

Karaoke Competition

What better way to make music education fun than letting your students sing their favorite song? At the elementary school age, most children are familiar with popular songs from music videos or television shows. With an app such as Solfeg.io, you can create a list of songs from singers like Adele, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, and Ed Sheeran. For the shy students, let them form a singing group. You and the whole family can join in on the fun, letting your little one judge the performance or win a small prize.

The Statue Game

Kids love to jump up and get down when they hear a dance song. What better way to get them interested in music than with a game that lets them dance to their little heart's desire? All you need is lots of space and a good dance song. Put the song on and let the children dance. When the song stops, they freeze. Anyone who moves is out of the game. Continue to play and stop the music until there is only one kid left standing. This is your winner!

Musical Chairs

An oldie but goodie. Put enough chairs for each child in a circle. Play some music and let the kids move around the chairs. When the music stops, they must sit down. Then, be sure to remove a chair just before you strike up the music again. One kid will not have a chair to sit in when the music stops and is out of the game. The last one standing is the winner.

Music Education Resources

Need some ideas for getting your students interested in learning music? These online resources can get you started in the right direction. The best part: they are free!

Lincoln Center Pop-Up Classroom

These free workshops help teachers and parents create their children's music education curriculum. While most classes are online, some are offered in-house. A subscription isn't necessary, and each teaching video will let you know what's needed. The online workshops are YouTube videos led by Lincoln Center teacher artists. Children can learn how to sing a chorus or make music beats with their mouths. If your child has happy feet and loves to dance, they can learn some house music or African dance moves. There are also concerts you can watch in the classroom or at home.

Little Kids Rock Jamzone

Sessions include songwriting to beginner ukulele lessons. (You need to have your own instrument.) If your child is already studying music, there is a section where they can practice improving their skills using step-by-step instruction slides. "Jam Along" lets kids play their guitar or drums along with popular songs by BTS or Beyonce.

Big Ear Games

With this app, playing mobile games and learning music go hand in hand. Students can create their own songs, learn about rhythm and melody, as well as play the guitar. Children don't need any prior music experience or instruments. Whether online or in the classroom, teachers help students put the musical notes together for songs like "Jingle Bells" and "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." Children can also publish their music on social media.

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