Star Lacing (Photo from Homeschool Escapade)
What summer would be complete without a bit of nighttime stargazing? I focused previously on Montessori-Inspired Astronomy Activities. Today, I want to focus more specifically on stars and constellations, a great unit study for the summer if you add some outdoor stargazing.
Here are some great resources from around the blogosphere for a Montessori-inspired star and constellation unit:
Constellation Pin Punching (Photo from Counting Coconuts)
In a space-themed post, Counting Coconuts has activities for pouring star-shaped pasta, sweeping stars, tracing constellations, dot-to-dot constellations, star counting, and constellation pin punching/push pin work. Counting Coconuts also has a free Life Cycle of a Star printable. UPDATE: Even though Montessori schools and homeschools have been using push pins for pin punching for years, I think it’s time to change. Please read this sad post and consider an alternative to push pins, such as Montessori Services’ wood handled puncher.
Homeschool Escapade has star lacing for eye-hand coordination along with many other activities in a space unit (photo at the top of this post from Space Unit – Day 1).
Montessori for Everyone has free 3-part constellation cards.
Sun Nomenclature Book (Image from Montessori Print Shop)
Montessori Print Shop has astronomy cards, sun nomenclature cards, and sun nomenclature book available for purchase.
Montessori Mom has free constellation and dot-to-dot printouts along with links to information about stars and constellations.
For Small Hands has a number of constellation materials that can be purchased, including constellation projection cards that you can use with a flashlight.
Astronomer Cards (Photo from Leptir)
Leptir has lots of activities for a study of the universe, including astronomer cards and an idea for making a life cycle of a star booklet.
In its astronomy section, Wikisori has links to free printables for life cycle of a star, Libra constellation map, Virgo constellation map, Scorpius constellation map, and Sagittarius constellation map.
Have you been stargazing yet this summer?
UPDATE of my space posts: Astronaut Unit, Montessori-Inspired Astronomy Activities, and Montessori-Inspired Moon Unit
I'm Deb Chitwood. My header photo models are my children, Christina, at 1 1/2, my son, Will, at 3, and Christina again at 16. Christina is now 22, and Will is 27. Please see the 
Oh this work looks like it would fit perfectly with my kids’ interests! DD6 has always loved punching work, and DS4 is very into astronomy right now. Thank you Deb! We’ll give a try!
kelly recently posted..Secular Mealtime Prayers
Thanks so much, Kelly! I hope you and your kids have fun with the astronomy activities!
Deb recently posted..Montessori-Inspired Cloud Unit
Thanks for featuring my activities again
Leptir recently posted..Giveaway at Olives and Pickles
My pleasure, Natasa! You have so many great activities on your blog!
Deb recently posted..Montessori-Inspired Cloud Unit
Perfect timing, Deb, as the Perseid Meteor Showers have begun. They peak Aug. 12/13. Thanks for sharing the links and great ideas. Happy Thursday!
Thanks so much, Larri! I love that the timing is perfect! Happy Thursday to you, too!
Deb recently posted..Montessori-Inspired Cloud Unit
Love reading these thematic posts x
Daisy recently posted..India Topic Activities
Thanks for your kind comment, Daisy! I’m so glad they’re helpful!
Deb recently posted..Montessori-Inspired Cloud Unit
As always…thank you for the link-up!
It’s great how you give people a starting point for so many topics of study. This post ties in nicely with our recent theme of the solar system http://www.montessoriprintshop.com/Solar_System.html
My pleasure, Jennifer! Thanks for your kind comment and for linking to my post! It does tie in well with a study of the solar system! I just added your solar system page (which is great!) to my post http://livingmontessorinow.com/2011/01/17/activity-of-the-week-montessori-inspired-astronomy-activities/.
Deb recently posted..Montessori-Inspired Cloud Unit
Thanks for some fun activities! I think my 4yo would have such fun with some of these.
Thanks for the visit!
Connie, the daisyhead recently posted..Savor the Moments
Thanks so much, Connie! I hope you find some ideas that work well for your 4 year old!
Deb recently posted..Montessori-Inspired Cloud Unit
Hi! One Lovely Blog Award is waiting for you – here:
http://leptir-mojpribor.blogspot.com/2011/08/one-lovely-blog-award.html
Nataša
Thanks SO MUCH, Natasa! I’m honored and truly appreciate it!
Deb recently posted..Montessori-Inspired Cloud Unit
I found your blog very inspiring therefore I decided to leave you an award on my blog http://www.wczesnaedukacjaantkaikuby.blogspot.com/2011/08/9-x-one-lovely-blog-award.html
Thank you for sharing your great ideas with us
Hugs
Ewa
Thank you, Ewa – that’s so sweet of you! I really appreciate both your very kind comment and the award!
Deb recently posted..Montessori-Inspired Cloud Unit
[...] Montessori Now has a great round-up of Montessori-Inspired Star and Constellation Units. I especially like the constellation pin punching activity from Counting [...]
[...] I’ve published some astronomy posts before: ABC Letter Box and Astronaut Unit, Montessori-Inspired Astronomy Activities, and Montessori-Inspired Star and Constellation Unit. [...]
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