Objective

By the end of this lesson, Wolves will be able to identify different planets, state interesting facts about them, recognize the current moon phase, find and name constellations, and hypothesize how these celestial bodies might affect Earth and its weather.

Materials and Prep

• Smartphone or tablet with a stargazing app installed
• Notebook and pencil for tracking observations
• Flashlight for nighttime activities
• Comfortable clothing and shoes for outdoor exploration
• Knowledge of the current moon phase and visible planets (check before the lesson)

Activities

• Planet Exploration:

  Wolves will use the stargazing app to locate visible planets in the night sky. Once found, they will learn one interesting fact about each planet they see.

• Moon Phase Tracking:

  Wolves will observe the moon and use their notebook to track its phase each night over a week. They will draw the moon's appearance and note what phase it is in (new, waxing, full, etc.).

• Constellation Hunt:

  Using the app, Wolves will search for constellations like the Big Dipper and Orion. They will try to find them in the sky and draw their shapes in their notebook.

• Predictions and Hypotheses:

  After observing the planets, moon, and stars, Wolves will make predictions about how these celestial bodies might influence weather patterns on Earth. They can write their ideas in their notebook.

Talking Points

• "Did you know that Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system? It’s so big that all the other planets could fit inside it!"
• "The moon goes through different phases. Can you tell me what phase it is in tonight?"
• "Look at the stars! The Big Dipper looks like a big spoon. Can you find it?"
• "Orion is a hunter in the sky! Can you spot his belt of three stars?"
• "How do you think the moon affects the tides in the ocean? Let’s make a guess!"
• "Planets are different from stars. Stars make their own light, while planets reflect light from the sun!"
• "What do you think would happen if we lived on Mars? How would that change our weather?"
• "Isn’t it amazing that we can see light from stars that are millions of miles away? What do you think they are like?"