Sample Locating the Circumpolar Constellations (Grades 4-6) Worksheet
Reading Comprehension Worksheets
Return to Solar System Theme Unit

edHelper.com Subscribers:
Build a printable worksheet with the complete story and puzzles
Build a proofreading activity

 

Locating the Circumpolar Constellations
By Shannon Jackson 		  
1     When you look up at the night sky, what do you see? People from many cultures have looked up at night and used the star groups, or constellations as they are called, to tell stories. Simple shepherds more than 5,000 years ago had many stories about the stars and constellations—and they couldn't even read or write. Some of the names sound strange because we still use the names given long ago. Want to learn some tips on how to find some of these pictures in the sky?
 
2     Five constellations are always in our northern sky. Other groupings appear seasonally, and then disappear as they fall below the horizon. There are five constellations, however, which seem to circle Polaris (po LAR us), also known as the North Star. The North Star always stays put while the other stars and constellations are moving. Polaris is marking the North Pole for you. Of eighty-eight constellations, five are circling the North Pole—so we say they are circumpolar (circling the pole). And because they are always in our night sky in the northern hemisphere, these five circumpolars are a good starting point in learning the constellations.
 
3     Choose a cloudless night. Begin your star connection with the most famous of all star pictures—Ursa Major, The Great Bear. Within this constellation is the Big Dipper. Some people think the Big Dipper is a constellation by itself—in fact, it is a part of this larger constellation Ursa Major.

Paragraphs 4 to 10:
For the complete story with questions: click here for printable
Copyright © 2008 edHelper