1. Constellation myths
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Teachers’ notes
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Introduction
This resource is designed to follow-up the theme of constellations. Have
pupils look out the star chart they plotted at the museum to refresh their
memories.
You should begin by introducing the pupils to the idea of myths and morals.
Explain that myths were written about the constellations to explain the
existence of stars in the sky.
the pictures they could make from the stars.
that often includes gods and heroes who have the power to make
extraordinary things happen.
in the sky and what causes a storm.

2. Constellation myths
Main activity
should follow the structure set out below but encourage them to use their
imaginations as much as possible!
the sky to become a constellation!
Follow up

3. Constellation myths
Leo (The Nemean Lion): An Ancient Greek myth
The Nemean Lion
he could not be killed by weapons. He terrorised the people of the city of
Hercules
to kill the Nemean lion.
wrestled it to death with his bare hands. He then removed one of the
impenetrable lion skin as protection against weapons.
Leo Major and Leo Minor

4. Constellation myths
Ursa Major (The Great Bear): An Ancient Greek myth
Callisto was a beautiful maiden who tied her hair with a white ribbon and
goddess of the hunt.
her into a great grizzly bear.
Great Bear and Lesser Bear.
Ursa Major

5. Constellation myths
Orion (The Hunter): An Ancient Greek myth
Orion
he had killed. Nine months later a baby boy was born in that spot.
death.
the constellation Scorpio
Orion Scorpio

6. Constellation myths
Cassiopeia (The Queen): An Ancient Greek myth
Cepheus and Cassiopeia were the King and Queen of Ethiopia. Cassiopeia
Andromeda. Cassiopea claimed
sea-nymphs.
Cetus to destroy
Perseus was travelling along the coast and on seeing
reward.
Cassiopea upside down in her to humiliate her for being so pretentious.
Cepheus Cassiopeia Andromeda
Cetus Perseus

7. Constellation myths
Cygnus (The Swan): An Ancient Greek myth
Cygnus
drive the chariot of the sun god.
Cygnus kept diving into the river to search for his friend but was unable to
Cygnus was overcome with grief and out of
the sky.
Cygnus

8. Constellation myths
Ursa Major (The Great Bear): A Native American myth
girl fell in love with a bear. Her father was angry about this and killed the
mother.
The bear-woman vowed to kill her siblings and chased after them. To help
her way through them.
children formed the Great Bear constellation.
Ursa Major

9. Constellation myths
Orion: A Native American myth
Cassiopeia: A Native American myth
the hunter threw it up into the sky. The light shines through the holes creating the
constellation Cassiopeia.
Cygnus: A Native American myth