Science·Space Exploration·conceptual
Spotting Constellations
Recognise a few star patterns (constellations) in the night sky, starting with the Big Dipper (the Plough), and understand that the North Star (Polaris) can be found using the Big Dipper
Suggested ages 5–7
Learning journey
Your child is beginning their journey into space science — learning about astronauts and the Moon's phases, identifying objects in the sky, and discovering that we live in a solar system with other planets.
Evidence of understanding
- Identify or draw the Big Dipper (the Plough) as a pattern of seven stars
- Explain that the two end stars of the Big Dipper's bowl point towards the North Star
- State that constellations are patterns of stars that people have named
Assessment prompt
On a clear night, could Spotting Constellations find the Big Dipper in the sky — or draw its shape from memory?
Standards alignment
No external standards are linked to this topic.