In this Form 2 (grade 4-6) study guide, students will be introduced to the universe and its stars, including the concept of star constellations. They will also become familiar with the observable patterns of motion of the sun, moon, and stars, and the brightness of the sun compared to other stars.

The study guide includes reading assignments from the spine text, narration prompts, and open discussion questions. Experiments related to the reading are also included. Optional supplemental activities, such as current events, videos, and article suggestions when there is time, are also included. Finally, you will find a link to an exam for each course in the introductory material.

Pages: 75
Prerequisites: none

Spine Text

This study guide accompanies the living book Find the Constellations by H.A. Rey (HMH Books for Young Readers, 2016 or before), which must be purchased separately. The updated second edition is suggested but not required.

72 pages
Reading Level: 4-7 grade
Prerequisites: none

Hans Augusto Reyersbach or H.A. Rey (1898-1977), grew up in Hamburg, Germany. Little Hans always had a sketchbook and pencil in hand, visiting the zoo so often that he was “more familiar with elephants and kangaroos than with cows or sheep”.

When 18, H.A. was drafted into the German army serving in the infantry and medical corps during World War 1. Throughout the dark nights of the war Hans furthered his interest in astronomy, studying the stars with using a pocket guidebook. This would become foundational for his later inventing a new system of star identification.

After the war Hans studied natural science, language, and philosophy. He married an artist, Margret, and they became the creators of a most beloved storybook character: the fun-loving, mischievous monkey, Curious George. After a suspenseful escape from the onslaught of Hitler and WWII, the Reys settled in the United States. Here Hans used his skills as an illustrator and amateur astronomer to write Find the Constellations, a book “written so simply that even adults can understand it.” —Michele Jahncke (source)

Other Necessary Items to Complement This Course

Review the Supply List for this course.
Handbook of Nature Study by Anna Botsford Comstock

Schedule:

This study guide includes 33 morning lessons, three per week, each requiring approximately 20-30 minutes. Each week will include the following science lessons:

Weekly Lesson 1: Nature Lore
Weekly Lesson 2: Natural History Science Reading and sometimes an activity
Weekly Lesson 3: Special Studies Reading or Natural History Activity

Other necessary science and nature study should be done during afternoons or evenings, and may include the following:

Daily work outside exploring and investigating, making notes or drawings of their observations. Due to the subject matter of this study guide, some of this daily work will need to be done after sunset.
Additional reading on this science topic and nature topics according to individual desire and interest.

My Form 2 student and I had so much fun learning as we went through the Astronomy Guide lessons. Nicole does a great job laying out all the different pieces of Charlotte Mason science and helping the teacher scaffold the lessons. She makes it easy!

—Sarah S.

Sample Lessons: