I have my 6th graders make and decorate their own planispheres for our astronomy unit. It is a quick and inexpensive way to provide planispheres for all of your students, and you don’t have to worry about running out or ordering ahead/enough for each class. When it comes time to lining up the Star Wheel and inserting the brass brad, I do that part for the students so that it lines up correctly. Students will come up to my desk when they are ready and I assembly it for them pretty quickly.
Materials:
- Manilla folder
- Scissors
- Brass brad
- Glue stick
- Star Wheel Holder (pdf)
- Additional Star Holders & Wheels (link)
- Star Wheel – laminated
- Metal Math Compass
Directions:
- Fold the template along the (horizontal) dotted line
- Glue the template to the manilla folder
- the folded template wraps around the folded edge of the folder
- Cut out the shape of the template
- Cut out the window – be careful not to cut both layers
- I use the toilet seat and toilet lid analogy 😉
- Cut out the star wheel
- Insert the star wheel into the star wheel holder
- Find Polaris
- Center the Star Wheel, and with the pointed end of the compass, make a hole through Polaris and the back of the manilla folder
- Be sure that the wheel can spin freely
- Insert metal brad & fasten
- Enjoy your new planisphere!
Additional Resources:
Middle School Science Blog 