Week 16: Star of Wonder¶
Lesson Overview¶
| Grade Level | Kindergarten |
| Duration | 25 minutes |
| Lesson Type | Single-Week |
| STREAM Focus | S (Science), M (Math), R (Religion), A (Art) |
Week 16: Star of Wonder¶
🎯 Learning Objectives¶
STEM Objectives¶
Students will be able to: 1. Understand that stars are in the sky and can be seen at night 2. Identify that stars make patterns (introduce constellations) 3. Connect a line of dots/stars to make a simple pattern 4. Create a star art project
Faith Integration Objectives¶
Students will be able to: 1. Retell the story of the Magi following the star to Jesus 2. Understand that God used a star to lead people to Jesus 3. Wonder at God's creation of the night sky
🙏 Faith-Reason Integration¶
Catholic Teaching Connection¶
Wonder at Creation — God created the stars and placed them in the sky. He used a special star to lead the Wise Men to baby Jesus. When we look at the stars, we see God's amazing creation.
Scripture Connection¶
"Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." — Matthew 2:2
Saint Connection¶
The Magi (Three Wise Men) — These wise men studied the stars and knew that a special star meant something important. They followed it all the way to Bethlehem!
Wonder Question¶
"Have you ever wondered how many stars are in the sky? God made them all!"
📚 Materials and Preparation¶
Materials Needed¶
| Item | Quantity | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Star pictures/constellation images | Several | Internet/book |
| Black/dark blue paper | 1 per student | Classroom |
| Star stickers (gold/silver) | Many | Classroom |
| White crayons or chalk | Class set | Classroom |
| Star pattern cards | 1 set | Teacher-made |
| Glitter/glitter glue (optional) | Shared | Classroom |
Teacher Preparation¶
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Print or find images of simple constellations (Big Dipper)
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Create simple "connect the stars" pattern cards
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Prepare example star art project
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Have Christmas star story ready (Matthew 2:1-12 simplified)
📝 Lesson Procedure¶
⏱️ Timing Guide (25 minutes)¶
| Section | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Opening Prayer & Story | 5 min | The Star of Bethlehem |
| Star Science | 6 min | What are stars? |
| Star Art Creation | 11 min | Create star picture |
| Closing & Wonder | 3 min | Reflection and prayer |
1. Opening Prayer & Story (5 minutes)¶
Prayer:
"Dear God, thank you for the beautiful stars You put in the sky. Thank you for leading the Wise Men to baby Jesus with a special star. Help us to follow Your light too. Amen."
Tell the Story of the Star (simplified):
"A long time ago, when Jesus was born, God put a special star in the sky. Far away, there were Wise Men who studied the stars. They saw this new, bright star and knew it meant something special — a new king was born!
The Wise Men followed the star for a long time. It led them all the way to Bethlehem, where baby Jesus was. They brought Him special gifts and worshipped Him.
God used a STAR — something He created in the sky — to lead people to Jesus!"
Discussion:
-
"What did the star help the Wise Men find?" (Baby Jesus)
-
"Who made the stars?" (God)
2. Star Science (6 minutes)¶
What are stars?
"Stars are in the sky. We can see them at night when it's dark. They look like tiny lights, but really they're very, very far away and very, very big — even bigger than our Earth!"
How many stars?
"There are SO many stars that we can't even count them all. Only God knows how many!"
Star Patterns (Constellations):
"When you look at the stars, you can find patterns. Long ago, people gave these patterns names. Look at this one — it's called the Big Dipper because it looks like a big spoon!"
Show image of Big Dipper and trace the pattern.
Simple Activity: Connect the Stars
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Give each student a "connect the stars" card
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Have them draw lines to connect the star dots
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"You just made a constellation!"
3. Star Art Creation (11 minutes)¶
Introduce the project:
"Now you're going to create your own night sky with stars — just like the sky the Wise Men saw!"
Materials:
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Black or dark blue paper
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Star stickers
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White crayons or chalk
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Optional: Glitter
Instructions: 1. Use star stickers to put stars all over your sky 2. Make one BIG star — the Star of Bethlehem 3. Use white crayon to draw the stable or the Wise Men following the star (optional) 4. Add glitter for sparkle (optional)
While students work:
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"Which one is your Star of Bethlehem?"
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"How many stars did you put in your sky?"
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"God made even more stars than this!"
4. Closing & Wonder (3 minutes)¶
Share:
"Hold up your star picture! Look at all those beautiful night skies!"
Wonder moment:
"Tonight, when it gets dark, look up at the sky. Can you find any stars? Remember that God made every single one!"
Faith Connection:
"Just like the star led the Wise Men to Jesus, God helps lead US to Jesus too — through our families, our church, and our school. We follow Jesus!"
Closing Prayer:
"Thank you, God, for the beautiful stars. Thank you for leading the Wise Men to Jesus. Help us to always follow Your light and find Jesus in everything. Amen."
Optional Song: "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" with revised last lines:
"What you are I know so well, God made you, your light to tell!"
✅ Assessment¶
Observation Checklist¶
| Skill | Observed |
|---|---|
| Can retell star story basics | ☐ |
| Understands stars are in the night sky | ☐ |
| Connected dots to make a pattern | ☐ |
| Created star art with identifiable stars | ☐ |
| Expressed wonder about stars | ☐ |
Success Criteria¶
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Student can say that a star led the Wise Men to Jesus
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Student creates a star art picture
-
Student shows curiosity about stars
🔄 Differentiation¶
For Students Who Need Support¶
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Pre-placed stickers, student just adds more
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Focus on one big star
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Hand-over-hand for connecting dots
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Verbal retelling rather than art
For Advanced Learners¶
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Count the stars in their picture
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Draw the Wise Men following the star
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Learn the name "constellation"
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Try to identify another constellation pattern
🆘 Substitute Teacher Notes¶
Simplified version: 1. Prayer about stars 2. Tell the story of the Wise Men following the star 3. Make star art with stickers on dark paper 4. Share pictures 5. Closing prayer
Key points:
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God made the stars
-
A special star led the Wise Men to Jesus
-
Stars are beautiful!
📖 Vocabulary¶
| Word | Definition | Visual Cue |
|---|---|---|
| Star | A bright light in the night sky | ⭐ |
| Night sky | What we see above us when it's dark | Dark with dots |
| Wise Men/Magi | People who studied stars and followed one to Jesus | Three figures |
| Pattern | When things are arranged in a special way | Connected dots |
| Constellation | A pattern of stars with a name | Big Dipper |
📎 Home Connection¶
Family Note:
"Today we learned about stars and the Star of Bethlehem! Your child made a star picture showing the night sky. This week, try to go outside on a clear night and look at the stars together. Talk about how God made each one and how He used a special star to lead the Wise Men to Jesus.
Wonder question to discuss: 'How many stars do you think there are?'"
Lesson Version: 1.0
Last Updated: 2025-12-05