Activity Title: “12 Signs of the Zodiac” Song Suggested Season: Any Suggested Grade Level: 3-5 Objective: Review the zodiac signs. Indoors or Outdoors: Indoors Time: 5 – 10 minutes Theme: Astronomy Materials Needed: Song lyrics written out for student reference Topic: Zodiac Signs/Constellations

Directions: 1. Students will review the twelve signs of the zodiac. 2. They will sing a song to the tune of “12 Days of Christmas.” 3. Recommendation: For each verse, as a class, students should come up with an action for that particular zodiac sign. 4. Song Lyrics: “On the 1st month of the Zodiac, my Sun God gave to me, one Aries ram. On the 2nd month of the Zodiac, my Sun God gave to me, two Taurus bulls. On the 3rd month of the Zodiac, my Sun God gave to me, three Gemini twins. On the 4th month of the Zodiac, my Sun God gave to me, four Cancer crabs. On the 5th month of the Zodiac, my Sun God gave to me, five Leo lions. On the 6th month of the Zodiac, my Sun God gave to me, six Earthly Virgos. On the 7th month of the Zodiac, my Sun God gave to me, seven balancing Libras. On the 8th month of the Zodiac, my Sun God gave to me eight Scorpio beasts. On the 9th month of the Zodiac, my Sun God gave to me, nine Sagittarius cupids. On the 10th month of the Zodiac, my Sun God gave to me, ten Capricorn goats. On the 11th month of the Zodiac my Sun God gave to me, eleven Aquarius Water Gods. On the 12th month of the Zodiac, my Sun god gave to me, twelve Pisces fishes.” Repeat the verses just like the 12 Days of Christmas song.

Discussion Questions: 1. What zodiac constellation is in the sky right now? Created by Kim Pothen, 2010, ISD #719

Standards Addressed: Science: Language Arts: K.I.B.; K.II.B.; K.III.A.; 1.III.A.; 1.III.B.1.; 2.III.A.; 3.I.B.1.; 3.III.A.1.; 3.III.A.2.; 3.III.A.3.; 3.III.A.6.; 4.I.B.1. Math: Social Studies:

Background Information: • More than 3,000 years ago, astronomers wondered how the sky would look if the stars were visible during the daytime. • Based on the observations, some astronomers determined that during the daytime, the Sun would appear to “enter” or pass through a different constellation each month. • These twelve constellations are called the Zodiac.

Zodiac signs and months that the sun passes through: Aries: March 21-April 20 Libra: September 24-October 23 Taurus: April 21-May 21 Scorpio: October 24-November 22 Gemini: May 22-June 21 Sagittarius: November 23-December 22 Cancer: June 22-July 22 Capricorn: December 23-January 20 Leo: July 23-August 21 Aquarius: January 21-February 19 Virgo: August 22-September 23 Pisces: February 20-March 20 Additional Resources: • Zodiac: Celestial Circle of the Sun by Jacqueline Mitton • http://sid.bisque.com/sid2/starchart.asp?cmd=Redraw Includes information about your particular night sky, put in your zip code. • www.astrology.com Includes information about star formation & Zodiac signs.

Correlates with: Greeting – Zodiac Line Up News and Announcements – What do you see in the sky?