RPSEC Student Programs for
South Carolina & Georgia Schools

 

Follow the Drinking Gourd

Student Programs Lesson Information, Standards Correlations, and Post Visit Activities

Follow the Drinking Gourd: (Grades 1-4 • Planetarium • 60 minutes) This planetarium program explains how slaves in the United States used astronomy and song to escape the bondage of slavery. The show follows one slave family to see how they used the song “Follow the Drinking Gourd” to help them travel safely to Canada. Students will have an opportunity to sing along and learn that the Drinking Gourd is another name for the Big Dipper. Other common constellations will also be discussed.

Traveling Science Kits that support or extend this lesson
Pre & Post Visit Activities

This lesson supports the following science standards:

South Carolina Schools

Georgia Schools

Grade 1: SCSS 3.1, 3.3
Grade 4: SCSS 3.5

Grade 1 Science
Sun and Moon
Standard 1-3: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the features of the sky and the patterns of the Sun and the Moon (Earth Science).

Indicators:
3.1 Compare the features of the day and night sky.
3.3 Recognize that the Sun and the Moon appear to rise and set.

Grade 4 Science
Astronomy
Standard 4-3: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the properties, movements, and locations of objects in the solar system. (Earth Science)

Indicator:
3.5 Explain how the rotation of Earth results in day and night.

Grade 2: S2E1 a
Grade 4: S4E1 a, c

Grade 2 Science
S2E1: Students will understand that stars have different sizes, brightness, and patterns.

Indicator:
a. Describe the physical attributes of stars—size, brightness, and patterns.

Grade 4 Science
S4E1: Students will compare and contrast the physical attributes of stars, star patterns, and planets.

Indicators:
a. Recognize the physical attributes of stars in the night sky such as number, size, color and patterns.
c. Explain why the pattern of stars in a constellation stays the same, but a planet can be seen in different locations at different times.

Please direct inquiries to:
Ruth Patrick Science Education Center
c/o Student Programs
USC Aiken, Box 3, 471 University Parkway, Aiken, SC 29801
(803) 641-3313 from Augusta 278-1967 Ext. 3313

RPSEC@usca.edu

Copyright © 2008 by the Board of Trustees of the University of South Carolina.

Ruth Patrick Science Education Center
Center of Excellence in Educational Technology
University of South Carolina Aiken
471 University Parkway
Aiken, SC 29801
803-641-3313

URL: http://rpsec.usca.edu/student/Programs/FollowGourd/FollowGourd.html (April 2008)