Stars

Create a starry night out of a large box and christmas lights.  Simply punch holes in the "ceiling" of the box with a screw driver and push the bulbs through the holes.  This idea is courtesy of PlayAtHomeMom3.blogspot.com.  Lay down on your back with your child and admire the lights.  Use the "starlight" to read a book or two about the stars while you're still in the box. 

Photo:  www.theeducatedpreschooler.blogspot.com

Reading Skills:
The Big Dipper by Franklyn Branley

What's Out There? by Lynn Wilson

Our Stars by Anne Rockwell

Fine Motor Skills: 

(1) Tracing -- Give your child colored pencils, paper and various sized stars cut out of cardboard OR a stencil template featuring star shapes.

(2) Offer your child construction paper, a star-shaped sponge, and glow in the dark paint.
(3) Cutting -- Draw a star on a piece of paper or print out the below template and allow your child to cut out the stars with child-friendly scissors.  Depending on the age and maturity of your child, you many need to supervise this activity closely.

PDF:  http://familyfun.go.com/assets/cms/pdf/printables/0406_star_template.pdf

Math Skills:

Cut out a large star out of white or yellow card stock and then cut the star into a few pieces.  Help your child to put it together like a puzzle.  Glue the pieced-together star to a black or navy sheet of paper.  Count and number the points of the star with your child and then allow them to decorate.  Allow your child to embellish with markers and glitter glue.

Photo:  www.theeducatedpreschooler.blogspot.com

Snack:
Make yellow jello in a shallow baking pan.  Use a star shaped cookie cutter to cut out jello stars.  

Nature:
Take your child outdoors on a clear night to see the stars.

Science Project:
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
You'll need aluminum foil, one piece of black construction paper, a glass bowl, flashlight, and pair of scissors.
Steps:
(1) Fill up two thirds of the glass bowl with water and set it aside.
(2) Cut small pieces of aluminum foil and shape them into little stars.
(3) Place the stars on top of the black card stock.
(4) Place the glass bowl on top of the card stock and turn off the lights.
(5) Shine the flashlight on the bowl.
(6) Tap the bowl and see what happens to the stars when the water moves.

Photo:  www.theeducatedpreschooler.blogspot.com

Explanation:  When you shine light on aluminum while water is moving, the light travels through the water and makes the aluminum stars twinkle. Similarly, when the star light moves through the Earth’s atmosphere at night, the air it passes through makes it appear to twinkle.  

Source: http://funschool.kaboose.com/globe-rider/space/stars-twinkle.html