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Moon and Stars

"Do not cry for me mother. Long after you are gone and till the end of time, people will gaze at me." (The Boy in the Moon's parting words to his mother.) - Francis Tatti, April, 1991

Primary Objective:
The moon and stars were traditionally used as clocks, compasses and calendars. It is still an important skill to be able to use the moon and the stars for direction and time while travelling. It could mean survival for the student. But also, the student should know how the Dene traditionally found their way and told the time, and take pride in that knowledge.

	The Spiritual World		The Land
	The People		The Self
	Special Information for Teachers

The Land

Students will:

Be able to use the moon and stars to make weather forecasts. (4-6)
- Cloud in front of the moon means nice weather the next day. Twinkling stars mean wind the next day. White moon means cold weather. Direction of a falling star indicates the direction of wind. (Dehcho)
- Rings around the moon in winter mean snow. When the last quarter of the moon ends upward, cold weather will come. (Lutsel K'e)
Be able to use the moon and stars (Big Dipper) to tell time. (4-6)
Be able to use the moon to tell direction. (4-6)
- A bright star which does not move can be used to give direction.
- If the moon and stars are clouded over, it is best not to travel because you cannot tell direction.
Know that the Dene used to travel by the light of the moon and stars. (K-3)
Name the phases of the moon: full, new, quarters. (K-3)
Be familiar with the Dene calendar based on the lunar cycle. (4-6)
Identify Dene constellations. (K-6)
Be able to tell the season by the cycles of the moon. Five days before New Year's Day, the moon and sun start to separate. (4-6)
Know effect of the moon on: (4-6)
- bodies of water - tides
- possibly people because they are made of water.
Understand how people and the land are affected by the moon and the stars even though they are a part of another world. (K-6)

Experiences:

Observe the night sky (the moon and stars).
the phases of the moon. (K-3)
the constellations. (K-6)
position in the sky. (4-6)
the associated weather. (4-6)
Hear elders talk about how they used the night sky to travel. (4-6)
Make a Dene calendar which names the seasons. (4-6)
Have students try to use signs from the moon to predict weather. (4-6)
moon lying on its back means cold weather.
moon sitting straight means warmth.