I have a 4 weeks free Galileo unit study and a fun telescope craft. Look at my other pages Best Homeschool Unit Studies and Exploring Space and Astronomy Free Unit Study for more ideas and topics for hands-on learning.
To make a Galileo unit study exciting we are crafting our own refracting telescope and look at some other great ideas to build it up.
A refracting telescope is a type of optical telescope that uses lenses to focus light and create an image of a distant object.
It is the oldest and most common type of telescope.
And was first developed in the 17th century by Galileo Galilei.
Galileo Galilei was an Italian astronomer, physicist, engineer, philosopher, and mathematician who lived in the 16th and 17th centuries.
He is considered to be one of the most important figures in the history of science.
His work laid the foundation for modern physics as well as the development of calculus.
He was born in Pisa, Italy, in 1564 and he showed an early interest in science and mathematics, and he studied at the University of Pisa.
After graduating, Galileo taught mathematics at the University of Padua for the next 18 years.
While he was there, he made a number of important discoveries.
He developed a new theory of motion, which showed that objects fall at the same rate regardless of their weight.
Also, he also invented the telescope, which allowed him to make detailed observations of the planets and stars.
KIDS BOOKS ABOUT GALILEO
First, look at these fun books
4 Books About Galileo
Add these books to our home library. Use for a unit study or reading for the day.
One of the most important figures to come out of the awakening world of the Renaissance was Galileo Galelei. Galileo was forever asking questions. Is it possible to measure heat? Can you weigh air? Does the earth stand still or does it move? How fast do objects fall to the earth? These questions, and his answers to them, led to some of the most important discoveries ever in astronomy, physics, mathematics, and the natural world.
Sixteenth century Italy produced Galileo, a genius who marked the world with his studies and hypotheses about mathematical, physical, and astronomical truths. His father, musician Vincenzio Galilei said, “Truth is not found behind a man’s reputation. Truth appears only when the answers to questions are searched out by a free mind. This is not the easy path in life but it is the most rewarding.” Galileo challenged divine law and the physics of Aristotle, and questioned everything in search of truths. And it was through this quest for truth that he was able to establish a structure for modern science.
In every age there are courageous people who break with tradition to explore new ideas and challenge accepted truths. Galileo Galilei was just such a man--a genius--and the first to turn the telescope to the skies to map the heavens. In doing so, he offered objective evidence that the earth was not the fixed center of the universe but that it and all the other planets revolved around the sun. Galileo kept careful
notes and made beautiful drawings of all that he observed. Through his telescope he brought the starts down to earth for everyone to see.
Inspired by a long fascination with Galileo, and by the remarkable surviving letters of his daughter Maria Celeste, a cloistered nun, Dava Sobel has crafted a biography that dramatically recolors the personality and accomplishments of a mythic figure whose early-seventeenth-century clash with Catholic doctrine continues to define the schism between science and religion-the man Albert Einstein called "the father of modern physics-indeed of modern science altogether." It is also a stunning portrait of Galileo's daughter, a person hitherto lost to history, described by her father as "a woman of exquisite mind, singular goodness, and most tenderly attached to me."
Then look at these history and geography Galileo unit study ideas.
HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY GALILEO UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 1
He was the first person to observe the four largest moons of Jupiter and discovered the phases of Venus.
Galileo published his book “The Starry Messenger” in 1610 and described his observations of the solar system. His book provided strong evidence in support of the Copernican theory, which said that the Earth revolves around the Sun.
This important work has been translated into more than 100 languages.
Grab a map or atlas and help your child locate different NASA space center locations throughout the US and the world.
- White Sands Test Facility-Cruces, NM
- Ames Research Center-Moffett Field, CA
- Armstrong Flight Research Center-Edwards, CA
- Glenn Research Center-Cleveland, OH
- Goddard Space Flight Center-Greenbelt, MD
- Goddard Institute of Space Studies-New York, NY
- IV and V Facility-Fairmont, WV
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)-Pasadena, CA
- Johnson Space Center-Houston, TX
- Kennedy Space Center-FL
- Langley Research Center-Hampton, VA
- Marshall Space Flight Center-Huntsville, AL
- NASA HQ-Washington, D.C.
- Stennis Space Center-MS
- Wallops Flight Facility-Wallops Island, VA
Then look at more hands-on ideas.
- Galileo history lesson
- Explore the Galileo Museum in Florence
- Free Ancient Astronomy Notebooking Pages
- Create a visual timeline showing the development of telescopes, from Galileo’s first telescope to the Hubble Space Telescope.
NATURE & SCIENCE GALILEO UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 2
- Let your learning cover modern space explorers as well as the first ones in the field. Learn 5 Facts About The Moon Landing and Make Fun Astronaut Ice Cream for a tasty lesson.
- You can purchase a basic Telescope but it is also fun to make your own refracting telescope and I have the easy instructions for making one below.
- Conduct Galileo’s Famous Falling Objects Experiment
- Galileo Discovery of Jupiter Moons and Fun Hands-On Moon Crater Experiment
- Watch Galileo Galilei on Youtube to learn about the amazing scientist, physicist mathematician and more that contributed so much to today’s space knowledge and inventions.
- Physical Science Experiments Swinging with Galileo
- How to Make Mini Solar System Activity Sensory Bottles
MATH & LANGUAGE ARTS GALILEO UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 3
- Simple Space Themed Addition and Subtraction is a solid way to learn basic math facts while keeping with the unit.
- These Find The Letter Worksheets with a space theme are perfect for preschoolers and kindergarteners.
- Learn about time and motion. Galileo famously discovered that objects fall at the same rate regardless of weight.
- These Space Counting Mats can be laminated and used over and over with small treats like candies or crackers as well as other non edible manipulatives.
- Teach kids about angles.
- Learn about planetary distances.
- Write a short biography about Galileo.
Additionally, look at arts and crafts ideas for learning about Galileo.
ARTS & CRAFTS GALILEO UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 4
- Look at this Space STEAM: How to Make Felted Ball Planets, a neat new handicraft to learn.
- Focus on Venus as you talk about the fact that Galileo discovered its phases with this Venus Craft.
- Galileo Learning Ideas & Star Viewer Craft
- This space themed Galaxy Play Dough is good for building up fine motor skills and making an already fun theme even better.
- Create an interactive Spinning Solar System with building blocks for an impressive piece that kids will enjoy building and putting on display.
- 10 Moon Craft Ideas and Wrapped Crescent Moon Craft For Kids
Next, look at more best homeschool unit studies.
MORE BEST HOMESCHOOL UNIT STUDIES
- 4 Weeks Free Homeschool Panda Unit Study & Best Hands-On Ideas
- Make Science Exciting: Free Human Body Homeschool Unit Study
- Free 4 Week Minn of the Mississippi Unit Study
- 4 Week Free China Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas
- 4 Week Free Shakespeare Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas
- 4 Week Free Middle Ages Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas
- Free 4-Week Kid’s Australia Unit Study Who Love Hands-on Learning
- How to Incorporate Subjects into a Fun Homeschool Cooking Unit Study
- Mushroom Unit Study and Kids Learning Activities
- North American Robin Bird Lapbook and Fun Homeschool Unit Study Ideas
- Ocean Lapbook and Homeschool Unit Study
- Kids Dandelion Flower Unit Study and Easy Tea Recipe & Notebooking Pages
- Chicken Unit Study and Anatomy of an Egg Felt Activity & Worksheet
HOW TO MAKE A TELESCOPE CRAFT
Finally, look at how to make a telescope craft.
You will need:
- An empty paper towel roll
- Masking, duct, packing tape
- Markers, crayons, stickers
- Old pair of reading glasses (can be purchased at Dollar Tree)
- Scissors
First, cut lengthwise down one of the paper towel tubes.
Squeeze it lightly together and slide it inside of the uncut tube.
Before moving on let your child decorate the outside of their “telescope” with crayons or markers, you could also use space themed stickers like these.
Pop the lenses carefully out of the glasses.
Place one lens with the concave (curved outward) side face away from the tube, use duct tape or masking tape to secure it to the end, covering as little of the glass as possible.
On the other end of the telescope tape the second lens with the curve facing the inside of the tube.
To focus, slide the inner paper towel tube in and out as you look through the end.
