Get ready for a creative journey through the cosmos! In this printable activity, we invite your students to explore the fascinating world of astronomy through the significant works of the 16th-century astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus.
Through a mix of creativity and learning, students will explore visually how our understanding of the solar system has changed over time. Let's ignite a creative passion for astronomy and spark curiosity as we guide our young learners through this hands-on activity!
Let's get started!
Printable & Activity Objectives
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Age: 7 to 9 year olds, Activity Time: 1-2 hours, Items Needed: Colouring and writing pencils.
In this creative printable activity, elementary students will learn about Copernicus's significant contribution to modern astronomy by illustrating the historical and modern interpretations of the solar system.
Enhanced Understanding of Scientific Concepts: When students compare the old geocentric model with Copernicus' heliocentric theory, they can gain a better understanding of complex astronomical concepts in a hands-on and accessible way.
Historical Contextualization: When students explore the historical context surrounding Copernicus' contributions, they gain insight into the evolution of scientific thought. This helps them appreciate the iterative nature of knowledge and the importance of questioning established beliefs.
Cultivation of Creativity: The fun drawing and colouring activities help students express their creativity and imagination by turning scientific ideas into colourful visuals. This makes it easier for them to connect with the subject matter.
Suggested Use with Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards
Suitable for 3rd and 4th graders and and is designed to complement instruction aligned with the following standards:
Common Core Language Arts Standards: Students will conduct short research projects (W.3.7, W.4.7) to gather information about [subject of biography], then use their findings to write informative texts (W.3.2, W.4.2) that demonstrate their understanding. The activity also reinforces reading comprehension skills (RI.3.1, RI.4.1) as students analyse informational texts during the research process.
NGSS ESS1.A: The Universe and Its Stars: This activity delves into the details of the solar system and how it works, this NGSS standard could be relevant.
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Note on Standards Alignment: Common Core and NGSS alignment is suggested. Teachers or educators should always determine if these resources meet their specific curriculum needs and learning objectives.
Let's get creative!
Classroom Resources
Simple steps to start:
Research and find out more about Copernicus, his discoveries and contribution to modern science. Here's a fascinating introduction to the life of Nicolaus Copernicus:
Here's an animated video about the past and currently debunked understanding of the solar system call "geocentrism" where the earth is thought to be the centre of the universe:
Let's started on the printable worksheets!
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What's in the Printable Worksheet Pack
This printable activity pack consists of 3 creative printable worksheets. Here's what it consists of:
1 Printable Creative Legends of STEM (Copernicus) Research sheet
1 Printable Past Understanding of the Cosmos Drawing sheet
1 Printable Creative Discovery (Current Understanding of the Cosmos) Drawing sheet
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