FREE Johannes Kepler Unit Study at 3 Reading Levels for Kids
Published:
May 23, 2020
Contributor:
Sarah Shelton
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase via my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. See my disclosure for more info.
Johannes Kepler was a German astronomer, inventor and mathematician from the 17th century. He is best known for creating the laws of planetary motion. He was one of the most influential figures in the scientific revolution. If you are studying astronomy, and planets you will enjoy learning about Johannes Kepler.
Who was Johannes Kepler?
Johannes Kepler was born on December 27, 1571, in Weil, Germany. He contracted small pox when he was only 3 years old, and was a very sickly child. This led to vision issues later in his life. His parents took him to see his first eclipse when he was only 5. They took him to see stars and comets too.
He became fascinated with planets and the night sky as he was growing up. In 1580 he witnessed his first eclipse of the moon. He went on to study math and astronomy and studied under Nicolaus Copernicus.
Kepler is most known for the discovery of the three laws of planetary motion. This made him the chief founder of modern astronomy. These laws were actually the foundation for Newton’s theories about gravity. Do your children ever look up at the night sky and wonder how every thing moves and works? Kepler was the one who figured that out!
In order for him to understand planetary motion he had to invent quite a few things to help him discover that first. Many people don’t realize that not only was he a famous astronomer, he was also a great inventor. He laid the ground work for some pretty great inventions.
Johannes Kepler Inventions:
- Eyeglasses – if you wear glasses to correct your vision, you can can thank Johannes Kepler for that. He worked with the lenses in the eyeglasses so that people who were both near and far-sighted would be able to have their vision corrected.
- Log Books – He actually created a scientific log book. There were no log books, or spreadsheets or ways to keep track of data in the 17th century. He recorded all of his observations and left room for others to be able to do the same and continue his studies.
- Kepler Telescope – The telescope gave a wider view of the sky than other telescopes of that time period. The images from the telescope could be projected to a white screen to be tracked for research.
- Rudolphine Tables – this was a catalog of stars, and planetary tables along with a printable map of the world at that time. Named after a famous Holy Roman Emperor.
- Astronomia Nova – This is his most famous published work. It was a ten-year-long investigation of the motion of Mars. This is considered one of the most important books in astronomy. All the famous scientists read and devoured his work.
You can read some more about his life and work in his biography from The Famous People.
FREE Johannes Kepler Unit Study
We’ve created free Johannes Kepler learning packs to help kids of multiple ages learn more about this scientist and his revolutionary work. Use the whole pack as a small unit study of Kepler or grab just a couple of page as a supplement to any homeschool curriculum you may already be using.
The free digital printable pack includes:
- Image Analysis of the scientist and/or his or her work
- Read a Passage about the scientist with a place to take short notes
- 5 Key Vocabulary Words from the passages with definitions as well as opportunity to use the word in a sentence and/or draw an image to help your student learn the word
- Vocabulary Flashcards to use 2 ways: fold and learn or cut apart to use as a memory game
- 3-2-1 Reflection which gives a child the opportunity to write 3 things learned, 2 connections made, and 1 thing he or she would like to learn more about
- 3 Multiple Choice Questions with an opportunity to explain the their answer
- 3 Short Answer Questions
- 3 Reflect and Discuss Questions which can be used for personal reflection or to discuss as a family, homeschool co-op or classs.
And because we know that homeschool families may want to learn about the history of Johannes Kepler’s life and work together, we’ve also designed it at 3 different reading levels:
- Level 1 = Approximately Grade 3 reading level
- Level 2 = Approximately Grade 6 reading level
- Level 3 = Approximately Grade 9 reading level
Grab your copy of one or all three reading levels below today
FREE Johannes Kepler Unit Studies:
Kepler Learning Pack
Level 1
Kepler Learning Pack
Level 2
Kepler Learning Pack
Level 3
More Printables and Resources About Johannes Kepler:
We’ve also searched the internet to compile a HSG FREE Resource Roundup list for you to give you even more choices. If you want additional homeschool resources to learn more about Kepler then check out these options:
- Johannes Kepler Facts – Science Kids
- Johannes Kepler Lesson Plans – Study.com
- Brittanica for Kids – Johannes Kepler
- Johannes Kepler Facts for Kids – Kids Kiddle
- Fun Facts About Johannes Kepler with video – Easy Science for Kids
- Kepler’s Top 10 Major Contributions to Science – there are also lots of photographs and diagrams. – Learnado Newtonic
- The Keplarian Telescope – History of Telescope
- Johannes Kepler Timeline Worksheet – Write Bonnie Rose
Planetary Motion Activites & Lesson Plans
Learn about Planetary Motion with these Science activities and lesson plans:
- Kepler Laws of Planetary Motion Lesson Plan – Study.com
- Johannes Kepler: Unlocking the Secrets of Planetary Motion – Space.com
- Planetary Orbits Lab – NAAP
- Kepler’s Three Laws with diagrams and experiments – The Physics Classroom
- Planetary Motion Worksheets – Kiddy Math
Paid Resource: Famous People Notebook: Scientists
Daily Skill Building has created an open-and-go notebooking study called Famous People Notebook: Scientists to explore the life and work of 10 scientists that changed history. This biographical unit studies include text, comprehension questions, written narration, and answers. If you are looking for one book your older students can use to independently explore multiple scientists, then this is a great option!
What to Explore More Famous Scientists?
This is part 5 of our 12 post series on famous scientists. If you would like to add even more scientists into your lesson plans then be sure to go to our Blaise Pascal unit study below to get another free pack.
You Might Also Like…
FREEBIE?
We have 3 different reading levels of a FREE Johannes Kepler Unit Study available for you to download. Scroll back up if you missed them.