FREE Nicolaus Copernicus Unit Study at 3 Reading Levels
Published:
April 23, 2020

Contributor:
Sarah Shelton
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Are you studying about famous people in the Renaissance era? Make sure that you don’t miss out on learning about this famous mathematician and astronomer. Nicolaus Copernicus is known as the initiator of the Scientific Revolution and so much can be learned while studying about him.

Who was Nicolaus Copernicus?
Nicolaus Copernicus was born in Thorn, Poland on February 19, 1473. He was the son of a very wealthy merchant. His father died when he was ten years old. He was raised by his uncle, a bishop in the Catholic church.
He studied mathematics and astronomy at the University of Krakow. Then he went on to study law and medicine at the universities of Bologna, Padua, and Ferrara in Italy. Copernicus lived in the home of a mathematics professor while studying at the University of Bologna. This professor is who influenced him to question the astronomy beliefs of the day.
His observations of the heavens were made with the naked eye 50 years before Galileo discovered and invented the telescope! He did not have the tools needed to prove this theories. These would be proven true later with more discoveries and famous astronomers to follow. He died on May 24, 1543.
Initiator of the Scientific Revolution:
Nicolaus Copernicus proposed that the sun was stationary in the center of the universe and the earth revolved around it. This is known as the heliocentric model or heliocentric theory. This was an unproved theory in the time that he was living.
He challenged another famous scientist; Ptolemy’s geocentric model of the universe. At the time, his questioning of the astronomy beliefs of that day as well as his heliocentric idea was pretty controversial. It was also brand new and never heard of.
I love that he was so willing to challenge and question ideas. That really did put him in quite a tough position in the time that the lived in. Copernicus fought hard for what he believed in, even though he didn’t have the ability to prove his theory.
It really is a great lesson that can be learned and taught to our children as you are learning about this scientific pioneer. His thoughts and ideas challenged others to prove that what he believed was true. He really did initiate the beginning of the Scientific Revolution!
- Read a full biography of his life and his works at the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
- Nicolaus Copernicus Biography at Biography.com
- Nicolaus Copernicus Biography for kids – Kids Brittanica
FREE Nicolaus Copernicus Unit Study
We’ve created free Nicolaus Copernicus 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 Nicolaus Copernicus 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 Copernicus’ 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 Nicolaus Copernicus Unit Studies:
Copernicus Learning Pack
Level 1
Copernicus Learning Pack
Level 2
Copernicus Learning Pack
Level 3
FREE Printables and Resources About Nicolaus Copernicus:
Are you learning about astronomy in your science studies, or the Renaissance time period in history? If so, you will enjoy learning about this famous scientist. Check out our round up of free printables and resources about Nicolaus Copernicus!
- Nicolaus Copernicus Facts for Kids – Kids Kiddle
- Famous Scientist Nicolaus Copernicus and the Heliocentric Solar System – Famous Scientists
- Copernicus Lesson Plan – Brain Pop Educators
- Ptolemy vs. Copernicus Lesson Plan – Lesson Planet
- Copernicus Math Picture Worksheet – Lesson Planet
- Copernicus for Kids Worksheet – Education.com
The Heliocentric Theory:
Copernicus was known for the heliocentric theory. Check out these options if you’d like to learn more about it as a part of your homeschool studies:
- The Copernican Revolution: Copernicus and the Heliocentric Model – Teach Astronomy
- Heliocentrism Facts and Information – Kidz Search
- Heliocentric and Geocentric Models Worksheets – Learny Kids
- Geocentric and Heliocentric Compare and Contrast Worksheet – TPT
- Heliocentric Model of the Solar System – Sciencing.com
- Planetary Motion: The History of an Idea that Launched the Scientific Revolution – NASA Earth Observatory
- Heliocentric Model: Copernicus and Galileo Lesson Plan Study – Passports Educational
Hands–on Projects and Activities
Hands-on activities are always a great way to add some fun to any lessons. Here are a few to go with your study of Copernicus:
- Build a Heliocentric Model with the Scientific Revolution STEM Challenges from Teach Student Savvy.
- Who was Nicolaus Copernicus? – Theory of Heliocentrism with a Heliocentrism Activity for Kids – Science Sparks
- Copernicus Solar System Game – Brain Pop Educators
- The Copernican Model: A Sun-Centered Solar System – Rochester EDU
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 3 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 Galileo Galilei unit study below to get another free pack.
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Nicolaus Copernicus
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We have 3 different reading levels of a FREE Nicolaus Copernicus Unit Study available for you to download. Scroll back up if you missed them.