Copernicus & Galileo Readers Theater Script | Historical Renaissance Series

This readers’ theater script, Copernicus and Galileo - Renaissance Skywatchers, covers 11 scenes of the Renaissance, from 1540 Frombork to 1642 Arcetri. It follows Nicolaus Copernicus as he proposes the heliocentric theory and Galileo Galilei as he discovers Jupiter’s moons and faces the Church’s Inquisition. With 12 speaking roles—including astronomers, patrons like Cosimo de’ Medici, and Church officials—it’s designed for grades 7-12, with flexible casting for small or large groups.

What's included?

(a single PDF with links to Google Docs/Slides, if print format is preferred you can download from your Google Drive to word/pdf/ppt/etc)

1) Teacher's Guide & Answer Key

• Standards Alignment (CCSS Grades 7~12, CCRA)
• Teacher Tips
• Answer Keys for all worksheet sections
• Themes & Discussion Question Prompts
• Format: Google Doc (8 pages)

2) Readers Theater Script

• ~12 Characters, 3100 words,
• Format: Google Doc (9 pages)

3) Script Worksheet

• 10 Vocabulary Words
• 10 Short-Answer Questions: Comprehension and recall questions based solely on the script.
• 5 Primary Source Questions
• Format: Google Slides (22 Slides)
• 10 Optional Domain Specific Questions
• 5 Science/Astronomy Related Questions
• 5 Social Studies: Renaissance Unit Related Questions
• Note: These questions are not on the Google Slides Worksheet but can be used for specific classroom needs

4) Primary Sources/Excerpts

• 1: Copernicus’s Letter to Pope Paul III (1543, De Revolutionibus)
• 2: Galileo’s Sidereus Nuncius (The Starry Messenger, 1610)
• 3: Galileo’s Letter to the Grand Duchess Christina (1615)
• Full Primary Source Text, Google Doc Format (7 pages)

Will this work for my classroom?

Get a feel for this script, worksheet and teacher's guide by downloading this FREE Columbus and Magellan Reader's Theater Script