Astronomy is so inspiring and, oh,  so much fun! Come explore the heavens through the eyes of the great astronomers Johannes Kepler and Galileo Galilei! Using the Sowers biography Johannes Kepler: Giant of Faith and Science and Jeanne Bendick’s beautifully illustrated Along Came Galileo, we will read together each week, narrate Charlotte Mason–style, and connect discoveries to beautiful images of space and hands-on activities. We will listen to beautiful music inspired by the planets, including Gustav Holst The Planets, and look at art like Students will observe the moon and stars, model planetary orbits, sketch galaxies and nebulae, and reflect on how science invites us create epic songs like Star Wars, and to praise our Creator with awe: “How Great Thou Art.”

This a high joy, low stress class. We hope you have time to read, but everyone is welcome when they don't. Think of the readings as a delicious feast we're just inviting you to participate in! And if it helps, contact Maraly to get your child on the schedule for the optional complimentary 15 min weekly tutoring on Astronomy to do retellings of the readings with with Heather Hobbs (narrations, or to read with the children online).

Session 1 — Awe & Shirts

In Class: Intro to course + hymn How Great Thou Art. Starwars theme music. Begin Kepler Ch. 1 (The Boy Nobody Wanted).

At Home: Finish Ch. 1.

Astronomy Topic: Observe the moon (phases, craters). Sketch & journal.

Activity: Begin T-shirt design brainstorming and design.

Session 2 — Kepler’s Faith & Stars

In Class: Kepler Ch. 2 (Grounded in Faith).

At Home: Kepler Ch. 3 (Music of the Spheres).

Astronomy Topic: Stars & constellations — draw and identify a few.

Activity: Finalize T-shirt designs & send to print.

Session 3 — Kepler the Calendar Maker

In Class: Kepler Ch. 4 (Calendar Maker of Graz).

At Home: Kepler Ch. 5 (Banishment!).

Astronomy Topic: Planets — introduce Mercury, Venus, Mars. Make a mini observation log.

Faith Note: Kepler saw order in God’s design even in exile.

Session 4 — Planetary Laws

In Class: Kepler Ch. 6 (Prince of Astronomers).  The planets. Storybots Planet Song.

At Home: Kepler Ch. 7 (The New Astronomy).

Astronomy Topic: Orbits — demonstrate ellipses with string & pins.

Activity: Narration + journal: “What does order in the heavens teach us about God?”

Session 5 — Message from the Stars

In Class: Kepler Ch. 8 (Message from the Stars).

At Home: Kepler Ch. 9 (The Dark Years).

Astronomy Topic: Nebulae & galaxies — sketch Orion Nebula or Milky Way band.

Faith Note: Even in darkness, Kepler kept praising God.

Session 6 — Kepler’s Legacy

In Class: Kepler Ch. 10 (Tried for a Witch).

At Home: Kepler Ch. 11–12 (Home at Last!, Kepler in Today’s World).

Astronomy Topic: Solar system overview — planets in order, size comparisons.

Activity: Build a solar system scale model (paper strips, chalk, or string).

Session 7 — Galileo Begins

In Class: Galileo Ch. 1–2 (Along Came Galileo, Galileo’s World).

At Home: Galileo Ch. 3 (Galileo Goes to College).

Astronomy Topic: The telescope — how it changed astronomy. (Optional: use binoculars to observe moon).

Faith Note: Galileo’s curiosity as a gift from God.

Session 8 — The Starry Messenger

In Class: Galileo Ch. 4–5 (Galileo Becomes a Professor, Three Famous Astronomers).

At Home: Galileo Ch. 6–7 (A New Way of Looking, The Starry Messenger).

Astronomy Topic: Jupiter’s moons, sunspots, Venus phases — Galileo’s key discoveries.

Activity: Sketch moon/Jupiter from online telescope images.

Session 9 — Galileo’s Conflict

In Class: Galileo Ch. 8 (Galileo Loves a Fight).

At Home: Galileo Ch. 9–10 (Trouble Begins, The Trial of Galileo).

Astronomy Topic: Faith & science tension — Can science strengthen worship?

Activity: Narration & reflection: “What do the stars say about their Maker?”

Session 10 — Legacy & Celebration

In Class: Galileo Ch. 11 (Galileo’s Last Years).

At Home (Optional to keep on going): Newton Ch. 1 (The Boy Scientist) — for those ready to explore.

Astronomy Topic: Space Station, modern exploration — final star chart or stargazing night.

Activity: Wear printed shirts, share narration

For details on the lesson plans you can peek here.