Great Books: Galileo’s Dialogue: Teacher’s Guide
Grade Level: 9-12
Curriculum Focus: Astronomy/Space
Lesson Duration: Two class periods
Program Description
Perhaps the most visionary and controversial book of its time, Galileo's Dialogue asserted that
Earth was not the center of the universe. It landed Galileo in jail until his death for contradicting
the teachings of the medieval church. Egotistical visionary against bullheaded pope, science
against theology — the profound conflicts caused by this book unfold through dramatic
reenactments.
Onscreen Questions and Activities
Segment 1, Galileo’s Dialogue, Part One
•
•
Pre-viewing questions:
o
Discuss what you already know about Galileo Galilei. How did he contribute to
modern science?
o
As you watch the documentary, pay attention to the different arguments Galileo
made in the Dialogue. Why was his book more influential than earlier writings on
the same subject?
Post-viewing questions:
o
•
The documentary explains that Galileo’s Dialogue literally changed the world
forever. Review the public’s reaction to this revolutionary work. Why did it take
such a long time for it to gain acceptance?
Activity: Brainstorm current scientific issues or theories that are controversial. Research one of
these issues and present your findings to the class. Be sure to explain both sides of the
controversy.
Segment 2, Galileo’s Dialogue, Part Two
•
Pre-viewing questions:
o
What do you already know about the role of the Catholic Church in 17th Century
Europe? What do you know about the Inquisition?
o
As you watch the documentary, pay attention to the ways that church officials and
secret documents influenced the outcome of the trial of Galileo. What role did
politics play in his trial?
Great Books: Galileo’s Dialogue: Teacher’s Guide
•
Post-viewing questions:
o
•
2
The documentary describes Galileo’s political mistake and the trial that followed.
What does this incident tell you about the relationship among religion, politics and
science in the 17th Century?
Activity: Imagine that you have just watched Galileo recant his views on the universe. Write a
letter to him asking all the questions you have about his book and the trial. Then trade letters
with a partner and respond as you think Galileo would.
Lesson Plan
Student Objectives
Students will understand:
•
Galileo’s conclusions about the position of Earth in the solar system raised objections from the
Church.
•
There are still conflicts between science and tradition today; these controversial issues are often
quite emotional and complex.
Materials
•
Great Books: Galileo’s Dialogue video and VCR, or DVD and DVD player
•
Recent magazine and newspaper articles on controversial issues in science, both in support of
and against the scientific advances
Procedures
1. Discuss the heightened emotions that scientists, on the one hand, and the Church, on the other
hand, felt when Galileo published his theory about Earth’s position. Why were Galileo’s
theories so controversial?
2. Tell students that there are still conflicts between science and tradition today. Ask students to
name examples of scientific breakthroughs that some members of society think should not be
carried out. Students may come up with some of the following controversial issues:
•
cloning of animals
•
cloning of humans
•
genetic reengineering, genetic screening
•
fertility treatments
•
further research into space
•
radiation of food
Published by Discovery Education. © 2005. All rights reserved.
Great Books: Galileo’s Dialogue: Teacher’s Guide
•
3
greatly extending the average life span
3. Break students into groups, and have each research one of the preceding issues or other
similarly controversial ones. The research should expose students to both sides of the issue—
arguments for proceeding with scientific inquiry or breakthroughs as well as arguments for not
proceeding.
4. Once their research is complete, assign half of each group’s members the role of scientists
working in the field, asking for support for their work to continue. Assign the other half of the
group to play the roles of skeptical government officials, media, and concerned citizens, all of
whom think it is improper to continue this line of scientific research and development. Have the
students face each other in a news conference called by the scientists, who have an
announcement to make. The government officials, media, and concerned citizens should ask
challenging questions of the scientists and make statements of their own. Assign one student
from outside the group to act as moderator for the news conference, introducing the scientists
and calling on the government officials, media, and citizens who have questions or comments.
5. Have the rest of the class watch each news conference. Afterwards, ask them to comment on
which side has stronger arguments or makes a better case—the scientists or the challengers of
the scientists.
6. Sum up the project by making sure students understand that strong arguments exist on both
sides of each issue, that seldom does one side have all the answers.
Discussion Questions
1. Explain the significance of Galileo’s observations of Jupiter and its moons, and evaluate
Galileo’s contributions to science and history.
2. Discuss how the Copernican system threatened Church doctrine, and why the Dialogue of
Galileo—a devout Catholic—offended the Church.
3. Debate Galileo’s decision to recant his heliocentric views. Do you consider this cowardice, or
did Galileo have no choice? What would you have done in his situation?
4. Discuss why students of world history need to study Galileo, the Catholic Church and its
Inquisition in order to understand the Scientific Revolution, the Protestant Reformation, and the
subsequent Enlightenment (Age of Reason).
Assessment
Use the following three-point rubric to evaluate students' work during this lesson.
•
3 points: Students shared several examples of controversial scientific issues; showed strong
research skills and familiarity with their scientific issue; explained arguments clearly; were
courteous with other students during news conference.
•
2 points: Students shared one example of a controversial scientific issue; showed satisfactory
research skills and familiarity with their scientific issue; explained arguments with some clarity;
were courteous with other students during news conference.
Published by Discovery Education. © 2005. All rights reserved.
Great Books: Galileo’s Dialogue: Teacher’s Guide
•
1 point: Students did not share any examples of a controversial scientific issue; showed weak
research skills and familiarity with their scientific issue; gave unclear arguments; were rude or
impatient with other students during news conference.
Vocabulary
blasphemy
Definition: The act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God.
Context: Some believed Galileo’s findings were blasphemy. One blasphemy was that the moon
was rough rocky, not pure and white.
doctrinal
Definition: Preoccupied with a principle or position in a branch of knowledge or system of
belief; dogma.
Context: The Copernican system was a threat to the whole doctrinal basis of the Church’s
teachings on the sacraments, on the nature of the Church itself.
dogma
Definition: A doctrine or body of doctrines concerning faith or morals formally stated and
authoritatively proclaimed by a church.
Context: The Dominicans were the guard dogs of Church dogma.
heresy
Definition: An opinion or doctrine contrary to church dogma.
Context: Galileo was burnt here in this place of Flowers for heresy by the Inquisition, February
the 17th, 1600.
recant
Definition: To withdraw or repudiate (a statement or belief) formally and publicly.
Context: The church resisted Galileo’s new ideas and forced him to recant.
Academic Standards
Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL)
McREL's Content Knowledge: A Compendium of Standards and Benchmarks for K-12 Education
addresses 14 content areas. To view the standards and benchmarks, visit
http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/browse.asp.
This lesson plan addresses the following national standards:
•
World History—Global Expansion and Encounter: Understands how European society
experienced political, economic, and cultural transformations in an age of global
intercommunication between 1450 and 1750.
Published by Discovery Education. © 2005. All rights reserved.
4
Great Books: Galileo’s Dialogue: Teacher’s Guide
5
•
Science—Space Science: Understands the composition and structure of the universe and the
Earth's place in it.
•
Science—Nature of Science: Understands the nature of scientific knowledge.
The National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)
The National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) has developed national standards to provide
guidelines for teaching social studies. To view the standards online, go to
http://www.socialstudies.org/standards/strands/.
This lesson plan addresses the following thematic standards:
•
Time, Continuity, and Change
Support Materials
Develop custom worksheets, educational puzzles, online quizzes, and more with the free teaching tools
offered on the Discoveryschool.com Web site. Create and print support materials, or save them to a
Custom Classroom account for future use. To learn more, visit
•
http://school.discovery.com/teachingtools/teachingtools.html
Published by Discovery Education. © 2005. All rights reserved.