Master of Invention

Grade Levels:  1-4

Subjects:  Social Studies, Language Arts, Developmental Guidance, Math, Science

Learner Outcomes:
  This unit will help students to understand that:

•       individuals do and should make a difference
•       role models help us to reflect on the qualities and actions we want to exhibit
•       people's actions are influenced by time and place
•       individuals are influenced by the groups and institutions around them
•       our perception of people vary with time, information and world view

 

Materials:
Examples of Edison's inventions

Technology/Tools/courseware:
Encarta

Teacher notes
Refer to the "hero" sandwich (character traits) during the lesson
Each child should have an Acceptable User Policy form on file;  those who don't will need to research via the encyclopedia or other reference material.
Teachers in primary grades will want to use the Thomas Edison web site as a directed activity.
Teachers will need to check for children with peanut allergies

Lesson Objectives:
1.  Students will demonstrate technology skills necessary to perform scavenger hunt
2.  Students will identify inventors and their contributions
3.  Students will utilize research skills

Procedures:
1.  Display inventions of Thomas Edison (light bulb, typewriter, phonograph, talking dolls)
2.  Give the students a biographical sketch of   Thomas Edison
3.  Brainstorm other inventions.  Intermediate children will search the Internet to find who invented them and their respective countries of origin.
4.  Journal prompt:  What kind of toys do you think Edison and Carver played with as a child?
 
 

Modifications:
Grades 1-2:   Extend the discussion of inventors through peanut butter.
Give a brief biographical sketch of  George Washington Carver
Students could work in cooperative groups to complete the Internet scavenger hunt.

Enrichment Activities
1.   Using the data from the Internet search, children will prepare a graph of inventors/countries
2.   See his inventions and play game revolving around electricity and safety Thomas Edison
3.   Download 2 reading comprehension activities  Thomas Edison
4.  Working in cooperative groups, have children count peanuts and show in groups of tens and ones
5.  Look at the inside of different kinds of seeds.

 Evaluation/Assessment
1.  Completion of the scavenger hunt
 

West Virginia Instructional Goals and Objectives
Social Studies
 History                                              Civics
 3.37, 3.38, 3.39, 3.50, 4.33               3.9

Language Arts
 Reading Comprehension          Reading Vocabulary      Study Skills
  2.51                                              2.67                           3.4, 4.44
Writing
   1.70, 1.73, 1.74, 2.77, 2.78, 2.79, 3.43, 3.44, 3.45, 3.46, 4.51, 4.52, 4.53, 4.54, 4.55

Math
  Number Theory and Number Sense
  1.1, 1.3, 1.8

Science
  Nature of Science                           Science History
   1.7, 3.2                                           1.63, 1.65, 2.57, 3.74

National Standards

References:
Internet Activities for Social Studies, Teacher Created Materials, Inc.
The Best of Internet Activities, Teacher Created Materials, Inc.
The Core Knowledge Sequence,  Core Knowledge Foundation
Hooray for Heroes!, Dennis Deneberg and Lorraine Roscoe
Heroes,  Teacher Created Materials, Inc.

Created by:
 Donna Peduto
 Debbie Wilson
 Cathie DeVito
 East Dale School

 

Lesson A  Everybody Needs a Hero

Lesson B  Master of Invention

Lesson C  Let's Hear if for George

Lesson D An Extraordinary Woman

Lesson E A Parade of Heroes