Thomas Edison Inventions
Students will work collaboratively to research given inventions made by Thomas Edison. They will use provided websites to read, analyze, and depict factual information about inventions by Thomas Edison and explain them effects on society. Students will have choice in the presentation of their information and will use communication skills to deliver to peers what they have learned.
Lesson Created By: Raney Stogner
Essential Question
How did Thomas Edison's inventions impact life today?
How have Thomas Edison's inventions evolved in today's world?
Grade(s):
- 5
- 6
Subject(s):
Recommended Technology:
Computer/laptop, SmartBoard to play video
Other Instructional Materials or Notes:
This lesson is an asset for Episode 85 of NASA Online - Case of the "Wright" Invention, Part 1.
Lesson Progression
- Play Episode 85 of NASA Online: Case of the "Wright" Invention, Part 1. Link here.
- After the video, ask students if anyone knows who Thomas Edison is and if they know anything about what he is famous for.
- Students may or may not know so steer discussion accordingly.
- Tell students he is a famous inventor from the early 1900s.
- Explain to students that they are going to work together to research and discover Thomas Edison's inventions.
- Break students into groups.
- There should be a group for each of the following.
- 1868 Vote Recorder
- 1869 Stock Ticker
- 1872 Automatic Telegraph
- 1876 Electric Pen
- 1877 Carbon Telephone Transmitter
- 1877 Tinfoil Phonograph
- 1879 Incandescent Electric Light
- 1886 Talking Doll
- 1897 Moving Pictures Projector
- 1900 Storage Battery
- Have students begin their research on Thomas Edison using the websites provided in the Resources tab.
- Tell students to use their researching skills to find: 5 facts about invention, difficulties/triumphs encountered, year of invention, pictures of invention, and how the invention works. They can record their findings in the "Research Notes" sheet in the Resources tab.
- Once information is found, students must find a way to present information.
- PowerPoint
- Poster
- Video
- Presentation
- Collage
- Prezi
- Attached in resources is the information each group should have for their invention and a rubric for grading.
Invention Information Guideline
View ResourceRubric for Presentation
View ResourceResearch notes sheet
View ResourceHistory.com - Inventions
View ResourceThomas Edison
View ResourceStandards
- ELA.C.7 Organize and communicate ideas through a range of formats to engage a variety of audiences.
- ELA.R.1 Use critical thinking skills to investigate, evaluate, and synthesize a variety of sources to obtain and refine knowledge.
- ELA.5.R.1.1 Conduct short research for inquiry by: a. generating a question(s) about a topic; and b. consulting a variety of print and multimedia sources
- ELA.5.R.1.2 Determine the credibility of the source(s) consulted and use the most credible source(s)
- ELA.5.R.1.3 Determine which information is relevant to the topic
- ELA.5.R.1.4 Logically group related findings
- ELA.5.R.1.5 Cite sources to avoid plagiarism
- ELA.R.1 Use critical thinking skills to investigate, evaluate, and synthesize a variety of sources to obtain and refine knowledge.
- ELA.6.R.1.1 Conduct short and more sustained research for inquiry by: a. generating a question(s) about a topic; and b. using a variety of print and multimedia sources to refine the scope of inquiry as relevant to the topic
- ELA.6.R.1.3 Determine which source(s) and/or information is relevant to the topic
- ELA.6.R.1.4 Logically organize findings
- ELA.6.R.1.5 Cite sources to avoid plagiarism
- ELA.C Written and Oral Communications
Assessments
There is a rubric attached that may be used for grading. Students will be graded on the information they collect as well as the presentation of the information.