Home

Hub Sites
  Map-Projects

Our Process
  Checklists
  Original Unit and
     Lesson Plan Organizer
  Sample Standards

ActiveClassroom
  Tours

National Digital Library
  Introduction
  Sample Workshop
  CGLi Web

National Curriculum Institute
  Learning Guide
  Previous Institutes

Units of Practice
  CCTT Units
  CGLi Units

PowerPoint Presentations
  FETC1998
  FETC1999
  FETC2000

Yearly Summaries
  Year 1
  Year 2
  Year 3
       Evaluation
  Year 4
       Evaluation
  Year 5
       Evaluation
  Final Report


Learning Interchange
Units of Practice

The World's Ten Greatest Inventions

Lesson Details


Subjects: English/Language Arts, Social Studies
Learning Levels: Primary, Intermediate
Author(s): Sandra Harris, Dan Ihnen, Joyce Kistler
Submitted by:

Abstract

Students are asked to focus on major inventions from the late 1800s to 2000. They will be directed to examine how these inventions were and are related to societal needs. They will further be guided in investigations to explore the impact these inventions have had on our lives and how they have laid the groundwork for subsequent inventions. Students will use technology to access the American Memory Collections for original photographs, sketches, and other related documents to research inventions. All students will produce a written research report on a selected inventor and invention. They will complement their written work with an oral or visual presentation, such as a model, advertisement, diorama or any other teacher approved selection.

Lesson fundamental understandings:
Essential Questions:

Which inventions were stepping stones for others?

Standards

National Standards

NS 7.5.7 identify the contributions of the inventors and discoverers, including: · Thomas Edison · Wright Brothers · Alexander Graham Bell · George Washington Carver

State Standards

· CEF (4) 11.4 Organize and record information from print and non-print resources · CEF (4) 11.5 Present research findings for different purposes and audiences using various media


Lesson

Prerequisite Skills

Students should have a basic understanding of research via the Internet, as well as the ability to conduct research using library resources. Students should have a basic understanding of research via the Internet, as well as the ability to conduct research using library resources.

Teacher Information/Situations/Setting/Time

· Computer lab, classroom computer, library resources
· Library of Congress http://www.loc.gov
· Internet search engines
· Monitor student writing and projects during informal observations and informal checks for understanding by teacher and peers
· Class time needed: Approximately 1.5 hours plus homework

Assessment

Students will read their written research report to their class of peers, as well as present their oral or visual project of their chosen inventor and invention. A rubric will be used to determine if the required components of the project have been met.

Student Activity/Tasks

Numerous different inventions are displayed on the board.

Airplane Computer
Automobile Birthday Cake
Computer Microwave
Motion Picture Space Shuttle
Alphabet Gunpowder
Chocolate Wheel
Clock Thermometer
Map Paper
Pencil Baseball
Matches Plastic
Telephone Brick
Lipstick Printing Press
Gel Pens Clock
Oven Refrigerator
Compass Money

Students must decide on the greatest ten and put them in the order of their importance with a written explanation accompanying each choice. They must tell why they left out certain inventions. At this point students select their inventor and invention to research for their research report. Students will be taken through the steps of a research report during language arts instruction. During social studies instruction, students will be allowed to research print via the library and internet sites in the classroom and in the computer lab. Primary research sites are www.invent.org/book/book-index.html, www.loc.gov, and http://discoverer.sirs.com. This research will be done in class and outside of class as homework and serve as the information needed to complete the research report.

Online Resources to Complement This Unit:

Early phone call
Alexander Graham Bell's telephone design
Clocktower

025885
024386
008715
005483
007604
119631
105991

Enrichment/Alternate Activity:

Cross-Curricular:

Social Studies, Language Arts

Technology Requirements/Tools/Materials

· Computer lab, classroom computer, library resources
· Library of Congress http://www.loc.gov
· Internet search engines

Acknowledgements:

National Digital Library of Congress http://www.loc.gov


Additional Resources

Main URL:

Related Lessons


Related Resources




Copyright © 1997-2003
Career Connection to Teaching with Technology
USDOE Technology Innovation Challenge Grant
Marshall Ransom, Project Manager
All rights reserved.

Return to STEM Sites