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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
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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:
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