Inventors: Thomas Edison

Another inventor that we studied in Social Studies was Thomas Edison. After learning about his many inventions and accomplishments, the students discussed how things would be different today if we did not have his inventions. They then brainstormed various modern day inventions that use the light bulb. They drew a light bulb and then wrote some of those modern day inventions around it.

Inventors: Garrett Morgan

In Social Studies we have been learning about various inventors. One of the inventors we learned about was Garrett Morgan. We read a book about his life and inventions from Reading A-Z. As a class the students recorded facts they learned about him on a Circle Map. The students then created a traffic signal, one of his many inventions, to record at least three facts they learned about him.

Inventor Research Papers

Using PebbleGo, the students researched an inventor of their choice. They recorded information they found on a Circle Map and then used those Circle Maps to help them write a research paper. After editing their papers in writing workshop with me, the students typed their research papers in Microsoft Word. They printed their paper and glued to to construction paper along with a picture of their inventor, which they found in PebbleGo.

My Robot

In Social Studies we spent several weeks studying various inventors such as Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Alva Edison, and Garrett Morgan. At the conclusion of our inventor unit, the students had the opportunity to become inventors themselves. With just two boxes covered in foil, a hot glue gun (used by the teacher, of course), and a bunch of junk, the students created their own robots. They turned out really great. The students created a plan, implemented that plan, and then wrote about what their robots could do.

Inventors: Garrett Morgan

In Social Studies, we have been researching various inventors. One of the inventors that we studied was Garrett Morgan. Garrett Morgan invented the traffic light. We began our study by reading about him on Reading A-Z. We then discussed why he invented the traffic light which led into a discussion about how inventors first identify a problem, then find brainstorm a solution, and finally create a plan to put that solution into action. We then created a class Circle Map to record facts learned about Garrett Morgan. The students then created a traffic light out of construction paper to write "Did you know?" facts about Garrett Morgan on each "light."

Inventors: Thomas Alva Edison

In Social Studies, we are studying various inventors. One of the inventors we are studying is Thomas Alva Edison. After reading about his various inventions and how they have led to other inventions we use each day, the students created a Bubble Map using Kidspiration software to brainstorm as many inventions that we use today that have a lightbulb. The students then wrote papers about at least one invention we would not have if it had not been for Edison's invention of the lightbulb and typed them in Microsoft Word. They then exported their Bubble Map from Kidspiration and imported it into Word at the bottom of their sentences. It is amazing how much technology students can learn if they are just exposed to it. Their final drafts were printed and displayed in the hallway. They also uploaded their Kidspiration Bubble Maps into their KidBlog.

Robots! Robots! Robots!

As we ended our Social Studies unit on inventors last week, the students had the opportunity to become inventors themselves. The students used two boxes (a great way to recycle) along with a table full of odds-and-ends to design and create their own robot. As a part of the process, each student had to write a plan that included the robot's name, what it was made from, how it works, and what problem it solves. We discussed that inventors need plans of their inventions with dates on them so that no one else can steal their idea. Along with the robot plans and writing, the students journaled in their inventor's notebook about as many inventions they could come up with. Who knows, maybe one day we will see their inventions and ideas in stores!

Another digital scrapbook by Smilebox

I Can Be An Inventor, Too!

In Social Studies we have been studying many inventors, past and present. Our focus was on Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Edison. As a part of our study the students were able to make their own robots. As we learned, an important part of inventing is having a patent. To prove that they were the inventors of their robots, the students had to first make a plan and document it in their Inventor's Notebook. They also had to draw a diagram of what they wanted their robot to look like after they chose all of their robot parts. After building their robots, the students wrote papers about them including their name, what problem they could solve, and how. The students were very creative!