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Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

Calling All Inventors: Celebrate National Inventors Month

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Start off the school year by engaging learners in a creative study of inventors and their inventions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Thomas Edison's Inventions in the 1900s and Today: From "New" to You!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students research types of technology available to Americans at the beginning of the 20th century and compare the style of living to modern times. They identify Thomas Edison's contributions to technology and their own current lifestyles.
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Interactive
DocsTeach

Patent Analysis: Thomas Edison's Lightbulb

For Teachers 3rd - 6th Standards
Watch lightbulbs go off in learners' heads as they look at a patent for Thomas Edison's most famous invention. After examining the light bulb patent, young historians speculate on how the invention changed life in the 1880s and its...
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Lesson Plan
History Alive!

Thomas Edison: Inventor, Lecturer and Prankster

For Teachers K - 5th Standards
It's no small wonder that a lightbulb has come to represent a bright idea. The light bulb, the bright idea of Thomas Edison, was just one of his over 1,000 inventions. A teacher's guide introduces young audiences to works of the man who...
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Lesson Plan
PBS

Thomas Edison: Inventor and Entrepreneur

For Teachers 3rd - 7th Standards
How many of Thomas Edison's inventions do your scholars use every day? They might be shocked to find out! Young historians watch a video, analyze a photograph, and read one of Edison's letters to learn more about his life and impact....
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Activity
New Jersey Historical Commission and New Jersey Council for the Humanities

Thomas Edison: The Wizard of Menlo Park

For Teachers 1st - 6th Standards
What would change in your daily life due to a power outage? Here, learners explore the inventions brought to us by the one and only, Thomas Edison, and imagine a day without them. Scholars take part in a grand conversation and write a...
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Activity
DiscoverE

Make a Light Bulb

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Could you reinvent the light bulb? Scholars tap into their inner Thomas Edisons to build a light bulb prototype out of a jar and some wires. They see how long the filament wire glows in the jar (batteries not included) to measure their...
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Worksheet
NEST Family Learning

Thomas Edison: Resource and Activity Book

For Students 1st - 6th
What other inventions was Thomas Edison responsible for besides the telegraph and lightbulb? Incorporate a set of worksheets into your study of Edison and other inventors. The 48-page packet includes all types of activities from word...
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Worksheet
Read Works

Edison Tried and Tried Again

For Students K - 2nd Standards
How many times did it take Thomas Edison to invent a successful working lightbulb? Young learners read a short passage about this famous inventor and his determination in getting an idea to work successfully. Then, pupils respond to four...
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Unit Plan
Core Knowledge Foundation

Isn’t It Exciting? (The American Industrial Revolution and Urbanization)

For Teachers 6th
America was built on the ingenuity, work ethic, and foresight of our ancestors. Sixth graders learn about the complex Gilded Age in American history, including the prominent inventors and captains of industry, and how they all connect...
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Organizer
Common Core Sheets

Placing Events on a Timeline

For Students 3rd - 8th Standards
Put important events in chronological order with a lesson about timelines. With a variety of topics stemming from world history, the packet of worksheets provides analytical activity for learners to decide where certain events fall...
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PPT
Curated OER

Thomas Edison's Bright Ideas

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Thomas Alva Edison may be one of the most well-known scientists to elementary or middle schoolers. Use his story to show that he invented more than just the light bulb and to inspire youngsters to work hard! You could use this on the...
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PPT
Curated OER

Famous Victorians

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Who were the Victorians? They were people who lived and made public contributions during the Victorian Age. First the class learns a bit about several famous Victorians, then they complete a series of activities using their text. They...
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PPT
Curated OER

Nineteenth Century Progress

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Highlight some of the major players and progressive inventions that shaped the latter half of the 19th century. From Thomas Edison to Vaudeville, this outline of pop and tech culture provides an American cultural context. Note: Use this...
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PPT
Curated OER

The Incorporation of America

For Teachers 10th - 12th
The incorporation and industrialization of America is covered in this image-rich slide show. While text is limited, there is no shortage of great images showing the progression and causes of American Industrialization. Perfect...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Impact

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students study different inventors and inventions.  In this invention introduction lesson students pretend that they are an inventor and come up with their own invention.  
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Impact of Inventors

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students examine the impact of inventors on our world. In this science instructional activity, students are given a time line of the invention of familiar objects. Students then evaluate some kid inventors and decide if they would make...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Necessity Is the Mother of Invention

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore the inventions of Thomas Edison. They, in groups, research inventions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Turn on the Light, Thomas Edison by Peter and Connie Roop

For Teachers 5th
In this literature worksheet, 5th graders read the novel Turn on the Light, Thomas Edison by Peter and Connie Roop and then answer ten reading comprehension questions about the novel.
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Interactive
Curated OER

Thomas Edison

For Students 7th - 12th
In this online interactive history quiz worksheet, students respond to 25 multiple choice questions about Thomas Edison. Students may submit their answers to be scored.
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Interactive
Curated OER

Thomas Edison

For Students 10th - 12th
In this online interactive history worksheet, students respond to 10 short answer and essay questions about the accomplishments of Thomas Edison. Students may check some of their answers on the interactive worksheet.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Thomas Edison on Trial

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students learn about Thomas Edison and his invention laboratory/factory and the concept that he might not have given enough credit to the employees who invented for him. They hold a trial to determine guilt or innocence as a outcome.
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Interactive
Curated OER

American Inventors

For Students 2nd - 3rd
In this nineteenth-century American inventors online interactive worksheet, students read paragraphs about Thomas Edison, Benjamin Franklin, and Alexander Graham Bell and their inventions and answer comprehensive questions. Students...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Inventions 1: Edison And The Light Bulb

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students examine the realm and power of inventions, and recognize their impact on people and society. Small groups pretend to have been hired by Edison to make special posters that advertise the uses and benefits of the light bulb.