Curated OER
Invent It!
Students explore invention and unveiling of world's first Ferris wheel, analyze photographs and poster of first Ferris wheel, and discuss engineering achievements of Ferris wheel, including how it worked, how it was built, and its...
Curated OER
Innovative Inventions
Help your scholars get a grasp on the chronology of the Industrial Revolution with this "Innovative Inventions" worksheet. They discover what year various items were invented, and then create a timeline placing each invention and...
Curated OER
Telegrams!
Students read and analyze original telegrams to learn about people involved in and process of building the world's first Ferris wheel, examine correspondence between inventor and engineer to understand planning necessary to build Ferris...
Curated OER
Invention of the Tricycle
Appreciate the power of the pedal by learning about the history of the tricycle during National Bike Month.
Curated OER
Art to Zoo
Students learn about the process of inventing and discover that inventions are the end result of problem solving process which often stem from imagination or wishful thinking. For this lesson, students read, write and discuss inventions...
Teach Beside Me
Benjamin Franklin Lesson Ideas
Bring Benjamin Franklin to life in the classroom with a set of five activities. Discover the type of person he was and his accomplishments through a study of his inventions and comments about life virtues.
Curated OER
Machinery In Society
Students explore technology by completing a worksheet in class. For this common machinery lesson, students define the different designs that make simple machines work such as wheels, pulleys and gears. Students utilize verbs to describe...
Curated OER
Worksheet #82 - Industrial Inventions
In this industrial inventions worksheet, students expand their knowledge through ten fill in the blank questions that relate to the aforementioned topic.
Curated OER
Then And Now
For this inventions worksheet, students fill in a table to show items used in the past and their modern day improvements. Students then name 5 inventions they enjoy today that weren't around when the teacher was a child.
Curated OER
Let's Go To The Movies
Students explore technology used in making movies. In this movie making lesson, students investigate how technology has improved in the entertainment industry. Students discover how simple tools are combined together to make complex...
Curated OER
Simple Machines
Students research simple machines. In this simple machines activity, students explore the many types of simple machines such as the lever, pulley, and screw. Students discover simple machines in the classroom.
Curated OER
Pottery-making Methods
Students become experimental archaeologists using three methods of pottery making before the invention of the pottery wheel.
Curated OER
Morse Code, Telegraph, and West Virginia
Students prepare for a visit to the West Virginia State Museum. In this West Virginia history instructional activity, students research the Morse Code and telegraph. Students create their own Morse Code and discuss communication history...
Curated OER
Telling Tales About Textiles
Learners analyze the different types of textiles, processes for creating cloth, and inventions utilized to manufacture industrial goods. In this Telling Tales About Textiles lesson, students weave on a card loom to create their own...
Curated OER
Helping Disabled Dogs
Learners read a story called Carts Give Mobility to Disabled Dogs and answer vocabulary and comprehension questions about it. In this current events lesson plan, students respond to literature by answering questions, recalling details,...
Curated OER
John Fitch: Pioneer Steamboat Inventor
Students explore the transportation revolution brought about through the use of steam power to move boats over water. They practice note taking skills by taking notes from an article.
Curated OER
People Movers
Students investigate how transportation has evolved through the years. Students also generalize how transportation may continue to change in the future. Students work in small groups to brainstorm ideas the identify and solve a...
Curated OER
Ancient River Valley Civilizations
Ziggurats, cuneiform writing, the Tower of Babel, hieroglyphics, pyramids, the Great Wall. Launch a unit on ancient cultures, with a presentation that introduces viewers to ancient Mesopotamia, Babylonia, Sumer, Egypt, Indus, and China....
Curated OER
Now You're Speaking My Language; Deciphering the Symbols of Early Civilizations
Students explore early attempts at written language. In this early civilizations lesson plan, students investigate first attempts at written communication. Among the civilizations covered are Mayan, Greek, and Egyptian.
Curated OER
Ancient China
Unveil the mysteries of ancient China in this presentation, which includes photographs of historic relics from the Neolithic and Bronze Ages. Slides detail the Hsia, Shang, and Zhou Dynasties; especially helpful is the final slide, which...
Curated OER
Bread in a Bag
Learners explore wheat. In this bread making lesson, students make their own loaf of bread and discover the history behind wheat. They work in pairs to follow step-by-step instructions for making the bread. This lesson includes a...
Curated OER
How Do Artists Get Their Ideas? Culture and Environment as Sources of Ideas
Middle schoolers share the difficulties they have in determining what to write or draw for a project. In groups, they view examples from three different artists and discuss how their personal experiences affected their art. They...
Curated OER
Catapults
Learners discover the catapult. In this catapult lesson, students research the history of the catapult and how it works. They work in groups to build their own catapult using tootpicks, popsicle sticks, rubber bands, and spoons.
Curated OER
Getting from Place to Place
Students examine modes of transportation. For this transportation lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture on modes of transportation over the past 300 years. Students respond to questions about...