Who Gets to Invent and How Do Inventors Change Our Lives
Jeanne Kimberley Chandler
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Give FeedbackLesson 1: Timelines and Inventions
Objective:
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1. Students will learn about timelines and when and how inventions were created throughout history.
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2. Students will create personal timelines with the important inventions/ innovations in their lives (Example: I was one and I was in diapers. Important invention: Pampers. I was nine and in fourth grade. Important invention: Virtual/ Giga Pet).
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3. Students will create a wooden three-dimensional timeline with different inventions made of wooden parts along the timeline. (This activity is to take place at the Eli Whitney Museum).
Time Line:
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This lesson will take three to four weeks. It is to be integrated throughout the school day.
Materials:
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Timeline of the United States/ world history with corresponding inventions dates, pre made or purchased.
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Construction paper, pencil, crayons, tape.
Procedure:
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1. Students will read and discuss a new event(s) on the timeline daily. The class will talk about the importance of the inventions and how they changed people’s lives.
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2. Students will create their personal timelines. They will use small squares of construction paper to represent each year or major event in their life. The students should brainstorm events that are important to put on their timelines.
3. The students will make wooden three-dimensional timelines. The inventions will be made out of wooden pieces. Key to the success of this activity is having different inventions posted with the date they were invented (example: 1793- cotton gin).
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Closure:
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Students will discuss how inventions have changed over the years and write an essay on the changes in inventions.
Suggestions:
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1. Use the nonfiction book Tools and Gadgets. This book shows how early American settlers used tools, such as a hand-operated dentist’s drill and bed warmers. Discuss how modern day are used and why the improvement on the old model was created.
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2. Have students think about a tool or gadget they use daily in their homes. Have students make an addition to a tool or gadget by writing about it or drawing their idea. Students should explain why they chose the tool to improve and why they thought the improvement was necessary.