Who are the people behind the world’s greatest inventions? In this lesson plan from ReadWriteThink, students investigate the American inventors Alexander Graham Bell, George Washington Carver, and Stephanie Kwolek, and create presentations that highlight how their inventions from the past impacted the future.
“Many inventions come from a desire to solve a problem.” Read more in this blog post from the Library of Congress.
In this lesson, students are challenged to use a timeline to help them name the year when certain products were invented.
Throughout history, women have contributed immensely to the world of invention and innovation. In fact, women have become increasingly prevalent in the field and are responsible for such momentous advances as windshield wipers, disposable diapers, the first computer language, and the Mars Rover. Today, about 20 percent of all inventors are female. Learn more here.
In this lesson, students explore a number of sources to create a biographical timeline about a selected person. Students collaboratively research and resolve conflicting information they find during their investigation.
Inventions can lead to new technologies, create new jobs, and improve quality of life. Use primary sources to help students compare and contrast the work of inventors with this post.
How else could inventors and inventions be incorporated into the classroom?
Curious about the NCTE and Library of Congress connection? Through a grant announced by NCTE Executive Director Emily Kirkpatrick, NCTE is engaged in new ongoing work with the Library of Congress, and “will connect the ELA community with the Library of Congress to expand the use of primary sources in teaching.” Stay tuned for more throughout the year!
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