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How It Works:
Imagine a day without inventions. We wouldn't even last an hour --- let alone
24 hours. We humans depend on our inventions for survival. Because inventions
are so vital to our everyday living, a theme such as this is crucial. The
unit Inventors and Their Inventions provides creative activities and
ready-to-use materials that cover concepts in social studies, math, science
and language arts. All activities include fascinating background information,
lesson ideas, and extensions that can be scaled up or down depending on the
grade level of your students.
Standards:
Knows areas in which technology has improved human lives
(e.g., transportation, communication, nutrition,
sanitation, health care, entertainment)
Knows that new inventions often lead to other new inventions and ways
of doing things
Knows that new inventions reflect people's needs and wants, and when
these change, technology changes to reflect the new needs and wants
Knows about technological inventions and developments that evolved
during the 19th century and the influence of these changes on the lives of
workers
Reports orally and in writing about an invention or discovery
Participates in collaborative groups and discusses possible steps that might
have led up to an invention
Employs simple equipment and tools to gather data and extend the senses
by suing rulers to measure the length, height and depth of objects and
materials
Evaluates a product or design
Estimated Class Periods To Complete:
10 or more
Software Materials Used:
Software needed to complete projects include multimedia
presentation software such as HyperStudio, PowerPoint, KidPix and a word
processor.
Keywords:
invention, inventor, inspiration, patent, aerodynamic,
thrust, wingspan, speed. altitude, distance, launch, pilot, flight, duration,
Renaissance, friction, load, force, surface area, distance, inclined plane,
lever, fulcrum, wedge, screw, wheel, axle, pulley, machines, wacky,
contraption, convention, trademark, copyrights, symbols
Students:
This project is suitable for the intermediate grades in
elementary school and can be adapted for middle school students as well. The
lessons take into consideration the different learning styles of students.
Students can be grouped in order to complete projects or they can be done
individually. Students will need basic skills in reading and writing as well
as technology.
Overall:
In this captivating unit students will learn about some of
the inventions that helped shape the history and character of our country.
Students will see how progress in such fields as science, electronics,
communications, technology, transportation changed the way we live and work.
Students will feel involved in the invention process throughout these lessons.
Tips:
Conduct basic training on Internet navigation prior to
beginning unit. Check all links to make sure they are still active. Have all
printables ready for students. Share the rubrics provided for each project so
that students are well aware of expectations.
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About the Teacher:
Rosa M. Sampedro has been teaching in the Miami-Dade Public
School System for 17 years. She received her Bachelor's Degree and Master's
Degree from Florida International University. She is the Parent Trainer and
School Site Coordinator for the Citibank FamilyTech program in her school.
Recently, she was spotlighted in Miami The Herald Newspaper as "Super
Teacher" for integrating technology in her Spanish lessons. She is the
Lead Teacher for the "I Choose" Dual Language Program at Lorah Park
Elementary School.
Subjects:
Social Studies & Language Arts
Grade Levels:
3 - 10
Email Rosa
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