Worksheet
Curated OER

Thomas Edison

For Students 1st - 2nd
In this mathematics worksheet, students identify and define various vocabulary terms related to Thomas Edison through a math puzzle. There are nine problems to solve on the sheet.
Lesson Plan
Library of Congress

Loc: Learning Page: Thomas Edison

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This resource provides lesson plans and information about Thomas Edison and his inventions.
Website
Other

Earliest Voices: Thomas Edison

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource offers historic voice recordings of Thomas Edison. There is a recording of animal sounds, and a speech given at an electrical exhibition in 1908. A biography and downloadable images of him are also included.
Website
Other

Earliest Voices: Gallery From the Vincent Voice Library

For Students 9th - 10th
This site addresses the advent of the voice recording. The introduction talks about the country at the time of this invention, the feelings of people on the topic, and early recording itself. Included are voice recordings of such...
Website
Smithsonian Institution

Lemelson Center: Thomas Edison's Inventive Life

For Students 9th - 10th
This site is a complete resource for learning about Edison's life, his inventions, and electricity. If you like experimenting, there are instructions included for how to make your own light bulb. Good photos.
Handout
Curated OER

National Park Service: Thomas Edison National Historical Park: Edison Biography

For Students 9th - 10th
Here is a very detailed biography of Thomas Edison ranging from his boyhood and his work as a telegrapher, moving on to his invention of the phonograph and incandescent light bulb, and finally, a description of his laboratories where he...
Primary
Library of Congress

Loc: Early Motion Pictures, Sound Records of Edison Companies

For Students 1st - 9th
The Library of Congress provides information on Thomas Edison's profound contribution to the music industry.
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Project Ideas: Make a Phonograph From Everyday Items

For Students Pre-K - 1st
In this physics science fair project, the student will use common materials to play back sound from a vinyl record album. The student will investigate what kinds of materials produce the best sound. The Science Buddies project ideas are...
Website
Other

History of Recording Technology: Edison's Invention of the Phonograph

For Students 9th - 10th
Click through the pages on this site to read about Edison's development of the phonograph as well as a discussion of Edison's rivals who were seeking to develop a similar product. Read about the changes in the ways to record sound as the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

National Park Service: The Invention Factory:thomas Edison's Laboratories

For Teachers 6th - 8th
This Teaching With Historic Places lesson plan about Thomas Edison's laboratories is filled with maps, readings, critical thinking questions, and photographs related to Edison's labs and inventions. This site explains and details the...
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Thomas Edison: Inventor and Entrepreneur

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Through a video and primary source activities, students will learn about Edison's remarkable business of innovation and some of his 1,093 patented devices.
Handout
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Harcourt: Biographies: Thomas Edison

For Students 9th - 10th
A good description of the inventions and life of this bright and ambitious man. As inventor of the light bulb, phonograph, movie camera and many others, Edison lived a very inspiring life. In Spanish.
Website
Digital History

Digital History: The Wizard of Menlo Park

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource provides information about the famous American inventor, Thomas Edison. Find out about his childhood, some of his famous inventions, and even some of his mistakes.
Activity
Digital History

Digital History: Formation of Modern American Mass Culture

For Students 9th - 10th
A mass culture developed in America in the 1920s due to several factors. Read about the influence of radio, movies, and spectator sports in the adoption of common speech. Find out about the creativity of the time in literature and music.
Article
Creative Science Centre

Creative Science Centre: The Rough Science Phonograph

For Students 9th - 10th
Explains how a phonograph works and gives instructions on how to build one.
Interactive
PBS

Pbs: Technology Slider

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides a view into the American home over the past 100 years and illustrates the role technology played in daily life.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of American History: Edison After Forty

For Students 9th - 10th
This online exhibition traces Edison's life, both personal and professional after he reached forty. Historic, primary materials are included.
Article
Famous Scientists

Famous Scientists: Emile Berliner

For Students 9th - 10th
Meet the inventor of the phonograph record and the phonograph, Emile Berliner.
Article
Famous Scientists

Famous Scientists: Thomas Alva Edison

For Students 9th - 10th
Meet the inventor of the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and the long-lasting, practical electric light bulb, Thomas Edison.
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Famous Inventors Thomas Edison

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
[Free Registration/Login Required] This short biographical piece shares information about Thomas Edison, the inventor of the phonograph, light bulb, motion picture camera, and more. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that...
Handout
National Inventors Hall of Fame

National Inventors Hall of Fame: Thomas Alva Edison

For Students 9th - 10th
This site honorsThomas Alva Edison as a historic inventor and focuses attention on his invention of the electric lamp.
Handout
Library of Congress

Loc: America's Story: Thomas Alva Edison

For Students 3rd - 8th
A variety of images, photographs, and information on the life of Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931) can be found in the site by the Library of Congress. Information can be found here regarding his invention and influence on American society....
Website
Curated OER

National Park Service: Thomas Edison National Historical Park: Thomas Edison

For Students 9th - 10th
This site includes information about Thomas Edison's inventions and his home and family life. Find a lengthy biography and several sounds from Edison's original phonograph.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

Nat'l Portrait Gallery: Ballyhoo! Poster as Portraiture: Edison's New Phonograph

For Students 9th - 10th
A poster extolling the virtues of Thomas Edison's new phonograph is accompanied by text that explains the purpose of the poster and how it was made.