Students read The Gadget War by Betsy Duffey. They complete a variety of cross-curricular activities surrounding inventors and inventions. Included are reading, art, math, science, writing, social studies, and library connections.

Students see what inventors have to think about when making an invention.  In this inventions instructional activity students examine Thomas Edison and the light bulb and the history of inventions. 

In this new names worksheet, students think of new names for inventions that are already invented. Students create new names for 11 inventions.

In this inventions worksheet, students pretend that they have to choose modern inventions to get rid of. Students fill out a chart with the inventions they could live without and the reason they don't need or want it.

In this inventions learning exercise, students use the blank primary lines to write about an invention. There is a picture of a telephone and a light bulb.

Students develop an intervention and write a short paper on its uses and applications. They use a graphic organizer to prewrite and take their work through all steps of the writing process.

Students create a timeline of inventors. In this dual history/science lesson, students research inventors of technological products, then work in groups to create a timeline of events. The timeline may include science information about...

Shopping carts are a modern convenience that many people take for granted. Make sure your pupils do not fall into that category by completing the activities in this plan. There are ideas included for language arts, social studies, math,...

Students explore various websites featuring the life and achievements of Benjamin Franklin. They investigate Franklin's roles in colonial society as well as pictures of his various inventions. They view excerpts of historical documents...

Readers are asked to identify how a key detail reveals the main idea of a paragraph about Galileo.

Students compare and contrast the tools used by Native Americans from the Paleo, Archaic and Woodland periods. The visit and discuss a website describing inventions and the problems they solved. They use this historical information to...

Fourth graders investigate how new inventions and technology change how we live.

Students use maps, readings and photos to research and describe how Thomas Edison created the first modern laboratory complex. They simulate the process of invention and consider how technological advances have affected their own...

Students research the accomplishments of an inventor. They create a web site based on the research including historical, economic and scientific impact of the invention.

Learners study the people and inventions related to computers. They research famous people for each invention they created and create a timeline of the inventor and his inventions. They present an oral presentation about the person for...

Students trace the history of the invention of everyday objects. They brainstorm a list of curios objects and watch a video clip showing an example of tracing the origins of squeezable ketchup. In small groups, they choose an item to...

In this America puzzle, students identify the names of American inventors. A list of 45 names are given to assist students in identifying inventors.

In this science learning exercise, students research a specific time frame to discover major scientific developments and historical events. Then they identify at least 50 events and write a brief description of each. Students also create...

For this Benjamin Franklin worksheet, students read a 1 page article on Benjamin Franklin, answer 3 questions with multiple choice answers, fill in 4 blanks to complete 4 facts and answer 2 statements as true or false.

Students design magnetic bookmarks with healthy living messages. They decide on the shape, length, color, and type of material to use for creating their bookmark. Students write in an "inventor's journal" about their design and...

Eighth graders examine the role of technology. In the Civil War lesson plan, 8th graders look at the advent of photography and determine the impact of photography on the Civil War.

Learners hypothesize, collaborate, and present their ideas on uses of simple machines. They research an invention, make a model of their cartoon or invent a new tool.

Young scholars create a Rube Goldberg type cartoon and research an invention.  In this art inspired lesson students create their own cartoon and research inventions on the Internet. 

Students examine the impact of inventions. In this technological advancements activity, students compare the technology of the past to the technology of today. They identify inventions that were not available to their grandparents and...