Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Thomas Edison's Inventions in the 1900s and Today: From "New" to You!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students research types of technology available to Americans at the beginning of the 20th century and compare the style of living to modern times. They identify Thomas Edison's contributions to technology and their own current lifestyles.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Survey of Thomas Edison's Inventions

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students complete a web survey for Thomas Edison's inventions. In this Thomas Edison activity, students visit the websites to learn about the inventions of Thomas Edison.
Activity
New Jersey Historical Commission and New Jersey Council for the Humanities

Thomas Edison: The Wizard of Menlo Park

For Teachers 1st - 6th Standards
What would change in your daily life due to a power outage? Here, learners explore the inventions brought to us by the one and only, Thomas Edison, and imagine a day without them. Scholars take part in a grand conversation and write a...
Lesson Plan
PBS

Thomas Edison: Inventor and Entrepreneur

For Teachers 3rd - 7th Standards
How many of Thomas Edison's inventions do your scholars use every day? They might be shocked to find out! Young historians watch a video, analyze a photograph, and read one of Edison's letters to learn more about his life and impact....
Worksheet
NEST Family Learning

Thomas Edison: Resource and Activity Book

For Students 1st - 6th
What other inventions was Thomas Edison responsible for besides the telegraph and lightbulb? Incorporate a set of worksheets into your study of Edison and other inventors. The 48-page packet includes all types of activities from word...
Lesson Plan
History Alive!

Thomas Edison: Inventor, Lecturer and Prankster

For Teachers K - 5th Standards
It's no small wonder that a lightbulb has come to represent a bright idea. The light bulb, the bright idea of Thomas Edison, was just one of his over 1,000 inventions. A teacher's guide introduces young audiences to works of the man who...
Interactive
DocsTeach

Patent Analysis: Thomas Edison's Lightbulb

For Teachers 3rd - 6th Standards
Watch lightbulbs go off in learners' heads as they look at a patent for Thomas Edison's most famous invention. After examining the light bulb patent, young historians speculate on how the invention changed life in the 1880s and its...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Necessity Is the Mother of Invention

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore the inventions of Thomas Edison. They, in groups, research inventions.
PPT
Curated OER

Thomas Edison's Bright Ideas

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Thomas Alva Edison may be one of the most well-known scientists to elementary or middle schoolers. Use his story to show that he invented more than just the light bulb and to inspire youngsters to work hard! You could use this on the...
Interactive
Curated OER

Thomas Edison

For Students 10th - 12th
In this online interactive history worksheet, students respond to 10 short answer and essay questions about the accomplishments of Thomas Edison. Students may check some of their answers on the interactive worksheet.
Interactive
Curated OER

Thomas Edison

For Students 7th - 12th
In this online interactive history quiz activity, learners respond to 25 multiple choice questions about Thomas Edison. Students may submit their answers to be scored.
Worksheet
Read Works

Edison Tried and Tried Again

For Students K - 2nd Standards
How many times did it take Thomas Edison to invent a successful working lightbulb? Young learners read a short passage about this famous inventor and his determination in getting an idea to work successfully. Then, pupils respond to four...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Thomas Edison on Trial

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students learn about Thomas Edison and his invention laboratory/factory and the concept that he might not have given enough credit to the employees who invented for him. They hold a trial to determine guilt or innocence as a outcome.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Impact of Inventors

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students examine the impact of inventors on our world. In this science lesson, students are given a time line of the invention of familiar objects. Students then evaluate some kid inventors and decide if...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Thomas Edison Timeline

For Teachers 1st - 6th
Students research inventor Thomas Edison finding his discoveries and the challenges he overcame. They compile a list of Edison's most important inventions and their dates. They explain why they think each invention was important. They...
Activity
Smarter Balanced

How We Learn

For Teachers 6th - 8th
What's the best way to learn the elements of the periodic table? The inventions of Thomas Edison? Patience? To prepare for the performance task assessment on how people learn, class members share ideas about ways to learn in a variety of...
PPT
Curated OER

The Incorporation of America

For Teachers 10th - 12th
The incorporation and industrialization of America is covered in this image-rich slide show. While text is limited, there is no shortage of great images showing the progression and causes of American Industrialization. Perfect...
Lesson Plan
PBS

Inventions

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Use this lesson plan to discuss inventions that have changed your class's world and have impacted society. Middle schoolers investigate important inventions of their time and design an invention in a simulated business atmosphere. Modify...
PPT
Curated OER

Nineteenth Century Progress

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Highlight some of the major players and progressive inventions that shaped the latter half of the 19th century. From Thomas Edison to Vaudeville, this outline of pop and tech culture provides an American cultural context. Note: Use this...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Inventions- The Impact

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students investigate inventions and the impact they can have on people. In this technology lesson, students research Thomas Edison and discuss how the invention of the light bulb impacted others. Students sketch out an invention they...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life of Thomas Edison

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students research the life of Thomas Edison. In this Thomas Edison lesson, students explore major life events of Thomas Edison. Students investigate the inventions of Thomas Edison.  Students discover how various fields of study...
Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

Calling All Inventors: Celebrate National Inventors Month

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Start off the school year by engaging learners in a creative study of inventors and their inventions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Impact

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students study different inventors and inventions.  In this invention introduction lesson students pretend that they are an inventor and come up with their own invention.  
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Thomas Edison: The "Invention Process"

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students work in collaborative groups to research the inventive process and create a technological advancement for today.