Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary
Simple Machines, Ben Franklin and the Technology of the 1700s
Benjamin Franklin was an inventor, and he was fascinated by the mechanics of machinery. Using a fun exploration, pupils examine simple machines from the pre-Industrial era. Then, they must identify and build their own using common objects.
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Eureka! I've Got an Idea
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.
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Imaginative Minds
Eighth graders study the lives and creations of several significant inventors as well as designing their own invention and submitting it to a mock patent process. They determine the importance of notable inventions and their impact on...
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Inside Information
Students research and write reports about inventions and inventors. They develop graphic organizers to organize their information, and create reports on the impact of inventors and inventions.
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The History of Computers
Students 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...
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Science and Technology
Students research inventions that have been created. In this historical technology lesson, students read the Harcourt Brace social studies textbook and discuss how inventors used graphs to display data. Students create a table to write...
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Will the Real Ben Franklin Please Stand Up?
Students explore the life of Benjamin Franklin. In this American history lesson, students research primary and secondary documents regarding Franklin's life. Students should examine the point of view each of the accounts is written from...
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Technology and the African American Inventor
Learners research, using the Internet, technological advances that have resulted from the work of African Americans. They discuss and share the results of their research. They complete the assignment by writing an essay how different...
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African American Achievers
Students complete research projects. Students research the achievements of various African Americans and their contributions to the world. They use various resource links on the Internet to become more knowledgeable about the topic.
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Technology: Creating Introductions with Digital Cameras
Third graders discover how to use digital video cameras to record introductions of themselves for Powerpoint presentations. They decide what to say, which points to highlight, and how to interest viewers. Their Powerpoint presentations...
Teach Beside Me
Benjamin Franklin Lesson Ideas
Bring Benjamin Franklin to life in the classroom with a set of five activities. Discover the type of person he was and his accomplishments through a study of his inventions and comments about life virtues.
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INVENTIVE LIVES
Learners consider the qualities that inventors possess and explore the history and uncertain future of U.S. innovation by reading and discussing the article "Are U.S. Innovators Losing Their Competitive Edge?"
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Rudolf Diesel Research Question
In this scientific inventions worksheet, students research the German inventor (Rudolf Diesel) who developed the internal-combustion engine. Students write a short description of the inventor and his invention, and draw a picture to...
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Do Some Research - Alessandro Volta
In this science research worksheet, students research the Italian physicist who invented the chemical battery (Alessandro Volta). Students write a short description of the inventor, and draw a picture to illustrate some aspect of their...
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Telegraph - Do Some Research
In this research learning exercise, students research information about telegraphs in order to answer the several questions about its purposes. Students must find information about telegraph code, description, and its uses and inventor.
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Ben Franklin Timeline
Celebrate inventions such as lightning rods, bifocals, and stoves with a Ben Franklin Day. Young historians conduct research and write a paragraph about an accomplishment of Benjamin Franklin including an illustration or collage that...
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Driving Through History
Students create and perform a skit. In this automobile history instructional activity, students work in groups to research the development of the automobile during different periods of history. Students create a timeline and perform a...
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Necessity is the Mother of Invention
Students research the Industrial Revolution. In this Industrial Revolution lesson plan, students research on the Internet, with books, magazines, fill out worksheets, and more to learn about inventions that were made out of necessity or...
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Tools to Live By
Third graders compare life in the early 1900's with the life today. For this technology lesson, 3rd graders research about the development of a certain technological tool. They collect data and report findings in class.
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Timely Technologies
Second graders explain how society influences the type of technology developed. In this science lesson, 2nd graders research about a topic they chose from the given list. They develop a creative presentation about it such as a play,...
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Technologies of the Civil War
Fifth graders discover new and interesting technologies of the Civil War. In this Civil War portfolio of lessons, 5th graders analyze primary resources, develop new vocabulary, investigate websites, and create a time line of new...
Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary
Let’s Throw an Electric Science Party!
Are you looking for a shockingly good lesson plan? Check out one that has middle schoolers recreate four of Benjamin Franklin's experiments. Groups investigate, observe, and draw conclusions about static electricity and electrical...
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Inventions Over Time
Explore the inventions of the past with a project on ancient tools. After reading an article about hunting during the Archaic period, the Late Prehistoric period, and the Historic period, kids fill in a cause-and-effect chart about the...
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Inventions 2: The Impact
Students research inventors and inventions and their impacts. In this invention lesson, students research inventions and their affects in good and bad ways.