English Blast Unit of Inquiry Lesson Plan
Unit of Inquiry Name: INVENTORS
Unit Contributed by: Sadayo and Lynda
Duration of Unit (in classroom hours): 3
Target Age Group (in years): 7 - 9
Basic Goals and Objectives: Introduce students to different inventions that have
changed our life. Students listen to questions and respond using information they have
researched in a Talk Show format.
Reference Materials Recommended (texts, workbooks, picture books,
maps, videos, websites, audio materials, etc.):
Resources:
  • Inventions, Discoveries & Highlights, Jennifer Overend Prior and Cassandra K.
    Burton, Teacher Created Materials, Inc.  2000.
  • Questions and Answers: Inventions, Wendy Madgwick, Scholastic, 2000.
  • Inventions that Rocked the World by Jane R. Mason and Sarah Hines Stephans,  
    Scholastic, 2004.
  • Usborne Book of Scientists,  Struan Reid and Patricia Fara, Scholastic, 1992.
  • Five Notable Inventors,Wade Hudson, Scholastic, 1995 (graded reader).
Additional Notes, Suggestions or Comments about the Unit:
Materials Required:  
  1. Information for parents on inventors for Talk Show. Parents should be notified as to
    which inventor role they will play and should prepare their role in advance of class.
  2. Timeline form: 1 per child (create in advance)
  3. Photocopies of pictures of inventions to use on timeline (if age appropriate)
  4. Guideline questions for Inventor Research format.
Materials Required:
  1. Information for parents on inventors for Talk Show. Parents should be notified and
    prepare role in advance of class.
  2. Timeline from Week 1
  3. Photocopies of pictures of inventions to use on timeline (if age appropriate)
  4. Guideline questions for Grandparent's Interview.
Class Content and Activities:
  1. Students share their homework inventions writing
  2. Talk Show with Inventors Part 2: Parents assume the role of inventors. Content of
    interview focuses on influences on the inventor, what was invented and why.
  3. Place inventions of inventors from Talk Show Part 2 on timeline
  4. Problem Solving Session Part 1:  Ask students how they would solve a problem.  For
    example:  how to hold several papers together (previous inventions include straight
    pins, punching holes and inserting string, metal rings, paper clips and staples);   how to
    sleep in outer space (straps on board including a strap for the head in a vertical
    position).
  5. Brainstorming Session:  Students brainstorm a list of some difficulties in their life: can’t
    tie shoes, hair won’t lie flat, etc.
  6. Problem Solving Session Part 2: Students are divided into small groups and draw
    pictures of an invention that would solve a difficulty on the list.  Depending on interest
    level, groups may draw several inventions.  Pictures are then shared with the other
    groups.
  7. Students select an inventor to research for role in Week 3 Talk Show.
Homework: Interview grandparents about the differences in their life now and as a child.  
Focus on how technology has changed.  For format/questions see p. 76 in Inventions,
Discoveries & Highlights.
Week 3
Materials Required:
Class Content and Activities:
  1. Students share a few interesting points from interviews with grandparents.  Written
    forms are collected and made into a booklet(s) for Library Table.
  2. Talk Show Part 3:  Students assume role of inventors they have researched.  Students
    respond to appropriate questions asked by the Talk Show Host.  Parents (and visitors)
    act as audience.
    Sample questions.  Modify according to particular inventors.
    Please introduce yourself and tell what you invented.
    Did anything in your childhood influence your work on your invention?
    What was your education (school, self-educated)?
    Did you invent more than one thing?  
    Do you have any interesting stories about what you invented and why you
    invented it?
Homework:
Week 1
Class Content and Activities:
  1. Talk Show with Inventors Part 1: One parent assumes role of Talk Show host for all
    sessions.  Other parents assume the roles of different inventors. Two inventors are
    interviewed each week. Content of interview focuses on influences on the inventor,
    what was invented and why.  
    e.g. Archimedes who invented the pulley in 212 BCE to move heavy equipment
    in order to win a bet.
    See pp. 70 – 71 for Talk Show format suggestions in Inventions, Discoveries &
    Highlights.
    2. Select several inventions for students to place on timeline.  Depending on age of
    students, use pictures of the inventions or have students copy words from board.  
    When introducing each invention give some general background information about the
    invention.
      e.g.  Velcro: invented in the 1950’s, sold from mid-60’s, not popular until used on
    shoes 20 years later.
Homework:
  1. Students choose one or more inventions discussed in class and write how their lives
    would be different without that invention.
  2. Students choose which inventor they would like to be during the Talk Show in Class
    3.  See p. 68 for Inventor Research format suggestions in Inventions, Discoveries &
    Highlights.
Week 2
ENGLISH BLAST!