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Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Inventions: Then and Now

For Teachers 2nd Standards
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read about how the telephone, calculator, television, and clock have changed since they were invented. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in comparing and contrasting.
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Website
Library of Congress

Loc: Everyday Mysteries: Who Is Credited as Inventing the Telephone?

For Students 9th - 10th
Find out who is credited for the invention of the telephone in this brief history.
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Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Telephones: Then and Now

For Teachers 1st - 2nd Standards
[Free Registration/Login Required] This short literary text passage is about how telephones have changed over the years. This passage is intended for guided practice and is designed to reinforce essential reading comprehension skills...
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Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: "Today's Telephone" by Barbara Radner

For Students 5th - 6th Standards
A learning module that begins with "Today's Telephone" by Barbara Radner, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned online through free teacher...
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Handout
Science Struck

Science Struck: Invention of the Telephone: History and Timeline

For Students 4th - 8th
While the invention of the telephone is usually attributed to Alexander Graham Bell, credit must also be given to others who were working on the concept around the same time. Read about the history of the telephone here. Includes a...
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Primary
Other

Lemelson Center's Invention at Play: Sketch From Bell's Notebook

For Students 9th - 10th
View a sketch from Bell's notebook from 1876. From a collection Bell's papers at the Library of Congress.
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Handout
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Invention of the Week: Alexander Graham Bell

For Students 3rd - 8th
This site provides a biographical sketch of Alexander Graham Bell and his inventions. Find out about Bell's patents in addition to the telephone.
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Website
Great Idea Finder

Fascinating Facts About Alexander Graham Bell

For Students 3rd - 8th
Fascinating facts about Alexander Graham Bell, the Canadian inventor of the telephone. Incorporated into the site include and 'at a glance' summary of his life, a 'milestones' timeline and a brief summary of his life story. In addition,...
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Primary
Digital Public Library of America

Dpla: The Invention of the Telephone

For Students 9th - 10th
This primary source set uses physical objects, documents, photographs, and drawings to tell the story of the invention of the telephone and its transformative impact on modern-day communication. Includes a teaching guide.
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Lesson Plan
Ohio State University

Osu History Teaching Institute: Alexander Graham Bell Primary Source Activity

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders will critically examine primary sources to gain a better understanding of Alexander Graham Bell and the impact of his inventions.
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Website
National Academy of Engineering

Greatest Achievements: Telephone

For Students 9th - 10th
This resources features an overview of the history behind the technological development of the telephone today and a timeline showing the important dates.
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Website
Great Idea Finder

The Great Idea Finder: Invention of the Telephone

For Students 9th - 10th
The Great Idea Finder provides information on the invention of the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell and its history throughout the years. Links to other sites with information are provided.
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Website
South Carolina Educational Television

Kids Work!: History of Telecommunications

For Students 9th - 10th
An in-depth look at inventions and developments that had an impact on telecommunication.
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Handout
PBS

American Experience: Technology Timeline: 1752 1990

For Students 9th - 10th
Short descriptions of important technological innovations produced in America and the date of their introduction.
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Interactive
PBS

Pbs: American Experience: Technology Timeline 1750 1990

For Students 3rd - 8th
Did you ever wonder who invented something, and when it was invented? Go to this interactive timeline that highlights inventors/inventions from 1750-1990. Click on the topic to read a brief paragraph about that invention.
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eBook
Other

Edison: His Life and Inventions: The Telephone, Motograph, and Microphone

For Students 9th - 10th
This site offers the text of a book by Frank Dyer and Thomas Martin published in 1929 on the inventions of Thomas Edison. This particular page discusses Alexander Graham Bell's development of the telephone and the controversy over Thomas...
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Handout
Other

Mc Cord Museum:operator. May I Help You?: Bell Canada's 125 Years

For Students 9th - 10th
What if you didn't have a cell phone or Internet access? This site explores the history of telecommunications from the invention of the telephone to the technology we have now.
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Graphic
Smithsonian Institution

National Postal Museum: Famous Americans: Alexander Graham Bell

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn brief information from the National Postal Museum on Alexander Graham Bell, American inventor of the telephone, who was featured on the ten cent postage stamp.
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Unit Plan
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory

Magnet Academy: Bell Telephone 1876

For Students 9th - 10th
Acoustics, variable resistance and allegations of foul play contribute to the exciting story of the invention of the telephone.
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Website
Other

American Computer Museum

For Students 9th - 10th
This site presents a pictorial timeline of technology developments.
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Handout
National Inventors Hall of Fame

National Inventors Hall of Fame: Alexander Graham Bell: Telephone

For Students 9th - 10th
Biographical information and a photograph of Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone.
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Whiteboard
ClassFlow

Class Flow: Who Am I?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
[Free Registration/Login Required] This is a review of famous inventors and people of the Second Industrial Revolution. Activotes questions are included. There is a citation for a United Streaming video clip at the end that could be...
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Whiteboard
ClassFlow

Class Flow: Zip Code and Telephone Research

For Teachers 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students will research appropriate Internet websites to locate zip codes and telephone numbers for local businesses.
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Activity
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: The Ear Guitar

For Students 3rd - 5th
This simple activity helps students understand the role of vibration in producing sound.