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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.
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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...
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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...
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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.
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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.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

October 6, 1889 - 1st Motion Picture

For Students 7th - 8th
In this writing prompt worksheet, students learn that October 6, 1889 was the day Thomas Edison showed the first motion picture using a Kinetoscope. Students write about whether they think the invention was the most important invention...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life of Thomas Edison

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

Learning About the Great Inventor: Thomas Edison Lesson Plans

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Thomas Edison facts can inspire students to create their own inventions, and persevere despite adversity.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Incandescent Light Bulb

For Teachers 5th - Higher Ed
Students study the history of the light bulb and how an incandescent light bulb works.  In this electricity lesson students complete several experiments on the light bulb.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Mystery State #50

For Students 4th - 6th
In this mystery state worksheet, students answer five clues to identify the state in question. They then locate that state on a map.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Ohio Vocabulary

For Students 3rd - 8th
After selecting State Unit Studies and choosing Ohio, you'll find a plethora of information on The Buckeye State. There's an information sheet, an Ohio state map, and several sheets that detail the capital, flag, flower, bird, tree,...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Ohio Challenge

For Students 4th - 6th
In this Ohio history and facts worksheet, students respond to 10 multiple choice questions that require them to exhibit what they know about the state.
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eBook
Other

Edison:life and Inventions/motion Pictures

For Students 9th - 10th
This page is part of an online text of a book published in 1929 by Dyer and Martin on the life and work of inventor Thomas Edison. Discusses Edison's role in the development of motion pictures, but be sure to view the rest of the book...
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Primary
Library of Congress

Loc: Early Motion Pictures, Sound Records of Edison Companies

For Students 1st - 9th
The Library of Congress provides information on Thomas Edison's profound contribution to the music industry.
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Website
Rutgers University

Thomas Edison Papers: Edison's Patents

For Students 9th - 10th
This site offers an exhaustive list of 1,093 patents granted to Thomas Edison. There is also a graphic representing his annual output available. Hyperlinks to much more information. Included are the actual drawings of inventions...
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Handout
Curated OER

National Park Service: Thomas Edison National Historical Park: Edison Biography

For Students 9th - 10th
Here is a very detailed biography of Thomas Edison ranging from his boyhood and his work as a telegrapher, moving on to his invention of the phonograph and incandescent light bulb, and finally, a description of his laboratories where he...
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Lesson Plan
Library of Congress

Loc: Learning Page: Thomas Edison

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This resource provides lesson plans and information about Thomas Edison and his inventions.
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Handout
Smithsonian Institution

Lemelson Center: Tracing the Roots of America's Motion Picture Industry

For Students 9th - 10th
In the late 1800's, Thomas Edison and his fellow inventors were key in the American film industry's boom.This web site provides a podcast and accompanying transcript tracing the roots of the film industry in America. Podcast [21:27]
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Website
Smithsonian Institution

Lemelson Center: Thomas Edison's Inventive Life

For Students 9th - 10th
This site is a complete resource for learning about Edison's life, his inventions, and electricity. If you like experimenting, there are instructions included for how to make your own light bulb. Good photos.
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Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Famous Inventors Thomas Edison

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
[Free Registration/Login Required] This short biographical piece shares information about Thomas Edison, the inventor of the phonograph, light bulb, motion picture camera, and more. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that...
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Handout
Rutgers University

Thomas Edison Papers: Motion Pictures

For Students 9th - 10th
From the collection of Thomas Edison's papers at Rutgers University is this description of Edison's involvement in the development of motion pictures in conjunction with his assistant, W.K.L. Dickson.
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Handout
Rutgers University

Guide to Motion Picture Catalogs: The Peephole Kinetoscope

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief description of the peephole kinetoscope which Thomas Edison unveiled at the Columbian Exhibition in 1893.
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Website
Curated OER

National Park Service: Thomas Edison National Historical Park: Thomas Edison

For Students 9th - 10th
This site includes information about Thomas Edison's inventions and his home and family life. Find a lengthy biography and several sounds from Edison's original phonograph.
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Handout
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Harcourt: Biographies: Thomas Edison

For Students 9th - 10th
A good description of the inventions and life of this bright and ambitious man. As inventor of the light bulb, phonograph, movie camera and many others, Edison lived a very inspiring life. In Spanish.