(Click here for a downloadable PDF of this unit study and other free resources.)
As February quickly approaches, now is the perfect time to share with you a new unit study on Thomas Alva Edison, who happened to be born in February! My kids love anything science and invention related, so last year they were elated when I came up with my Famous Inventors/Inventions unit study. Of all the people we learned about, Thomas Edison was, by far, their favorite, so I think it was only appropriate that I would write a new one focusing only on him.
Enjoy!
Thomas Alva Edison Unit Study
Book Recommendations:
Who Was Thomas Alva Edison?– Margaret Frith
Thomas Edison: The Great Inventor– Caryn Jenner
Timeless Thomas- How Thomas Edison Changed Our Lives– Gene Barretta
Thomas Edison (Lifetime Series)– Richard Tames
What Makes the Light Bright, Thomas Edison?– Melvin and Gilda Berger
Inventing the Future: A Photobiography of Thomas Alva Edison– National Geographic
Inventions- FAQ– Valerie Wyatt
So You Want to Be an Inventor?– Judith St. George
Vocabulary:
phonograph innovation
patent laboratory
kinetograph electricity
kinetoscope lightbulb
kinetophone incandescent
telegraph technology
technology battery
incandescent electric
receiver addled
inventor transmitter
invention experiment
scientist engineer
Suggested Activities:
#1- Thomas Edison was born on February 11th, 1847. How old would he be if he were still alive today? (history, math)
#2- Al, as his parents called him, was born in Milan, Ohio. Locate Ohio on a map. How far is it from where you live? (geography, history, math)
#3- Thomas Edison’s mother provided him with a basement laboratory. It was filled with, among other things, empty jars and bottles, feathers, and rocks. Create a temporary lab in the kitchen or basement and experiment using materials similar to Edison’s in addition to: a magnifying glass or microscope, baking soda, vinegar, corn starch, and other household items. (science)
#4- As a child, he once broke open a bee’s nest to see what was inside. Watch a video showing the inside of a bee’s nest. (science)
#5- Al once suffered from scarlet fever. Research it, and write a report. (science, language arts)
#6- Tom, as he was called as he got older, and a friend used to send messages to each other across a wire using Morse Code. Find out how to spell your name using this code. (social studies, history)
#7- Thomas Edison worked on a train in his youth. Learn about trains and how they work. (history, science)
#8- Tom set up his own printing press on a train that he worked on. Start up a weekly or monthly family newspaper to share your news with friends and relatives. (language arts)
#9- Visit a newspaper office to see how newspapers are printed now. (field trip, social studies)
#10- Thomas Edison once said, “Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.” Discuss the meaning of this quote. (language arts, character)
#11- Most inventors worked alone, but Tom liked working with a team. Gather a team of your own, and see what unique ideas you can come up with together! (science)
#12- Edison bought 2 large plots of land in Menlo Park, NJ. His “community” had a lab, office, library, carpentry shop, machine shop, glass blowing shed, and engine house. Choose one and research what sort of work would be done there. If possible, take a field trip to one in your area. (social studies, field trip)
#13- Write a report on the phonograph. (science, language arts)
#14- U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes invited Thomas Edison to the White House so that he could see the phonograph. Which President was he, and what years was he in office? (history)
#15- Build your own lightbulb. (science)
#16- Find out how a lightbulb works. (science)
#17- Tom and his second wife, Mina, used to have lavish dinner parties. Orville Wright, Helen Keller, and Henry Ford were all guests of theirs. Find out what each of these people is famous for. (history)
#18- If you could invite anyone in the world, alive or dead, to a dinner party, who would you invite? Write an essay explaining why you chose that person. (language arts, social studies)
#19- Draw a comic strip of Edison working on one of his inventions. (art)
#20- While the lightbulb and phonograph are the two inventions he is most known for, what other inventions did Edison come up with? Were they all successful? (science, history)
#21- Thomas Edison passed away on October 18th, 1931. How old was he? (math)
#22- On the night of Edison’s funeral, President Herbert Hoover requested that all Americans turn off their lights for 1 minute. Turn off your lights for 1 minute in honor of the man who made the world a brighter place. (character)
For more activities focusing on famous inventors, you might enjoy my Famous Inventors/Inventions Unit Study.
Hop on over to iHomeschoolNetwork for more great ideas about famous people with February birthdays!
Great unit study. So many resources. We tried the build your own lightbulb. 🙂 Fun!!
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There were so many possibilities to include in this one!
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Thanks for sharing this. I love Edison. He is a great example of growth mindset.
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Yes, he certainly is. We love learning about him!
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I keep meaning to make a whole unit about learning of all the different inventors. I think my boys would really enjoy that… especially since I have an aspiring inventor.
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Unit studies are so much fun to write!
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That would be such an interesting study and your ideas to go with it are great.
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Thank you! We love unit studies!
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This is a great study, Shelly. Thanks for sharing it with us!
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You’re so welcome. Thanks for hosting!
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Again, great resources. 🙂 My unit study queen! Thank you so much for sharing at #familyfriday. Please come back next week.
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You know I will!
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Thomas Edison is so fun to study! Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com this week! Always a pleasure to have you!
Tina
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Thanks for hosting!
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