Browse lesson plans

Invention convention

In this integrated unit, students will draw upon language arts, science, and math while inventing a magnetic or electric product. The lessons in this unit provide accommodations for English Language Learners at a variety of developmental levels.

Format: lesson plan (multiple pages)

Simplicity: A literature-based Paideia seminar

Students will apply their knowledge of how developments in the history of the United States, as well as the world, can impact the lives of people today. The lesson is based on the picture book entitled The Simple People, written by Tedd Arnold and illustrated by Andrew Shachat. (Summary: The simple people enjoy the simple life until one of the character's inventions is used to make life more complicated. As a result, everyone forgets the simple things in life.) After a Paideia seminar discussing the book, students will select a modern invention, research the history of its development and how it impacts society, and create a multi-media presentation.

Format: lesson plan (grade 5–6 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

By Krista Hannah.

Week 2: Creating a letter of request

In Invention convention, page 5

In this Invention Convention lesson, students will write a letter of request seeking a donation to be used for Invention Convention.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 English Language Arts)

By Briana Corke Pelton.

Week 3: Designing the invention on paper

In Invention convention, page 7

In this Invention Convention lesson, students will complete a rough draft drawing of their invention.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 English Language Development)

By Briana Corke Pelton.

Week 3: Estimating material cost

In Invention convention, page 8

In this Invention Convention lesson, students will compile a list of needed materials to create their inventions. They will also calculate the cost to build their invention using mental estimation, computation, and calculators.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 English Language Arts and Mathematics)

By Briana Corke Pelton.

Week 4: Creating an informative poster or presentation

In Invention convention, page 10

In this Invention Convention lesson, students will plan and organize a poster or PowerPoint presentation to describe their invention.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Visual Arts Education)

By Briana Corke Pelton.

Week 4: Writing “how-to” instructions

In Invention convention, page 11

In this Invention Convention lesson, students write instructions explaining how to use their inventions.

Format: lesson plan

By Briana Corke Pelton.

Week 5: Conclusion paragraphs

In Invention convention, page 15

In this Invention Convention lesson, students will write convincing conclusions.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 English Language Arts)

By Briana Corke Pelton.

Week 5: Developing informative paragraphs

In Invention convention, page 14

In this Invention Convention lesson, students will consider writing elements that will make detailed paragraphs interesting and draft three informative paragraphs.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 English Language Arts)

By Briana Corke Pelton.

Week 5: Writing an engaging opening

In Invention convention, page 13

In this Invention Convention lesson, students will analyze slogans from famous inventions and identify a sound, ability, or description that is unique to their invention. They will use this information to write an engaging opening for their expository writing.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 English Language Arts)

By Briana Corke Pelton.

Resources on the web

Timelines and texts: Motivating students to read nonfiction

In this ReadWriteThink lesson, students use an historical timeline and their prior knowledge to predict when specific inventions were produced and explain their reasons for placing an invention in a particular year. During a paired thinking and sharing... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink