I Wish I’d Thought of That!
by Lynn Kennedy
lkennedy@stjosephwsp.org
edited with permission by Sue Johnson
susan@holytrinitys.org


Introduction: Have you ever heard someone say I wish I’d thought of that when talking about someone else's good idea?  Or maybe you had an idea that you thought would make you a million dollars?  You are about to embark on a learning adventure where you will discover some of the people who have had great ideas and how they developed them into some of the things we use every day.




Do you know how the popsicle was created? 
Let’s find out!


Task: You and a partners will use internet resources to research an inventor and his or her invention. Use the Inventor’s Guide Sheet to keep track of the information about your inventor. Click here for Inventor’s guide sheet.  Next you and your partner will write a story about your inventor.  Tell the story as if you were the inventor.  You will create a PowerPoint with your information and with pictures.
                              

The Process:
1. You will participate in a class discussion on inventors and inventions.  
2. You will be put into groups of 2. 
3. Do some research about inventions.
        Click here for Inventor's Links
4. With your partner choose an inventor to learn about.
5. Fill out the Inventor’s guide sheet using the internet resources.
6. Now create a web for your story using Kidspiration.
7. Create a PowerPoint that you will share with the class about you, the inventor and the invention.
8. Illustrate your story.  You do not need a picture on each slide. I would expect you to take turns typing so you each have an oppportunity to keyboard.
9. Make sure that you have edited your PowerPoint.

Evaluation: How well did you learn? Click here for rubric.

Conclusion:  You and your classmates have visited some fun and interesting places to learn about inventions and inventors. You also learned a lot about using internet links.  Now that you are finished maybe you would like to go to these links and try your hand at inventing! Click here for activities.

Credits:
Sources for clipart:
http://www.apte.com/clipart/aol/invent.cfm
http://pics4learning.com/