Saturday, February 16, 2013

Thomas Edison Inventor, Scientist, and Genius - Biography, non fiction



Thomas Edison Inventor, Scientist, and Genius
By Lori Mortensen


Illustrated by Jeffery Thompson

 

Summary


Thomas Alva Edison was born in 1847 in Ohio.  He was a curious and often restless child who loved to experiment.  When he got older, he worked as a telegraph operator and later invented devices that improved the current telegraphs.  Later in New Jersey, he opened his own laboratory where he made many important inventions such as: improving the light bulb, phonograph, movie camera, and a even a talking doll.  He was issued 1,093 patents, which is more than any other inventor.  Thomas Alva Edison’s inventions and creative, curious mind changed our world for the better. 






 
Annie’s Thoughts:


Thomas Edison Inventor, Scientist, and Genius is written by Lori Mortensen and illustrated by Jeffrey Thompson. The text is informative but not too wordy. The illustrations are large and draw the reader into the story of Edison’s life.  The text features are abundant in this story including: Timeline of Edison, Did you Know section, Glossary, To Learn More, and Index.  All of these text features help the reader understand more about the late 1800’s and Edison’s inventions.



Classroom Activates:

Your inventions - Have students think of an invention of their own. List what it does and how it makes life better or easier. Transfer inventions to a light bulb picture and display in the classroom. 

Inventions to life - Have students take their inventions further by creating them using various objects, ie: popsicle sticks, cotton, glue, construction paper, pipe cleaners, clay, ect.  Print up a "patent" and issue to each student when invention is complete. 


Response Questions:

Thomas Edison was a curious child and asked many questions.  Do you ask a lot of questions? Do you think this is a good quality?
 
What was one of Edison's inventions and how it changed the world?


References:


Mortensen, L. (2007). Thomas Edison Inventor, Scientist, and Genius

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