The Mother of All Inventions

 Monique Mainella
/adapted by Ron

Teacher's Guide

   2.      Next, in your team (4 members). Each student shares their choice and explanations for their choice. Ask your teammates questions or for clarification.

Asking for clarification:

 

• What do you mean?

• How would you do that?

• Why?

• Do you think that is the best way/one?

Etc.

Then, as a team you will have to agree on the one invention you will improve and present to the class.

 

3. Discuss, in your team, what you already know about the final invention your team chose. Think about how it is used, what are the advantages and disadvantages of the invention? Write your ideas in your Inventor’s Log Book in box B.

4. Write a journal entry after you’ve observed how you use the invention your team chose. Write about how it makes your life difficult or easier. Write about how the invention can be improved. Use the Inventor Journal 1 to write your text.

5. Research the invention by viewing the sites listed in the resources section. Each member of your team will view at least one site, take notes about what is interesting and useful for your project, and report back to the team. Discuss your findings with your team. Add the information in your Inventor’s Log Book in box C.

Resources:

Here are some sites that contain information about your invention.

All about pencils:

http://www.pencils.com/pencil-information/pencil-making

http://www.noogenesis.com/inventing/pencil/pencil_page.html

http://www.officemuseum.com/pencil_history.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pencil

All about inline skates:

http://www.madehow.com/Volume-2/In-Line-Skates.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inline_skates

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_gx5205/is_1994/ai_n19124532

http://www.inlineskatescene.com/

All about alarm clocks:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alarm_clock

http://clockhistory.com/alarmClockHistory/

http://www.trivia-library.com/a/history-and-story-behind-inventions-alarm-clock.htm

http://www.xomba.com/alarm_clock_history

All about the umbrella: 

http://science.discovery.com/video/index.html?playerId=1391584921&titleId=1339995781

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_gx5205/is_1993/ai_n19124465

http://www.european-umbrellas.com/all-about-the-umbrella/history/history.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umbrella

All about the refrigerator:

http://science.discovery.com/video/index.html?playerId=1391584921&titleId=1339995781

http://home.howstuffworks.com/refrigerator2.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refrigerator

http://www.enotes.com/how-products-encyclopedia/refrigerator

6. Next, you will gather information about how to improve your invention choice from people around you. In your team, decide which two people will conduct the interviews and which two will be observers. If you are conducting the interviews you will choose two or three people and ask them how they feel about the invention you are trying to improve. Ask them what they think needs improvement and why, what things should not change, etc. Add the information in your Inventor’s Log Book in box D. You will go to the following site to learn about how to conduct a proper interview. 

http://www.study-habits.com/blog/2007/02/27/how-to-conduct-a-successful-interview/

If you are observing, you will observe your surroundings at home, school, neighbourhood, etc. to collect information about how your chosen invention can improve. (example What is it used for? Is it miss-used and why? What isn’t it able to do? )Add the information in your Inventor’s Log Book in box D. Discuss your findings with your team.

7. Finally, decide if your team would like to produce either a museum/science display or a poster presentation. Since you will present your improved invention at an invention fair, you need to persuade people that you have the best idea. Use persuasive language like, it’s the best, it’s better than, it’s the fastest, etc. Think about what makes it new, better, interesting, helpful, environmentally friendly, etc. You should use the notes you gathered in your Inventor’s Log Book.

8. In your group, create a storyboard to plan your project. Your teacher will give you specific instructions.

Production

1. Create your media text (for your display or poster) respecting the decisions your team made during preparation. Take time to discuss the elements of your chosen media – images, text, slogan, …

2. Make your text interesting and effective by including a sketch of your improved invention, testimonials from people who use it, etc., according to your media type. Click on this site to see a sample sketch of an invention:

http://www.danzen.com/inventor/sketches/toothpaste.html

Post Production

1. Review and edit your text and put the final touches to your presentation.
2. Prepare to present your project to the class. Your teacher will explain what the procedure will be.
3. While you listen to the presentations make sure to take motes on your Invention Appreciation Sheet.
4. Reflect on your work by using the Self Evaluation sheet found at the last page of your Inventor’s Log Book.

You’ve seen how learning about an invention, observation and asking people how they feel about inventions can definitely improve the inventions and make them more functional. So keep observing, carry an inventors log and jot down ideas and maybe you’ll be the next big inventor!

1. Write a final journal entry 2  using your Inventor’s Journal.
    
2. With a new team of members from different teams, discuss some inventions that would improve the environment.
   Take notes (choose a secretary) and then share with the class.

Evaluation Rubric

 C1 - Interacts orally in English

C3 – writes and produces text