Watch lightbulbs go off in learners' heads as they look at a patent for Thomas Edison's most famous invention. After examining the light bulb patent, young historians speculate on how the invention changed life in the 1880s and its effects today. Prompts help guide them through their exploration.

Concepts

light, light bulbs, thomas edison, patents, american inventors, inventions, inventors, primary source analysis, primary source images, primary sources

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Additional Tags

social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• Use activity to introduce a study of inventions
• Offer in conjunction with similar lessons on patents to consider how they have impacted modern life

Classroom Considerations

• Class members need Internet access or a copy of the included image

Pros

• Activity is easily integrated into instruction
• Lesson encourages critical examination of primary source images

Cons

• None

Common Core

RI.3.1 RI.3.2 RI.3.3 RI.3.10 RI.4.1 RI.4.2 RI.4.3 RI.4.10 RI.5.1 RI.5.2 RI.5.3 RI.5.10 RH.6-8.1 RH.6-8.2 RH.6-8.3 RH.6-8.10