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The Real McCoy: Who invented it?
Description:
The picture book The Real McCoy: The Life of an African American Inventor, by Wendy Towle, will be used as a vehicle to research inventors and their inventions. The Real McCoy: The Life of an African American Inventor is a story about Elijah McCoy, an African American engineer who invented an oil cup that kept the wheels of steam engines moving smoothly. His oil cup was patented and one-of a-kind. Steam engine owners requested it by asking for, “The Real McCoy" (that is where the saying came from). This lesson will entertain students with a story, teach about patents and lead into a research project about other inventors and their inventions.
Goals & Objectives:

INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL:

 

Students will learn about Elijah McCoy and others' inventions.

 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

 

After reading the picture book aloud to the class, students will be able to identify at least three of Elijah McCoy's inventions. The class will then discuss other inventors (such as Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison, and Eli Whitney) and identify their inventions. Students will learn and understand the definition of the word patent. Students will become familiar with the saying 'The Real McCoy'. Students will research a known inventor who holds a patent and be conversational about the learned information. Students will use research skills to research a specific inventor (chosen by the student) and his/her invention.During research, students will be required to use their technology skills by conducting internet research. Students will prepare an oral presentation and present their inventor (and his/her invention) for their Social Studies class. Students will produce a works cited page to be handed in at the time of their presentation.

 

MOTIVATIONAL GOAL:

 

Students will be granted choice in their research project. Because they will choose something that they are interested in, they will be motivated by their interest to research and find information.

Materials & Sources:
The Real McCoy: The Life an African American Inventor, by Wendy Towle. White board/chalk board Access to computers with internet.
Procedures:

Class #1:

 

Read The Real McCoy: The Life of an African American Inventor. Discuss the story & encourage thoughts and ideas to be freely discussed among students. Ask, "Does anyone remember the word 'patent' from the book?" Read passage where patent is discussed. Ask students what they think patent means based on its usage in the book. Lead discussion on patents into a discussion about Inventors. Who is an inventor? Using the chalkboard, brainstorm definitions of inventors. End lesson one out of two by saying, "Okay class, this ends our discussion for today, but for the next week I want you to observe all of the inventions around you. Next week we will begin our research project. Each of you will choose an invention, research it and prepare an oral presentation for your Social Studies class."

 

Class #2

 

Review the purpose of the project. Review The Real McCoy: The Life of an African American Inventor, by Wendy Towle. Ask students to share the inventions they saw over the last week. Discuss who they think invented it, why, and when. Allow students to think freely and creatively during this brainstorm. Distribute the attached job aid, which asks the students to identify their invention, who invented it, when, why, and one interesting fact about the inventor and its invention. In order to complete this project, students must use at least two internet resources, and two books from the library. Social Studies Class (collaborator): Students will be asked to present their findings to their Social Studies class.

Assessment:
Students will present their findings during an oral presentation to their social studies class. Students will submit completed job aid for assessment of research methods and works cited.
Sources:
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Presented By: Kristy Favata
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