Lesson Plan - I’m an Inventor

Watch a Video
Watch the video “Bright Ideas That Changed the World,” and ask: What are some qualities the inventors in the video all share? Why might those qualities be important in the invention process?

Preview Words to Know
Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know.

• investors 
• prototype

Set a Purpose for Reading
As students read, have them think about the qualities a successful inventor needs to have.

1. What problem did the Baby Toon help solve? How?
Cassidy’s baby sister, Emily, would often stick the handle of her plastic baby spoon in her mouth. Their mother worried that Emily might get hurt. The Baby Toon helped solve this problem because it was safer for babies to use. 
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2. What is a prototype, and how did making one help Cassidy?
The article explains that a prototype is an example or a model for a new design or product. Making a prototype of the Baby Toon helped Cassidy by giving her a model she could hold in her hands and study to improve the design.
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3. What are some of the decisions Cassidy had to make during the invention process?
During the invention process, Cassidy made many decisions, like what problem she wanted to solve, what her baby spoon would look like, what materials to use, and whether to try to sell her product.
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Featured Skill: Informative Writing
Use the skill builder “Think Like an Inventor!” to have students brainstorm their own innovative products.
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