Thomas Edison's Greatest Inventions

     While the "BAA" students focused on solely the light bulb, the "AAA" students were given a choice between five of Thomas Edison's famous inventions.  Their job was to write a persuasive essay, convincing the reader/listener that THEIR invention was the most important one!  They first outlined:

1. Introduction: Name the invention and briefly explain why you chose it.

2. Body paragraphs:
A. Information about the invention/how it's used
B. What could this invention possibly have led to today?
C. Life without the invention

3. A strong conclusion, convincing the reader you are REALLY right!

 Some students were so convincing, they even caused some students to switch groups!  What group would YOU join??  Enjoy these samples:

Bring Back the Music! by Dhruv (6th grade)

“ I have not failed, I’ ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” That’s Thomas Edison. You know him. He is the world's greatest inventor. The phonograph is the most important Thomas Edison invention because it provides hours of fun for the whole family and has changed people’s lives forever.

The phonograph was invented on August 12, 1877, and was mostly used in the olden times. Today, a phonograph might be called a record player. It is not used today, but it has inspired many modern inventions. There are three types of photographs:  two using a hornet output sound, while one uses a speaker. This last model is the more modern one. These were mechanically designed using a crane to power them. This results in no need for electricity. The phonograph is the most functional, modern, antique device. It has a vinyl record with a needle, and the device sometimes plays through a speaker (modern) or horn (antique).

The phonograph is not used anymore today, by most people, but it has led to many great modern inventions. These inventions include cassettes, CDs, and eventually virtual digital music streaming services, such as YouTube Music, Spotify, and others! Music is all around us, and it has been since olden times, thanks to phntographs and its descendants.

The phonograph is very significant in the world of music, of course, but what would life be like without it? The answer to this complicated question is that life would be boring, and the world would have no music or happy tunes! Also, all the emotions we feel from music would be no more. We also wouldn’t have any favorite or not-favorite songs or singers - What a problem!

All in all, the phonograph is the root of a combined total of hundreds of hours of research by Thomas Edison and his team, and provides thousands of hours of musical enjoyment. When the phonograph was invented, it opened up a huge space, including concerts, different genres of music (there are many), famous bands and singers, instruments, The Grammys, foreign songs, emotion, and so much more! It opened up so many jobs. Your favorite singer might not have been a singer if it wasn't for the phonograph! The same goes for your favorite band, or producer. The phonograph caused all this and changed the world! 

The Motion Picture Camera, by James (4th grade)

          The motion picture camera is a very important part of history.  If Thomas Edison hadn't invented it, then we wouldn't have some of your favorite movies, shows, and sports!

          We use the motion picture camera to make movies, shows, and even to record sports.  Without it, then we wouldn't be able to watch the Super Bowl from home!

          If Thomas Edison hadn't invented the motion picture camera, we may not have security cameras, phone cameras, or modern movie cameras.

          If Thomas Edison hadn't invented the motion picture camera, life would be boring and hard.  It would be a more dangerous world without security cameras.

          As you can see, the motion picture camera is a very important part of history.  It can capture very important memories!

Power Stations, by Penelope (3rd grade)

     Imagine a world without power.... it would be dark, and we'd have to use real fire to cook, and candles for everything including taking baths, brushing teeth, and everything!

     With power stations, we can use everything we need to even if it's dark.  Our houses, our work, our grocery stores, and schools all need lots of light.  We don't want to carry candles everywhere!  Power stations are used to power stuff like air conditioners, clocks, TV's, projectors, light bulbs, and musical instruments.  Without power stations, it would be 100% dark at night all around, every day, and it would be very unsafe.  At home, you couldn't look at the food you are cooking unless you are cooking in the day time.

     That's why power stations are super important.  It is the BEST invention he ever made!  Power stations can do lots of stuff.  Would you like to have power stations, or live by holding candles and eating burnt food?