Famous African-American Inventors

Introduction
Have you ever wanted to invent something? Maybe you were working on a project and realized that a different kind of tool would make your job easier. "If only someone would invent something like that!"

They say that "necessity is the mother of invention" and we are going to learn about some people that did "invent that." People who invent things are called INVENTORS (imagine that!) and these particular inventors just happen to be African American.

U.S.patent#1,413,121 - Jack Johnson Wrench

Task
Working by yourself or with a partner, you will research a famous African American inventor from history. You will identify the invention(s) that made this person famous, and describe facts about that person's life. You will then create a PowerPoint Slideshow about that famous African American inventor.

Walter Sammons - Improved Comb Patent

The Process

You and/or your partner will first need to pick a famous African American inventor. Go to this web site and choose the person on which you will report
Black Inventors A-Z

Contemporary Black Inventors

You will research sites on the Internet to find information about the African American inventor your group has chosen. These sites will help you in your research. Be sure to note your resources.
Scholastic.com
Black Inventors A-Z
Enchanted Learning.com
Encarta
Lifetips
FactMonster

You and/or partner will be responsible for creating a 3-5 slide PowerPoint Slideshow on your famous African American inventor. These slides will explain who the inventor is, and when s/he was born, and died (if applicable); what the inventor did that made her/him famous and when these things were done; where the inventor lived and worked; how the discovery/invention was made; and why this person made her/his invention. (Who?, What?, When?, Where?, How?, and Why?) If you would like to do the slideshow in chronological order, you may. The first slide could be the beginning of the life, the second slide could be the middle of the life, and the last slide could be the end of life.

You will have a cover slide with a picture of your inventor.

You will have a timeline of the person's life with at least five events--including the person's birth and death. Go to this site to create your timeline: Teachnology.com

You will have a resources slide listing the sites and books used for information. To site your sources go to CitationMachine.net.

Next, you need to decide on your jobs. Everyone has to do the research and keep notes. After you have searched two sites each, get together and choose your jobs. One person needs to be the organizer and decide which information goes into the report. One person needs to be the writer and write the report. One person needs to be the illustrator. (You must have some sort of picture of your inventor, whether it be off of the Internet or self-made.) The last crew member will be the graphic artist and create the timeline.

Resources

Scholastic.com
Black Inventors A-Z
Enchanted Learning.com
Encarta
Lifetips
FactMonster

John Lee Love - Pencil Sharpener
Evaluation
You and your group will be evaluated with the scoring guide below. You will each recieve a grade for your group work as well as an individual grade for independent work. I will also grade how well the group worked as a crew.

CATEGORY	4	3	2	1	Score
Teamwork 16 Points x 4	Worked closely as a team and seemed to enjoy the experience.	Worked together well enough to produce an acceptable report.	Worked independently, instead of as a team.	Refused to work together, or fussed constantly.
Cover Slide 8 points x 2	The cover sheet names the famous African American inventor, has a picture of the inventor, and names crew members.	The cover sheet names the inventor, and has a picture/or the crew's names.	The cover sheet tells who the report is about.	There is a cover sheet.
Slideshow 32 points x 8	The paper is very well written and easy to read. All 6 requirements about the inventor's life were met exceptionally well.	The essay explains who, what, when, where, how, and why about the inventor in 3 paragraphs.	The essay tells 3 of the 6 requirements for the assignment.	There is something written about someone.
Quality of Information 12 points x 3	Information clearly relates to the main topic. It includes several supporting details and/or examples.	Information clearly relates to the main topic. It provides 1-2 supporting details and/or examples.	Information clearly relates to the main topic. No details and/or examples are given.	Information has little or nothing to do with the main topic.
Resources Slide 8 points x 2	The resources page lists 2 sites per crew member and is easy to read and follow. It would be easy to check these sites for more information.	The resources page lists 2 sites for each crew member.	The resources page has at least one site per crew member.	There is an attempt at a page listing resources.
Grammar 12 points x 3	There are no grammatical/mechanical mistakes	There are 1-2 grammatical/mechanical mistakes	There are 3-4 grammatical/mechanical mistakes	There are more than 4 grammatical/mechanical mistakes
Following Classroom Guidelines 12 points x 3	Arrived to class on time, used class time appropriately, did not distract others, stayed on task the whole time.	Arrived to class late, used class time appropriately, did not distract others, stayed on task most of the time.	Arrived to class late, was a distraction to other students, and did not stay on task most of the time.	Arrived to class late repeatedly, was not on task at all and was constantly distracting other students.

Charles Brooks - paper punch

Conclusion

Congratulations on "discovering" your inventor! Now that you have invented your own report on a famous African American inventor, check your knowledge on the Afro-American Newspaper's Kid Zone famous Black Americans brain teasers.