Famous Inventors | Biography Reading and Research Unit

Dive into the amazing world of famous inventors with this reading and research unit that is sure to engage your students in upper elementary. This biography research unit combines nonfiction biography texts, whole-class lessons, vocabulary, and independent research in a creative format that will inspire your students as they learn more about inventors and their inventions.

If you’re looking to incorporate context-based learning into your day, this is the perfect option! Students learn about authentic topics while practicing key reading skills.

What does this unit look like?
Using a combination of whole-class lessons and independent (or partner) research, students will explore four essential questions as they research an inventor of their choosing. Then, they’ll create a final product to synthesize and showcase their new knowledge.

This resource includes 14 different inventors and their inventions. There is a comprehensive research component for each person, including brochures,
magazines, newspaper articles, encyclopedia entries, and mini-books. Using a combination of whole-class lessons and independent (or partner) research, students will explore four essential questions as they research an inventor of their choosing.

Which inventors will my students learn about?
While you are welcome to research any inventor or invention and can use the notetaking sheets with it, this unit includes FOURTEEN printable nonfiction texts about the following inventors:

• Brochures:
  • Edwin Binney – Crayons
  • Alfred Ely Beach – Subway
  • George Ferris – Ferris Wheel
  • Walter Diemer – Bubble Gum
  • Earle Dickson – Band-Aid
  • DJ Kool Herc – Hip Hop
  • Lonnie Johnson – Super Soaker

• Magazines:
  • Garrett Morgan – Stoplight
  • Alice Guy-Blache – Filmmaker

• Newspaper Article:
  • Hedy Lamarr – Technology that led to WiFi

• Encyclopedia Entries:
  • Beatrice “Madame” Alexander – Modern American Girl dolls
  • Sarah E. Good – Cabinet Bed

• Mini-Books:
  • Grace Hopper – Computer processing language
  • George Crum – Potato chip

Need DIGITAL? We’ve got you covered! A digital, interactive, version is also included! It was created in Google Slides and is ready for Google Classroom.

Each of the texts above is available in TWO levels. Choose to use the ‘beginner’ or ‘advanced’ versions of each text to differentiate for your class. Each text also has the perfect picture book companion to find in your local library and add as a research component!

What’s included in this famous inventors unit?

• Detailed teaching instructions and timeline
• Step-by-step introduction lessons
• Curated picture book list
• Inventor vocabulary cards to display in your room
• Student note-taking sheets and source tracker
• A printable biography mini-book to use as the final product
• 15 printable nonfiction texts all about famous inventors and their inventions (in TWO levels!)
• Digital version in Google Slides

Looking for even more opportunities for students to authentically read and engage with nonfiction text? My Regions of the United States Literacy Project is similar to this one, and includes printable high-quality nonfiction texts and student research materials!

© Teaching with a Mountain View
All rights reserved by author.
Permission to copy for single classroom use only.