Thomas Edison (What's Their Story?)
What'S Their Story? Series
What’s inside...
What's Their Story? is a series of beautifully illustrated biographies for children aged 6-9 years, featuring great leaders, heroes, pioneers, inventors, and scientists from the past. This particular book focuses on the life of Thomas Edison. Each biography in the series is designed to be read either alone or with the guidance of a parent or teacher, and the artwork stimulates the imagination. These biographies also align with National Curriculum KS1 and KS2, covering subjects such as history, English, and science.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-10
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think inspired Thomas Edison to become an inventor?
How do you think perseverance played a role in Edison's success?
Can you think of a time when you tried something over and over until you succeeded?
What invention of Edison’s do you find the most fascinating and why?
How do you think our lives would be different if Edison hadn’t invented the things he did?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by sharing your own thoughts on Edison’s achievements to inspire curiosity. Encourage your child to express their opinions and thoughts, even if they are different from yours. Use examples from Edison’s life, like his experiments and failures, to discuss the value of persistence and creativity. Link discussions to everyday technology that has been influenced by Edison’s inventions to make the conversation relevant and engaging.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Persistence leads to success
Explanation: The story of Thomas Edison highlights his countless experiments and failures before successfully inventing the light bulb.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to keep trying in their endeavors, be it learning a new skill or solving difficult problems, understanding that perseverance is key to achievement.
Example Lesson: Curiosity is the key to discovery
Explanation: Edison's innate curiosity and constant questioning about how things worked led him to explore and eventually invent and innovate.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to be curious about the world around them, ask questions, and explore subjects that fascinate them, which can lead to new learnings and discoveries.
Example Lesson: Learning from mistakes
Explanation: Throughout the book, Edison's approach to viewing failures as learning steps rather than setbacks is evident.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the importance of embracing mistakes as opportunities for growth and development, fostering a resilient and positive mindset.
Example Lesson: Importance of hard work and dedication
Explanation: Edison's accomplishments were not just due to his intelligence, but also his incredible dedication to his work, often laboring long hours.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to dedicate themselves to their studies or passions, understanding that hard work is often necessary to achieve great results.