November 23, 2009

Dear Parents,

     Next week we will be reading a story about two friends who create an invention. We thought it would be fun to have the students create their own inventions at home.  On Thursday, December 3, the second graders are participating in a special kind of science fair called the Invention Convention.   They will then share their invention with all second graders on December 4.  This activity is designed to promote your child's problem-solving and creative-thinking skills. Your child will be following a step-by-step process to invent a new product or develop a new method for doing something.  The students are ask to prepare their inventions at home with their families. 

     We will begin our preparation for the Invention Convention by having the students learn about inventors and their inventions. By doing so, we hope the students will gain an appreciation for the invention process and thus be better prepared to create their own inventions.The first step in the actual invention process will be finding an idea for an invention. Your child will be encouraged to find a problem that needs to be solved. He or she may ask if you have a need for something that will help you solve a problem. Your interest and encouragement at this stage will help to make the invention process a fun learning experience for your child.

   As your child begins the actual process of inventing, your continued interest and encouragement will be helpful. Discuss the progress he or she ismaking and any problems that are encountered. Remind your child that although inventors often experience failure along the way, they remain persistent and keep trying and thinking of new ideas to solve a problem.

     We know your child will enjoy and benefit from this experience in scientific problem solving. Although we want you to encourage to your child in this inventive effort, we ask you not to become overly involved in your child's project. Your child needs to bring back to school is the attached worksheet called “My Invention” and the invention.   Please note that the invention does not need to really work, we just want an original idea that solves a problem.  Your support and cooperation aregreatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

 Second Grade Teachers

 Examples of Student Inventions

“I can't think of anything to invent!” is a complaint teachers sometimes hear when students begin the inventing process. You can encourage students by discussing some of the inventions listed here that students have created over the past few years.

a device that cleans gutters

a plastic product that holds a book while you eat

a rain poncho designed for use when riding a bicycle

alunch-box alarm that goes off when an unauthorized person opens the box

a birdfeeder that protects feed from wind and rain

a newboard game

a newly designed bottle opener

a toothpaste cap that minimizes waste and mess

a device that prevents blisters from forming on hands when raking, shoveling, or sweeping

a billfold that organizes money by denomination for blind people

a new candy bar

a new type of swing set

clothing tags to help match and coordinate clothes

a dog collar that lights up at night

a bedspread that zips down the middle

safety suspenders that light up at night for joggers or bikers

a lock for a folding door

a new type of ice cream container that minimizes mess

a new type of rake that allows you to pick up leaves without bending over

an infant support that prevents a very young baby from falling over

a robot that distributes and collects student papers

a glove with a light for signaling turns when riding a bike at night

a better, more comfortable swing set

a device to hold objects for disabled people who use a walker

a computer program that includes graphics and music for entertaining children aged 3 months to 4 years

a child's seat that fits a shopping cart

a hearing-aid guard

a mailbox alert device that signals when mail has been delivered to a roadside mailbox

a leg cast sock to keep toes warm

tapeless wrapping paper

a comforter for cats

an outside house light that flashes to signal police, firemen, or other helpers as to which house made a call for assistance

a computer program that catalogs videotapes

an eyeglass defogging device

a device that makes it easier to swallow pills

a drying rack for gloves

a liquid that covers fade marks on blue jeans

a light switch for young children

a chocolate-candy device that prevents ice cream cones from dripping

a bus-stop night light