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Mistakes That Worked: The World's Familiar Inventions and How They Came to Be
Last updated Wednesday, July 21, 2021
Author: Charlotte Foltz
Illustrator: John O'Brien
Date of Publication: 2016
ISBN: 0399552022
Grade Level: 3rd (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Jul. 2021
Synopsis:
SANDWICHES came about when an English earl was too busy gambling to eat his meal and needed to keep one hand free. POTATO CHIPS were first cooked by a chef who was furious when a customer complained that his fried potatoes weren’t thin enough. Coca-Cola, Silly Putty, and X rays have fascinating stories behind them too! Their unusual tales, and many more, along with hilarious cartoons and weird, amazing facts, make up this fun-filled book about everyday items that had surprisingly haphazard beginnings.
| Note to readers: |
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This is a long book for 3rd grade, so you won’t read the whole thing. Start with the introduction, which is
important. Then choose one or two examples from each chapter. You could ask the kids which ones
interest them. There’s no particular order.
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Be prepared to explain vocabulary or concepts based on the sections you choose to read.
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| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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Have you heard of any inventors? What are examples of inventions? (TV, computer, telephone … )
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You might think inventors are all scientists and experts, but many things are invented by regular people by
mistake!
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Have you ever made a mistake, but ended up with something better? Like a recipe you change or a new
game you make up?
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Someone invented the things that you use every day. And a lot of those are by accident! (Use examples
from the sections you plan to read. These are suggestions.) Have you thought about who was the first
person to eat chocolate-chip cookies or an ice-cream cone? Have you ever taken aspirin for a headache,
or gotten an x-ray? Have you saved coins in a piggy-back or thrown a frisbee? Do you wash with a bar of
soap or use paper towels at home? Have you worn shoes with Velcro instead of laces? Everyone wears
blue jeans now, but who was the first?
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Discuss some of the great quotes throughout the book:
- “Name the greatest of all inventors. Accident.”
- “Intelligence is not to make no mistakes, but quickly to see how to make them good.”
- “Only he who does nothing makes a mistake.” (If at first you don’t succeed…)
Vocabulary
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serendipity: when something good happens by luck or chance
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unintentional: something you didn’t mean to do
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abandon: give up on (an idea)
#documentation: official information or evidence, like documents and photographs
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legends/lore: stories that are often told and passed down
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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What invention story surprised you?
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Can you make up some stories of how something could be invented?
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If you could invent something new, what would it be?
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*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions.
You can use them, but you don't have to use them.
You can expand upon them, or add your own twist.
Remember, though, that the focus of your time should
not be on the development and execution of a craft;
the focus should be on the read-aloud and the
enjoyment of the book!
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