News & Events
Lessons From Thomas Edison
January 29, 2010
“There are no mistakes, as long as you learn from them!” That is what the elementary and middle school students from New Road School in Parlin repeatedly shouted at an assembly on January 28 .This is the fun way Thomas Alva Edison, performed by Patrick Garner of “History Alive,” enthusiastically teaches one of the four lessons we can learn from him. These lessons, along with his life, work and inventions were explored in a fun, imaginative and sometimes surprising way.
Another lesson to learn is “Work hard and play hard”. Mr. Edison and his staff at Menlo Park, worked very hard on their inventions, but they also found time to play. They were often found gathered around a piano for a sing along.
With a pair of scissors and a 5x4 inch piece of paper, some of Ms.Engel’s students were given the challenge: make a hole you can walk through. None of our students found success but what we did find was that “Sometimes you need to look at something from a new angle.” Mr. Edison folds the paper in half and with many cuts from a scissor, is able to turn the paper into a huge circle, one large enough to go around his whole body.
His fourth and final lesson is “Find something you love and do it.” If you love chocolate ice cream, think of the possibilities: work on a dairy farm, ice cream factory, chocolate shop, ice cream parlor……
Probably the best part of the show was watching the students perform. Our students were encouraged to participate in this presentation. Shamaad, Kelly, and John played the part of Mr. Edison’s staff. John recreates the first movie for us, “The Big Sneeze” with a huge “A--CHOO!” Eddie demonstrates how sometimes we learn our best by making a mistake. While John stands beside Thomas Edison as he explains his last lesson.
According to some of our students, there are two most memorable parts of the show. Matthew, Isaiah and Connor agree it is when Mr. Edison visited the President of the United States. He is demonstrating his newest and favorite invention, the phonograph. Mr. Edison previously records statements like “Put a sock in it” and “Boring” on the phonograph. When Thomas Edison reads a poem to the President, the machine interrupts him with his own comments; the New Road School’s assembly room erupts with laughter. Jaret’s favorite part of the show was when Mr. Edison tries to light the light bulb, but a spark flares. Not to worry, it was perfectly safe, a theatre trick.
At New Road School, we discovered there is a lot we can learn from Thomas Alva Edison’s inventions, life and lessons. It was a wonderful experience for students and teachers alike. Surely, his four lessons will not be forgotten.
