What a week of bright ideas! You learned that an invention is something new that solves a problem. Medieval people invented windmills to grind grain, clocks to tell time, eyeglasses to help people see, and the heavy plow to grow more food.
You met Johannes Gutenberg, who built the printing press around 1450. His metal type and ink made books fast and cheap — and helped the whole world learn to read.
You even became an inventor yourself, with your own printing stamp and a brand-new invention plan. This is also our last week in the Middle Ages — next week we set sail into the Age of Exploration! But first, show what you know.
1. What is an invention?
2. Name three medieval inventions.
3. Who invented the printing press and why was it so important?
1. An is something new that solves a problem.
2. A used wind power to grind grain.
3. built the printing press around 1450.
4. The press used metal letters called .
5. helped people see better.
6. The heavy helped farmers grow more food.
Write T for true or F for false in each circle.
Match each invention to what it does. Write the letter: A (makes books), B (grinds grain), C (helps you see), D (tells time).
| Invention | What it does (A–D) |
|---|---|
| Printing press | |
| Windmill | |
| Eyeglasses | |
| Mechanical clock |
Draw your two favorite inventions from this week — one medieval invention and your OWN invention.
This week you learned:
• Inventions solve problems — and inventors keep trying after failure
• Medieval inventions: windmill, clock, eyeglasses, heavy plow
• Gutenberg's printing press filled the world with books
• Many medieval inventions are still in your home today
Next week: The Age of Exploration! Brave sailors, tall ships, and voyages across unknown oceans.
| I can... | Circle one |
|---|---|
| Explain what an invention is | YES / NOT YET |
| Name medieval inventions and what they did | YES / NOT YET |
| Tell why the printing press mattered | YES / NOT YET |