Benjamin Franklin Teacher Resources

Fifth graders examine the impact of Benjamin Franklin's ideas on the goods and services available in Colonial America as well as analyze the importance of Franklin to modern society. While listening to "How Ben Franklin Stole the...

Benjamin Franklin was many things: a scientist, businessman, diplomat, politician. Learners explore facets of the legendary figure with a matching activity. By matching primary source documents to their descriptions, they analyze the...

Imagine being a writer, inventor, businessman, and the founding father of an entire nation! Pupils analyze the life and activities of Benjamin Franklin. Primary documents, videos, and paintings open up the world of Franklin to young...

Examine stories with a moral in a character development instructional activity. The class reads a short story written by Benjamin Franklin in which he pays too much for a toy whistle. Individuals then make text-to-self connections and...

Bring Benjamin Franklin to life in the classroom with a set of five activities. Discover the type of person he was and his accomplishments through a study of his inventions and comments about life virtues. 

Did Benjamin Franklin really fly a kite to discover electricity? Answers this question and many others with a video that discusses Franklin and his contributions to science. There isn't time to cover all of his inventions and...

A scientist, inventor, entrepreneur, politician, and the founder of a nation—and that's just one person! Learners investigate the many lives of Benjamin Franklin. Using a hands-on interactive online resource, they analyze primary...

Of the many roles he played, Benjamin Franklin most wanted to be remembered as B. Franklin, Printer. Learners of all ages find out more about this amazing man through the activities included in the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary Guide.  

Benjamin Franklin famously had an aphorism for every situation—most of which we still use in modern vernacular. Introduce class members to Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanack with a presentation that details the characteristics of aphorisms.

Benjamin Franklin identified 13 virtues that he felt would strengthen his character if he could focus on each one. A thorough lesson explores high schoolers' personal values in the context of their lives, and compels them to strive for...

Students research and read a profile of Benjamin Franklin. In this philanthropic lesson, students research the projects of Benjamin Franklin and determine which were philanthropic, which were governmental and which were business...

Students examine the role of money in the colonial economy by participating in a trading activity. In this colonial economy lesson, students complete an activity to learn about colonial trade and what happens when there is a lack of...

Celebrate inventions such as lightning rods, bifocals, and stoves with a Ben Franklin Day. Young historians conduct research and write a paragraph about an accomplishment of Benjamin Franklin including an illustration or collage that...

Middle schoolers examine Benjamin Franklin's contributions to the United States. In this Benjamin Franklin lesson plan, students analyze the sculpted depiction of Franklin by Hiram Powers. Middle schoolers also study Franklin's life,...

Even for one of the most accomplished men in American history, there was room for improvement. Challenge high schoolers to use Benjamin Franklin's Project for Moral Perfection to analyze text, make inferences, connect to historical...

Students study Benjamin Franklin including who he was, what he invented and his experiment.  In this inventive lesson students follow the steps of Ben Franklin and build a Leyden jar.

Students explore U.S. history by completing a quiz about civics. In this Benjamin Franklin lesson plan, students read assigned text about Franklin's role in the development of the Constitution and the creation of a new society. Students...

Young scholars examine Benjamin Franklin's community service in Philadelphia. In this American history famous heroes instructional activity, students make text-to-self-and-world connections between the Philadelphia community service...

Learners explore U.S. history by reading biographical material in class. For this Benjamin Franklin lesson, students identify the life of Franklin and the events that led him to become one of America's first heroes. Learners complete an...