Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ben Franklin Timeline

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jefferson vs. Franklin: Revolutionary Philosophers

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students cite connections among Franklin's Albany Plan of 1754, his Plan of Confederation of 1775 and the U.S. Constitution and/or the Declaration of Independence. In an essay, they give examples of the philosophical and political...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Benjamin Franklin: Goods and Services in Colonial America

For Teachers 5th
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...
Lesson Plan
Candace Fleming

Ben Franklin’s Almanac: Being a True Account of the Good Gentleman’s Life

For Students 7th - 12th Standards
Candace Fleming's award winning Ben Franklin's Almanac is the anchor text for a classroom guide that provides teachers with a cache of pre, during, and post-reading activities.
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Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary

Franklin’s Fair Hand American Journalism

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Scholars know him for his role in the American Revolution, but Ben Franklin was also a journalist and printer. Learners investigate his standards for what was fit to print using primary sources—including writings where Franklin explains...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jefferson vs. Franklin: Revolutionary Philosophers

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners examine the contributions of Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson to American Independence. In small groups, they conduct Internet research, read and discuss primary source documents, and complete a chart.
Lesson Plan
PBS

Benjamin Franklin: Writer, Inventor, and Founding Father

For Teachers 3rd - 7th Standards
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...
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Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary

Benjamin Franklin and Learning a Lesson

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
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...
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Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Need a model for character education? Benjamin Franklin presents himself as in a constant state of striving to become the man he hoped to be, making his autobiography is far more accessible to learners than those of people who consider...
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Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary

Franklin’s Philadelphia: Another Point of View

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
While Benjamin Franklin enjoyed fame and success in colonial Philadelphia, that was not the experience of all coming to the British colonies. Young scholars trace the life of an indentured servant using a scholarly biography and reading...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Benjamin Franklin's Many "Hats"

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine Benjamin Franklin's contributions to the United States. In this Benjamin Franklin lesson, students analyze the sculpted depiction of Franklin by Hiram Powers. Students also study Franklin's life, philosophy, and...
Lesson Plan
What So Proudly We Hail

A Lesson on Benjamin Franklin’s “Project for Moral Perfection”

For Teachers 11th - 12th Standards
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...
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Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary

Designing Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
How do you convey someone’s creativity? Individuals answer the question as they design exhibitions to showcase the intellect and genius of Benjamin Franklin. After conducting research, classmates work in groups to try to capture and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jefferson vs. Franklin: Renaissance Men

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate the achievements of Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. They conduct Internet research, identify their achievements, and participate in a 'competition' that compares/contrasts the two men.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Benjamin Franklin- Philanthropist

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students research and read a profile of Benjamin Franklin. In this philanthropic lesson plan, students research the projects of Benjamin Franklin and determine which were philanthropic, which were governmental and which were business...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Lesson to Accompany "Benjamin Franklin and the Birth of a Paper Money Economy"

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ben Franklin the Good Citizen

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate Benjamin Franklin's contributions to society. In this history lesson, students read about Franklin's philanthropic behavior and play a bucket brigade game to re-enact how fires were put out during colonial times.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wisdom of Ben Franklin

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students recognize the wit and wisdom of Ben Franklin. They examine a list of proverbs of Ben Franklin and select a proverb to paraphrase. In addition, they create a modern proverb that has the same meaning as the one they picked by...
Lesson Plan
What So Proudly We Hail

The Meaning of America: Self-Command

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
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...
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Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary

Benjamin Franklin, Elder Statesman

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Ben Franklin was the only American to sign The Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Alliance with France, the Treaty of Paris, and the US Constitution. An interesting resource explores his role in the latter by comparing the US...
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Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary

What Good May I Do: Franklin and the American Civic Association

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Benjamin Franklin may have been a Founding Father of the United States, but he also founded a number of civic associations. Learners explore his legacy using a biographical essay and collaborative activity. After their exploration,...
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Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary

Simple Machines, Ben Franklin and the Technology of the 1700s

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Benjamin Franklin was an inventor, and he was fascinated by the mechanics of machinery. Using a fun exploration, pupils examine simple machines from the pre-Industrial era. Then, they must identify and build their own using common objects.
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Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary

Franklin, Master Diplomat

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
While many often associate Ben Franklin with his kite electricity experiments, budding historians find out he contributed much more. They discover Franklin's political savvy by examining primary sources in the informative installment of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Benjamin Franklin - Master of Electricity The Kite Experiment and the Invention of the Lightning Rod

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners 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.

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