+
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 or collage that...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jefferson vs. Franklin: Revolutionary Philosophers

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers 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...
+
Organizer
Teach Beside Me

Benjamin Franklin Lesson Ideas

For Students 5th - 8th Standards
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. 
+
Interactive
US National Archives

Benjamin Franklin: Politician and Diplomat

For Students 7th - 12th Standards
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...
+
Worksheet
Henry County Schools

Ben Franklin Aphorisms

For Students 7th - 12th Standards
Is a pretend friend worse than an open foe? What benefits come to those who help themselves? Take a look at some of Benjamin Franklin's famous aphorisms, which advise readers to conduct themselves properly throughout the day. Pupils...
+
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.
+
Lesson Plan
1
1
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...
+
PPT
Chandler Unified School District

Frankly Speaking: Exploring Benjamin Franklin's Aphorisms

For Students 5th - 8th Standards
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.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jefferson vs. Franklin: Revolutionary Philosophers

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students 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.
+
Interactive
DocsTeach

Benjamin Franklin: Politician and Diplomat

For Students 6th - 8th Standards
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...
+
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...
+
Lesson Plan
1
1
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...
+
Lesson Plan
1
1
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...
+
Unit Plan
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum

Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World

For Teachers K - 12th Standards
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.  
+
Handout
Chandler Unified School District

Ben Franklin Aphorisms

For Students 7th - 12th Standards
Benjamin Franklin's famous aphorisms are a perfect time capsule of colonist values in the mid-18th century, as well as a clever reminder of the way life still works today. Middle and high schoolers select one aphorism to interpret...
+
Lesson Plan
1
1
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...
+
Lesson Plan
1
1
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.
+
Interactive
Magic of Physics

Franklin's Lab

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
Get energized! Circuitry scholars follow the path of energy from its beginnings as a fossil fuel all the way to bulbs and batteries using an interesting interactive. Groups or individuals help Ben Franklin discover how to convert and...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Benjamin Franklin- Philanthropist

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students research and read a profile of Benjamin Franklin. For this philanthropic lesson, 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 plan, students complete an activity to learn about colonial trade and what happens when there is a lack of...

Other popular searches