Curated OER
Poor Richard's Almanack
Students discover what "Poor Richard's Almanack" is and identify at least one element of good writing used by Benjamin Franklin and his work. They then identify what makes some of Benjamin Franklin's sayings applicable today and create a...
Chandler Unified School District
Frankly Speaking: Exploring Benjamin Franklin's Aphorisms
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.
Teach Beside Me
Benjamin Franklin Lesson Ideas
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.
Curated OER
Anonymous Patriots: Songs of the Revolution
Give your class a deeper understanding of the context and meaning behind early American song lyrics. By reading the lyrics to "Yankee Doodle" and "Revolutionary Tea," high schoolers will practice analysis by examining the...
Curated OER
Wisdom of Ben Franklin
Young scholars 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...
Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary
B. Franklin, Printer and the Public Eye
Students explore U.S. history by researching famous Americans. In this Benjamin Franklin lesson plan, students read portions of a biography about Franklin and identify his position within U.S. politics and as a leader in the battle for...
Curated OER
Benjamin Franklin- Philanthropist
Students research and read a profile of Benjamin Franklin. In this philanthropic instructional activity, students research the projects of Benjamin Franklin and determine which were philanthropic, which were governmental and which were...
Curated OER
Franklin Learning Activities
Students participate in different activities examining Benjamin Franklin and his activities. They work together in groups and as a class to research his inventions and his self-improvement plans.
Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary
Learning the Printing Trade
Students explore U.S. History by reading biographical text in class. In this Benjamin Franklin instructional activity, students read about the famous American's first job and the transition he underwent from printing to politics....
Curated OER
Moral and Ethical Beliefs: Proverbs
Students compare and contrast the cultures of Japan and the United States. In groups, they are given a proverb from each country and note the similiarties in their teachings. They complete a worksheet and share their findings with the...
Curated OER
Benjamin Franklin: Colonial Printer and Journalist
Fifth graders explore how important print media is to everyone's daily life. Students use present daily newspapers and they are to reproduce weather forecasts.
Curated OER
Colonial Hornbook
Learners examine the schools in colonial New England. They discover what a hornbook is and how it was used. They create their own hornbook and share them with the class.
Curated OER
Who Am I?
In this Benjamin Franklin and George Washington instructional activity, students examine 10 statements and decide whether the each of the statements identify Benjamin Franklin or George Washington.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: Benjamin Franklin
A brief review of the life of one of the founding fathers of the United States. Learn about the important events in the life of Ben Franklin - inventor, patriot, musician, scientist, statesman, and more. (In Spanish)
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: A Quick Biography of Benjamin Franklin
This fact-filled article surveys the life of Benjamin Franklin.
iCivics
I Civics: Benjamin Franklin Mini Lesson
"The First American", Benjamin Franklin, is the only Founding Father that signed all three major documents that founded the United States of America. Students explore the many roles he took during the founding of America.
University of Notre Dame
History of American Education Web Project: Benjamin Franklin
Biographical notes about Benjamin Franklin's role in the history of education in America, including his ideas about introducing science and new methodologies into school curricula.