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
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....
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Poor Richard's Almanack
As part of a unit on Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanack, this classroom activity provides a brief classroom project and includes lesson plan ideas, web links, and additional texts.
Other
Benjamin Franklin Writer and Printer: Inventing Poor Richard
See pages from Poor Richard's Almanack over several years of its publication. Read about the contents of the almanacks Benjamin Franklin's comments about writing the yearly production.
Scholastic
Scholastic History Mystery: Colonial Life 2: Poor Richard's Almanack
Students try to guess the mystery subject Carlotta Facts, the History Mystery Museum's professor, is studying. They read the clues, do some online and offline research, and then attempt to identify the game's mystery item, Poor Richard's...
Other
Library Company of Philadelphia: Benjamin Franklin: Writer and Printer
An extensive exhibition of Benjamin Franklin work as a printer and as a writer, with comprehensive coverage of the Pennsylvania Gazette and Poor Richard's Almanack.
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning:american Literature and Comp:rationalism: Benjamin Franklin
This lesson focuses on Benjamin Franklin's life by providing background information about Franklin including his apprentice to his brother, his "Silence Dogood" column, his autobiograpy, "Poor Richard's Almanack," and his political...
PBS
Pbs: Benjamin Franklin: An Extraordinary Life: Franklin's Wit and Wisdom
Learn about Franklin's career as a writer and about his particular brand of humor in this five-part essay. Includes examples from his letters and from "Poor Richard's Almanack."
Bibliomania
Bibliomania: Benjamin Franklin's Works
This site from Bibliomania contains great information on the life of Benjamin Franklin. Three pages into the article it discusses the "Almanac," as well as "Poor Richard's Almanac." Also includes a small picture of "Poor Richard's Almanac."
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Spirit of Nationalism: Benjamin Franklin
This is a brief biography of businessman, politician, scientist, and author Benjamin Franklin. Click "Benjamin Franklin Activities" for related materials.
Huntington Library
Huntington Library: Benjamin Franklin: Colonial Printer and Journalist
This lesson looks at the early career of Benjamin Franklin and he contributed to the spread of literacy in America, as well as his public service record at that time. Students will examine and analyze primary source documents to...
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Benjamin Franklin: An Extraordinary Life (Teacher's Guide)
Go directly to the teaching resource that accompanies the PBS series "Benjamin Franklin: An Extraordinary Life, An Electric Mind" to find eight lesson plans that support the study of Benjamin Franklin and his place in history. Lessons...
C-SPAN
C Span American Writers: The Autobiography of Franklin
A brief summary of The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. Also includes an on-line sample of the work as well as links to other informational websites.