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Lesson Plan
Huntington Library

Huntington Library: Benjamin Franklin: Colonial Printer and Journalist

For Teachers 5th
This instructional activity 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...
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Lesson Plan
Huntington Library

Huntington Library: Six Important People From Our Nation's History

For Teachers 5th
In this lesson, 5th graders examine the lives of six people who were important in early American history. They include Abigail and John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, and George Washington. Readings include...
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Website
US National Archives

Nara: Founding Fathers: Delegates to the Constitutional Convention

For Students 9th - 10th
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) provides biographies of all 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention.
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Activity
Other

S.f. Heart: Benjamin Franklin's Thirteen Virtues

For Students 9th - 10th
Site lists Franklin's thirteen virtues with text. A short biography on Franklin is also included.
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Website
Other

Restoring the Heart and Soul of America

For Students 9th - 10th
A collection of quotes from famous Americans including: George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Thomas Jefferson. Click on each of their names to get quotes from them.
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Website
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Benjamin Franklin

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Information on the life of Benjamin Franklin, as a printer, librarian, inventor, and statesman. Includes a timeline.
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

For Students 9th - 10th
Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography divided into four parts. Link to The Electric Franklin, a site full of fun graphics and interesting facts.
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Graphic
Digital Public Library of America

Dpla: A History of Us Public Libraries

For Students 9th - 10th
This exhibition tells the story of the American public library system, its community impact, and the librarians who made it possible from the founding of the first US libraries through the first one hundred years of service.
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Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Benjamin Franklin: Writer, Inventor, and Founding Father

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Through two primary source activities and a short video, understand how Franklin embodied Enlightenment values and used his talent in writing and printing to have his opinions heard and help shape the world.
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Activity
PBS

Pbs: Benjamin Franklin: Make a Kite

For Students 6th - 8th
This PBS resource is an activity created by Benjamin Franklin about making a kite and how it can function using wind.
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Activity
University of Groningen

American History: Biographies: Benjamin Franklin

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from the University of Groningen provides Benjamin Franklin's complete autobiography 1706-1757.
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Activity
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Schooling and Culture Flourish

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Background information about the social, literary, and intellectual history of the Colonial period. Includes biographical links to Benjamin Franklin and Cotton Mather.
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Handout
Bibliomania

Bibliomania: Benjamin Franklin's Works

For Students 9th - 10th
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."
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Website
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Harcourt: Biographies: Benjamin Franklin

For Students 9th - 10th
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)
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Activity
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Colonial Period Society

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides an explanation of the influence of the frontier on the landed gentry and the role of education in the society.
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Website
Library of Congress

Loc: American Treasures: Benjamin Franklin: In His Own Words

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the life and contributions of Benjamin Franklin by examining his letters, books, cartoons, speeches, and manuscripts. An excellent resource for teaching and learning about the history of the United States using primary source...
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Website
Digital History

Digital History: The Men of Philadelphia [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Find short biographies of twenty-three of the fifty-five delegates to the Constitutional Convention and their ideas about government. These men were certainly not representative of the common man in the new United States, but they were...
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Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: Jefferson vs. Franklin: Revolutionary Philosophers

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this lesson plan, students will consider "Jefferson vs. Franklin: Revolutionary Philosophers." The plan includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
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Lesson Plan
US National Archives

Nara: Teaching With Documents: Images of the American Revolution

For Teachers 9th - 10th
The National Archives and Records Administration provides a lesson plan on the American Revolution. Content includes excellent historical background, as well as several primary source documents, pictures, and engravings detailing various...
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Handout
University of Pennsylvania

University of Pennsylvania Archives & Records: Benjamin Franklin 1706 1790

For Students 9th - 10th
Brief biography of Benjamin Franklin.
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Lesson Plan
Yale University

Ynhti: My Place in Time, by Michael Conte, Jr.

For Teachers 6th - 8th
This lesson site from the Yale University provides narrative, notes, and teacher and student bibliographies. Investigates the "Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin."
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Lesson Plan
Yale University

Ynhti: The Humor of America, Ruth Schwartz

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This site includes a summary of these lesson plans about humor, and a narrative on humor in writing to precede them. Discusses writings by Benjamin Franklin.
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Handout
The History Place

The History Place: A New Nation (1784 to 1790)

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from The History Place provides a timeline of American history between 1784 and 1790. Mentions many famous people and events of the era. Links to John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Adams, James Madison, the Constitution, Bill...
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Primary
Library of Congress

Loc: Benjamin Franklin: In His Own Words

For Students 9th - 10th
This extensive exhibition offers observations on various facets of Franklin's life, as well as his writing and other accomplishments.