Florida State University
Florida State University: Magnet Lab: Timeline of Electricity and Magnetism: 1750 1774
With his famous kite experiment and other forays into science, Benjamin Franklin advances knowledge of electricity, inspiring his English friend Joseph Priestley to do the same.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies
A fantastic resource where you can find biographies of historical figures. You can search by the person's name or by topics, such as Presidents, United States Leaders, Scientists, Inventors, Humanitarians, Explorers and Pioneers,...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Electric Ben Franklin: The New England Courant
Read all about it! Find copies of The New-England Courant published by James Franklin, Benjamin Franklin's older brother. You can also read about Ben Franklin's contribution to this colonial newspaper.
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Benjamin Franklin
Although he was the old sage of the American Revolution and the Founding generation, Benjamin Franklin's considerable work in the areas of journalism, science, and invention often obscure his many contributions to the creation of the...
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Branch O Mania
Learning game for ages 4 and above the U.S. Government in which players use the information they have gained from Learning Adventures and help Ben Franklin catch the icons that are unique to each branch of government.
Famous Scientists
Famous Scientists: Benjamin Franklin
Find out how Benjamin Franklin had a profound effect on our understanding of electricity and shaped the language we use when we talk about it.
US National Archives
Docsteach: Benjamin Franklin: Politician and Diplomat
In this activity, students will review and analyze the founding documents of the United States and understand Benjamin Frankin's contributions and connections to these founding documents. Franklin was the only man to help shape all of...
Claremont Institute
Founding.com: Benjamin Franklin
Several pieces of writing by Benjamin Franklin on the topics of the price of corn, slavery, and prospective immigrants.
Other
The People's Paths: Remarks Concerning the Savages of North America
Written in 1784, this piece by Benjamin Franklin, considers the relative meaning of civilization and manners while he recalls several anecdotes of interaction between the European settlers and the Natives of North America.
Read Works
Read Works: Ben Franklin's Idea
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about a little-known invention made by Benjamin Franklin. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: The First American
[Free Registration/Login Required] This passage contains information on Benjamin Franklin and his earning of the title "First American" nickname. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that reinforces essential reading skills and...
Read Works
Read Works: The Shocking Truth
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about Ben Franklin's discovery of electricity. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
US Department of State
Office of the Historian: Secret Committee of Correspondance
Handling foreign affairs was tricky business in the years directly preceding the Revolutionary War. The Continental Congress came up with various methods such as a secret committee to communicate with Britain and other countries. Read...
US Department of State
Office of the Historian: Treaty of Paris, 1783
The Treaty of Paris 1783 brought an end to the Revolutionary War. Included is a synopsis of the agreement. Check out the sketch by Benjamin West as it is a powerful symbol of the division between Great Britain and America during this time.
Other
Left Justified: Founding Fathers
Biographical accounts of fifty men who played a wide variety of roles in bringing about America's break with Great Britain, and in the creation of the documents and plans that created the new nation, like the Declaration of Independence,...
Read Works
Read Works: Focus on Scientists
[Free Registration/Login Required] This nonfiction article shares information about different types of scientists. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that reinforces essential reading skills and strategies and establishes...
Washington State University
Washington State University: Timeline of American Literature 1750 1799
Timeline of the social, political, and literary history of Colonial America and the United States, from 1750 to 1799. Contains information about writers of the period, along with portraits and links to related websites.
CommonLit
Common Lit: Proposals Relating to the Education of Youth in Pennsylvania
A learning module that begins with Benjamin Franklin's "Proposals Relating to the Education of Youth in Pennsylvania" accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a...
CommonLit
Common Lit: Excerpt From the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
A learning module that begins with "Excerpt from the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin" by Benjamin Franklin, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or...
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Founding Fathers
This site provides a very brief description of three of the founding fathers of the Constitution: Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington. The site provides links to further biographies of all three men as well as...
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Founding Fathers: Benjamin Franklin
A general biography of Benjamin Franklin.
Lumen Learning
Lumen: Enlightenment: Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
Use the text or audio of Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin to consider the two learning outcomes below. Describe the major historical and cultural developments of the Enlightenment; explain key concepts. Describe the major conventions,...
NASA
Nasa Earth Observatory: Benjamin Franklin (1706 1790)
In this article learn about Benjamin Franklin and how he published numerous scientific papers. Discover how Franklin compared weather patterns with others and even made weather predictions.
CommonLit
Common Lit: Petition From the Pennsylvania Society for the Abolition of Slavery
A learning module that begins with "Petition from the Pennsylvania Society for the Abolition of Slavery" by Benjamin Franklin, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be...