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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Poor Richard's Almanack

For Teachers 4th - 5th
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...
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Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Spirit of Nationalism: Benjamin Franklin

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a brief biography of businessman, politician, scientist, and author Benjamin Franklin. Click "Benjamin Franklin Activities" for related materials.
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Primary
Other

Benjamin Franklin Writer and Printer: Inventing Poor Richard

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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eBook
Other

Poor Richard's Almanack, 1753

For Students 9th - 10th
The full text of the 1753 edition of Poor Richard's Almanack.
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eBook
Other

Poor Richard's Almanack, 1759

For Students 9th - 10th
Full text of the 1759 edition of Poor Richard's Almanack.
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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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Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Benjamin Franklin: An Extraordinary Life (Teacher's Guide)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
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...
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Activity
ReadWriteThink

Read Write Think: Poor Richard's Almanack

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
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.
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: A Quick Biography of Benjamin Franklin

For Students 3rd - 8th
This fact-filled article surveys the life of Benjamin Franklin.
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Unit Plan
Scholastic

Scholastic History Mystery: Colonial Life 2: Poor Richard's Almanack

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
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...
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Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Benjamin Franklin Mini Lesson

For Teachers 9th - 10th
"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.
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Activity
University of Notre Dame

History of American Education Web Project: Benjamin Franklin

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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eBook
C-SPAN

C Span American Writers: The Autobiography of Franklin

For Students 9th - 10th
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.