Curated OER
Taking a Page From Franklin
Students analyze sentences from Benjamin Franklin. They use their notes to state the same ideas in essay form. They compare the new work to Franklin's orginal work.
Curated OER
Objects as Self
Young scholars examine how objects and setting help complete a self-portrait. They analyze Franklin's self-portraits before creating their own. They try to create the self-portrait as if they were in Franklin's time.
Curated OER
Lesson Plan on Benjamin Franklin
Fifth graders utilize Internet research methods to gather information about the inventions of Benjamin Franklin. They prepare oral reports and present them to the class incorporating at least one visual aid.
Curated OER
First Grade American Civilization: February
First graders examine and discuss the Boston Tea Party, Paul Revere, Redcoats, Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence. They conduct an experiment done by Benjamin Franklin, solve a word puzzle written in code by Ben...
Curated OER
Ben Franklin Half Dollar
Students research contributions to American culture and technological progress through Benjamin Franklin's quotes and inventions. They also analyze research in order to design a coin honoring Ben Franklin's contributions.
University of Groningen
American History: Documents: Albany Plan of Union (1754)
Read the original text of Benjamin Franklin's early proposal for unification of the colonies in common defense against the French. Proposed in 1754, Franklin's framework is considered one of the founding documents of the American republic.
Bibliomania
Bibliomania: Simonds History of American Literature
This site presents the full text of the "Simonds History of American Literature." This detailed reference book explores the literature in early colonial times, the eighteenth century, the beginning of the nineteenth century, the New...
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,...
Library of Congress
Loc: Journals of the Continental Congress
These journals from the Continental Congress of the United States will provide students with a greater understanding of the foundations of American government as established in the late 18th century. Includes handwritten documents by...
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Predicaments of Early Republican Life
Primary resource material focusses on predicaments in early American history. Students read primary source text to answer questions surrounding the nature of society following the American Revolution, learning about the hopes and fears...
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: American Independence
Part of Fordham University's Internet Modern History Sourcebook, this site gives historical background and extensive web resources on American Independence.
University of Virginia
U. Of Virginia: "A Modest Enquiry Into the Nature and " by Benjamin Franklin
The original text of a 1729 essay by Benjamin Franklin entitled "A Modest Enquiry into the Nature and Necessity of a Paper-Currency." Franklin supports paper currency to encourage trade.
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Education: Making Friends With Franklin
Come meet Benjamin Franklin and some of his scientific friends. Learn about them through the eyes of early American portraiture. Following the introduction are three great lesson plans for teachers of language arts, science, and visual...
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Education: Spotlight Biography Inventors
This site provides information on American inventors Benjamin Franklin, Robert Fulton, Eli Whitney, Thomas Jefferson, Isaac Singer, Wilbur Wright, Thomas Alva Edison, Elias Howe, and Alexander Graham Bell. It offers pictures from and...
Henry J. Sage
Sage American History: Benjamin Franklin's Speech
From James Madison's notes, this speech is Benjamin Franklin's final speech of the Constitutional Convention.
PBS
Pbs: Timeline of the Revolution
A timeline beginning at the ascension of King George of England in 1760 and ending at the passing of the US Bill of Rights, is brief but informative. A Revolutionary War game, as well as other educational sites are available.
PBS
Pbs Liberty!: High Tea in Boston Harbor
Presented in a newspaper format, this site explores the rise of independence in the colonies with a focus on the Boston Tea Party as it occurred on April 1, 1774 and Benjamin Franklin's experience in London. Content includes a look at...
PBS
Pbs Liberty!: Independence! Philadelphia 1776
The newspaper layout makes it simple to read the accounts of the reaction to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The article includes valuable links including an introduction to Thomas Paine and his role in this event.
Franklin and Marshall College
Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary: Franklin and the American Enlightenment [Pdf]
Essay on the Enlightenment as typified in America by Benjamin Franklin.
Franklin and Marshall College
Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary: Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World
This attractive, well-designed site, developed to mark the three-hundredth anniversary of Franklin's 1706 birth, tells the story of Franklin's life and accomplishments. Learn how his roots as an ambitious, outspoken teen helped him to...
Other
Indiana University: Secrets of the Hellfire Club
An excellent collection of published articles, and a video, on the Hellfire Club, its history, and the people involved with it, including Benjamin Franklin.
McGraw Hill
Glencoe Literary Library: "Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin" Study Guide [Pdf]
Explore Benjamin Franklin and his "Autobiography" with the help of background information, vocabulary lists, brainstorming exercises, and thought-provoking writing prompts on Franklin's talents and contributions. Also, use what you have...
Yale University
Avalon Project: Albany Plan of Union
Read the text of the Albany Plan of Union which advocated a union of the colonies under a royal governor. Although not adopted, it was the first step in colonial unification.
The Franklin Institute
Franklin Institute: Franklin's Lightning Rod
See a picture of the lightning rod Benjamin Franklin used in 1746 and learn about his discovery of electricity.