PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Benjamin Franklin: Writer, Inventor, and Founding Father
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.
PBS
Pbs: Benjamin Franklin: Make a Kite
This PBS resource is an activity created by Benjamin Franklin about making a kite and how it can function using wind.
University of Groningen
American History: Biographies: Benjamin Franklin
This site from the University of Groningen provides Benjamin Franklin's complete autobiography 1706-1757.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Schooling and Culture Flourish
Background information about the social, literary, and intellectual history of the Colonial period. Includes biographical links to Benjamin Franklin and Cotton Mather.
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."
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: Benjamin Franklin
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)
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Colonial Period Society
This site provides an explanation of the influence of the frontier on the landed gentry and the role of education in the society.
Library of Congress
Loc: American Treasures: Benjamin Franklin: In His Own Words
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...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Jefferson vs. Franklin: Revolutionary Philosophers
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.
US National Archives
Nara: Teaching With Documents: Images of the American Revolution
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...
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania Archives & Records: Benjamin Franklin 1706 1790
Brief biography of Benjamin Franklin.
Yale University
Ynhti: My Place in Time, by Michael Conte, Jr.
This lesson site from the Yale University provides narrative, notes, and teacher and student bibliographies. Investigates the "Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin."
Yale University
Ynhti: The Humor of America, Ruth Schwartz
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.
The History Place
The History Place: A New Nation (1784 to 1790)
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...
Library of Congress
Loc: Benjamin Franklin: In His Own Words
This extensive exhibition offers observations on various facets of Franklin's life, as well as his writing and other accomplishments.
Cynthia J. O'Hora
Mrs. O's House: Benjamin Franklin Extraordinary
Research Benjamin Franklin's life. With this project, students will decide which of his discoveries holds the longest lasting effect.
History Tools
History Tools: Benjamin Franklin on Religion [Pdf]
Excerpt from The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, 1771, 1774, 1788 in which Franklin discusses his thoughts and beliefs on nature and religion. Paragraph numbers have been added.
University of Florida
Baldwin Library:young Benjamin Franklin or the Right Road Through Life by Mayhew
This is an online photocopy of the original text of the children's book Young Benjamin Franklin or The Right Road Through Life by Henry Mayhew (1861). This story shows how young Benjamin Franklin learned the principles he lived by.
University of Florida
Baldwin Library: Benjamin Franklin, the Printer Boy by William P. Nimmo Co.
This is an online photocopy of the original of the children's book Benjamin Franklin, the Printer Boy by William P. Nimmo & Co., (1880?) a historical fiction children's novel.
University of Florida
Baldwin Library: The Life of Dr. Benjamin Franklin
A scanned copy of the 1853 publication of The Life of Dr. Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin, an autobiography for children.
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...
PBS
Pbs: Benjamin Franklin: An Extraordinary Life: Franklin's Worldly Ways
Learn about the roles Benjamin Franklin played before, during, and after the American Revolution in furthering America's diplomatic interests.
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."
PBS
Pbs: Benjamin Franklin: An Extraordinary Life: Franklin's Inquiring Mind
Read a five-part essay that captures the essence of Franklin as a man of science.