PBS
Pbs: Benjamin Franklin: An Extraordinary Life: Citizen Ben
Read a five-part essay on Franklin's sense of civic duty and learn why he is still, to this day, considered a role model of good citizenship.
![Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary: Anatomy of an Autobiography [Pdf] Unit Plan](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary: Anatomy of an Autobiography [Pdf] Unit Plan")
Franklin and Marshall College
Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary: Anatomy of an Autobiography [Pdf]
PDF file of a transcript of a lecture delivered by Michael Zuckerman, Professor of History at the University of Pennsylvania on the topic of personal writing and autobiography using the "Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin" as an example.
Other
University of Delware: Franklin and Friends
Using historically significant documents and photos from its collection, this exhibit probes the various interests of Franklin and the influential friends that shared his interests.
Other
Colonial Hall: Benjamin Franklin, 1706 1790
An extensive biography of founding father and signer of the Declaration of Independence, Benjamin Franklin, transcribed from an 1829 publication, Lives of the Signers to the Declaration of Independence, by Rev. Charles A. Goodrich.
Other
Msu: Famous British Historian Claims Benjamin Franklin Was a British Spy
This article discusses allegations that Benjamin Franklin was a British spy and a member of the Hell-Fire club.
Other
Constitution facts.com: Which Founding Father Are You?
Answer five questions to learn which of six Founding Fathers you are most like.
The Franklin Institute
Franklin Institute: Ben Franklin's Armonica
Ever rub your wet finger along the top of a glass and listen to it sing? So did Benjamin Franklin. He then invented the glass armonica to recreate the sound. Read about the armonica, the music composed for it, and Franklin's scientific...
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: History Comes Alive: Developing Fluency and Comprehension
Let the power of imagination and inference serve as a "time machine" to bring Benjamin Franklin into the classroom! History and science come to life in a dialogue with Franklin the inventor, developed through lesson activities that...
Bartleby
Bartleby.com: Colonial Newspapers and Magazines: The New England Courant
Find out how "The New England Courant" came about, and how it was different than other papers.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Poor Richard's Almanack
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.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Benjamin Franklin's Birthday
As part of a unit on Benjamin Franklin and his works, this classroom activity provides a brief classroom project and includes lesson plan ideas, web links, and additional texts.
Other
Eng 223: American Literature Before 1865
Online syllabus for a college Pre-Civil War American Literature class with links to information about each class lesson. These lessons contain some good teaching ideas and background information about a number of famous authors, much of...
US National Archives
Nara: Founding Fathers: Pennsylvania
Gives biographical details on the eight delegates from Pennsylvania to the Constitutional Convention: George Clymer, Thomas Fitzsimons, Benjamin Franklin, Jared Ingersoll, Thomas Mifflin, Gouverneur Morris, Robert Morris, and James Wilson.
Enchanted Learning
Enchanted Learning: Inventors & Inventions From the 1700s
Use this site to learn more about early inventors and inventions from the 18th century. This web page offers text and images on various inventors and their inventions. You can also access information about inventors and inventions from...
Daily Teaching Tools
Daily Teaching Tools: Test 9: Ben's Harmonica
This Daily Teaching Tools resource provides a reading assessment passage. This passage contains a brief biography about Ben Franklin and a few of his inventions.
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...
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.