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.
Varsity Tutors
Varsity Tutors: Archiving Early America: Franklin and the Presbyterians
A detailed essay describing an incident having to do with the sermons of Samuel Hemphill within the Philadelphia Presbyterian Church in 1734. Benjamin Franklin supported Hemphill.
Lumen Learning
Lumen: American Literature: Video: Edwards and the Transition to Enlightenment
Use the video "Edwards and the Transition to Enlightenment" to consider the two learning outcomes below. It featuring discussions of Raymond Williams's model of culture; Edward Taylor; Jonathan Edwards; Benjamin Franklin; George...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Jefferson vs. Franklin: Renaissance Men
In this lesson plan, young scholars will consider "Jefferson vs. Franklin: Renaissance Men." The plan includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Benjamin Franklin's Many "Hats"
In this lesson plan, middle schoolers will consider "Benjamin Franklin's Many "Hats." The plan includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
The Franklin Institute
Franklin Institute: Benjamin Franklin Fa Qs
Dozens of frequently asked questions about Ben Franklin with answers that cover all the essential facts about one of America's favorite founding fathers.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: A Quick Biography of Benjamin Franklin
This fact-filled article surveys the life of Benjamin Franklin.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Franklin's Philadelphia
A look at the legacy of Benjamin Franklin to the city of Philadelphia.
PBS
Citizen Ben: Founding Father
As part of a larger site about the extraordinary Benjamin Franklin, this section focuses on his being one of founding fathers of the new United States of America. Read about the three major documents he signed as a delegate and diplomat.
Other
Ben Franklin Busybodies: Ben Franklin Facts
This page presents a list of 27 facts about the life and accomplishments of Benjamin Franklin.
Scholastic
Scholastic History Mystery: Colonial Life 2: Poor Richard's Almanack
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...
Other
Historical Narratives of Early Canada: One Kingdom Divisible
This web page examines Benjamin Franklin, the Boston Tea Party, First Continental Congress, and the Second Continental Congress in 1775, where Canadians were invited to attend. Learn more about the flow of revolution and loyalty on each...