2. My Experience I have little knowledge of Benjamin Franklin. The only small details I remember of Benjamin Franklin are a minimal recollection of the his inventions. I do know that he did not invent the light bulb, but he found electricity.
3. Questions When was Benjamin Franklin born? What was Benjamin Franklin’s first invention? How much schooling did Benjamin Franklin have? What is Benjamin Franklin famous for? Did Benjamin Franklin really use a kite? What did Benjamin eat? When did Benjamin Franklin die?
5. Birth Benjamin Franklin was born on Sunday, January 17, 1706, in Boston, Massachusetts, which was then a British colony. http://fi.edu/franklin/birthday/faq.html
6. Ben’s Inventions Ben's inventions include: bifocals, lightning rod, Glass Armonica, library chair, swim fins, the long reach device, Franklin Stove, catheter, and Daylight Savings Time. Ben Franklin is also established street lighting, paving, post office, fire company, insurance, and the Library Company. http://fi.edu/franklin/birthday/faq.html
7. Benjamin’s Schooling Benjamin Franklin's father wanted Ben to be the son who became a preacher and so he sent him to grammar school when he was 8 years old. After less than a year, for financial reasons, Ben transferred to Mr. George Brownell's school for writing and arithmetic. He stayed at the new school until he was ten, doing well in writing and badly in arithmetic. He then left school to work with his father in their candle shop. Ben's further education came from his own reading and lifelong conversation and debate with his friends. http://fi.edu/franklin/birthday/faq.html
8. Franklin and a kite? Yes! Benjamin Franklin did use a kite. Benjamin placed a metal wire on the kite and tied a metal key to the string he was holding. When the kite was struck by lightning, Benjamin touched the key and received a shock. This proved Benjamin’s theory that lightning actually electricity. http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/specials/articles/0,6709,1076394,00.html
9. Benjamin’s Favorite Foods Ben decided to become a vegetarian when he was 16 years old. He prepared his own meals, and mentions eating boiled potatoes, rice, hasty pudding, bread, raisins, and water. Quickly finishing his simple meals gave Ben more time for reading.Ben later gave up vegetarianism; during the voyage from Boston to Philadelphia he ate fish. http://fi.edu/franklin/birthday/faq.html
10. Death After the death of his wife Deborah the elderly Ben lived with his daughter Sarah’s family. Sarah nursed him as his health weakened. Finally, Ben died peacefully in his sleep on April 17, 1790. He was 84 years old. http://sln.fi.edu/franklin/timeline/death.html
11. Children’s Books Benjamin Franklin: Young Printer By: Augusta Stevenson The Remarkable Benjamin Franklin by Cheryl Harness What's the Big Idea, Ben Franklin? by Jean Fritz Now & Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin by Gene Baretta
12. Standard Indicators 1.1.1-Compare the way individuals in the community lived in the past with the way they live in the present. 2.1.3-Identify individuals who had a positive impact on the local community.
13. Resources Benjamin Franklin: Young Printer By: Augusta Stevenson The Remarkable Benjamin Franklin by Cheryl Harness What's the Big Idea, Ben Franklin? by Jean Fritz http://fi.edu/franklin/birthday/faq.html http://sln.fi.edu/franklin/timeline/death.html http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/specials/articles/0,6709,1076394,00.html http://bensguide.gpo.gov/benfranklin/statesman.html Now & Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin by Gene Baretta
