Benjamin Franklin was born in 1706 in Boston, Massachusetts. He had little formal schooling but taught himself subjects like geometry and languages. He worked in his brother's printing shop and later opened his own print shop. Franklin wrote Poor Richard's Almanac and published the Pennsylvania Gazette newspaper. He invented bifocals, the lightning rod, the Franklin stove, and more. Franklin served as a representative for the 13 colonies in Europe and signed the Declaration of Independence and Constitution. He played a key role in the founding of the United States.

1. Let’s Learn About Benjamin Franklin Inventor Statesman Click to listen Click Here

2. Ben Franklin's Life Timeline 1730 Ben marries 1737 Poor Richard’s Almanac Click to listen Click to take a quiz

3. Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17, 1706 in Boston Massachusetts. He only spent two years in the local school because of lack of money. Click to listen

4. Ben Franklin began teaching himself the basics of geometry and algebra. He also studied and partially mastered many different languages. At age 12, Ben began working at his brother’s printing shop. Click to listen

5. Benjamin Franklin the Printer From 1723 to 1730, Ben worked as a printer. He became partial owner of a print shop in 1728. In 1729, Ben started The Pennsylvania Gazette . Click to listen

6. In 1730 Ben married Deborah Read. Benjamin had two sons named William and Francis. Ben also had a daughter named Sarah. Click to listen

7. Ben wrote Poor Richard's Almanac. He also wrote many sayings that people still use today. "Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.“ "Snug as a bug in a rug." Click to listen

8. He died on April 17 1790 at the age of 84. When Benjamin Franklin was 22 years old, he wrote the epitaph that he imagined might be carved on his tombstone. By the time he actually died at age 84, he had changed his mind. The Epitaph of Young Benjamin Franklin The body of B. Franklin, Printer (Like the Cover of an Old Book Its Contents torn Out And Stript of its Lettering and Gilding) Lies Here, Food for Worms. But the Work shall not be Lost; For it will (as he Believ'd) Benjamin Franklin's Final Epitaph Benjamin and Deborah Franklin: 1790

9. Do You Know About Ben Franklin’s Life? Ben Franklin worked as a printer. Ben Franklin wrote The Star Spangled Banner. 3. Ben started the newspaper called the Pennsylvania Gazette. Do you need to review Ben’s life?Go back! True False False True True False Click to listen

10. Ben Franklin's Inventions Timeline 1730 Ben marries 1737 Poor Richard’s Almanac Stove 1744 Do you need to review Ben’s life?Go back! Click to listen Armonica 1760 Click to take a quiz Odometer 1762 Bifocals 1784 Lightning Rod

11. Ben Franklin the Inventor Bifocals A Glass armonica The Lightning Rod An Odometer Franklin Stove Click to listen Click to take a quiz

12. Bifocals Ben invented reading glasses called bifocals . Bifocals are eyeglasses that have split lenses. One half of the lens helps a person see close and one half of the lens helps a person see far away. Click to listen

13. A Glass Armonica Ben Franklin also invented a glass harmonica . Different size bowls with holes and corks in the center were put onto a spindle and rotated by foot pedal. Dampened fingers rubbed the edges to produce the beautiful sounds. Click to listen

14. The Lightning Rod Ben Franklin invented the lightning rod . It was attached to a building, and would attract lightning. Then the rod would direct lightning down to the ground so that it wouldn't hit the building. Click to listen

15. An Odometer Ben went out riding one day in his carriage to measure the routes. He needed a way to keep track of the distance. Ben invented an odometer and attached it to his carriage. Click to listen

16. A Wood Stove Ben Franklin invented an iron furnace stove. It allowed people to safely warm their homes using less wood. Franklin Stove Click to listen

17. Which Invention Was Ben Franklin’s? Click on the correct answer. The electric light bulb The first controllable airplane The lightning rod The harmonic telegraph Do you need to review Ben’s inventions? Go Back Click to listen

18. Ben Franklin the Statesman Timeline 1730 Ben marries 1737 Poor Richard’s Do you need to review Ben’s inventions?Go back! Click to take a quiz Click to listen

19. Ben Franklin the Statesman Benjamin Franklin by Joseph Siffred Duplessis The Thirteen Colonies The Five Documents of Freedom Founding Father

20. The 13 Colonies During the fight for independence, Ben Franklin was sent to Europe to represent the 13 colonies.

21. Ben Signed All Five Documents That Established American Independence: the Declaration of Independence the Treaty of Amity and Commerce with France the Treaty of Alliance with France the Treaty of Peace with Great Britain the Constitution of the United States of America 1778 1776 1782 1787 1778 Click to listen

22. In 1775, Ben Franklin was elected to the Continental Congress. When Ben was eighty-one, He was the oldest delegate at the Constitutional Convention .

23. Do You Know About Ben Franklin the Statesman? Ben Franklin signed the Constitution of the United States. Ben Franklin was a member of the Continental Congress. Ben Franklin’s famous line was “The British are coming!” If you need to review Ben the Statesman? Go back. True False False True True False Click to listen

24. Ben Franklin Was a Great Man! Now you’re ready to do some research on your own. Click on the picture. Take a final quiz Do you need to start the presentation over. Go Back.

25. Sorry, Try Again. Thomas Edison Invented the Light Bulb, Not Ben Franklin.

26. Great Job! Your are right! It was Benjamin Franklin who invented the lightning rod. Ben Franklin Word Search

27. Sorry, Try Again. Orville and Wilbur Wright Invented the First Controllable Airplane.

28. Sorry, Try Again. Alexander Graham Bell Invented the Harmonic Telegraph

29. You’re Right! Ben Franklin did not write The Star Spangled Banner. Francis Scott Key wrote the words in 1814

30. Good Job! Paul Revere said, “The British are coming!” The year was 1775.

31. Let’s Learn More About Benjamin Franklin Find out about more inventions. List 10 of Ben Franklin’s sayings. Find books to read about Ben Franklin. Find out about Ben the librarian. Write a biography in 1 st person. (Pretend you are Ben Franklin) http://www.ushistory.org/franklin/timeline/index.htm http://www2.lhric.org/pocantico/franklin/franklin.htm http://www.inventorsmuseum.com/ripleyfranklin.htm http://bensguide.gpo.gov/benfranklin/index.htm More websites: Start Over