Benjamin Franklin is such a fascinating person to study! While we only scratched the surface of his life in our last unit study, we’re going to dig a bit deeper in our learning in the coming year.
There are only a million different aspects of Franklin’s life to consider for a unit study: his service to our country through his work in government, his inventions, his work to further the growth of communities, and more.
In fact, if I’m not careful, our study could last for weeks! While that’s not a bad thing, I’ve found that my kiddos do best with a 2 week study. At the very most, I can squeeze in 3 weeks for a study as exciting as Benjamin Franklin!
If you’re creating your own Benjamin Franklin unit study, browse through the many resources I’ve listed in this Ultimate Guide to Studying Benjamin Franklin!
Need help with creating a simple unit study? Make sure you watch the video and download the free planner!
Note that if a $ appears beside the link, it’s a paid resource.
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Benjamin Franklin Printables and Worksheets
Download copywork quotes:
→ ‘Where liberty dwells, there is my country.’
→ ‘Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.’
Download a free Benjamin Franklin lapbook.
This set of Benjamin Franklin Worksheets contains 16 printable activities. Includes reading comprehension, Venn Diagram, Franklin’s virtues, inventions, vocabulary work, and more. $
Work on Benjamin Franklin coloring pages and notebooking pages in this printable packet. $
Enjoy coloring this set of printable Benjamin Franklin quotes.
Color a picture of Benjamin Franklin.
Looking for a comprehensive unit study? Download this 74-page Benjamin Franklin lapbook. Includes research guide, hands-on activities, and more! $
Benjamin Franklin Facts & Information
Browse through Benjamin Franklin FAQ, including facts about his personal life and accomplishments.
Read about one of Franklin’s less known inventions: the glass armonica.
Take a look at Franklin’s glass armonica, past and present.
Benjamin Franklin was a man of varied talents! Take a peek at this neat A to Z list that describes Franklin.
Read about Benjamin Franklin: the writer, the printer, and electricity.
A long list of Ben Franklin’s inventions, discoveries, and improvements.
Explore the life of Benjamin Franklin in this PBS online series.
Read through a concise explanation for Franklin’s work regarding the Gulf Stream.
Take a look at Franklin’s large, easy-to-see first drawing of the Gulf Stream.
See how Franklin solved a multitude of community needs with this interactive site.
Read about Ben Franklin – his life and inventions – in kid-friendly style.
Take a peek at Ben Franklin’s January 2, 1750 issue of The Pennsylvania Gazette.
See how Benjamin Franklin changed the world with this interactive map.
Read through an interactive book about Ben Franklin’s life.
“Interview” Ben Franklin with this neat interactive activity! This is for older children, but a 1st or 2nd grader could do it with mom’s help. Make sure to choose ‘cub reporter’ for the easiest settings!
The website Ben Franklin 300 has a plethora of excellent educational resources to use in studying Mr. Franklin. They are listed below with links to each portion and a description of what it includes.
► Virtual Museum of Franklin Artifacts
Must click to agree to the terms and then enter the museum—fascinating artifacts!
► Did You Know…Franklin Trivia
Neat interactive trivia about Ben Franklin
► Interactive Ben Franklin Timeline
A must view! Click on specific dates and then click on portions within the timeline for explanation/facts.
► An Excerpt from an online presentation: Ben Franklin—In Search of a Better World
Interactive pages with chapters on Franklin’s character, inventions, civic matters, and more
► Various Essays and Articles regarding Mr. Franklin
Most essays in downloadable pdf format; probably too old for most young learners, but great background info for mom
Benjamin Franklin by Ingri & Edgar d’Aulaire – a beautiful book and a favorite!
In 2006, The Library of Congress created an exhibition honoring the many achievements of Mr. Franklin. The sections are extremely comprehensive and include interactive photos and loads of interesting, factual information.
This will be a highlight for any Ben Franklin Unit Study!
► A Cause for Revolution
Includes information and photos for the Stamp Act Repeal, “Join, or Die”, and more
► Break with Britain
Includes the time period in which Franklin became a statesman for America; packed with facts, documents, and transcripts
► Continental Congress
Includes the time period in which Franklin returned to Philadelphia after his time in London, in which he participated in the writing of the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation.
► Treaty of Paris
Includes information on negotiating the Treaty of Paris and the translation of the thirteen state constitutions
► The New Republic
Includes documents of Franklin’s denouncing slavery, becoming the President of Pennsylvania, and more.
► Scientist and Inventor
This section focuses on Franklin’s inventions: bifocals, experimentation with electricity, and more
► Printer and Writer
Includes information on Franklin’s published works and his autobiography
► Epitaph
Includes a letter to his wife, Jefferson’s eulogy, and more
Benjamin Franklin: Activities for Kids – excellent resource!
Hands-On Activities & Crafts
Explore electricity like Ben and make a simple circuit.
Experience static electricity in action with this science experiment.
Create an invention station in honor of Benjamin Franklin. Includes printable.
An interactive look at Ben Franklin and static electricity – very neat!
Experiment with electrical charges and how they attract and repel.
Learn how to draw Benjamin Franklin in 8 steps.
Download a (fake, of course!) printable $100 bill.
Or create your own customized $100 bill!
Your kiddos will love this Benjamin Franklin Bento lunch!
Browse through several Benjamin Franklin crafts: a penny craft, dipped candles, write with a quill pen, and more.
Make a set of letterpress stamps.
Gather these simple materials and make your own kite!
Watch what happens with the electric spoon science experiment!
Books About Benjamin Franklin
While there are a multitude of books about Benjamin Franklin, these are just a few of our favorites. I’ve personally read and recommend them!
Who Was Ben Franklin? by Dennis Brindill Fradin – This is a book from one of my favorite series for kids!
Benjamin Franklin: A Man of Many Talents by TIME for Kids – PACKED with information in kid-friendly style.
Now & Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin by Gene Barretta
A Picture Book of Benjamin Franklin by David A. Adler
Ben Franklin and the Magic Squares by Frank Murphy – excellent!
Videos about Benjamin Franklin
As always with You Tube, parental discretion is required – especially in the comment section!
Benjamin Franklin: In a Nutshell – A 90-second video of Franklin’s life and achievements
The Ben Franklin Story, Part 1: The Inventive Genius – 9-minute video focusing on Franklin’s inventions and original ideas
The Ben Franklin Story, Part 2: America’s Diplomat – 11-minute video focusing on Franklin’s achievements in America’s government
Benjamin Franklin for Kids – 3:30-minute video geared towards younger learners; excellent explanation of Franklin’s kite experiment
Ben Franklin and the Gulf Stream – 4-minute video on Franklin’s research regarding the Gulf Stream and how it affects a ship’s speed while crossing the Atlantic Ocean
Benjamin Franklin: Young Printer – one of our favorite biographical series for kids!
More Ultimate Guides!
Interested in more ultimate guides? Make sure browse through these:
→ The Ultimate Guide to Christmas Worksheets and Printables
→ The Ultimate Guide to Occupying Toddlers During School Time
→ The Ultimate Guide to Studying Plants and Flowers
→ The Ultimate Guide to… Pinterest Board!
And find even more Ultimate Guides over at iHomeschool Netowork on a variety of homeschooling topics!
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