The Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin

Born on January 17, 1706 Benjamin Franklin is certainly renown as one of our founding fathers but he is arguably as equally famous for his extensive writings and experiments. Looking for ways to have your students engage with the various elements of Franklin's life? These engaging SAFARI Montage resources from a variety of publishers are sure to hit the mark!

NEW! Benjamin Franklin: A Film by Ken Burns (PBS) – This 2-volume series explores the extraordinary life of one of the most consequential and compelling personalities of the 18th century, whose work and words unlocked the mystery of electricity and helped create the United States. Franklin's 84 years spanned an epoch of momentous change in science, technology, literature, politics, and government, fields he himself advanced through lifelong commitments to improving society and himself.?Available in English/Spanish. Grades 8-Adult.

A Ben of All Trades: The Most Inventive Boyhood of Benjamin Franklin (Dreamscape Media) - Young Benjamin Franklin wants to be a sailor, but his father won't hear of it. The other trades he tries -- candle maker, joiner, boot closer, turner -- bore him through and through. Curious and inventive, Ben prefers to read, swim and fly his kite. But each time he fails to find a profession, he takes some important bit of knowledge with him. That tendency is exactly what leads him to become the astonishingly versatile genius we remember today. Michael Rosen's wry tale captures Franklin's spirit in evocative yet playful language. Grades K-5.

Ben Franklin’s Big Splash: The Mostly True Story of His First Invention (Dreamscape Media) – Benjamin Franklin loved to swim and, at age 11, he was determined to swim like a fish, fins and all! This fascinating and lively account of young Franklin's earliest invention by Barb Rosenstock featuring illustrations by S.D. Schindler follows the budding scientist's journey as he tests and retests his swim fins. That first big splash led Franklin to even more innovations and inventions! Grades 1-5.

History Kids: Benjamin Franklin (Wonderscape Education) – In this program, learn about the incredible life of Benjamin Franklin. From discovering electricity to helping shape our country, Franklin has had a major impact on our technology and government. Detailed graphics, diagrams and exciting video, as well as on-screen, multiple-choice reviews at the end of each segment, reinforce important concepts and make learning fun. Grades 4-9.

Benjamin Franklin (Schlessinger Media) – Kids will get an up-close look at the life and times of this prolific Founding Father. From his early years in Boston to the famous experiments with electricity and his globe-trotting negotiations during the Revolutionary War, kids will examine why our country is a better place because of his legendary contributions.?Available in English/Spanish. Grades K-4.

Liberty’s Kids: In Praise of Ben (PBS) – Students will learn about the American Revolution and discover the real stories of the incredible time that gave birth to the United States of America in “Liberty’s Kids”. In this episode, Sarah returns to Philadelphia and is reunited with Moses, James and Henri. Henri gets into a scrape with a Tory boy when the Tory makes disparaging comments about Benjamin Franklin. Sarah, James and Moses tell the boys about Franklin's discoveries, inventions, writings and other accomplishments that have made him one of the world's greatest men. Grades 1-6.

Benjamin Franklin – This video from Philadelphia: The Great Experiment explores the life of Benjamin Franklin. Hosted on the YouTube Channel: Philadelphia: The Great Experiment. Grades 6-Adult.

Great Minds: Benjamin Franklin: Founding Nerd – This video from SciShow discusses the multifarious activities of Benjamin Franklin, who kept busy not only with electrical experiments, but with just about everything else, including being a Founding Father of the United States. Hosted on YouTube. Grades 6-Adult.

Electric Vocabulary – This TED-Ed lesson by James Sheils tells the story of the vocabulary of electricity from ancient Greece to the present, including the set of descriptive words Benjamin Franklin introduced as a result of his experiments. Hosted on YouTube. Grades 7-Adult.

Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin - In the ''Autobiography of?Benjamin?Franklin'' eBook the Founding Father writes about his life in Boston and Philadelphia, Poor Richard's Almanac, scientific experiments and his travels to London. Courtesy of Project Gutenberg. Grades 9-Adult.

Address to the Federal Convention, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 17, 1787 – This web link from Lit2Go presents a full audio reading and complete transcript of Benjamin Franklin's address to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 17, 1787, before the signing of the United States Constitution. Grades 7-Adult.

Declaration of Independence (1776) - The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It was engrossed on parchment, and on August 2, 1776, delegates began signing it. Thomas Jefferson was the principal author in a committee that included Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Robert R. Livingston and Roger Sherman. The Teacher's Guide contains the historical context and transcript of this milestone document in United States history. Courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration. Grades K-12.

Treaty of Alliance with France (1778) – During the American Revolution, on February 6, 1778, the American Colonies and France signed a military treaty of alliance. Benjamin Franklin played an influential role in the successful negotiations. The Teacher's Guide contains the historical context and transcript of this milestone document in United States history. Courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration. Grades K-12.

Treaty of Paris (1783) - The Treaty of Paris, signed on September 3, 1783, between the American colonies and Great Britain, ended the American Revolution and formally recognized the United States as an independent nation. Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and John Jay were the successful American negotiators. The Teacher's Guide contains the historical context and transcript of this milestone document in United States history. Courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration. Grades K-12.