BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

Statesman, Inventor

Young Ben was a voracious reader, possessing a profound curiosity which fueled his love of learning. Despite having less than two years of formal education, he quickly learned the printing trade from his brother, James, and left home at age 17 to make his own way in the world. He eventually landed in Philadelphia where he opened a printing business, the success of which enabled him to "retire" by age 42.

Never content to merely make a living, however, Ben was always intent on making a difference. He founded America's first circulating library and greatly improved the postal service. His inventions included the Franklin Stove, swim fins, the lightning rod, bifocals, and the glass armonica, the first musical instrument invented by an American.

And then, at the age of 70, he became a revolutionary, campaigning tirelessly for America's independence and helping to write both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. While he always referred to himself as "Ben Franklin, a printer," he was considered world-wide to be the first great American.

Ben's story will ignite the natural curiosity of all students and also challenge them to ask, "Why?" "What if?" and "What can I do to make a difference?"

RELATED CURRICULUM SUGGESTIONS:

• Biographies
• Units on inventors
• American history units
• Character-Education Units
• Units on the colonial period
• The subjects of science, social studies and language arts

SPECIAL CELEBRATION DATES:

• October - National Book Month
• November 8 - Election Day
• November 15-21 - American Education Week
• December 15 - Bill of Rights Day
• December 16 - Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party
• January 17 - Ben Franklin's birthday
• February 1 - Freedom Day
• February 11 - National Inventor's Day
• April - National Poetry Month
• April 12-18 - National Library Week (Ben started the first circulating library)
• April 14 - First Abolitionist Society founded by Ben Franklin
• May 11-17 - Children's Book Week
• June 8-14 - National Flag Week

*For specific tie-ins to your state's curriculum and learning standards, please call our office.

TESTIMONIALS:

CHICAGO:
"Wonderful tie-in to our study of early American history.  Fantastic presentation!  Worth every penny!"
 -- Second Grade Teacher, Kruse Educ. Center, Orland Park
"Allowing the students to see Ben at an early age and hear of some of his mistakes enabled them to relate to him.  Excellent!"
 -- Fifth Grade Teacher, St. Michael, Wheaton

BOSTON:
"My kindergartners were completely captivated!"
 -- Kindergarten Teacher, Dolbeare School, Wakefield
"Great for our science and social studies curriculum!  Kids loved it!"
 -- Fifth Grade Teacher, Dennett School, Plympton

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL:
"Very enjoyable and informative for all ages!  Good humor, good life lessons, fun experiments, great audience participation!  Excellent!"
 -- First Grade Teacher, All Saints Catholic School, Lakeville
"I loved how it tied in with our Life Skills unit - "Do something good today!"
 -- Sixth Grade Teacher, Rush Creek School, Maple Grove