Benjamin Franklin Lesson consists of Benjamin Franklin’s quotes about learning for copy work, his inventions, books, videos, and art. Benjamin Franklin is a well-respected and influential founding father and the only one who signed all four documents: the declaration of independence, the Treaty of Alliance with France, the Treaty of Paris, and the constitution of the United States. He was a writer, printer, inventor, scientist, and diplomat. He is one of two people other than Alexander Hamilton to be on the US currency that is not the president of the United States.
Benjamin Franklin's Call for Prayer
Most importantly, Benjamin Franklin was a man of faith and wisdom. After weeks of intense work and arguments during the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin talked to the men in the room about the lack of prayer. He was one who called God for help and enabled them to unite to create a strong government.
In God We Trust: Stories of Faith in American History by Tim Crater and Ranelda Hunsicker (My Father’s World) included people of faith and addressed how America came to be the greatest and best country in all the world. Though I am not inclined to boxed curriculum, I was so thrilled to find such a good book with the right focus on faith in God, and My Father’s World has an amazing selection of literature, which is based on the Christian Biblical Worldview.
Books about Benjamin Franklin
Did you know the first book that Franklin read was Bunyan’s “Pilgrim’s Progress”? Benjamin Franklin loved books so much that a kind-hearted Boston merchant, allowed Franklin access to his well-stocked library. (Poor Richard’s Almanac) Read more about Benjamin Franklin from the books listed below.
- In God We Trust: Stories of Faith in American History by Timothy Crater and Ranelda Hunsicker (My Father’s World)
- Benjamin Franklin by Ingri and Edgar d’Aulaire
- Ben and Me: An Astonishing Life of Benjamin Franklin as written by his Good Mouse Amos by Robert Lawson
- Benjamin Franklin of Old Philadelphia (Landmark Books) by Margaret Cousins
- A Picture Book of Benjamin Franklin by David A. Adler
- Ben Franklin’s Big Splash by Barb Rosenstock
- Mesmerized by Mara Rockliff
- To the Future, Ben Franklin! (Magic Tree House) by Mary Pope Osborne
Benjamin Franklin Quotes about Learning
Many famous quotes by Benjamin Franklin come from Poor Richard’s Almanac, a popular calendar, and pamphlet of the colonial time. Under the pseudonym of “Poor Richard” or “Richard Saunders,” Benjamin Franklin wrote the weather, poems, excerpts from inspirational literature, proverbs, and sayings inside the calendar. He inspired the middle class who were literate and interested in education but could not afford to buy many books yearly. His popular Poor Richard’s Almanac ran for over 25 years, from 1732 to 1758, printing as many as 10,000 per year.
Kids can use these sayings as copy works as well as discussion topics.
1. “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”
2. “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”
3. “The only thing that is more expensive than education is ignorance.”
4. “I didn’t fail the test, I just found 100 ways to do it wrong.”
5. “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance!”
More Benjamin Franklin Quotes
- “Poor man, said I, you pay too much for your whistle.”
- “No gains without pains.”
- “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”
- “You may delay but time will not.”
- “God helps those who help themselves.”
- “Success is the residue of planning.”
- “A penny saved is a penny earned.”
- “Energy and persistence conquer all things.”
- “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy wealthy and wise.”
- “Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out.
- “Well done is better than well said.”
More quotes can be found in poorrichards.net.
Benjamin Franklin's Inventions
Ben Franklin’s Big Splash: The Most True Story of His First Invention by Barb Rosenstock is a fun read-aloud book and a great introduction to one of Doctor Benjamin Franklin’s inventions. Benjamin Franklin was not afraid to make mistakes and face failure; he continued to try new inventions throughout his lifetime.
Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out.
After reading Ben Franklin’s Big Splash, you can explain many of Benjamin Franklin’s inventions such as the lightning rod through his experiment with a kite. You can refer to the last page of the book to see full of his inventions. Below is a list of his innovative inventions and establishments:
- Lightening Rod
- Franklin Stove
- Library Company of Philadelphia
- Union Fire Company
- Created America’s first political cartoon
- Glass Armonica
- Academy of Philadelphia later the University of Pennsylvania
- Bifocal
- Library chair with ladder
Benjamin Franklin's Art Lesson
Benjamin Franklin drew the first political cartoon, first used to unite colonies for the French and the Indian War, and later was used to unite colonies for the Revolutionary War. After signing the Declaration of Independence, Benjamin Franklin said, “We must all hang together or, assuredly, we shall all hang separately.”
Benjamin Franklin Videos
- Benjamin Franklin for Kids from Homeschool Po – 3-minute video about Benjamin Franklin
- Postmaster General Franklin by Liberty Kids
- Tuttle Twins: Episode 4
Benjamin Franklin Discussion Questions
- How did Benjamin Franklin try to work together with Britain? Did it success?
- How did Benjamin Fraklin help int he Revolutionary War as the first ambassador to France?
- What is the most important value Benjamin Franklin fought for?
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