BENJAMIN FRANKLIN:  A MAN OF MANY JOBS:  PRINTER, INVENTOR, AND STATESMAN
STUDY GUIDE FOR GRADE 1

Prepared by Cathy Kaemmerlen for Tattlingtales Productions

ARTIST’S BACKGROUND:

PROGRAM SUMMARY:
Meet Benjamin Franklin, known as America’s Renaissance man.  That means he was interested and influenced so many things, starting with his experiments with electricity; inventions of the printing press, the glass harmonica, the Franklin stove, and more to his witty sayings in POOR RICHARD’S ALMANACK; and his publication of THE PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE.  We can’t forget his contributions to America’s independence from Britain.  The French said he was the genius who freed America.  A self made man who worked for the common good, dedicated to self improvement, he hoped he lived a live fit to be imitated.  First graders will invent with Franklin, laugh at his witty sayings, explore his life, play different parts, and enjoy meeting first hand this true American hero.

OBJECTIVES:
-To learn about the contributions Ben Franklin made as a printer.
-To learn about some of Ben Franklin’s famous inventions.
– To learn about Ben Franklin’s contributions as a statesman before and after the Revolutionary War.
-To learn about his early years through his work on the Constitutional Convention.
-To learn about his 13 virtues
-To learn about what it is to be a self-made man
-To learn about Ben Franklin’s way of seeing a problem, then going about trying to solve it.

NOTABLE QUOTES FROM BEN FRANKLIN:
-An empty bag cannot stand upright!
-A penny saved is a penny earned.
-Fish and visitors smell in three days.
-Three may keep a secret if two of them are dead!
-When you are good to others, you are best to yourself.
-The people heard what I had to say, approved of it, and then . . . did just the opposite!
-Nothing is useful if it’s not honest!
-May we never see another war.

VOCABULARY:
–statesman: a skilled and respected political leader
–temperance:  staying away from alcoholic drinks
–silence:  not talking for a period of time
–order: to put things into their proper place
–resolution:  a firm decision to do or not to do something
–frugality:  saving or spending money wisely
–industry:  hardworking and being productive
–sincerity:  you mean what you say
-justice:  the quality of being fair and upholding the law
–moderation:  the avoidance of extremes
–cleanliness:  keeping neat and clean
–tranquility:  at peace
–chastity:  keeping pure
–humility:  being modest
–almanack:  an annual calendar containing important dates and information
–astrology:  the study of the stars
–scientist:  a person who is studying or researching natural or physical sciences
–virtues: good qualities
–horn books:  early readers
–wharf:  a dock where a ship can load or unload from
–clergyman: another name for a minister
–chandler: name for a candlemaker
–apprentice: a student who is learning a trade
–comeuppance: a punishment that someone deserves
–indentured servant:  an unpaid worker who is bound to work for a particular person for a length of time
–prediction:  a forecast of what is likely to happen
–glass armonica:  an instrument making sounds by wet fingers on glass
–bifocal:  a pair of glasses with two parts—one for long distance and one for close up vision
–static electricity:  an electric charge produced by friction of two objects run together
–electricity conductor:  an object that allows the flow of electricity
–brigade:  a small number of soldiers in an army
–cobblestone:  small stones used for pavement roads
–sedan:  an enclosed chair for carrying one person
–delegate: someone who represents your area to a convention

BEFORE THE SHOW:
-Read a biography of Benjamin Franklin.
-Discuss why he is so famous.  What are some of his accomplishments?
-What were some of his inventions?
-What did he do as a printer?
-What did he do as a statesman?

AFTER THE SHOW QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION:
-What do you think it means to be a self made man?
-What do you think Benjamin Franklin should be remembered for?
-What do you admire about Benjamin Franklin?
-Did he teach you anything?

RESOURCES:
Ben Franklin:  History for Kids, Wonderscope Entertainment Production.  Wonderscope.net.
Benjamin Franklin Historical Society
Benjamin Franklin:  Scientist and Statesman, by Brenda Haugen and Andrew Santella.  C2005.  Compass Print Books.
Benjamin Franklin:  A Man with Many Jobs, a Rookie Biography, by Carol Greene, c1988 Childrens Press.
Benjamin Franklin:  Giants of Science by Kathleen Krull.  C 2013.  Viking Press.
Electric Ben:  The Amazing Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin by Robert Byrd.  Dial Books.

Benjamin Franklin by Ingri and Edgar Parin d’Aulaire. C 1977, Doubleday Books.
Now and Ben:  The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin by Gene Baretta. C2006.  Henry Holt.
Graphic Library:  Benjamin Franklin, An American Genius by Kay Melchisedech Olson, c2006.  Capstone Press.
The Remarkable Benjamin Franklin by Cheryl Harness, National Geographic Press.
Benjamin Franklin:  Just the Facts Bios by Tom Streissguth.  C2005.  Larner Publications.
World Leaders:  Ben Franklin by Chris Looby. C 1990.  Chelsea House Publications.