Benjamin Franklin was born in 1706. His father first wanted him to be a preacher. Then his father changed his mind and wanted him to be a candle maker and soap maker like himself. Finally, Benjamin's father sent him to Boston to apprentice with his brother, James. James was a printer and Benjamin learned about printing. Brother James was mean to Benjamin, so when Ben was 17 he left and went to Philadelphia. Here he apprenticed with another printer until he got enough money to set up his own print shop.

A few years later he married Deborah Read. She worked hard, too, and had a general store next to Benjamin's print shop. She sold candles and soap made by Benjamin's father. Benjamin and Deborah had three children, but their middle child died at age four.

Franklin's newspaper was a success and he began writing and printing a yearly book called Poor Richard's Almanac. The almanac was full of weather information, advice for farmers, tips for good health, and proverbs for living.

He was very busy with new inventions, starting a library, and helping to make new laws.

He began working with electricity and discovered that lightning is electricity. He invented a lightning rod to protect houses. They became very popular. He invented the Franklin stove for heating homes and he became the postmaster general, figuring out safer ways to send mail.

He took a trip to England to reason with the British government, hoping to prevent the Revolutionary War. He was not successful. During the war he traveled to France to ask for their help. This help from France was a key factor in America winning the war.

After the war Franklin helped work out the peace treaty in France. He also helped write the Constitution.

In 1790 he died. He was 84 years old.

The Many Lives of Benjamin Franklin by Aliki (J923.2, 1st-3rd)

What's Up With Papa Now? by Miriam Bourne (Juv B, 1st-3rd)

Meet Ben Franklin (2nd-3rd, Random House)

Benjamin Franklin: A Man With Many Lives by Carol Greene (2nd-3rd)

What's the Big Idea, Ben Franklin by Jean Fritz (J923.2, 3rd-5th)

Benjamin Franklin by d'Aulaire (3rd-5th)

Benjamin Franklin: Scientist -- Diplomat by Charles Dougherty (3rd-5th)

Ben and Me by Lawson (Juv L, 4th-5th)

see also Disney movie by same name

That Lively Man, Ben Franklin by Jeanette Eaton (6th-8th)

Poor Richard by James Daugherty (6th-9th)

The Whistle by Benjamin Franklin (J818.1 F85)

Ben Franklin's Glass Armonica by Byrna Stevens

"Mr. Meant-to" a poem by Ben Franklin, Book of Virtues p. 364

printing (J686.2)

postmaster general

journalism

diplomacy

electricity (J537)

lightning

lightning rods

Franklin stove

Print one issue of a family newspaper. Use the basic questions of journalism (who, what, when, where, how) to cover current events. You can illustrate it yourself. Maybe each member could have their own column: advice from big sister, business report by Dad, cooking section by Mom, etc.

Visit your local newspaper's print shop. Call ahead and ask for a tour.

Send in an advertisement to the newspaper. Watch for the next edition and find your ad.

Write your own witty proverbs like the ones Franklin included in his Poor Richard's Almanac. Examples of Franklin's proverbs:

- Early to bed, early to rise make a man healthy, wealthy, and wise;

- Beware of little expenses. A small leak will sink a great ship.

- At the working man's house, hunger looks in but dares not enter.

Study electricity -- hook up a battery to a small light bulb. Science books from the library will show you how, or give you other ideas for different experiments.

Study lightning and what causes it.

How did Franklin change the lives of the colonists?

Discuss the dangers of lightning, and safety precautions to take.

Ben Franklin was not a Christian and yet, is there a biblical basis for some of Franklin's proverbs? Consider these proverbs from Franklin:

- Up, sluggard, and waste not life. In the grave will be sleep enough.

- One today is worth two tomorrows.

- Every little makes a mickle (look up "mickle")