Who is Benjamin Franklin?
Benjamin Franklin was a man of many talents; an accomplished inventor, philosopher, writer, statesman, economist and musician. The eclectic and active life of Ben Franklin earned him the titles both of the model American citizen and one of the founding fathers of the United States. Franklin was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1706 although he considered Philadelphia, Pennsylvania his hometown. Franklin died in 1790 at the age of 84 and is buried in Philadelphia. At the young age of 12, Benjamin Franklin became an apprentice to his older brother James who was a printer and ran a newspaper in Boston. The newspaper titled The New England Courant, was the first of its kind in Boston. At age 15 Franklin desperately wanted to write for the paper. Knowing that his brother would not allow him to do so, Franklin created for himself the pen name Silence Dogood; a widow who criticized society, especially the treatment of women, through letters slipped under the door at night. Franklin’s writings
” B. “What do you think he is famous for?” C. “Where was he born?” D. “What did he do for a living?” If they can’t answer some of these questions, do not answer them for them. The students will find out the answers later. Total time: 5 min. 3. Do explain, however, that he was born in Boston. Ask if anyone knows where Boston is. When students have guessed correctly or fail to do so, inform them that Boston is in the state of Massachusetts. Ask if any student can identify Massachusetts on a map. Take volunteers to go to the map at the front or back of the room and guess where Massachusetts is on the map. Total time: 2 min. 4. Have students pass out the books on Massachusetts to each group. Depending on the number of books you have collected, each group should get two to three books. 5. On the board write a series of short questions such as: A. “What is the weather like in Massachusetts during all the seasons?” B. “What is the terrain like in Massachusetts?” C. “What is the national bird
