Let’s Learn About Benjamin Franklin 1

Vocabulary Words Almanac- a book that contained information about the weather, recipes, poems, jokes, and advice. Apprentice- someone who learns a job by working for a person who is skilled in that job. Author- someone who writes books, stories, or articles. Autobiography- a book written by someone telling about their life. 2

Vocabulary Words Declaration of Independence- a document that helped create the United States of America. Document- a writing that contains information. Inventor- a person who creates something new. Statesman- a respected leader of a country. 3

Who Was Benjamin Franklin? Benjamin Franklin was on of the most talented people who ever lived. He was born on January 17, 1706 in Boston, Massachusetts. 4

Benjamin Franklin: A young boy Benjamin Franklin enjoyed being outdoors. He was a skillful swimmer and loved to go fishing and boating. His love of swimming inspired one of his first inventions….paddles for his wrists and feet to help him swim faster. 5

The Education of Benjamin Franklin As a child, Benjamin Franklin loved to read, write, and collect books. He started school at age 8, and he became the best student in his class. His father took him out of school when he was 10 years old because the family could not afford to pay for his education. He started working with his father making candles. 6

Benjamin Franklin: The Working Young Man When Benjamin Franklin was 12 years old, he was old enough to become an apprentice. He worked for his older brother in a print shop, where he learned how to run the printing machine and sell newspapers. 7

Benjamin Franklin: The Inventor Benjamin Franklin had many talents and interests. He was very curious about things and the way they worked. He tried to find ways to make things that were already made work better. 8

INVENTIONS 9

BIFOCAL GLASSES He invented bifocal glasses so that he would not have to switch glasses when looking at things far away and close up. 10

FRANKLIN STOVE He invented an iron furnace stove. It allowed people to safely warm their homes using less wood. 11

LIGHTNING ROD He invented the lightning rod to protect people’s homes from catching on fire when hit by lightning. 12

ODOMETER Benjamin Franklin needed a way to keep track of how far he travelled when riding in his carriage. 13

FAMOUS EXPERIMENT His most famous experiment was about electricity and lightning. It involved a kite with a key attached to it’s tail string. He discovered that lightning and electricity were the same. 14

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN: THE AUTHOR Benjamin Franklin was a great writer. He was known for writing the Poor Richard’s Almanac and his autobiography. 15

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN: THE STATESMAN Benjamin Franklin was a person that people liked and respected. He signed five very important documents that helped the United States of America become a free country. One of the important documents was the Declaration of Independence. 16

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN: HIS DEATH He died on April 17, Twenty- thousand people came to pay their respects and say goodbye. 17