Your students will love these Benjamin Franklin activities that help them learn all about his historic life. Benjamin Franklin is an essential part of American history, and teaching students about his life and legacy is an important part of any elementary school curriculum. Fortunately, there are a variety of resources available to help teachers bring the story of Benjamin Franklin to life in the classroom. Let’s take a look at some of the most effective ways to teach your elementary school students about this influential Founding Father.
Books About Benjamin Franklin
These are some of my favorite books to teach about Benjamin Franklin! My favorite is probably Now and Ben but it’s a little long so I would suggest splitting it into a 2-day read-aloud.
Videos and Documentaries
The internet is full of educational videos and documentaries about Benjamin Franklin which can be used to supplement your lessons. Videos can be particularly useful for younger students since they often have shorter attention spans than older ones. Plus, videos provide visual stimulation which can make lessons more engaging and memorable. Here’s one of my favorites:
Benjamin Franklin Activities
There are also numerous online activities that you can use to teach your students about Benjamin Franklin. Many websites offer interactive quizzes where kids can test their knowledge on topics such as science experiments conducted by Franklin or his role in the American Revolution.
Additionally, there are lots of websites offering virtual tours through places like The Benjamin Franklin Museum in Philadelphia or The National Constitution Center where kids can explore at their own pace and take self-guided tours without leaving their desks!
To help students remember their learning I’ve created this free worksheet that highlights some of his greatest inventions and improvement upon existing machines.
No matter what methods you choose for teaching your students about Benjamin Franklin, it’s important that you provide them with engaging activities that keep them interested in learning more about this important Founding Father. With these resources, you’ll be able to bring the story of Ben Franklin into your classroom in an enjoyable way that fosters an appreciation for the rich history he left behind!
Additional Resources
If you’re looking for more social studies resources you can check out my Interactive Social Studies Notebook for Kindergarten. It’s got a whole year’s worth of social studies learning. It covers famous Americans, community helpers, map skills, and much more – it’s got it all! Also, check out some of my other social studies posts that can help you design a fun and engaging curriculum plan!
