Benjamin Franklin was one of the most amazing Founding Fathers. He started as a poor printer's helper and taught himself almost everything!
Ben was a famous inventor. He invented bifocal glasses, a special stove, and even swim fins! His most famous experiment used a kite in a storm to study lightning, which led to the lightning rod that protects buildings.
Ben also started a library, a fire department, and a hospital. He loved wise sayings, like "Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise." When America needed help, old Ben sailed to France and convinced the French to join the fight for independence.
1. What was Ben Franklin's first job?
2. Name two things Ben invented.
3. What did his kite experiment study?
4. How did Ben help America win the war?
You need: paper, pencil, and your imagination.
Ben Franklin saw problems and invented things to fix them. Now it is your turn!
1. Think of a small problem at home. (Example: my crayons roll off the table.)
2. Invent something to fix it! Draw your invention in the box below.
3. Give your invention a name.
4. Explain to a grown-up how it works.
| Question | My answer |
|---|---|
| What problem does it fix? | |
| What is your invention's name? | |
| What is it made of? |
Draw your invention here. Label its parts with arrows, like a real inventor's plan!
1. Ben started as a poor 's helper.
2. He became a famous .
3. His famous experiment used a in a storm.
4. The rod protects buildings.
5. Ben started a , a fire department, and a hospital.
6. He sailed to to get help for America.
Write T for true or F for false in each circle.
| I learned... | Circle one |
|---|---|
| What Ben Franklin invented | YES / NOT YET |
| How Ben helped his city and country | YES / NOT YET |
| I invented something of my own | YES / NOT YET |