Free 2nd Grade Ben Franklin Lesson Plan (History)

Topic: Ben Franklin biographical information, including his inventions and discoveries, his political career, and his legacy as a statesman and founding father.

Objectives & Outcomes

• Students will be able to provide basic biographical information about Ben Franklin, including his inventions and discoveries, his political career, and his legacy as a statesman and founding father.
• Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of Ben Franklin's contributions to society through a project that involves the invention of a simple device.

Materials

• Pictures of Ben Franklin
• Biographical information about Ben Franklin
• Inventor's kit (optional)

Warm-Up

• Have students draw a picture of Ben Franklin and write a few facts about him.
• Ask students to share their pictures and facts with a partner.
• Have a few pairs share their drawings and facts with the class.

Direct Instruction

• Introduce Ben Franklin and his accomplishments.
• Show pictures of Ben Franklin's inventions and explain how they helped improve life in colonial America.
• Read one of the Ben Franklin stories from the resource sheet.
• Have students take notes on the important details in the story (eg. characters, setting, plot).

Guided Practice

• Divide the class into small groups.
• Give each group one of the Ben Franklin stories from the resource sheet.
• Have the groups retell the story to one another, using their notes to help them remember the details.
• Encourage the groups to ask questions about the story as they go along.
• When they are finished, have them present their retelling to the class.

Independent Practice:

• Give each student a copy of a different Ben Franklin story from the resource sheet.
• Ask them to read their story and create a collage or poster-style illustration of one of the key events in the story.
• Encourage them to use their notes and any other resources to help them remember the details.

Closure:

• Have the students share their illustrations with the class.
• Ask them to explain why the event was important and how it contributed to Ben Franklin's legacy.

Assessment:

• Observe the students during the independent practice activity and assess their ability to research and write about an important event in Ben Franklin's life.
• Evaluate their illustrations for understanding of the event and its importance.