Lesson+Plan

    Lesson Plan **Title: Benjamin Franklin Subject: History Author: Elisabeth Gordon Grade Level: 5** **Overview:** This lesson will give extensive knowledge to students about the contributions of a founding father of our country and the impact he has had on our society.

**Objectives:**
 * 1) Students will understand the contributions of individuals who have influenced the history of the United States.
 * 2) Students will understand the characteristics of leadership.
 * 3) Students will understand how political, religious, and social institutions emerged in the English colonies.
 * 4) Students will use the internet to gather meaningful information regarding history’s past leaders.
 * 5) Students will use Microsoft Word to create a “written document” that resembles those they have researched.
 * 6) Students will use Powerpoint to create a presentation containing thorough research of five inventions by a famous past leader.
 * 7) Students will use Inspiration to create a flowchart/timeline demonstrating 100% accuracy of Benjamin Franklin’s Political Positions.
 * 8) Students will have an end reflection of all that they have learned demonstrated through a reflection paper.

**Materials Needed:** -History Books
 * Internet Access
 * Microsoft Word
 * Microsoft Powerpoint
 * Inspiration Software
 * Loose leaf paper
 * Writing utensil

**Activities and Procedures:** **Day 1: Franklin’s success as a printer and author**

//Procedures:// -Introduce the topic of Benjamin Franklin to the class. Explain how he is an important part of history and one of the founding fathers of the United States. -Today focus on Franklin’s role as a Printer and Author -Focus on his publications “Poor Richard’s Almanac” and “The Pennsylvania Gazette”.

//Activities:// -As a class read p. 263-270 in the student’s textbook. -Send students to computers in groups of 3 to sign onto wiki and check out links and websites provided. -In their groups, have students use the software Microsoft Word to create their own “written documents”. Meaning making up their own newspaper or almanacs and writing about topics that would have been written about in Franklin’s time. -There must be at least 3 different sections to the written document -Students may crumble papers and blot coffee to make “written document” appear older. -Offer Extra Credit ! : What else did Franklin help author that was not talked about today? Hint: It is very important to the United States!

**Day 2: Franklin’s Success as a Public Servant** //Procedures:// -Explain that today we are going to be addressing Franklin’s role as a Public Servant. -Read p. 271-277 in your textbook. -Allow students to use computers to view wiki and access Franklin’s “Other Contributions”

//Activities:// -Individually have each student pick 3 of their favorite contributions by Franklin that they researched today. -Have them write a paper explaining what those contributions are and how they affect you today. “Would life be the same if he had never thought of these things?, Are they still useful to us today?” -Have students hand in individual assignments by the end of class.

**Day 3: Franklins Role as an Inventor and Scientist**

//Procedure:// -Start off by asking class if any of them know anything that Franklin has invented? -Are there a lot of things? -How many do you think?

//Activities:// -Allow students to get into their group of 3 and go to the computers. -Instruct them to watch the video posted on the wiki -Then visit link under video -”What other inventions was Franklin responsible for that you were surprised about?” -Have students search yet another link to explore even more inventions by Franklin -Instruct students to create a powerpoint in their group that consists of 5 of their favorite inventions by Benjamin Franklin. -Powerpoint must include pictures of inventions, reasoning for why it is one of the students favorite inventions, is it still around and used today? If so, how?

**Day 4: Franklin’s role in politics**

//Procedures:// -Discuss with class that Franklin also held a large role as a political leader -”Does anyone know any political positions that Franklin has held?” -Did anyone do the extra credit from Monday? -Thats right, as a political leader Benjamin Franklin also helped author the Declaration of Independence, a huge piece of American History. -Read p. 278-288 in your textbook.

//Activities:// -Allow students to go to computers in their groups of 3 and access class wiki -Allow them to view links to Other Political Roles held by Franklin - Have them think about: ”Did Franklin work his way up from lower political positions to higher ones?” -Having students use the software Inspiration, illustrate a timeline of Franklin’s political career. (You only have to pick 4 main positions, but include what the position was, what was required of Franklin, and in what order were these positions held? Dates?)

**Day 5: Show What You Know!**

//Procedures:// -Remind students that we have now covered Franklin’s role as a Printer and Author, his success as a Public Servant, his active role as an Inventor, and his positions held in politics. -It is now time to see what you guys have learned!

//Activities:// -Have each group of 3 present their Written Document, Invention Powerpoint Presentation, and Their Political Career Flowchart to the class. -After each group has gone have students individually write a one paragraph on a reflection of their absolute favorite thing they learned about Benjamin Franklin and why. -Collect papers after class.

**Assessment:** Assessment will be determined on completion and accuracy of (1) The group’s Written Document, (2) Individual papers on favorite contributions to society and why, (3) Group’s Invention Powerpoint Presentation, (4) Group’s Inspiration Political Career Flowchart, and (5) Individual reflection.

**Standards:** SS.5.A.1.1: Use primary and secondary sources to understand history.

SS.5.A.4.3: Identify significant individuals responsible for the development of the New England, Middle, and Southern colonies.

SS.5.A.5.2: Identify significant individuals and groups who played a role in the American Revolution.

SS.5.A.1.2: Utilize timelines to identify and discuss American History time periods.