Guides and Materials About Mr. Franklin
An Introduction
Ben Across the Curriculum
Essay Contest
Essay Contest

AN INTRODUCTION

Ben Across the Curriculum
To capture the varied areas of achievement that distinguish Franklin’s multi-faceted life, we created a set of interdisciplinary lesson plans, keyed to appropriate national academic standards, that explore Franklinian themes across elementary, middle and secondary level curricula.

Teacher’s Guide
The Teacher’s Guide supports and reinforces class visits to the exhibition. This guide links specific academic subject areas to different exhibition components, and includes pre-visit, on-site and post-visit activities as well as relevant resources. The Teacher’s Guide materials were designed for three educational levels (K – 4, 5-8, and 9-12), allowing teachers to select and customize the materials according to specific student needs and learning styles. All activities are indexed to relevant national academic standards.

Self-Guided Family Brochure
The family guide enhanced the visitor experience for families who visited the exhibition with children. Kids were turned into detectives as they tracked down Skuggs the Squirrel, who appeared with Dr. Franklin in strategic spots throughout the exhibition. This guide is filled with suggested interactions for children, aimed at stimulating their curiosity and sharpening their observation skills.

Franklin Remixed
Visit the Franklin Remixed website, an online exhibition designed and developed for middle school students by middle school students to deepen their understanding of Benjamin Franklin and his influence on the American republic and character.

National Essay Contest with the National Constitution Center
To further our reach across the country and to heighten young people’s understanding and appreciation of Benjamin Franklin’s enduring legacy, the Tercentenary, in partnership with Philadelphia’s National Constitution Center, sponsored a national essay contest for middle school students (grades 6 - 8) in early 2006. The essay question focused on exploring Franklin’s impact and continuing presence in the world today.

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