Benjamin Franklin

What children learn in Level 16

• Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston in 1706. As a young man, he moved to Philadelphia, a busy city in the colonies, and became a printer.
• Franklin was an inventor: someone who makes something new. He flew a kite in a storm to show that lightning is electricity. Never try that! Then he invented the lightning rod, to keep buildings safe from lightning.
• He also invented bifocal glasses, to see near and far, and a stove that heated rooms better.
• Franklin was an author: someone who writes. His book, Poor Richard's Almanack, was full of wise sayings, like: Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.
• Franklin was a statesman: a leader who helps run a country. He helped write the Declaration of Independence, and he went to France to ask for help for the new nation.
• He helped his city, too. He started a lending library and a fire company in Philadelphia.
• Your turn! Sort them. Was Franklin being an inventor, an author, or a statesman?
• Try it with a grown-up! Visit a library and borrow a book, just like people could at Franklin's library.