Ben and Me: An Astonishing Life of Benjamin Franklin

1
Ben and Me An Astonishing Life of Benjamin
Franklin

• By His Good Mouse Amos
• Discovered, Edited, Illustrated by Robert
  Lawson

2
Introduction

• Learn about Benjamin Franklin using the cluster
  map and website. Write a paragraph summary of
  your research. Read your summary to a classmate.
• Complete a crossword puzzle using a dictionary to
  learn new words. Choose 5 to write in your
  sentence.

3
Task

• You will use a reading journal to answer the
  questions make observations as you read.

4
Read the Forward and Chapter 1

• According to the foreword, who wrote this book?
• Describe this author.
• What is the setting of this story? (Setting
  Time Place)

5
Read Chapter 2

• Summarize how Amos helped Ben with an invention
  in Chapters II and III.
• Why was this invention important to the people
  who lived in this time?
• Summarize the steps taken by Ben and Amos to
  create the stove.
• Based on what you read and your own
• Opinion, explain why Ben shared credit for the
  creation of the stove with Amos. Do you think
  this is only Amoss point of view? Why or why
  not?

6
Read Chapter 3 and 4

• Summarize the terms of the bargain Ben made with
  Amos.
• Why was Ben determined to keep his old fur cap,
  even when the Governor offered him an elegant
  replacement?
• What was Poor Richards Almanack?

7
Read Chapter 5

• Why did the people of the town get so upset with
  Ben?
• Start the Wise and Witty Sayings activity (copies
  on the table by the door, complete throughout the
  book).
• Trying writing a few sayings of your own!
• How did Amoss tampering with the Poor Richards
  Almanack get Ben into trouble? How did Ben calm
  the angry mob?

8
Chapters 6 and 7

• Why did Amos change the wiring on Bens
  electrical apparatus before the demonstration?
  What was the result of these changes?
• Describe how Ben felt after his success with the
  Lightning Rod experiment.

9
Read Chapter 8

• Summarize Bens experiment with the kite in two
  to three sentences.
• Why did Ben leave for England?
• What did Ben do to Amos that almost destroyed
  their friendship? Do you think there was any
  excuse for Bens behavior?

10
Read Chapter 9

• Who was Red? Describe some of his radical
  activities and beliefs.
• According to Amos, how did the Declaration of
  Independence originate?
• Why do we celebrate the Fourth of July? Use
  evidence from the book

11
Read Chapter 10

• Why was Amos impressed with George Washington?
• Why did Washington want Ben to travel to Europe?
  Why did Amos encourage Ben to select France as
  his destination?

12
Read Chapter 11

• How was Ben treated in France?
• What was the result of Bens mission to obtain
  financial aid from France?
• Describe Sophia.
• What did Amos promise her?

13
Read Chapter 12 and 13

• Why did Ben stay in France after the war ended?
• Summarize Amos plan for rescuing Sophias
  children.
• Complete the vocabulary activity for chapter 13.
• Describe the Battle of Versailles. ( Where did
  the mice hide? How would you rate the slum mice,
  the sewer rats, and the peasant mice as soldiers?
  What did they do in battle?)
• How did Sophia feel at the end of the battle? How
  do you know? How did Ben feel? How did you know?
  (Use evidence from the text).

14
Read Chapter 14

• Complete the analogies for chp. 14.
• How did Amos and Ben change after arriving home?
  How do you know?
• How did Amos fulfill his promise to Sophia?

15
Read Chapter 15

• How did Amos and his family surprise Ben on his
  birthday?
• What was Amos trying to tell Ben by giving him a
  new hat?

16
Activities to complete after reading

• Complete the activity Bringing a Character to
  Life
• Write an acrostic poem about Ben Franklin.
• Construct a diorama of one of the main events of
  the book. Include a written description of the
  scene.
• Choose a scene from the book and rewrite it from
  Bens point of view.
• Evaluate the book by doing a book review and
  supporting your answers using the Book Review
  Checklist handout.