Becoming Ben Franklin

Written by Russell Freedman
Copyright ©2013
Published by Holiday House

Reading Level: Grades 4-8
Lexile Measure: 1170L
Fountas and Pinnell Guided Reading: Z+

Genre: Biography, Non-Fiction, History

5 words/phrases to describe the book: History, Biography, Statesman, Scientist, America

Suggested Delivery: Independent Reading/Research

Technology to Enhance Learning:

PBS is always a good source to find extra information. Students can find timelines, videos, pictures, and other information for further research.

History.com  also has great information on Ben Franklin. Usually when students read about historical figures it is beneficial for them to have other resources besides the text to comprehend the information. 

Before During and After Activities:

Before Reading:
Start with a KWL. Find out what students know about Ben Franklin and what they want to know. 

During Reading:
Jigsaw: this works best when several students are reading the same book.

Jigsaw is a strategy that emphasizes cooperative learning by providing students an opportunity to actively help each other build comprehension. Use this technique to assign students to reading groups composed of varying skill levels. Each group member is responsible for becoming an "expert" on one section of the assigned material and then "teaching" it to the other members of the team. 

Teachers can use the following steps when developing the jigsaw strategy for a class:

1. Introduce the technique and the topic to be studied. 
2. Assign each student to a "home group" of 3-5 students who reflect a range of reading abilities.
3. Determine a set of reading selections and assign one selection to each student. 
4. Create "expert groups" that consist of students across "home groups" who will read the same selection.
5. Give all students a framework for managing their time on the various parts of the jigsaw task.
6. Provide key questions to help the "expert groups" gather information in their particular area. 
7. Provide materials and resources necessary for all students to learn about their topics and become "experts". 
8. Discuss the rules for reconvening into "home groups" and provide guidelines as each "expert" reports the information learned.
9. Prepare a summary chart or graphic organizer for each "home group" as a guide for organizing the experts' information report.
10. Remind students that "home group" members are responsible to learn all content from one another.

Students are directed to read the selection of text assigned to them. When the reading has been completed, the students meet for approximately 20 minutes with others assigned to the same topic. They discuss the material, identify the most important learning points, and return to their "home groups" to instruct the others about information in which they have become an "expert". Each student takes turns teaching what he or she has learned to the other "home group" members. 

During this process teachers should:

1. circulate to ensure that groups are on task and managing their work well; 
2. ask groups to stop and think about how they are checking for everyone's understanding and ensuring that everyone's voice is heard; and
3. monitor the comprehension of the group members by asking questions and rephrasing information until it is clear that all group members understand the points.

After Reading:

Found Poems would be a great strategy to use inferences and comprehension.

The key to writing useful found poetry is selecting an interesting piece of writing and carefully considering the author’s purpose as demonstrated through word choice.

1. 1.  Circle or list the strongest words in the passage.
   
2. 2.  Start the poem with a strong word or phrase.
   
3. 3.  Edit the poem for verb tense.
   
4. 4.  Title the poem and write a final draft.
   
   Vocabulary:
   Biography: an account of someone's life written by someone else.
   Territory: an area of land under the jurisdiction of a ruler or state.
   Delegates: a person sent or authorized to represent others, in particular an elected representative sent to a conference.
   Escalated: increase rapidly.
   Apprentice: a person who is learning a trade from a skilled employer, having agreed to work for a fixed period at low wages.
   Independent: free from outside control; not depending on another's authority.