How Ben Franklin
Stole the
Lightning
O’Neal 4th Grade
Modified by Treena Murray
Genre: Biography
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A biography is a
story about the life
of a real person
written by someone
else.
Biographies tell you
what character
traits the subject
had.
•http://gardenofpraise.com/ibdfrank.htm
•http://bensguide.gpo.gov/benfranklin/
•http://www.ushistory.org/franklin/info/index.
htm
•http://kids.yahoo.com/directory/Around-theWorld/Countries/UnitedStates/History/Colonial-Life-(15851783)/Biographies/FoundingFathers/Franklin--Benjamin
Vocabulary
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hilarious – very funny
convinced – caused a person to believe or do something
mischief – conduct that may seem playful but causes
harm or trouble
independence – Freedom from the control of another or
others
(come in) handy – within reach, nearby; easy to use
dizzy – having the feeling of spinning and being about to
fall
whirlwind – a current of air that moves forward with great
force
nowadays – in the present time
Vocabulary: Story Words
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eclipse: a shadow that moves across the
sun or the moon
odometer: a meter that tells how far a
vehicle has traveled
scurvy: a disease that causes weakness,
joint pain, and dental problems
scepter: a staff carried by a king or queen
to represent power
tyrants: cruel or unfair rulers
Vocabulary: Words in Context
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handy, convinced, dizzy, hilarious,
independence, mischief, nowadays,
whirlwind
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Jack was ________ that he could use strong wind
to power his bike and never be late for school
again. He aimed to create a ______ using air
blown by a strong current. I thought that the idea
was _________, but Jack was famous for his
creativity. He couldn’t be talked out of the idea.
Words in Context
Jack always kept many different objects nearby as
he worked. He had boxes, bottles, and even large
cans, and he built his inventions out of whatever
was ________. Since Jack was often getting
himself into_____, nobody paid much attention to
him. His actions showed his ________ from rules
and the regular ideas of others. However, when I
looked out the window and saw Jack wrestling
with a garbage can, I was afraid that he would get
_______ and fall into the street. I ran to help him,
but not before the garbage can took off down the
street, leaving Jack in a heap on the ground.
____________, Jack just walks to school.
Words in Context
Dictionary: Idioms
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An idiom is an unusual way to say
something. Idioms are words or groups
of words that cannot be understood by
figuring out the meaning of each word.
Example: Pulling my leg
This group of words means “to trick or
to tease”
Practice: Idioms
Practice: Eye on Idioms
Dictionary: Idioms
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know like a book
get wind of
stick one’s neck out
draw the line
give someone a piece of one’s mind
pull his leg
put your foot down
Phonics: Decode with /ar/ and /or/
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An r-controlled vowel is a vowel
followed by the letter r. One rcontrolled vowel is ar, as in car. After
w, ar usually represents /or/ as in war.
Another r-controlled vowel is or, as in
shore.
Comprehension:
Generate Questions
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Problem and solutions are important parts
of most stories. Asking yourself questions as
you read can help you understand problem
and solution.
When you begin reading a biographical
sketch, you should ask yourself, “What
problem does the subject face?” or “What
does the subject want or need to do?”
These questions will help you identify the
problem.
Once the problem is identified, look for
actions that the subject takes to solve the
problem.
Comprehension:
Problem and
Solution
Problem and Solution
Chart
Problem
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Reread page 222223 and complete
a Problem and
Solution Chart
Action
Action
Solution
Comprehension Practice
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Problem and Solution
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Fact and Opinion
Comprehension:
Fact and Opinion
A fact is a statement that can be proved as
true. Writers use facts when writing
informational texts about various subjects.
They may also use facts to support their
opinions.
An opinion is a statement that tells what
someone thinks or believes. Signal words
and phrases, such as I think, I believe, or I
feel may alert readers to opinions. Strong
adjectives that are likely to be expressions
of the author’s feelings, such as ugly,
exciting, terrible, or scary can also be clues
that an opinion is being stated.
Fluency:
Repeated Reading: Tempo
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Pay attention to the correct pronunciation of
odometer and bifocals
Slow your tempo when you read the
sentences in which these words appear.
He also invented an odometer that told how far he
had ridden to deliver the mail. And the first clock with
a second hand. And he even thought up daylight
saving time. Then he invented bifocals so older folks
could see up close and far away without changing
glasses.
Almanacs
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An almanac is a book that provides facts on
many different subjects.
In an almanac, you can find how high the
world’s tallest mountains, are, how fast
Olympic athletes can run, or how many
people live in your state.
Information in almanacs changes frequently
and must be rewritten each year.
Poetry
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A Concrete Poem has words arranged in
the shape of the thing it describes.
Figurative Language uses words to evoke
mental images. This includes similes,
metaphors, and other words that create
images in the reader’s mind.
Alliteration is the repetition of the dame
consonant sound in a series of words.
Alliteration
Quia - Alliteration
Literary Device: Imagery
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When authors use descript words (ugly,
pretty, creepy,) and phrases to create
pictures or images in the reader’s mind, he
or she is making use of imagery.
As you read stories, make some notes of
how the author uses imagery.
On page 230, the author uses an idiomatic
expression “lickety-split” to create an image
in the reader’s head. What image comes to
your mind when you hear “lickety-split”?
Reflection: Day 1
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Re-read page 222-223.
What does independence mean in the
story? Give two details or clues from
the story that helps you understand the
meaning.
Reflection: Day 2
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Re-read page 230-231.
For what problem did Ben Franklin
invent two solutions? What were the
solutions? What were the reasons that
Ben Franklin had this problem in the
first place?
Reflection: Day 3
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Re-read page 232.
What does the author mean by the
idiom “everybody and his brother and
sister”?
Reflection: Day 4
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Re-read page 236-237.
What actions did Ben Franklin take to
start solving the problem of fires
caused by lightning?
Reflection: Day 5
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What was Ben Franklin’s most famous
invention, and what problem did it
solve? Use story details to support
your answer.