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CHARACTER PROFILE TEMPLATE Characters Name BirthDeath Years Picture of Character: Find a digital photo of the individual and paste it here. INTRODUCTORY INFORMATION Benjamin Franklin January 17, 1706, Boston to April 17, 1790, Philadelphia

Most Noted For Biographical Information: Include life experiences that impacted thoughts and impact on education.

Historical/Political Context: Explain the broader historical events that shaped the characters era. This is not about the persons accomplishments.

Beliefs on Education: Describe what thoughts were promoted about education.

Mr. Franklin is most noted for being a statesman, diplomat, public official and the inventor of the American dream. CHARACTER PROFILE REPORT Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn (Thinkexist, 2012) sums up what a teachers philosophy should be in teaching the children of our nation. Benjamin Franklin was a self-educated and self-made man whose contributions to education were not an easy road to travel. His formal education ended at the age of ten when he went to work with his brother as a printer apprentice. Franklin had a rebellious spirit about him so his employment with his brother was short in duration. This is monumental since Franklin now was able to create his journey in life and his desire to improve society through knowledge to be learned by the masses not just the elite. Franklin was shunned by scholars of his time for his lack of a formal education but in the end, they honored him through honoree degrees and recognizing his lifework. Slavery was being established as the first slaves were delivered to Louisiana territory in 1716. The population of slaves reached 75.000 by 1725. Colonization continued to grow at a rapid rate during the 1700s with cities growing in population and there was establishment of new states, cities and towns. George Washington was born February 22, 1730. The influence of the ten-year reign of the Great Awakening is influential during Franklins lifetime. There are conflicts of war between England and Spain and eventually brings France into the discord. In 1754, the French and Indian War erupts over the Ohio River Valley occupation. Eventually, the Treaty of Paris was signed to resolve land disputes of the Seven Year War. Many Acts were signed into law such as the Sugar Act, Compact Act and the Stamp Act. It must be noted by 1770 the population of the established colonies had reached 2,210,000. July 2, 1788 the Constitution of the United States was formally adopted in existence. April 30, 1789, George Washington was sworn in as the first president of the United States. (Taylor, 2012) Benjamin Franklin promoted education that should be practical in nature. He endorsed a need for the English language take a priority in the curriculum. The logic for English being taught was simply American trade was primarily conducted in English. A second language would be by choice - an elective. The student could elect to learn additional languages for professional causes, such as, Latin and Greek for a medical career. Franklins strong
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desire to move away from the Latin Grammar Schools made way for the future of education, as we know it today. The University of Pennsylvania was instrumental in the training of many schoolmasters while considered an Academy School. Mr. Franklin wrote in a letter to Samuel Adams his educational philosophy: "I think with you, that nothing is more important for the public weal, than to form and train up youth in wisdom and virtue. Wise and good men, are, in my opinion, the strength of the state; much more so than riches or arms, which under the management of ignorance and wickedness, often draw on destruction, instead of providing for the safety of the public." (Blinderman, 1976, p. 11). Benjamin Franklin contributed to education through his pamphlets, newspaper articles, and almanacs as the Poor Richard's Almanac. He was a founder of libraries, schools and an advocate of female and black education. Franklin also promoted liberties and religious freedom. The initial endeavor for Benjamin Franklin was a need to educate individuals for labor advancements. He was able to incorporate wealthy benefactors for his Academy Schools. Franklin believed these schools should employed individuals to teach as if they were teaching their own children. This concept should be integrated into every teachers philosophy today. The Academy brought nature into consideration by locating the schools on land with orchards and pastures. The children would not only be taught but also taken care of in respect to their health through diet and exercise. Another addition to the Academy would be supplies to include books, maps and science equipment. Franklin set into motion a curriculum, which would be relevant to the students needs for adult life. The students would benefit from arithmetic, accounting, geometry, astronomy, English grammar, writing, public speaking, and histories of mechanics, natural philosophy, and agriculture. Latin and Greek would be useless for terminal students but Franklin included the classics for those who desired them. (Blinderman, 1976, p. 12). Although, the schools initial reality was to promote the English language to the forefront and the classical languages be optional which was not obtained. The Academy did create teachers for the rural areas. Franklins conception of the students ability to comprehend reading (relative topics) should be noted with significance to the childs reading comprehension ability today. He stated, "Our boys often read as parrots speak, knowing little or nothing of the meaning. How true does this statement apply in the education of our youth today? The contributions of Benjamin Franklin cannot be denied nor his influence on modern day education. Franklin certainly was beyond the current times in his views on women and blacks being educated in a manner to better their position in society. The critics of Benjamin Franklin have a difficult task before them when looking for negativity attributes. It seems the major criticism is Mr. Franklin was involved in many disciplines during his journey of life. The careers included owner and publisher of the Pennsylvania Gazette, publisher the Poor Richards Almanac, Postmaster of Philadelphia, President of the American Philosophical Society, elected to Continental Congress, submits Articles
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Impact on Education: How did this persons beliefs and actions affect education?

Others Criticisms: Summarize the criticisms of contemporaries, historians, and scholars.

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of Confederation of United Colonies, signed the Declaration of Independence, presides at Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention, negotiated and signed the Treaty of Alliance with France, Minister to France, negotiated, with John Adams and John Jay, the Treaty of Peace with Great Britain, negotiated treaties with Prussia and other European countries, elected President of the Pennsylvania Society for promoting the Abolition of Slavery, delegate to the Constitutional Convention and other political accomplishments. As a scientist he was the author of Experiments and Observations on Electricity, performs famous kite experiment, electrical experimentation and other scientific inventions. Mr. Franklin was the founding father of the circulating library, Union Fire Company, University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, organizes the first Militia, first American fire insurance company and other civic accomplishments. Benjamin Franklin is credited to being the inventor of the American dream. The American dream of freedom to achieve ones life desires. Mr. Franklin obtained success by using his mind to navigate through the elites web of solitude. This amazing human being was a gift of brilliance given to this world by God. Mr. Franklin realized a need to make education available to the poor, women, and blacks. The educational system which Benjamin Franklin promoted still has roots which are still embedded into present day education. The English language as the primary language in schools and the choice of electives are other contributions we can see in modern day education. Mr. Franklin was an advocate for natural settings and caring for the whole child through diet and exercise. REFERENCE LIST Blinderman, A. (1976). Three early champions of education: Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Rush and Noah Webster. Phi Delta Kappa, 2-36. Brodie,C.S. (2004, October). Benjamin Franklin. School Library Media Activites Monthly, 21(2), 48,51. Retrieved May 30, 2012, from Research Library. (Document ID: 712430471). Skemp, S. L. (2005). THE ELUSIVE BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Reviews in American History, 33(1), 17. Retrieved May 30, 2012, from Research Library. (Document ID: 820698421). Taylor, Q. (2012). United States history timeline: 1700 - 1800. Retrieved May 29, 2012, from http://faculty.washington.edu/qtaylor/a_us_history/1700_1800_timeline.htm The National Franklin Committee. (1944, February). Benjamin Franklin and education. The Social Studies,
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Your Critique: What ideas or actions do you support or reject?

References List at least 3 references using proper APA format.

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79-81. Retrieved from ProQuest. Thinkexist (2012). Benjamin Franklin quotes. Retrieved May 29, 2012, from http://thinkexist.com/quotation/tell_me_and_i_forget-teach_me_and_i_remember/154986.html

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