What’s the Big Idea, Ben Franklin?
This is a short biography of Benjamin Franklin. In his early years Ben was an apprentice to a printer. He learned the skills, but was so dissatisfied that he ran away. He loved to read and explore new ideas, and he came up with many new ideas and inventions of his own. Later he became a prominent statesman who helped to organize the government of the new nation.
Economic Concepts
- Human Capital
- Choices
- Costs
- Benefits
- Incentives
- Opportunity Costs
- Role of Government
Grade Levels
- Intermediate (4-6)
Related Subjects
- U.S. History
Teacher Tips for Using this Book
Description of Online Lesson, What’s the Big Idea, Ben Franklin?
From Kids Econ Books
http://www.kidseconbooks.com/html/what_s_the_big_idea__ben_frank.html
Students read the book and discuss the economics concepts through a set of questions and answers.
Description of Lesson 13, Apprenticeship: Investment in Human Capital
From Adventures in Economic and U.S. History, Volume 1
Students weigh the costs and benefits of being an apprentice, as well as the costs and benefits of taking on an apprentice. They come to understand that learning a new skill is investing in one’s own human capital. They compare the way people acquire skills today and how they did so in colonial times.