I taught for 33 years and I have my MST in the teaching of Social Studies. In 1988, I was awarded the Elementary Social Studies Classroom Teacher of the Year Award from both the New York State Council for the Social Studies and the National Council for the Social Studies. My shop contains mostly social studies materials including web quests, and reader's theater scripts on famous people in history, science and literature.
I taught for 33 years and I have my MST in the teaching of Social Studies. In 1988, I was awarded the Elementary Social Studies Classroom Teacher of the Year Award from both the New York State Council for the Social Studies and the National Council for the Social Studies. My shop contains mostly social studies materials including web quests, and reader's theater scripts on famous people in history, science and literature.
If you are studying Westward Expansion and pioneers, specifically the Oregon Trail, this informative Reader’s Theater Script will be a positive addition to your lessons. Based on a true person, the play is about one of first woman to go on the Oregon Trail. Narcissa Whitman kept a journal of her trip. She and her husband(and Henry and Eliza Spalding) left upstate New York for Independence, Missouri(most popular starting point) for their journey along the Oregon Trail to Oregon, where Marcus and Narcissa would become missionaries. The play, packed with lots of information, is one of my Ms. Bie Ografee playsseries, includes a Did You Know? fun fact section, comprehension questions and a teacher page with extension activities.
Another resource on this topic:
Use this reading passage(and extension activities) to learn about the Santa Fe Trail and specifically Wind Wagon Thomas. As people were beginning to travel west by covered wagon along the plains of the Santa Fe Trail, William Thomas, had a most unusual idea. The average trip along the Santa Fe Trail took about eight weeks! He envisioned prairie schooners with sails that could move across the plains on wind-power much faster than wagons hitched to horses.
The resource includes a map activity, a Did You Know fun facts about the Santa Fe Trail and several discussion questions. The Teacher page has several extension activities and the
On December 29, 1787, George Washington had a very special surprise for guests at Mount Vernon. A Camel came for a visit! This reading passage shares information on customs and traditions of the holiday season during Colonial times and the visit of the camel. Additionally, there is a Did You Know? fun fact section, comprehension questions, a map skill activity and the teacher page with several links of interest.
Part of my new series: Unusual Stories about Presidents!
Check out Thomas Jefferson and the Mammoth Cheese!
Another resource that may be of interest:
Learn about Martha Washington with this informative Reader”s Theater Script:
Part of my Series: Interesting Stories about Presidents, students will learn about Calvin Coolidge and his many animals. Some nicknamed the White House , “Pennsylvania Avenue Zoo”. Additionally, students will learn interesting facts about the 30th President of the United States. The reading passage also include a Did You You? Fun facts and comprehension questions.
Check out my other Interesting Stories about Presidents:
George Washington and the Camel:
Thomas Jefferson and the Mammoth Cheese:
John Quincy Adams Goes for A Swim:
Part of my Series: Interesting Stories about Presidents, students will learn about John Quincy Adams and his regular exercise routine, swimming in the Potomac River. Additionally, students will learn interesting facts about the Sixth President of the United States. The reading passage also include a Did You You? Fun facts and comprehension questions.
Check out my other Interesting Stories about Presidents:
George Washington and the Camel:
Thomas Jefferson and the Mammoth Cheese:
Learn about the history of the famous games which began in ancient Greece, both past and present with this informative webquest. There are 15 questions as well a number of fun facts.Extension activities are also included(and the key).The webquest can be completed in one class period and is geared for upper elementary and middle school students.Can be used before a vacation, for a Friday activity or if you are studying the ancient Greeks. Updated for Paris 2024 Games.
The famous games started in the country of Greece. Use this nine question web quest to learn about the country of Greece. Learn about Greece, a Webquest.
I also have several resources on China( including a unit of study, a webquest and a reading passage/activity on the Great Wall of China.
I continue to add to my new series, Let’s Meet… people from the Ancient World includes several women who have made contributions in history. Now, I am beginning a series, Let’s Meet…people in the Middle Ages.This particular reading is on Hildegard of Bingen. Hildegard was a Prophet, abbess, composer, religious leader, writer of the Middle Ages. Her play may be the FIRST known musical! Her writings are still read today. The short reading shares(in the first person) a recounting of the person’s life(in this case Hildegard). There are several Did You Know? fun facts, comprehension questions, a map skill activity for the area of the world the person lived, a teacher’s section with extension activities, the key and additional links.
Learn about Jules Verne, called the “father of science fiction”. Note: This is also given to H.G. Wells. The Ms. Bie Ografee Reader’s Theater Script has Jules Verne as a guest on her talk show. Lots of interesting information on his life and contributions to literature. Also includes a Did You Know? section, comprehension questions, a teacher page with some extension activities, links and the key.
Mrs. Bie Ografee Talk Show Reading Theater Scripts:
Vikings
Ferdinand Magellan
Marco Polo
Christopher Columbus
Leonardo da Vinci
Michelangelo
Visit with a Crusader
Visit with a Victim of the Black Death
Martin Luther King Jr.
Rosa Parks
Harriet Tubman
George Washington Carver
Katherine Johnson
Tuskegee Airmen
Marian Anderson
Marie Curie
Galileo Galilei
Sir Isaac Newton
Albert Einstein
Jane Goodall
Moon Landing: Interview with first astronauts to walk on the moon
Rachel Carson
Jacques Cousteau
Thomas Edison
Visit with a Pilgrim
Revolutionary War Female Spies
Revolutionary War Tory
Thomas Jefferson
James Madison, Father of the Constitution
Pioneer Woman, Narcissa Whitman
Civil War Women Soldiers
Sacagaewa
Sequoyah
Lewis and Clark
Abraham Lincoln
California Gold Rush: Visit with a ‘49er
Wright Brothers
A Road trip Across the USA for Women’s Suffrage
WW 2: Women Pilots
Elizabeth Blackwell
Susan B. Anthony
Sonia Sotomayor
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Louisa May Alcott
Edgar Allen Poe
William Shakespeare
Charles Dickens
Johnny Appleseed
Visit with a Leprechaun
Visit with a Groundhog
To Tell the Truth Plays:
Hans Christian Andersen
Elizabeth Blackwell
Amelia Earhart
First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt
Elizabeth Blackwell
First Lady Edith Wilson
First Lady Florence Harding
King Tut
First Lady Hillary Clinton
First Lady Michelle Obama
First Lady Abigail Adams
First Lady Martha Washington
First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln
First Lady Dolly Madison
First Lady Lady Bird Johnson
My website for teachers/kids has lots of geography activities, short reads, factoids on different topics, news, career surveys, bell ringers and more.
Use this Test Your Knowledge Challenge Activity for students to learn about world capitals. There are 30 statements and several extension activities in this resource. Could be used as independent work or small group work. Great for a Friday resource, before a vacation or for a substitute day.
If you would like a student version OR a resource in Word, please let me know and I would be happy to provide these for you.
Other Test Your Knowledge Challenge Activities:
Women Trailblazers
Ireland/St. Patrick’s Day
Maps and Geography
Presidents
Candy and Sweets
Use this Test Your Knowledge Challenge Activity for students to learn about U.S. Landmarks. There are 20 statements and several extension activities in this resource. Could be used as independent work or small group work. Great for a Friday resource, before a vacation or for a substitute day.
If you would like a student version OR a resource in Word, please let me know and I would be happy to provide these for you.
Other Test Your Knowledge Challenge Activities: (more coming)
Candy and Sweets:
Women Trailblazers:
Presidents:
Maps and Geography:
Ireland and St. Patrick’s Day:
World Capitals:
There are 30 informational questions in the Test your Knowledge Challenge on Maps and Geography. There are also several questions and Did You Know? fun facts.
Others in this series include: Women Trailblazers, Candy/Sweets, Presidents and Ireland/St. Patrick’s Day. More to be posted…
If you’d like a student version or a resource in Word so you can more easily adapt for your needs, just email me. geshrwh@hotmail.com
Also have Test you Knowledge Challenges in the following areas:
Women Trailblazers
Ireland/St. Patrick’s Day
US Presidents
Sweets!
There are 32 informative questions in this Test Your Knowledge Challenge on all things SWEET! Great for a Friday activity or for a substitute activity.
If you’d like the resource in Word, just let me know. If you’d like a student version, I will be happy to provide that, too.
I have similar “challenge” activities on Ireland/St. Patrick’s Day, Presidents and Women Trailblazers. More to come.
Use this informative Reader’s Theater Script to learn about Marco Polo. Marco Polo helped to start the Age of Discovery with his book on his adventures to China. The fun/informative play uses the format of Marco Polo being a guest on a talk show and the studio audience asks questions about his life. Part of my Ms. Bie Ografee’s Talk Show Series.
Grades 5 and up
Kids love mummies!Practice oral reading fluency in Language Arts with this biographical reader’s theater on King Tut.Learn lots of cool facts about mummies and the discovery of King Tut’s tomb with this play. Comprehension/discussion questions/ extension activities,Great for informative text/listening standards!
Grades 5 and up…
Let’s Explore China! Did you know that enough dirt was used to create theGreat Wall of China to circle the earth with an 8 ft. high wall? Did you know that the yo-yo was invented by the Chinese or that the number 9 is considered good luck? Notes,lots of activities and resources are included in this unit on China. Lots of information to introduce students to China! Great for February and Chinese Year Year.
Learn about the contributions of our first ladies!Great for May 16th Biography Day! Need a quick Friday(or day before a vacation activity)? Wish to to practice oral reading fluency in LA?Try this fun and information reader's theater play on Abigail Adams. Grades 4 and up. Comprehension questions,discussion questions,activities as well as links for more information are also included.
Use this fun/informative play to learn about First Lady Michelle Obama. Discussion questions,comprehension questions and extension activities are also included.Skill including speech and listening and reading for information.
The idea to foster contributions of African Americans began with Dr. Carter G. Woodson, back in 1926. Love his motto to live by-“It is never too late to learn!” Check out my web quest for Black History Month. 13 fact packed questions/Did You know facts, comprehension questions and more:
Learn about the interesting gift that Thomas Jefferson received on New Year’s Day, in 1802. The whopper of a cheese tipped the scale at about 1235 pounds. The reading also includes a Did You Know? section with lots of informative factoids about Thomas Jefferson, comprehension questions and seven extension activities. For President’s Day,study on author of Declaration of Independence,reading in content area.
Try this informative web quest on Martin Luther King! One of Martin Luther King’s quotes, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Comprehension questions and additional links/extension activities,too. Skills include:reading for information and using research/computer skills.
If you live where there is snow, you have probably built a snowman. The snowman has been around for quite a while. In fact, the earliest drawing of a snowman was found in a book dating back to 1380! The book,"Book of Hours" was found in a library in the country of the Netherlands. This resource has four snowmen reading passages:
1. Famous sculptor, Michelangelo, was hired to make a snowman for a wealthy person in Florence, Italy.
2. A snow man is used each April,to help predict the weather during a festival in the country of Switzerland.
3. One of the earliest written comments about snowmen dates back to 1690. Two snowman were left to guard Fort Schenectady, in New York, during a blizzard with very tragic consequences!
4. The world's record for the largest snowman, Olympia, was constructed in 2008. 13 million pounds of snow were used to make the amazing snow-woman! As of 2015, the record still stands.
Each short reading passage includes following directions to identify answers. There are also several extension activities and a Did you Know? section.