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Gail Hennessey's Teacher Emporium

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(based on 43 reviews)

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.

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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.
Oregon Trail: A Visit with a Pioneer(Narcissa Whitman). Reader's Theater Script
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Oregon Trail: A Visit with a Pioneer(Narcissa Whitman). Reader's Theater Script

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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
John Quincy Adams Goes for a Swim!
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John Quincy Adams Goes for a Swim!

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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:
Famous Games of Ancient Greece(Webquest)
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Famous Games of Ancient Greece(Webquest)

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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.
World Capitals: A Test Your Knowledge Challenge Activity!
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World Capitals: A Test Your Knowledge Challenge Activity!

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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
CANDY. TEST your Knowledge Challenge!
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CANDY. TEST your Knowledge Challenge!

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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.
Marco Polo: A Reader's Theater Script
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Marco Polo: A Reader's Theater Script

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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
King Tut: Wrapping with a Mummy!(Reader's Theater Script)
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King Tut: Wrapping with a Mummy!(Reader's Theater Script)

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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…
China: Let's Explore China! A Unit of Study
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China: Let's Explore China! A Unit of Study

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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.
Abigail Adams: A Reader's Theater Script
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Abigail Adams: A Reader's Theater Script

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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.
Michelle Obama: A Reader's Theater Script
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Michelle Obama: A Reader's Theater Script

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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.
Black History Month: A Webquest!
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Black History Month: A Webquest!

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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:
Thomas Jefferson and the Mammoth Cheese(A Reading)
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Thomas Jefferson and the Mammoth Cheese(A Reading)

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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.
Martin Luther King: A Webquest
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Martin Luther King: A Webquest

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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.
SNOWMEN: FOUR READING PASSAGES
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SNOWMEN: FOUR READING PASSAGES

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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.
Valentine's Day: A Webquest(Extension Activities)
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Valentine's Day: A Webquest(Extension Activities)

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Valentine’s Day is February 14th. The symbol of the holiday is a heart. What do you know about the human heart and the Valentine’s Day holiday? Grab a red pencil and use this web quest to find out some very interesting facts about the human heart and the holiday of Valentine’s Day! There are 9 web questions, a 20 All things Red Activity, lots of fun facts and 9 extension activities.
Susan B. Anthony: A Reader's Theater Script
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Susan B. Anthony: A Reader's Theater Script

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Nicknamed “the Moses of Her Sex”, Susan B. Anthony was a civil rights leader involved with the antislavery movement and the women’s rights and suffrage movement. She caused quite a commotion when, in 1872, she tried to do something most unusual for a woman. She attempted to vote in a presidential election. Great for American History lesson, for women’s history month, or for a biography day! The fun/informative play uses the format of Shakespeare 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. Also includes: Comprehension/Did You Know?section, LOTS of extension activities/links/key. Other plays in the Ms. Bie Ografee’s Talk Show Series: Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Abraham Lincoln,Bessie Coleman,Marian Anderson,Sacagawea, Sequoia, Michelangelo, DaVinci, Tuskegee Airmen, Black Death,Love Brewster(Pilgrim)Susan B. Anthony. More to be added…
Eleanor Roosevelt: A Reader's Theater Script
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Eleanor Roosevelt: A Reader's Theater Script

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Learn about the contributions of our first ladies! Practice oral reading fluency with this biographical reader’s theater play on Eleanor Roosevelt,an amazing first lady. The play includes directions, a short link to a You-Tube clip to show what the game show was like, discussion/ comprehension questions and extension activities. I have lots of plays on famous people in history…
Presidential Election Trivia Challenge Activities
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Presidential Election Trivia Challenge Activities

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With the Presidential Election coming, this would be a great activity to use with your students. Do YOU Know Your Presidents is a series of three challenges. Each challenge worksheet has 25 questions(with 3 choices). The first challenge is the easiest with the third, the hardest. There is also a Presidential Did You Know? Page. Kids can do one or all the challenges to learn interesting facts about U.S. Presidents. The teacher page includes several extension activities and the key. I also have a web quest on the White House, Presidential Trivia and a Webquest activity on First Ladies on the United States.
Thomas Edison: A Reader's Theater Script
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Thomas Edison: A Reader's Theater Script

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Part of my Ms. Bie Ografee Talk Show Series. Learn about Thomas Edison, Wizard of Menlo Park, with this fun and informative Reader’s Theater Script. There are 11 audience questioners asking questions of Ms. Bie Ografee’s guest, Thomas Edison. There are comprehension questions, a Did You Know? section of fun facts about Edison, a teacher page with directions, extension activities, key and links to additional information. Other plays in the Ms. Bie Ografee’s Talk Show Series: Jacques Cousteau,Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Sacagawea, Sequoia, Michelangelo, DaVinci, Tuskegee Airmen, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Blackwell, Interview with Simon-victim of the Black Death,William Shakespeare, Love Brewster(one of the Pilgrims on the Mayflower), interview with McSean, a leprechaun, interview with Sarsaparilla,a groundhog.More to be added…
Medieval Puzzler: Secret Message Review Activity
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Medieval Puzzler: Secret Message Review Activity

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Want a fun activity to review vocabulary terms for a unit of study on the Middle Ages?Looking for an enrichment activity in history? Try my Medieval Puzzler: Secret Message Review Activity. The activity involves students working individually or in groups to review vocabulary terms connected with Medieval Times. Then,a following direction activity is next where students place letters from the different terms into boxes found at the end of the activity page. Once all the boxes are filled, a "secret message" about the Middle Ages is revealed! The teacher page includes additional information to share about the "secret message". It's a fun way to reinforce important vocabulary for a unit of study on the Middle Ages! If you prefer to offer a vocabulary box, I have included this as well.... Check out this new resource: 1. Great addition to a unit of study on the Middle Ages: Use this informative Reader's Theater Script to learn about the Black Death, a disease that killed almost 1/2 the population of Europe(1347-1351). The fun/informative play uses the format of Simon, a victim of the Black Death being a guest on Ms. Bie Ografee's talk show. A studio audience asks questions about his experiences during the time(the medical beliefs,cause, the effects the Black Death had on Europe, etc.Great for study on the Middle Ages or science unit on bacteria/contagious diseases. A Visit with Simon, A Victim of the Black Death: A Reader's Theater Script 2. One of the oldest lasting examples of graphic communication is the Bayeux Tapestry.It dates back to 1083. Bayeux Tapestry Reading 3. Students have always ask me..."Why do we have to learn this stuff about ancient Greeks or Middle Ages?" My answer-much of what we have today was because of things developed by people that lived long ago. This reading activity shares with kids how the pencil they are using, the writing system they are using, the eyeglasses they are wearing are just some of the many things we have today thanks to previous cultures of the past. I've included several comprehension questions and two extension activities. The Past Shapes our Present Reading Activity 4. I loved teaching about the Middle Ages and would like to offer teachers my notes, activities and resources that I found of value when I taught the subject. Let's Learn about the Middle Ages!