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.
No matter your political leanings with the upcoming Presidential election, Hillary Clinton has made history becoming the first woman ever to lead the presidential ticket of a major political party(the Democratic Party).
Check out this Reader’s Script on Hillary Clinton where kids learn about Hillary’s childhood and career to the present. TRIVIA: Hillary wanted to be an astronaut and at the age of 14 wrote a letter to NASA. She was very disappointed to learn that girls could NOT be admitted to the astronaut program(that would change in 1978).Grades 4 and up. Comprehension questions,discussion questions and activities as well as links for more information are also included:
6/8/16- I uploaded a revised version on this play to include Hillary Clinton making history by becoming the first woman ever to lead the presidential ticket of a major political party(the Democratic Party).
Have your students learn about famous landmarks around the world. Use this web quest to learn about the Statue of Liberty, one of the most famous landmarks in the United States. There are 9 informative web questions, extension activities and comprehension questions.
I also have a reading passage resource on the Eiffel Tower, Uluru Rock(Ayers Rock), the Taj Mahal and the Great Wall of China.
Whenever different cultures meet, ideas are exchanged. Did you know that skiing was started by the people of Norway? Did you know that the kite and fireworks were invented by the people of China? The idea of Trial by Jury and the idea of Democracy come to us from the Ancient Greeks. Chocolate came from the Aztecs people and the ancient Mesopotamian people first came up with a number system based on 60.
During the holidays is a great time to share with kids the many traditions which have been shared with different cultures. Learn the history behind some popular holiday traditions with this webquest.
With the recent volcanic eruption in the country of Iceland, I thought young people might like learning some information about this island country. FREEBIE
Today, there are many women in the medical profession but Elizabeth was the very first woman doctor in not just the United States, but in England, too! It wasn’t easy becoming the first woman to get her degree in medicine. Still Elizabeth didn’t give up and worked even harder to change the opinions of people who thought she could never become a doctor. Great for Women’s History Month or if you are looking for a biography activity to use with your students.
This fun/informative play uses the format of Blackwell being a guest on a talk show and the studio audience asks questions about her life. Ms. Bie Ografee’s Talk Show Series.Includes: Comprehension/Did You Know?section extension activities/links/key.
Other plays in the Ms. Bie Ografee’s Talk Show Series: Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Sacagawea, Sequoia, Michelangelo, DaVinci, Tuskegee Airmen, Susan B. Anthony, 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…
Thanks for your purchase of this resource!
Gail
In 1519, Ferdinand Magellan set out on an amazing adventure, in an attempt to voyage around the world. Although he did not complete the journey, several of his crew did complete the trip. This Reader’s Theater Script provides lots of information about the Age of Exploration and Magellan’s voyage in a fun/informative method. There are 13 audience questions, Did you Know? fun facts, comprehension questions and a teacher page with extension activities, key and additional links for teachers.
You may also find the following resources of interest:
1.Age of Discovery: A Webquest: Age of Discovery, A Webquest
2. Age of Discovery-Secret Message Review Activity: Age of Exploration, A Secret Message Review Activity
3. Columbus: A Reader’s Theater Script: Christopher Columbus, A Reader’s Theater Script
4. Learn about Michelangelo, one of the world’s greatest sculptor and painter, with this reader’s theater script! Included are 7 questioners, comprehension questions, a Did You Know? section, a teachers page with extension activities, links and the key.Great addition to a unit on the Renaissance,art history or for a Friday biography day! Ms. Bie Ografee’s Talk Show Series.Audience Questioners ask questions of Michelangelo:Michelangelo, A Reader’s Theater Script
5. Studying the Renaissance? Studying famous artists in history?Need a biographical play to use with your students? Try my Reader’s Theater Script on Leonardo da Vinci. Includes comprehension questions and extension activities. Great addition to a study of the Renaissance, art history or a Friday biography day! Part of my Ms. Bie Ografee’s Talk Show Series, studio audience questioners ask da Vinci questions about his life.Leonardo daVinci, A Reader’s Theater Script
Marco Polo: 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. Great for a Friday biography, for a unit of study on the Age of Discovery or a unit of study on China.
This bundle contains six of my Ms. Bie Ografee Talk Show format Reader’s Theater Scripts. The bundle includes Bessie Coleman, Tuskegee Airmen, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King and George Washington Carver.
Each play has the “guest” visiting Ms. Bie Ografee’s Talk Show and audience questioners asking the guest questions about their life and accomplishments. The plays include a Did You Know? of factoids, comprehension questions, a teacher page with extension activities and the key.
Great for Black History(African American History)Month in February or any time of the year if you are covering American History or would like to use a biographical play as a Friday (or before a vacation) activity.
Please consider following me.
Thanks.
Gail
Probably the most famous scientist of the 20th century, Einstein was a physicist who’s most remembered for his Theory of Relativity. From 1901 to 1954, Einstein published more than 300 scientific works. This Reader’s Theater Script introduces students to Albert Einstein. Part of my Ms. Bie Ografee Talk Show series, the script includes information about Einstein’s childhood, his education, and contributions to science. There is a Did You Know? section, comprehension questions, and a teachers page which includes lots of extension activities, additional links and children’s books and the key. The format is a “studio” audience who asks questions of Ms. Bie Ografee’s guest, in this case, Albert Einstein.
Additional Resources on this Topic You May Find of Interest:
1. Learn about the history of space with this informative web quest.
There are 12 web questions, comprehension questions and extension activities:
Space: A Webquest/Extension Activities
2. Learn about Astronaut John Glenn’s historic flight to become the first American to Orbit the Earth. Years later, he would also become the oldest American to go on the Space Shuttle! This biographical web quest also contains several questions about the early days of space exploration. There are several
extension activities and the key: John Glenn, A Webquest
3. A Ms. Bie Ografee Talk Show Reader’s Theater Script. Marie Curie: A Reader’s Theater Script
4. Trailblazers in Science: A Bundle of Six Reader’s Theater Scripts: STEM Biographies(George W. Carver, Jacques Cousteau, Elizabeth Blackwell, Thomas Edison, Marie Curie and this play(Katherine Johnson): Trailblazers in Science(Six STEM Biographies) Reader’s Theater Scripts (All these plays are also sold individually.)
Please consider following me…
A bundle of FIVE Reader’s Theater Scripts from my Ms. Bie Ografee Talk Show Series. The six scientists in this bundle include:
Galileo Galilei
Sir Isaac Newton
Jane Goodall
Albert Einstein
Rachel Carson
Use these fun/informative STEM biographical plays during a unit of study in science, for Women’s History Month or for a Friday Biographical person day or before a vacation.
The format involves an appearance on Ms. Bie Ografee’s Talk Show where audience questioners ask the guest questions about their life and contributions to science. It’s a great opportunity to have students role-play and show their acting skills.
Each play is also available for purchase separately.
I also have a bundle of SIX other Reader’s Theater Scripts: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-11483934 This resource has plays on the following:
Elizabeth Blackwell
Thomas Edison
George Washington Carver(also in my African American Trailblazer bundle)
Jacques Cousteau
Marie Curie
Katherine Johnson(currently in the news as she is highlighted in the movie,“Hidden Figures”)
Need a reading activity where students also learn about different countries of the world?
Students learn about the country of Iceland reading a diary from a young person visiting Iceland. There are five diary entries sharing the culture, famous places and some language of the country.
The resource includes a Did You Know section, a map skill activity, comprehension questions, a teacher section with extension activities and the key.
Studying the Romans? This resources includes the following products to assist in the teaching of Ancient Rome and the Romans.
Ancient Romans-Unit of Study with activities and links
Ancient Roman- Secret Message Review Activity
Italy and Ancient Rome-A Webquest with activities and links
Diocles: Famous Charioteer (Reading Passage with activities)
Spartacus: Roman Gladiator(Reading Passage with activities)
Julius Caesar: ( Reading Passage with activities)
All resources are also available to be purchased individually.
Gail Hennessey
The following information may be helpful for Women’s History Month.In 2024, the theme is "Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.” The theme is to highlight women who have tried to eliminate bias and discrimination in our lives.Use this handout for students to learn about the contributions of women, especially for Women's History Month. There are extension activities and thought questions for students to answers.
1. Check out this Women's History Month Webquest: There are many women who have made contributions which have shaped our world. This webquest can be done at any time during the year.Each web question contains information on the women highlighted. Extension links/activities are included as is the key. Grades 4 and up. Here are the highlighted women in this web quest: Elizabeth Blackwell, Clara Barton, Amelia Earhart, Susan B Anthony,Sally Ride, Rosa Parks, Jane Goodall, Eleanor Roosevelt, Marie Curie, Sacagawea , Sonia Sotomajor and Katherine Johnson:Women's History Webquest. https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/women-s-history-webquest-11148790
Reader's Theater Script: Revolutionary War Spies:Culper Spy Ring and Female Agent 355: Learn about women spies during the Revolutionary War! I really had fun developing this play! Female Spies during Revolutionary War: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/revolutionary-war-spies-a-visit-with-female-agent-355-culper-spy-ring-script-12076857
Bookmark Bios: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/bookmark-bios-women-in-modern-history-1700s-to-present-12012485
2. Women History: A Bundle of TEN Reader's Theater Scripts on Women in History: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/women-s-history-a-bundle-of-ten-reader-s-theater-scripts-12078379
I have lots of other Reader’s Theater Scripts on first ladies in my To Tell the Truth series.
Michelle Obama
Eleanor Roosevelt
Hillary Clinton
Lady Bird Johnson
Mary Todd Lincoln
Martha Washington
Dolly Madison
Abigail Adams
Additionally, I have READER'S THEATER SCRIPTS on Susan B. Anthony, Katherine Johnson, Rachel Carson, Marie Curie, Elizabeth Blackwell, Sacagawea, Amelia Earhart, Marian Anderson, Bessie Coleman, Joan of Arc, Sojourner Truth, Phillis Wheatley, Mary Anning, Caroline Herschel, Sophie Brahe, Hypatia, Hildegard of Bingen, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks ,Aida de Acosta and more. I also have a play on Revolutionary War Female Spies, Women who Fought in the Civil War and Women Pilots during World War 2 (WASP).
Please consider following me if you find this resource of value and I'd also appreciate as you look for resources to use with your students during the school year, that you might take a peek at my other resources(biographical plays on famous people in history, science and literature), internet activities, reading passages and more. Thank you. Gail Hennessey
In 1923, English mountaineer George Mallory was asked,”Why do you want to climb Mt. Everest?” HIs response, “Because it’s there.” Thousands has been trying to summit the world’s highest mountain peak since this time. Learn about Mt. Everest, Nepal and the Yeti with this webquest! May 29th,2013(60th anniversary of the first successful climb)Lots of extension activities,interesting facts and comprehension questions are included. There are 10 webquestions, links and activities, fun facts and comprehension questions.
Check out my reading on Sir Edmund Hillary, too!
Use this handout to have students learn about endangered species. In 2024, Endangered Species Day is May 17th.
I also have webquests on Elephants, Giraffes, Rhinos, Leopards, Polar Bears.
Have students learn about the Tour de France and history of the Bicycle with this FREE handout or Interactive Notebook Activity. Please check out my other resources at my TES Store. Thank you. Gail Hennessey
Looking for something for the upcoming 2024 Paris Games? Check out this webquest on the country of France. From famous landmarks, to famous people, to contributions of the French to the world, this 14 question webquest gives a great introduction to the country. It is packed with lots of interesting facts! There are 10 Did You Know fun Facts, 5 comprehension questions and a Teacher page with extension activities and the key. Additionally there is a map skill activity. Could be used as a Friday activity, before a vacation or for a substitute resource. You could also give it to your students for a “summer” activity to keep the learning going!
A DBQ activity uses primary sources. Sources can include diaries,posters, music, news articles from the time, anything written by those who participated in or witnessed an event in history. Students review the given documents and use many cognitive skills in processing what they see and read. After gathering information using the documents, students develop an essay answering a question, in this case, “Describe Life on the Home Front During World War 2”, citing several of the documents reviewed.
A teacher page includes the Key and suggestions for a rubric to grade the DBQ.
If a teacher wishes to use the activity as a web quest, suggestions are also given.
I also have a similar activity on Life of a Japanese-American Child living in an Internment Camp during WW2.
Includes:
Greeks: A Unit of Study with notes, activities and links
Socrates: A Reading Passage with comprehension questions, activities
History of the Famous Games which began in Ancient Greece-an Internet Activity
County in Focus: Let’s Learn about the country of Greece-an Internet Activity with activities, links.
Ancient Greek Secret Message Review Activity
American Revolution/ Revolutionary War: Studying the 13 Colonies/Colonial Times? This resource would work great for such a unit of study. Part of my Ms. Bie Ografee’s Reader’s Theater Scripts, I really had fun developing this play about the Culper Spy Ring and specifically, Agent 355, one of the female member of the organization!
During the Revolutionary War, the Culper Spy Ring was organized to work to defeat the British. Agent 355 and other members of the spy organization were very important in the colonists being victorious in the War for Independence from England. Although Agent 355’s real name remains a mystery, she was one of the women spies who showed that patriotism has no gender! Secret codes, invisible ink, LAUNDRY used to communicate messages, what spies did during the Revolutionary war, lots of information is weaved into Agent 355 being a guest on Ms. Bie Ografee’s Talk Show with the studio audience asking her questions.
Great for study on the Revolutionary War, during Women’s History Month or any time you are looking for a fun/informative play to use with your students!
Lots of extension activities, links, a Did You Know Fact section, comprehension questions and the key are also included.
George Washington asked for the spy ring to be organized and interestingly, it’s secret group was only discovered in the 1930s, about 140 years after the American Revolutionary War by historians reviewing some of George Washington’s private papers.
During the American Revolution, Tories supported the British in the war. Loyalists, the King’s Friends and Royalists were other names for those that took sides with the British. Students will learn about what it was like to be a Tory during the American Revolutionary War. Joshua Crabtree(fictitious character) is a guest on Ms. Bie Ografee’s Talk Show. The format of the Reader’s Theater Script is that a studio audience asks questions of Ms. Bie Ografee’s guest to learn what it was like to support the British and not the Patriots during the American Revolution.
There are 10 questioners, A Did You Know? section, comprehension questions and a Teacher Page with extension activities and the key. American Revolutionary War: A Visit with a Tory!
Wish to to practice oral reading fluency in Language Arts and want a biographical reader’s theater play?Try this fun and information play on Amelia Earhart based on the To Tell the Truth Game Show. Comprehension/discussion questions/ extension activities and links,too.