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Gail Hennessey's Teacher Emporium

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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.

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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.
History of Football(Soccer) : Everything has a History Series
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History of Football(Soccer) : Everything has a History Series

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Students will learn about the history of the sport of “football”, (only the USA and some say Canada, use the term, soccer) and the famous games held every four years. Great for a Friday activity to show kids that everything has a history, even sports! Includes 11 web questions, a map skill activity on the 2022 Host Country of Qatar, A Did You Know? Section, Comprehension. Questions, a Teacher page with several extension activities and the key.
Vikings: Leif Eriksson and Erik the Red(Reader's Theater Script)
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Vikings: Leif Eriksson and Erik the Red(Reader's Theater Script)

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Leif Eriksson Day is October 9th. There are different spellings for his name. Studying the Vikings? Looking for a Reader’s Theater Script in Social Studies? Check out this script on the Vikings and Leif Ericsson and his father, Erik the Red. Part of my Ms. Bie Ografee Talk Show Series of plays, Leif Ericsson and his father, Eric the Red are guests on Ms. Bie Ografee’s Talk Show. They share information about their lives and the Vikings. There is a Did You Know? section of fun facts, reading comprehension questions and a teacher section with lots of extension activities, links and the key. Other plays in the Ms. Bie Ografee’s Talk Show Series: The Constitution(A Visit with James Madison, “Father of the Constitution”),Dr. Seuss, A Visit with Josh Crabtree, A Tory during the American Revolutionary War, Charles Dickens, Johnny Appleseed, Albert Einstein, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Bessie Coleman Sacagawea, George Washington Carver, Thomas Edison, Martin Luther King, Sequoia, Michelangelo, DaVinci, Tuskegee Airmen, Susan B. Anthony, Marco Polo, Christopher Columbus, an interview with a groundhog, an interview with a leprechaun, an interview with Simon, victim of the Black Death, An Interview with Agent 355, a female agent in the Culper Spy Ring(Revolutionary War), Interview with a 49er from the California Gold Rush , Albert Einstein, Rachel Carson, Katherine Johnson and more. I also have related resources on the Middle Age, a play on Christopher Columbus, the Black Death and Marco Polo and an internet activity(web quest) on the Age of Discovery.
Life on the Homefront during World War 2(DBQ)
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Life on the Homefront during World War 2(DBQ)

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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.
Mummy Facts! FREE Resource
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Mummy Facts! FREE Resource

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Studying Egypt? Want to share with kids some fun mummy facts? Check out this Amazing Mummy Facts FREEBIE. I also have an internet activity on mummies of the world, a reading on Hatshepsut, a reading on Ramses, a unit of study(with notes, links, activities AND an internet Activity) and a review activity on vocabulary on Ancient Egypt.
Harriet Tubman(A Reader's Theater Script)
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Harriet Tubman(A Reader's Theater Script)

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Use this informative Reader’s Theater Script to learn about Harriet Tubman, ex-slave who became the most famous conductor of the Underground Railroad, a Union Spy and women’s suffrage advocate. The fun/informative play uses the format of three historians being guests on Ms. Bie Ografee’s talk show and the studio audience asks questions to the Historians to learn about the life of Harriet Tubman. Great for Black History Month,unit on the Civil War,or Women’s History Month. Comprehension questions/extension activities, key. Kids get a chance to “ham” it up and try out their acting skills!
Rosa Parks(Reader's Theater Script)
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Rosa Parks(Reader's Theater Script)

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Learn about Rosa Parks with this Reader’s Theater Script. Rosa Parks is a guest on a talk show and the studio audience asks questions about her life and contributions and how her bus ride helped to change history! There are 8 questioners, a Did You Know? fun fact section, comprehension questions, a teacher page with extension activities, the key and additional links. Kids get a chance to "ham"it up and act out roles in this fun/informative play.
Tuskegee Airmen: A Reader's Theater Script
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Tuskegee Airmen: A Reader's Theater Script

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Learn about the Tuskegee Airmen with this play. The format is a Ms. Bie Ografee’s Talk Show Series where the studio audience asks questions of Charles A. Anderson, one of the Tuskegee Airman. Audience members ask questions of the guest. Included are Did You Know? facts, comprehension questions, a teacher page with extension activities, links and the key. I have lots of biographical plays on famous people in history and a number of plays in the Ms. Bie Ografee’s Talk Show Series including Rosa Parks, Bessie Coleman, Harriet Tubman, Sacagawea, Michelangelo, DaVinci , Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Blackwell, a visit with Simon, a victim of the Black Death, a visit with a Leprechaun and Sequoyah. More to be added…
Hannibal: Famous General of Ancient Times(Reading Activity)
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Hannibal: Famous General of Ancient Times(Reading Activity)

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This resource is part of my new series, “Let’s Meet…” famous people in ancient history. With this biographical reading passage, students will learn about Hannibal, the famous general of ancient times. Studying the Phoenicians? Studying Ancient Rome and the Punic Wars? This resource would be a great addition! There is a Did You Know? section, comprehension questions, map activity and a teacher page with extensions and links and the key. My Let’s Meet… series is growing. Currently, I also have the following in the series: Hatshepsut, Ramses, Socrates, Hammurabi and Aesop .
Hannibal:Famous General of Ancient Times(A Reading Activity)
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Hannibal:Famous General of Ancient Times(A Reading Activity)

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This resource is part of my new series, “Let’s Meet…” famous people in ancient history. With this biographical reading passage, students will learn about Hannibal, the famous general of ancient times. Studying the Phoenicians? Studying Ancient Rome and the Punic Wars? This resource would be a great addition! There is a Did You Know? section, comprehension questions, map activity and a teacher page with extensions and links and the key. My Let’s Meet… series is growing. Currently, I also have the following in the series: Hatshepsut, Ramses, Socrates, Hammurabi , Alexander the Great and Aesop .
Women's History: Famous Women in Ancient History, Hypatia(First Female Mathematician)
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Women's History: Famous Women in Ancient History, Hypatia(First Female Mathematician)

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If you ask students to list a couple of famous women in history, I would think Harriet Tubman, Amelia Earhart and Rosa Parks may be mentioned. As a teacher of world history, too often there is a giant VOID when it comes to famous WOMEN in ancient History. My new series, Let’s Meet… people from the Ancient World includes several women who have made contributions in history. This particular reading is on Hypatia, thought to be the first female mathematician. The short reading shares(in the first person) a recounting of the person’s life(in this case Hypatia). 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. Others in the series currently include: Alexander the Great, Hammurabi, Hannibal, Hatshepsut, Ramses, Aglaonike and Aesop.
Hildegard of Bingen(Middle Ages) Reading Passage/Activity
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Hildegard of Bingen(Middle Ages) Reading Passage/Activity

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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.
Sojourner Truth: Abolitionist, Women's Rights Advocate, Author
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Sojourner Truth: Abolitionist, Women's Rights Advocate, Author

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Looking for a reading passage and activities on Sojourner Truth? If, so, check out this resource which is part of my Let’s Meet Series. Done in the first person, students will learn about the life of Sojourner Truth. Also included are Did You Know? Fun Facts, Comprehension Questions, a Map Activity and a Teacher Page with extension Activities. Could be helpful during Black History Month, Women’s History Month or if you are covering this period of history. The reading passage activity could also be a lesson for a substitute of for a Friday activity. Check out my Let’s Meet Series: I have a number of similar reading passages on famous people in this series, “Let’s Meet…” including: Phillis Wheatley(poet), Joan of Arc(Military leader/Heroine of France), Mary Anning (paleonotologist) ,Caroline Herschel(Astronomer), Hildegard of Bingen(writer/composer), Artemisia(Female Naval Commander during the Battle of Salamis), Sophie Brahe(Astronomer), Enheduanna(first known Poet),Hanno(Sea Explorer of the Phoenicians), Agnodice(First Female Doctor of Ancient Greece), Hypatia(First female mathematician), Aglaonike(astronomer), Alexander the Great(famous general), Aesop(Fable Writer of Ancient Greece), Hannibal(famous general), Ramses(Great Pharaoh), Hatshepsut(Female Pharaoh) and Socrates(Philosopher of Ancient Greece).
Frederick Douglass: Abolitionist, Author, Speaker(A Reader's Theater Script)
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Frederick Douglass: Abolitionist, Author, Speaker(A Reader's Theater Script)

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Looking for a Reader’s Theater Script on Frederick Douglass? If, so, check out this play, part of my Ms. Bie Ografee Talk Show Series. Part of my Ms. Bie Ografee Talk Show Series of Reader’s Theater Scripts, there are comprehension questions, a Did You Know? section,a Teacher page with extensions/links and key. Students will learn lots of information on abolitionist, author and speaker, Frederick Douglass. The script uses a “studio” audience who asks questions of Ms. Bie Ografee’s guest, Frederick Douglass. Could be helpful during Black History Month or if you are covering this period of history. The play could also be an activity for a substitute or for a Friday activity or when you’d like to introduce your students to famous people in American History. Check out my Let’s Meet Series: I have a number of similar reading passages on famous people in this series, “Let’s Meet…” including: Phillis Wheatley(poet), Joan of Arc(Military leader/Heroine of France), Mary Anning (paleontologist) ,Caroline Herschel(Astronomer), Hildegard of Bingen(writer/composer), Artemisia(Female Naval Commander during the Battle of Salamis), Sophie Brahe(Astronomer), Enheduanna(first known Poet),Hanno(Sea Explorer of the Phoenicians), Agnodice(First Female Doctor of Ancient Greece), Hypatia(First female mathematician), Aglaonike(astronomer), Alexander the Great(famous general), Aesop(Fable Writer of Ancient Greece), Hannibal(famous general), Ramses(Great Pharaoh), Hatshepsut(Female Pharaoh) and Socrates(Philosopher of Ancient Greece).
Spartacus: Roman Gladiator(Reading Passage with information on Roman Colosseum)
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Spartacus: Roman Gladiator(Reading Passage with information on Roman Colosseum)

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Spartacus, was a famous gladiator of Ancient Rome(@109 BC-71 BC) . Originally, a soldier when he tried to leave the army, Spartacus was sold into slavery. His “job” would be to entertain people as a gladiator (fighter).Spartacus would later lead an uprising of slaves seeking freedom in what historians called the Third Servile War or The Gladiator’s War. Some people also refer to the revolt, The War of Spartacus. The reading includes a Did You Know? fact section, comprehension questions, a map activity and a teacher page with extension activities and the key. Additional Resources on this topic: Ancient Rome: Italy, A Webquest: Ancient Roman Secret Diocles: Famous Charioteer of Ancient Rome A Reading:
Everything  Has a History...Even PRETZELS!
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Everything Has a History...Even PRETZELS!

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Use this reading passage to show students that everything has a history, even pretzels! The resource includes a reading passage, a Did You Know? section of fun facts about pretzels. For example: Baldies are what saltless pretzels are called! There is also a short map skill activity to show students the location of where pretzels originated. There are comprehension questions and a teacher page with extension activities and links. This resource is a fun Friday activity, before a vacation, substitute day or just a day you wish to show kids that everything has a history! Other resources in my Everything has a History: 1. The first in my series, Everything Has a History. Why not show your students that even candy has a history with this fun/informative web quest! Learn facts including marshmallows date back to 2000 BC and King Tut’s Tomb contained licorice. I also have included several additional resources and extension activities. Great for a Friday, a day before a vacation activity or just when you’d like to share with kids that…everything has a history! History of Candy: A Webquest 2. Everything Has a History…even chewing Gum: History of Chewing Gum! 3. Check out my History of Shoes! Everything Has A History, even SHOES! 4. Check out my History of Peanuts! Learn about the history of the PeanutLearn about the History of the Peanut 5. TULIPS: With spring, comes the sprouting of tulips. Tulips have a very interesting history. Sharing information about the history of the tulip is a great way to show kids that EVERYTHING has a history. Reading passage, Did You Know? fun facts, comprehension questions, Map-skill activity, Teacher page with extension activities and key.Tulips: Reading Passage/Activities
Black Death: A Reader's  Theater Script
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Black Death: A Reader's Theater Script

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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.
Santa Fe Trail: Wind Wagon Thomas(Reading Passage)
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Santa Fe Trail: Wind Wagon Thomas(Reading Passage)

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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 keys.
Black History Month Factoids(Interactive Notebook Activity)
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Black History Month Factoids(Interactive Notebook Activity)

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Great for an Interactive Notebook Activity. Have students do some of the extension activities. Covering Black History Month? Check out these resources: • Check out my twelve fact-packed Black History Month Webquest/Extension Activities: Check out my Reader’s Theater Script on Bessie Coleman: Check out my fact-packed Webquest on Martin Luther King/Extension Activities: Check out my Reader’s Theater Script on Harriet Tubman: Check out my Reader’s Theater Script on Rose Parks: Check out my web quest on First Lady Michelle Obama: