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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.
Mesopotamian Puzzler: Secret Message Review Activity
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Mesopotamian Puzzler: Secret Message Review Activity

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Want a fun activity to review vocabulary terms for a unit on ancient ancient Mesopotamia? Looking for an enrichment activity in history? Try my Ancient Mesopotamia Puzzler activity. The activity involves students working individually or in groups to review vocabulary terms on Mesopotamia. 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 Mesopotamia is revealed! The teacher page includes additional information to share about the “secret message”. If you prefer to offer a vocabulary box, I have included this as well. I also have a unit of study on Mesopotamia with notes , activities and resources. I also have a reading on Hammurabi.
Ancient Greek Secret Message Activity!
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Ancient Greek Secret Message Activity!

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Want a fun activity to review vocabulary terms for a unit on ancient Greece? Looking for an enrichment activity in history? Try my Ancient Greek Secret Message activity. The activity involves students working individually or in groups to review vocabulary terms on the Ancient Greeks. 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 ancient Greeks 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 Greeks! If you prefer to offer a vocabulary box, I have included this as well.
Mary Todd Lincoln
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Mary Todd Lincoln

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Teaching American History and want to introduce your students to First Ladies of the United States? Try this fun and information play based on the Mark Goodson Production To Tell the Truth Game Show on Mary Todd Lincoln. To Tell the Truth was a popular television show which has returned with host Anthony Anderson(of Blackish). Three guests all claim to be the real guest being interviewed by a panel. The real guest must tell the truth where the other impostors do not have to do so. Kids must be “truth detectives” to determine just who is the REAL Mary Todd Lincoln. Students in grades 4 and up will have fun acting out their parts and learning some interesting facts about First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln. Discussion questions,comprehension questions and activities are also included.
Phoenician Puzzler: Secret Message Review Activity
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Phoenician Puzzler: Secret Message Review Activity

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Want a fun activity to review vocabulary terms for a unit on ancient Phoenicians? Looking for an enrichment activity in history? Try my Ancient Phoenician Secret Message activity. The activity involves students working individually or in groups to review vocabulary terms on the Phoenicians. 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 Phoenicians is revealed! The teacher page includes additional information to share about the “secret message”. If you prefer to offer a vocabulary box, I have included this as well. I also have a unit of study on the “Purple People”. I have a fun activity on all things PURPLE.
Crusades: A Visit with Sir Bartholomew, A Crusader(Reader's Theater Script)
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Crusades: A Visit with Sir Bartholomew, A Crusader(Reader's Theater Script)

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Learn about the Crusades with this fun and informative play. Students will have fun acting out the different parts, especially those of Sir Bartholomew. There are 10 audience questioners. Part of my Ms. Bie Ografee Talk Show Series, the format is that of a talk show host with a studio audience that ask Ms. Bie Ografee’s guest questions about the time period. Included: cause, different crusades(ie: People’s Crusade, Children’s Crusade and the Third Crusade) and the important results of this period in history. There is a DiD You Know? fun facts,comprehension questions, a teacher section with extension activities and links I thought might be of interest to the teacher. There is also a key to the comprehension questions.
Aesop: Famous Fable Writer of Ancient Greece(Reading Activity)
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Aesop: Famous Fable Writer of Ancient Greece(Reading Activity)

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This resource is part of my new series, “Let’s Meet…” famous people in ancient history. More titles are being added. Currently, the series includes Hatshepsut, Ramses and Socrates. With this biographical reading passage, students will learn about the Aesop, the famous fable writer of Ancient Greece. There is a Did You Know? section, comprehension questions and a teacher page with extensions and links.
WOMEN'S History: Famous Women in Ancient History,Aglaonike(1st Female Astronomer of Ancient Greece)
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WOMEN'S History: Famous Women in Ancient History,Aglaonike(1st Female Astronomer of Ancient Greece)

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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 Aglaonike, thought to be the first female astronomer of Ancient Greece. The short reading shares(in the first person) a recounting of the person’s life(in this case Aglaonike). 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 and Aesop. Hypathia,female mathematician from Alexandria, Egypt, will be posted tomorrow.
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 .
Hanno: Ancient Phoenician Sea Explorer!(Reading Activity)
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Hanno: Ancient Phoenician Sea Explorer!(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 Hanno, the famous Phoenician sea explorer. 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, Hypatia(Female Mathematician of Alexandria), Agnodice(Female doctor of Ancient Greece???), Aglaonike(Female Ancient Greek Astronomer) and Aesop.
Women's History: First Female Doctor of Ancient Greece?(Agnodice)Reading Passage
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Women's History: First Female Doctor of Ancient Greece?(Agnodice)Reading Passage

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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 Agnodice, thought to be the first female doctor of Ancient Greece. The short reading shares(in the first person) a recounting of the person’s life(in this case Agnodice). 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. *Historians questions if Agnodice actually existed. The reading supplies information about the time and the first recorded female who practiced medicine, Merit Ptah , who lived about 2700 BCE. Others in the series currently include: Alexander the Great, Hammurabi, Hannibal, Hatshepsut, Ramses, Aglaonike,Hypatia and Aesop.
Mathew Brady: A Reader's Theater Script on the "Father of Photojournalism"
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Mathew Brady: A Reader's Theater Script on the "Father of Photojournalism"

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Part of my Ms. Bie Ografee series, Ms. Bie Ografee welcomes Mathew Brady to her talk show. Students will have fun acting out the parts of this informative play on the “Father of Photojournalism” and learning about his photography especially recording the events of the Civil War. Whether you are studying the Civil War or just looking for a Reader’s Theater Script on a famous person to use on a Friday, for a substitute or before a holiday, this play would be a great addition to your classroom! The resource also includes a Did You Know? section of fun facts on the topic, comprehension questions, a Timeline activity on the Civil War and a Teachers Section with extension activities, additional links and the key. Additional resources of Interest:** Civil War: An Internet Activity On April 12th, 1861 the Civil War began.The long and bloody war that ended in 1865, took the lives of over 600,000 soldiers leaving more than 1,100,000 soldiers injured. Learn about the Civil War with this webquest. Each of the 11 questions have lots of information.I’ve also included a number of extension activities and resource links. The webquest comes with the key: Civil War: A Webquest 2. Harriet Tubman: 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 Harriet Tubman being a guest on Ms. Bie Ografee’s talk show and the studio audience asks questions about her life and contributions. Great for Black History Month in February or Women’s History Month in March. Comprehension questions/extension activities, key: Harriet Tubman, A Reader’s Theater Script **3. Abraham Lincoln: **Use this informative Reader’s Theater Script to learn about Abraham Lincoln. The fun/informative play uses the format of Abraham Lincoln 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: Abraham Lincoln, A Reader’s Theater Script
Women in History:Artemisia, Female Naval Commander during Battle of Salamis!
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Women in History:Artemisia, Female Naval Commander during Battle of Salamis!

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The Greeks and Persians fought one another between 490-449 BCE. During what may be the first recorded naval battle in history, the Persian King, Xerxes, had a female warrior queen who came to battle with five vessels! After the battle, Xerxes honored her with the title of Admiral(the first known woman to have been given this rank). Studying the ancient Greeks? Looking for a women in ancient history to have kids learn about? Check out this resource which includes a Did You Know? fun facts, comprehension questions and map activity and a teacher’s page with extension activities, links and key.
Galileo Galilei: A Reader's Theater Script
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Galileo Galilei: A Reader's Theater Script

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Scientist, astronomer, physicist and mathematician, Galileo is considered the "father of modern science”. That title was first given to Galileo by another famous scientist named Albert Einstein. This Reader’s Theater Script is part of my Ms. Bie Ografee Talk Show Series. Audience questioners ask guest, Galileo, all about his life. Additionally, there are comprehension questions and a Did You Know? fun facts. A teacher page has extension activities and the key. Resources of Interest on this Topic:(Renaisssance and other Scientists) Renaissance(Webquest): Michelangelo (Reader’s Theater Script: Da Vinci (Reader’s Theater Script): Sir Isaac Newton (Reader’s Theater Script): Albert Einstein (Reader’s Theater Script): 6. Marie Curie (Reader’s Theater Script): 7. Katherine Johnson (Reader’s Theater Script): 8. Rachel Carson (Reader’s Theater Script): 9. Caroline Herschel (Reading Passage/Activity): 10. Sophie Brahe (Reading Passage/Activity):
Archimedes: A Reading Passage Activity
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Archimedes: A Reading Passage Activity

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This resource is part of my series, “Let’s Meet…” famous people in ancient history. With this biographical reading passage, students will learn about the Archimedes, Famous Mathematician, Scientist and Inventor of Ancient Greece. There is a Did You Know? section, comprehension questions and a teacher page with extensions and links. Some of the ideas of Archimedes are still used today! My Let’s Meet… series is growing. Currently, I also have the following in the series: Hatshepsut, Ramses, Socrates, Hammurabi, Aesop and Hannibal, Aristotle, Alexander the Great and more.
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.
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.
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
Using the News in the Classroom: Phoenician Ship Discovered!
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Using the News in the Classroom: Phoenician Ship Discovered!

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Using the news in the classroom to introduce topics in history. A Phoenician trading ship was discovered off the coast of Spain and it is hoped that since the ship is only about 6 ft. down, marine archaeologists plan to bring the ship to the surface this year. Freebie includes fun facts about the Phoenicians and several activities as well as the news story.