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.
Bookmark Bios
By Gail Skroback Hennessey
Recently, while watching the morning news, two of the hosts couldn’t name the famous woman, from Rochester, NY, who helped women get the right to vote! One said, I think her name was Susan “something”. That got me thinking that Bookmark Bios might be a great way to introduce young people to many(not all) the famous women and men in history, STEM and Literature!
Giving the Bookmark Bios, could be a weekly activity, perhaps as a handout for an interactive notebook, after a testing period, or as a “bell ringer” before your class instruction begins. You could print the Bookmark Bios on cardstock or colored paper, cut them out and you might consider laminating them for a more durable handout.
Additionally, the included Bookmark Bio Cards might be helpful to have the students do some critical thinking!
I have also included a blank template should you wish to use the idea as a research activity where students develop their own Bookmark Bios!
**Included: **20 Bookmark Bios on 5 sheets of 4 bookmarks on a page and the Bookmark Bio Card(with two on a page). You have permission to reproduce a class amount of the bookmarks and cards .
Women in Modern Times(History, STEM, Literature) First in the series and offered now.
Women in Ancient Times( History, STEM, Literature).
Men in Modern Times(History, STEM, Literature)
Men in Ancient Times(History, STEM,Literature)
Included in Women in Modern Times(1700s on):
Susan B. Anthony
Harriet Tubman
Rosa Parks
Sacagawea
Amelia Earhart
Clara Barton
Nellie Bly
Rachel Carson
Margaret Mead
Marie Curie
Elizabeth Blackwell
Jane Goodall
Sandra Day O’Connor
Sally Ride
Dorothea Dix
Eleanor Roosevelt
Hillary Clinton
Mother Teresa
Florence Nightingale
Helen Keller
Kids will have fun learning some very cool facts about pumpkins. Another record breaking pumpkin was grown for 2023! Possible Interactive Notebook Activity. Great for a fall activity.
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
Purple Turtle EBOOK: The stories involve Purple Turtle and his friends including Zing,the stuttering rabbit, Biggy Bear, Melody the bird, Squirty the squirrel and others. In each story,a topic is addressed such as friendship, honesty, conservation, getting over fears, etc. In this story, “Purple Learns to Use Less”, the friends learn that each of us can help the planet in saving water.Grades 1-3, Aadarsh Publishing
Great story to introduce conservation with your students.
Great for kids to read or as a book to read to children. The books have beautiful and colorful illustrations. I am sure your kids will enjoy Purple Turtle Ebooks!
What is Friendship? Purple Turtle EBOOK: The stories involve Purple Turtle and his friends including Zing,the stuttering rabbit, Biggy Bear, Melody the bird, Squirty the squirrel and others. In each story,a topic is addressed such as friendship, honesty, conservation, getting over fears, etc. In "Purple’s Birthday Party,Purple’s friends are all excited because it’s Purple’s birthday. When Biggy breaks his ankle, he can’t attend and is very disappointed. Purple has a great idea and shows that friendship is one of the very best gifts one can have. Grades 1-3, 19 PagesAadarsh Publishing
Great for kids to read or as a book to read to children. The books have beautiful and colorful illustrations. I am sure your kids will enjoy Purple Turtle Ebooks!
Purple Turtle EBOOK: The stories involve Purple Turtle and his friends including Zing,the stuttering rabbit, Biggy Bear, Melody the bird, Squirty the squirrel and others. In each story,a topic is addressed such as friendship, honesty, conservation, getting over fears, etc. In this story, “Purple and World Peace”,Purple meets Dovey the Dove, while walking in the woods. A symbol of peace,the dove is sad that there is so much fighting in the world. Purple tries to find a way to make Dovey smile.
Can use with discussion on cooperation/anti-bullying.
Grades 1-3, Aadarsh Publishing
Great for kids to read or as a book to read to children. The books have beautiful and colorful illustrations. I am sure your kids will enjoy Purple Turtle Ebooks!
Purple Turtle EBOOK: The stories involve Purple Turtle and his friends including Zing,the stuttering rabbit, Biggy Bear, Melody the bird, Squirty the squirrel and others. In each story,a topic is addressed such as friendship, honesty, conservation, getting over fears, etc.
Use this story to discuss children’s common fears.
An exciting Purple Turtle story! In this story, " Purple and the Cupcakes",Purple brings cupcakes to the park to share with his friends. Leaving them on a log, the cupcakes are gone when the friends return from playing.Who took the cupcakes? Purple and his friends are surprised at just who did! Grades 1-3. Aadarsh Publishing.
Great for kids to read or as a book to read to children. The books have beautiful and colorful illustrations. I am sure your kids will enjoy Purple Turtle Ebooks!
Learn all about the ancient Phoenicians, lived in present day Lebanon, who gave the world the alphabet, the color purple, glass and more.
Phoenician Bundle includes:
Mini Unit on the Phoenicians
Review Secret Message Activity
Reading on Hannibal, Carthage General during Punic Wars
Reading on Hanno, Phoenician Sea Explorer
Purple Game
Constitution Day:
CONSTITUTION! Learn some fun facts on the Constitution. Activity for Constitution Day! Each year, Constitution Day is celebrated on September 17th, unless the day falls on a Sunday. This is the date, in 1787, when delegates to the Constitutional Convention, signed the Constitution. They had met for 116 days, at the State House(now called Independence Hall), in Philadelphia, PA.
Constitution Day is also called Citizenship Day. It’s a day to celebrate this important document of our nation!
Check out these Did You Know? Fun Facts about the history of the Constitution.
You may find this resource of interest:
Part of my Ms. Bie Ografe series of plays, this Reader’s Theater Script is on the “Father of the Constitution”, James Madson(1751-1836), and his sharing with students the history of the writing of the Constitution. Madison who would become the 4th President of the United States(1809-1817)), played a very important role in the forming of our US Constitution. In addition to being a delegate, he introduced the first additions to the Constitution(amendments) which came to be known as the Bill of Rights. With 13 audience questioners, a Did You Know Section, comprehension questions, a Teacher Page with extension activities, key and additional links, students will learn about the writing of our important government document, the Constitution.Constitution. A Visit with James Madison,"Father of the Constitution, A Reader’s Theater Script
Activity for Constitution Day. :-)
Have students use this worksheet to learn about elephants. The Teacher Page has some suggested activities and additional links.
Great for a substitute or a Friday activity or use for Save the Elephant Day(April 16th) and World Elephant Day(August 12th).
I also have an internet activity on all things Elephant! https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/elephants-a-webquest-11325070
Please consider following me and check out my other resources at my TES Store.
Thanks,
Gail
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
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.
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
Use this FREE worksheet/handout with your students to start a discussion on the importance of our oceans. It could be used as an interactive notebook activity.
Please also check out my two resources on this topic:
Oceans, A Webquest
Jacques Cousteau, A Reader’s Theater Script
Please check out my other resources:
I’d appreciate if you’d consider becoming a “follower” of my TES Store. :-)
Using PRIMARY Sources in the Classroom. 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.
The topic of this Primary Source(DBQ )is Life of a Japanese-American Child Living in an Internment Camp during World War 2.
A teacher page includes the Key,additional links and suggestions for a rubric to grade the DBQ.
This resource could also be used as a web quest.
Check out my other DBQ Activity: Life on the Homefront During WW2:
Life on the Homefront during WW2
Studying the Ancient Romans? Looking for a Friday Activity to introduce students to countries of the world? Part of my Country in Focus Series, this web quest covers the country of Italy and the ancient Romans. Students will learn about the contributions of the people from Italy, famous people, places to visit and more. There are 11 web questions, a map skill activity on Italy, a Did You Know? fun fact section, comprehension questions and a Teacher Page with Looking for an internet activity that includes 10 extension activities, additional links and the keys.
World Water Day is March 22nd. Use this freebie to give to students which includes several fill in the blanks and You Turn ideas.
Check out these related resources:
Studying the ocean? Looking for a resource for Earth Day or World Ocean Day? Introduce your students to Jacques Cousteau with this informative Reader’s Theater Script. Oceanographer, photographer, scientist, inventor, writer and filmmaker, Cousteau spent his life studying the oceans and the marine life that lived in the oceans. Part of my Ms. Bie Ografee Talk Show Series where Jacques Cousteau is a guest on her talk show and answers questions of her studio audience. There are 10 audience questioners, a Did You Know? section, comprehension questions, a teacher section with extension activities, links and the key: Jacques Cousteau, A Reader’s Theater Script
Exploring the Ocean Blue: A Web quest, will introduce students to our oceans. There are nine informative web questions. Fun Facts, comprehension questions,extension activities and links are also provided as is the key. Exploring the Oceans, A Webquest
Learn about Earth Day and our planet Earth, with this informative web quest! In 2018, the theme for Earth Day is “Environmental and Climate Literacy”. Although this resource could be used for Earth Day, it really could be used throughout the year. There are 15 web questions as well as comprehension questions and a Did You Know? fun fact section. The teacher page includes extension activities, the key, and additional links. Earth Day, A Webquest
PLEASE CONSIDER FOLLOWING ME. CHECK OUT MY TES STORE FOR LOTS OF BIOGRPAHICAL PLAYS ON FAMOUS PEOPLE IN HISTORY, SCIENCE AND LITERATURE AS WELL AS MANY INTERNET ACTIVITIES AND SHORT READS IN THE AREA OF SOCIAL STUDIES.
Founded in 1948 by Kim II-Sung, North Korea is officially called the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. About the size of the state of Pennsylvania, it has been nicknamed the Hermit Kingdom because it is a country that few from the outside world have visited. With North Korea being in the news a lot lately, this might be a great opportunity to introduce students to the “Hermit Kingdom”.
This web quest has 8 web questions, lots of interesting facts(did you know that North Korea has their very own time zone classification or that at one time all teachers had to learn to play the accordion? There are comprehension questions, extension activities and the key.
Additional Resource of Interest:
Introduce students to the county of South Korea. There are 11 web questions, lots of Did You Know? facts, comprehension questions and a teacher page with 7 extension activities. There is also a key for both the web quest and comprehension questions and additional links for teachers. Although the activity could be done in one class period, if you decide to do some of the extension activities, this resource could be used over several days.
Please consider following me by clicking follow by my photograph. Thank you.
Gail Hennessey
NOTE: April Fools’ Day and April Fool’s Day are both used but sources say April Fools’ Day is more correct to use.
Great Activity to Introduce students to REAL vs. FAKE News Identification!
Want to introduce your students to the history of April Fools’ Day? This resource provides a reading for students as well as lots of interesting famous April Fools’ Day pranks such as this one that happened in Switzerland in 1957.A news show aired a video on a spaghetti harvest in the country of Switzerland. People were pulling strands of spaghetti dangling down from trees. People actually called the news show asking how they could purchase a spaghetti tree! Additionally, there are extension activities as well as a Test your April Fools’ Day IQ(can you spot the True News Stories from the Fake ones?). There are also comprehension questions for the students to answer after reviewing the resource.One class period for Grades 4 and up.
This Resource Goes well with April Fool’s Day:
Check out my Resource on Digital Critical Thinking(Is that FAKE News?) Is That FAKE New?