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.
Use this freebie to have students learn about famous fairytale writer, Hans Christian Andersen.
Check out my Reader’s Theater Script on Hans Christian Andersen: The play is based on the Mark Goodson Production To Tell the Truth Game Show. 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 imposters do not have to do so. Kids must be “truth detectives” to determine just who is the REAL Hans Christian Andersen. Students in grades 4 and up will have fun acting out their parts and learning some interesting facts about fairy tale writer, Hans Christian Andersen. Comprehension questions, discussion questions, extension activities and resources are included. https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/hans-christian-andersen-a-reader-s-theater-script-11147855
Possible Interactive Notebook Activity to use with students as a springtime activity.
Show Kids that EVERYTHING has a HISTORY, even the tulip!
See the entire resource:
Sharing information about the history of the tulip is a great way to show kids that EVERYTHING has a history. The resource includes a reading passage, Did You Know? fun facts, comprehension questions, Map-skill activity, Teacher page with extension activities and key. Click here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/everything-has-a-history-even-tulips-11268026
Use this freebie to introduce students to fun facts about Pi. Four pages with activities for students to do after reviewing the information .
Please consider following my TES Store especially if you are looking for history, science and language arts materials. :-)
Looking for a reading about math? Check out this reading passage on Hypatia, the first known female mathematician: Hypatia
Other Math/Science related resources:
Reader’s Theater Script on Katherine Johnson, the Computer that Wore Skirts:
Reader’s Theater Script on Albert Einstein:
Reader’s Theater Script on Galileo:
Reader’s Theater Script on Sir Isaac Newton:
Reader’s Theater Script on Marie Curie:
Hypathia
Ada Lovelace
Reader’s Theater Scripts Include:
World War 2 Female Pilots(Members of WASP)
Revolutionary War Female Spies!
Civil War Female Soldiers
S.B. Anthony
Elizabeth Blackwell
Eleanor Roosevelt(“First Lady of the World”)
Amelia Earhart
Bessie Coleman
Sacagawea
Katherine Johnson
INCLUDES:
Reader’s Theater Script on Abraham Lincoln 2. Reader’s Theater Script on Mathew Brady
Reader’s Theater Script on Women Soldiers in the Civil War
Reader’s Theater Script on Harriet Tubman 5.Reader’s Theater Script on Frederick Douglass
Reading Passage Activity on Sojourner Truth
Internet Activity on the Civil War
The Revolutionary War and the Birth of Our Nation:
A Bundle of Resources!
Includes:
Reader’s Theater Script: Revolutionary War Spies! A Visit with a Female Agent Reader’s Theater Script:
A Visit with Joshua Crabtree, a Tory! Reader’s Theater Script:
James Madison, “Father of the Constitution”. Reader’s Theater Script:
A Visit with Thomas Jefferson
5.Reading Passage Activity: Phillis Wheatley
Benjamin Franklin: A Webquest
Reader’s Theater Script: Dolly Madison
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!
During WW2, it was very unusual for a woman to be a pilot. When there was a shortage of male pilots due to their being needed in combat, an experimental project was begun where female pilots would be used by the military(although they weren’t part of the military) to assist with ferrying aircrafts from the manufacturers to military bases. Female pilots, WomenAir Force Service Pilots,(WASP) also would test repaired planes to see if they were SAFE for male pilots to fly. They also were asked to help train soldiers by towing targets behind their airplane for the soldiers to shoot at(with REAL ammunition). Out of the 1074 WASP, 38 would die(11 in training missions). After the war, these heroic women were basically forgotten. In fact, what they did was classified. They could not call themselves “veterans”, nor did they qualify for any military benefits. This wouldn’t change until 1977. This play covers what it was like for a female member of the WASP and how their contributions were ignored but eventually honored for all that they did during World War 2.
Great for Women’s History Month, study on World War 2 or for a substitute or day before a holiday when you wish to introduce kids to some areas of history in our country.
This Reader’s Theater Script using a compilation of women to create Mildred Wallingford, a member of the WASP. Real members are also mentioned throughout the reading.
Part of my Ms. Bie Ografee Talk Show Series, students learn about this important contribution to the war effort as a “studio audience” asks questions of Ms. Bie Ografee’s guest. A Did You Know? fun facts, comprehension questions, links to additional information, a teacher page with extension activities and the key are also included.
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).
Looking for a reading passage and activities on Joan of Arc? 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 Joan of Arc. Also included are Did You Know? Fun Facts, Comprehension Questions, a Map Activity and a Teacher Page with extension activities.
Could be helpful during Women’s History Month or if you are coving this period of history. The reading passage activity could also be a lesson for a substitute or 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), Sojourner Truth(abolitionist, Women’s Rights Activist, Author), 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).
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).
An American short story writer and poet, Poe, is remembers for such stories as Murder in the Rue Morgue ,The Tell Tale Heart and The Fall of the House of Usher. Poe’s poem, The Raven, is considered the most famous poem in American history! Edgar Allan Poe is considered to be one of the first science fiction writers and first writer of the modern detective story. Use this Reader’s Theater Script to introduce students to this famous American Writer.
Part of my Ms. Bie Ografee Talk Show Series, there are 8 Audience Questioners who ask questions of Ms. Bie Ografee’s guest, Edgar Allan Poe. There is a Did You Know? fun fact section, comprehension questions and a Teacher Page with extension activities and the key.
Other resources on famous writers:
You may also be interested in my biographical play on Hans Christian Andersen.
This reader’s theater play introduces kids to fairy tale writer,Hans Christian Andersen. His story, The Ugly Duckling, some say was actually about him. Great activity for Anti-Bullying Month in October to go along with reading of this fairytale. Comprehension questions, discussion questions, extension activities and resources are included.
2.This fun/informative play uses the format of William Shakespeare being a guest on a talk show. A studio audience asks him 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.
Part of my Ms. Bie Ografee Talk Show Series, students will be introduced to the life of Charles Dickens, one of the most famous writers of all time. There are 11 questioners in the play as well as a Did You Know? section of fun facts, comprehension questions and a teacher page with extension activities, additional links and the key.
Mary Anning (1799-1847) was a famous fossil hunter. Some people gave her the title, “The Greatest Fossilist the World has ever Known.” Back in her time, the study of paleontology didn’t yet exist. Some people also call Mary, one of the very first paleontologists!
Part of my Let’s Meet… Series, there is a reading passage, a Did You Know? Section, a map activity, comprehension questions and a teacher page with extension activities and key.
I have a number of similar reading passages on famous people in this series, “Let’s Meet…” including:
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)
Socrates(Philosopher of Ancient Greece).
Learn about the contributions made by Caroline Herschel, astronomer. Caroline was the first female to discover a comet and found eight. She also discovered 14 nebulae and went on to compile a catalog of nebulae which is still used today. In addition to the reading passage, there is a DiD You Know? section, comprehension questions , a map activity and a Teacher page with additional activities.
Great for a unit on astronomy or during Women’s History month.
Other readings in my “Let’s Meet…” series include: Alexander the Great, Hammurabi, Hannibal, Hatshepsut, Ramses, Aglaonike , Enheduanna, Sophie Brahe, Hypatia, Agnodice and Aesop.
Check out my internet activity on Space: There are 12 web questions, comprehension questions and extension activities: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/space-the-final-frontier-an-internet-activity-11941871
Introduce students to famous people in history, STEM and Literature with my BOOKMARK BIOS.** This is the first in my series of Bookmark Bios, 20 Women in Modern Times(1700s-present) ** I will be adding 20 Women in Ancient Times, 20 Men in Modern Times and 20 Men in Ancient Times.
Check out these two FREE Bookmark Bios! The complete resource includes 20 Bookmark Bios that can be reproduced for your class, Bookmark Bio Cards for kids to do some critical thinking on the highlighted BookMark Bio and a blank template for students to research and develop their own Bookmark Bios.
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*Depending on the grade level, I have highlighted terms that might need to be reviewed such as humanitarian , activist, environmentalist, etc.
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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
It is estimated that approximately 400-700 WOMEN fought as soldiers during all the major battles of the Civil War.(1861-1865) Since females were not allowed to fight in battles at that time, those women that did become soldiers disguised themselves as men! This Ms. Bie Ografee Talk Show Reader’s Theater Script features Sarah Rosetta Wakeman, Sarah Emma Edmonds, Amy Clarke and Mary Galloway. Three of these women fought on the Union side during the Civil War and one fought for the Confederacy. Students will learn about these women soldiers and their contribution to the Civil War. The format is a talk show host with a studio audience who get to ask questions of the “guests”. There is also a Did You Know? section of facts on the Civil War, Comprehension Questions and a teacher page with extension activities, additional links of interest and the key to the comprehension questions.
Similar Resources of Interest:
Civil War: A Webquest
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.Mathew Brady
Part of my Ms. Bie Ografee’s Talk Show Series.Abraham Lincoln, A Reader’s Theater Script.
Reader’s Theater Script on Mary Todd Lincoln.
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
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.
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.