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 12 questions have lots of information.I’ve also included a few comprehension questions, a number of extension activities and resource links.

This mini-unit on Prehistoric cultures will assist the classroom teacher in presenting this topic of history to students.In addition to an overview and notes, lots of additional resources and activities are included. 12 question web quest,too! Did you know that historians say the needle was a tremendous advance for early man?Enabled clothes to be more form fitting to protect from winter cold!

Use this Reader’s Theater Script to learn about our 3rd President, Thomas Jefferson. Using the format of my Ms. Bie Ografee Talk Show Series, Jefferson is a guest on the show and audience members ask questions of her guest, Thomas Jefferson. In addition to lots of interesting information, there is a Did You Know? section, comprehension questions and a teacher page with extension activities, additional links and the key. The resource can be a one day activity or over several days if you decide to do some of the activities. 1. You may be interested in this Reading Activity on Thomas Jefferson and the Mammoth Cheese:Thomas Jefferson and the Mammoth Cheese 2. You may be interested in this web quest on the Library of Congress: Library of Congress, A Webquet on our Nation’s Library 3. You may be interested in this web quest on the Lewis and Clark Expedition:Lewis and Clark, A Webquest on the Famous Expedition Other plays in the Ms. Bie Ografee’s Talk Show Series: Thomas Edison, George Washington Carver,Marie Curie, A Female Spy during the Revolutionary War(Culper Spy Ring), Jacques Cousteau,Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Sacagawea, Sequoia, Michelangelo, DaVinci, Tuskegee Airmen, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Blackwell, Interview with Simon-victim of the Black Death,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…

Part of my Ms. Bie Ografee Talk Show Series. This biographical Reader’s Theater Script is on John Chapman, better remembered as Johnny Appleseed. Chapman said of himself,“by occupation,(I was) a gatherer and planter of apple seeds”. This pioneer nurseryman helped to introduce apple trees to Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Unlike many people, John Chapman was an American hero, DURING his lifetime. He is know for his kindness toward other people and all living creatures, his efforts in conservation and the many apple trees he started during his life. There area 8 Audience Questioners in the complete resource. There are 12 Did You Know? fun facts about apples, 9 comprehension questions, a teacher page with 9 extension activities, the key and additional links of interest. Great for a Friday biography day, during a study on pioneers or a unit on apples! Johnny Appleseed Day is celebrated : March 11th and/or September 26th. Other plays in the Ms. Bie Ografee’s Talk Show Series: Dr. Seuss, 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. Gail Hennessey / Check out my website for teachers/kids for lots of geography activities, short reads, factoids on different topics, news, career surveys, bell ringers and more.

A Biologist and marine zoologist, Carson’s books shared her love of nature, especially the ocean and its inhabitants. Her book, Silent Spring, sparked concern in how chemical pesticides were harming our environment. Carson helped to start the environmental movement in our country, which led to the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This Reader’s Theater Script could be used as a STEM biography any time of year or especially during the time of Earth Day.

The Arctic!Geographical web quest which introduces kids to the region of the Earth known as the Arctic. There are 14 web quests(with lots of information in the questions), Did You Know? facts, comprehension questions(including several “thought question”), a teacher page with a number of extension activities, additional links and key.Great for a Friday activity, before a vacation, or when you are looking for a geography resource. Also check out my ANTARCTIC resource: Geographical web quest which introduces kids to the continent of Antarctica. There are 10 web quests(with lots of information in the questions), 14 Did You Know? facts, comprehension questions(including several “thought question”), a teacher page with a number of extension activities, additional links and key.Great for a Friday activity, before a vacation, or when you are looking for a geography resource.

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.

Learn about Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, only the 2nd woman to be appointed to the Supreme Court. Students will also learn information about the Supreme Court. A great resource for Women’s History Month, a study of the Supreme Court, a Friday activity or as a substitute lesson. Extension activities included. There are 11 Audience Questioners in this Ms. Bie Ografee Talk Show Series of Reader’s Theater Scripts. I also have a resource on the history of the Supreme Court and a Reader’s Theater Script on Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, first Hispanic American and 3rd woman chief justice.

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

Looking for a reading passage and activities on Sir Edmund Hillary? 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 Sir Edmund Hillary, mountaineer, humanitarian and explorer. Also included are Did You Know? Fun Facts, Comprehension Questions, a Map Activity and a Teacher Page with extension activities. The reading passage activity could also be a lesson for a substitute or for a Friday activity. Check out my resource on Mt. Everest, too. 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! Lots of extension activities,interesting facts and comprehension questions are included. arts. 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) ,Joan of Arc(military leader),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). Other Reading Passages: George Washington and the Camel Calvin Coolidge and the “Pennsylvania Avenue Zoo” John Quincy Adams Takes a Swim Thomas Jefferson and the Mammoth Cheese Sojourner Truth Santa Fe Trail: Wind WagonThomas Revolutionary War Heroine: Catherine “Kate” Moore Barry(Battle of Cowpens) Enheduanna, First Known Poet in History Artemisia(Female Naval Commander during the Battle of Salamis) Hanno: Phoenician Explorer Ramses the Great Hatshpsut Hammurabi Alexander the Great Aesop Socrates Hannibal Hypatia: First Woman Mathematician Aglaonike(Greek astronomer) Agnodice(First Female Doctor of Ancient Greece) Julius Caesar Archimedes Sparticus Diocles Joan of Arc Phillis Wheatley Mary Anning Caroline Herschel Sophie Brahe: Astronomer and Horticulturist Hildegard of Bingen(Middle Ages) Aida de Acosta(First Woman to Fly a Powered Aircraft) Women’s Suffrage: The Silent Sentinels History of Pretzels History of Marshmallows History of Tulips Snowmen in History History of April Fools’ Day Great Wall of China Eiffel Tower Ayres Rock(Uluru) Taj Mahal Travel to Iceland Travel to Greece Travel to Japan Price

Use this fun/informative play to learn about First Lady Michelle Obama. Discussion questions,comprehension questions and extension activities are also included.Skill including speech and listening and reading for information.

Use this informative Reader’s Theater Script to learn about Marian Anderson, one of the most important singers of the 20th century. Anderson also played an important role in overcoming prejudice toward African American artists. In 1955, she was the first African American to sing at the New York Metropolitan Opera. She participated in the famous March on Washington, in 1963, and was also a “goodwill ambassadress for the United Nations, performing all over the world . Great for Black History Month in February or Women’s History Month in March. Comprehension questions/extension activities, key.

Part of my Ms. Bie Ografee Talk Show Series. Learn about Thomas Edison, Wizard of Menlo Park, with this fun and informative Reader’s Theater Script. There are 11 audience questioners asking questions of Ms. Bie Ografee’s guest, Thomas Edison. There are comprehension questions, a Did You Know? section of fun facts about Edison, a teacher page with directions, extension activities, key and links to additional information. Other plays in the Ms. Bie Ografee’s Talk Show Series: Jacques Cousteau,Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Sacagawea, Sequoia, Michelangelo, DaVinci, Tuskegee Airmen, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Blackwell, Interview with Simon-victim of the Black Death,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…

Covering Japan? I taught a unit of study on the country of Japan for 32 years and would love to share some my notes, activities and resources I used with my students. This resource is for teachers to use to introduce the country/culture of Japan to their students. There is also an activity page with 10 web quest, a map skill activity and some fun facts about Japan. Other resources that go along with my unit on Japan: 1. If you’d like to have a reading in the content area for social studies, Travel to Japan, may be just the thing for a classroom lesson! The reading takes students(grades 4-8) on a trip to Japan to learn about its geography, customs and places to see. There are also extension activities,a map skill activity and comprehension questions to use with your students as well as a list of resources. Japan, Travel to Japan Reading Activity 2. Want a fun activity to review vocabulary terms for a unit on Japan? Looking for an enrichment activity in history? Try my Japanese Puzzler: Secret Message Activity. The activity involves students working individually or in groups to review vocabulary terms on Japan. 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 Japan 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 Japan! If you prefer to offer a vocabulary box, I have included this as well.Japan Puzzler, A Secret Message Review Activity

On September 14, 2014, Francis Scott Key wrote the poem which became our national anthem, The Star Spangled Banner. Use this web quest to learn about Francis Scott Key, the national anthem and the war of 1812. There are nine web questions, 9 comprehension/thought questions, fun facts and extension activities.

THINGY LETTERS Lots of Fun.... From Utah to Colorado, to New York to New Jersey and around the my home and inside my garage, once I started I saw letters of the alphabet all around me! Use my THINGY letters to have kids write spelling words, vocabulary words, to make Mother’s Day/Father’s Day cards or as an art activity! Have students try and guess what some of the THINGY LETTERS are.( I've included a key) :-) Have students try and create some of their own THINGY LETTERS! Please do NOT resell my images "as is." These images may be used for sale in any of your TpT products as long as they are secured in a pdf file and are used as part of an original product design. I would very much appreciate if you give credit to my store, if you use the letters for any commercial products. Thanks. Terms of use: * Single classroom use only, multiple licenses available * The copyright of my Thingy Letters remains with me, Gail Hennessey. By purchasing my Thingy Letters you are being granted permission to use the designs but the copyright is not transferred to you nor is the permission to use the graphics transferrable from you to another party.

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

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).

This 10 question webquest on the Renaissance is packed with lots of information.Extension activities, comprehension questions, fun facts and resource links and key.This activity can be done as a one day lesson to learn about the Renaissance or several days if you wish to use the extension activities. Skills include:reading for information and using research/computer skills.