How much do you know about our nation's symbol? Find lots of interesting information on our flag, Flag Day and the Fourth of July with this web quest! Great for a Memorial Day or Flag Day Activity.

1.Philadelphia seamstress and friend of George Washington,Betsy Ross, is credited with making the first flag.Others say that Francis Hopkinson, a congressman, was the person to design the first American Flag. How many versions of the flag have there been to date?________ What was different on the versions of flags?_________________In 1912,which president said that the flags should have a certain pattern?_________Find the answers at this link:http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/jun14.html

2. The idea of a National Flag Day,a day to honor our flag, was started by Bernard J. Cigrand, in 1885. Which president proclaimed a national day of recognition of the flag?____________ In 1949,which president established Flag Day to be held each June 14th?__________________ Find the answers at this link: http://www.nationalflagday.com/default.asp

3. Flag Day is celebrated every June 14th. An 18 year old student designed the current design of our flag for a national contest. In fact, he received a B- for his design from his teacher. When Congress approved Robert Heft's flag design his teacher agreed to change the grade to an A! The year was 1958.What are three rules in which a flag must be treated?_________________________________________________________Find the answers at this link: http://www.wereyouwondering.com/10-interesting-facts-about-the-us-flag/

4. When Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin first landed on the moon in 1969, they planted a U.S. Flag. How many American flags are on the moon at this time?___________Name two other countries that also have flags on the moon._________and __________The EU, a group of European countries,also has a flag on the moon.To fold a U.S. flag correctly, in which shape must it be?________________What must show after the flag has been folded?___________Find the answers at this link:http://www.wereyouwondering.com/10-interesting-facts-about-the-us-flag/


*Did you know that most flags have the colors red and white?
*There are 7 red stripes and six white stripes on the American Flag. A red is on the top and bottom.
*The African country of Libya's flag is all green. It is the only flag with no other color or design.
*The shape of most flags is rectangle. The flag of Nepal is the only one that is not rectangular or square in shape.

There are 12 web questions in the complete resource,16 fun facts and 7 extension activities. Click here: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Our-American-Flag-A-Webquest-Extension-Activities-726295  The resource is $3.


Note: Illustration from: openclipart.org

Using the News in the Classroom(Bell Ringer)

Barry Clifford,an underwater explorer, says he thinks he's made an amazing discovery. He believes he has found the wreckage of the Santa Maria. Yes, the boat of Christopher Columbus used on his voyage in 1492 to sail "the ocean blue".  The 500 year old ship sank off the coast of the island of Haiti. Resting about 10-15 feet below the surface, it was first discovered in 2003. At the time, there was also 15th century cannon near the wreckage, which has since gone missing. Clifford has used journals from Christopher Columbus to try and get information on sinking of the Santa Maria, on Christmas Day, in 1492. He hopes to bring the ship to the survive in the coming months.

Thought questions:

1. How do you think exploration changed the world in positive ways?  negative ways? 

2. What would be several REAL dangers Columbus and other sailors could face on the seas?  

3.  What were some of the imagined dangers that sailors believed could happen to them on the seas? 

4.What in history might you like to see discovered?

Activities:

1. Draw a sea monster  and state three reasons why you think people believed in sea monsters.

2. Write a diary entry pretending you were a sailor on one of Columbus’s ships and tell about one of your days.

Did You Know:

* Columbus used his knowledge of an eclipse to scare the natives in Jamaica.

* Columbus took tobacco and slaves back to the King and Queen of Spain.

* Columbus brought horses to the new world on his second voyage.

* Columbus believed there were gold digging ants. 

* All crew took an oath to agree with Columbus that he had found Japan and were close to China!

* Columbus noticed natives sleeping a "hammocks". It was an idea that became "beds" aboard sailing ships.

Photograph from news.nationalpost.com    

2014 Global Games: Soccer are coming!

The 2014 Soccer competition will be held this summer. Called the World Cup, the games will take place in the country of Brazil. Use this web quest to learn about the sport of soccer and the country of Brazil.Great end of year activity!

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/SOCCERThe-2014-Global-GamesLearn-about-Braziltoo-1232455

VERY exciting News...one of my Purple Turtle stories is now a Cartoon!

I have been writing Purple Turtle stories for over a year for Aadarsh Publishing. The stories center around a purple turtle and his friends. In each story, there is a lesson shared. One of the stories, "Purple and the Cupcakes" was recently made into an animated cartoon. It is hoped that a series of animated cartoons based on the stories is forthcoming.  Check out the cartoon here: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cDbkID-uK3s&feature=youtu.be    The animated cartoon also won an award at the 4th Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival in May/2014!

Appreciate any feedback if you view the animated cartoon, "The Case of the Missing Cupcakes."
Email me at geshrwh@hotmail.com

If you'd like to purchase any of the Purple Turtle Ebooks, go here to learn more: http://www.pinterest.com/gailhennessey/writing-for-kids-see-some-of-my-recent-work/

Gail