For Those Taking A Summer Break and For Those Who Are Not...

Wishing those of you who are now on Summer Break a very relaxing time. As someone that taught for 33 1/2 years, the very first FULL day of vacation was always the beginning of possibilities of things to do that I didn't get to do during the school year. In fact, I remember dreading the alarm clock going off at 6AM during the school year yet during the summer, I gleefully got up at 6AM because the day was all mine! I wanted to seize every bit of the day.  Enjoy each and every day of your vacation. It will go too quickly!  Read a book, garden, listen to music, take a pottery class, visit with friends and family, try a new recipe, take a trip, sit by the pool(or visit someone who has one), binge watch a series(so many great ones on Netflix! See below) and most importantly, take a break from thinking about school! Really! Even if it is only for a couple of weeks, place thinking about your classroom on hold for just a wee bit!

Of, course, if you are on the computer,  please check in from time to time as I will continue to make blog postings, update my website for teachers/kids and add new teaching resources to my Teacher store.  :-)

For those of you who have school or summer school during  July and August, I will continue to update my blog posting as well as my website for teachers/kids(http://www.gailhennessey.com). Please continue to check in as you may find something of value to use with your students!

Gail

Recommendations of shows to Binge watch on Netflix:
Safe(Harlan Corbin) Kept me guessing until the end.
The Five(Harlan Corbin) Very Good mystery!
Midsomer Murders( Amazing how many murders take place in the villages of England!)
Murdoch Mysteries(Historical mysteries that will make you look up some information!)
Doctor Blake Mysteries
Longmire
Father Brown
Death in Paradise (Think Columbo in Paradise)
Doc Martin(Love Cornwall, England, where this quirky doctor series is filmed)
The Crown
Turn
Call the Midwife(awesome)Really...I didn't think I would like it and I am hooked.
Poirot
Broadchurch(powerful police story told in several season)
Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries(1920 flapper solves mysteries in Australia) It is being made into a movie!

Acorn TV:
Good Karma Hospital(two seasons so far). Very GOOD!
800 Words



Recent Books I have enjoyed which I'd recommend:
Pamela Flavey's books about Ireland: The Linen Queen, The Yellow House and The Girls of Ennismore.

Ruth Wares's books.

Karen White's books.

Melanie Dobson's books(most set in World War 2) are all excellent.
Try Chateau of Secrets and Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor.

Patricia McDonald's Books-GREAT!

Fiona Davis' Books: The Address, The Doll House-great stories and you learn about the Barbizon Hotel for Women and The Dakota. The latest book is the Masterpiece and it's on my list to read.

All Sarah Jio books are great!(Most take place in two eras and are intertwined by the end.)

Pam Jenoff: Wow, I really like her historical books(mostly set in WW2-at least the one's I've read: The Orphan's Tale and the Diplomate's Wife. 


Note: Illustration from wpclipart.com

No Photographs, Please!(INA)

No Photographs, Please!

One of the most beautiful countries to visit(in my humble opinion) is Switzerland. I remember visiting a small village(Murren) near Interlaken. There aren't any cars in Murren and to get there you need to take both a cable car and a cog train. Absolutely, a "Heidi" moment looking out at the mountains for the hotel window and hearing cow bells when off hiking. I recommend a visit if you are ever traveling in this area of Switzerland!

This news story caught my attention. I thought it might be a possible Interactive Notebook Activity, bell ringer, etc. With school winding down for many(and over for some), this writing prompt might be something to hold for when you return to classes.

Have a wonderful summer vacation!
Gail

A new law in the village of Bergün/Bravuogn, in the Swiss Alps will surprise visitors. Photographs have been banned. Seems the village is so beautiful, town leaders are concerned that people seeing photographs posted by tourists might get depressed! Signs are posted in the tiny village near St. Moritz stating fines may be charged to those taking photographs.

For Students:

What are your thoughts on this news story?

Why might the village have really tried to do this?

Write three facts you know about the country of Switzerland.

Learn about Switzerland with this resource: 

Did you know that a Swiss man named Bertrand Piccard was the first person to circumnavigate the earth in a hot-air balloon? Did you know that the first chocolate bar was made in Switzerland back in 1819? Learn more about this mountainous country with this informative webquest on Switzerland!
Mapwork, 9 web questions, extension activities and key...

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Switzerland-Country-in-FocusWebquestExtension-Activities-582658

Photograph from odditycentral.com

World Ocean Day is June 8th!

The ocean is a place which brings tranquility and so many great memories of growing up and going to the Jersey Shore for family vacations. I remember learning to surf(wasn't very good at it) and my sister and I could stay in the ocean for hours! My husband and I still enjoy getting a chance to visit the Jersey Shore and family members both at Long Beach Island and Cape May.

World Ocean Day is June 8th. Learn about the Oceans of the world with this web quest: 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. Can be used as part of a unit on oceans, for Earth Day, World Ocean Day or as an activity for a Friday, before a vacation break or as an end of the year activity. This can be a one day class resource or used for a couple of days depending on whether the activities(creative writing/art work/online simulation games, etc.) are used with the students: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Oceans-Exploring-the-Ocean-Blue-A-WebquestExtension-Activities-705943

I also have a Reader's Theater Script on Jacques Cousteau you may find of interest(part of my Ms. Bie Ografee Talk Show series of plays): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Jacques-Cousteau-A-Readers-Theater-Script-2458467