Tour de France 2018 begins on July 7th!

2019 is the 100th anniversary of the start of the Tour de France.

In 2019, the Tour de France began on July 6th and ends on July 28th. The end of the race takes place along the Champs-Elysees, one of the famous streets in France. It's considered the world's biggest and most exciting bicycling race.  Athletes competing in the race will travel approximately 3460K  ( 2149 miles) during the 22 day race. Each day(called stages), a leader  will be awarded a yellow jersey(or Maillot Jaune in French). In addition to the yellow jersey, there is a polka dot jersey awarded to the best climber(king of the mountains), a white jersey( the best youngest rider) and a green jersey(best sprinter).The Tour de France began in 1903.

See a map with the 2019 route:

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/tour-de-france

https://www.letour.fr/en/overall-route

 (Route of the 2019 Tour de France)

*Download the free resource here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/FreeDownload/TOUR-DE-FRANCE-2018-Interactive-Notebook-Activity-3894291

Fun Facts:

Only men compete in the Tour de France.

Approximately, 123,900 calories are burned by each rider in the Tour de France.

42000 water bottles will be used by the racers!

Someone figured out that enough sweat is created from racers competing in the 22 day race, to flush a toilet 39 times!

Riders from France have won the most races!(36 as of 2015)

The Tour de France is also known as "La Grande Boucle". 

Vocabulary word: Peloton, the term for the "pack" of riders.

History of Bicycles...Did You Know? 

As of 2017, Copenhagen, Denmark, is the bike friendly capital of the world. Amsterdam, Netherlands, came in second, with Utrecht, Netherlands, third. Some sources say Utrecht is more bike friendly than Amsterdam.

Some sources say the  invention of the first “bicycle” is credited to Comte Medi De Sivrac, of France. His bike didn’t have any pedals! The year was 1792 and it was called a hobby horse(or celerifere). To move you needed your feet!

Other sources credit Baron Karl von Drais, of Germany, with the Draisine meaning “running machine”.The 1917 human-propelled vehicle didn’t have any pedals.

A bike similar to today’s bike was created by Kirkpatrick Macmillan, from Scotland. The year was 1839. His bicycle had pedals!

The word “bicycle” comes from the French word “bicyclette”. The term became popular in 1868. Previous to this, bicycles were called “velocipedes” meaning “fast foot”.

The Penny-Farthing was a British bicycle that had a large front wheel and a much smaller wheel in the back. The name represented two British coins, the Farthing and the British Penny.

Early bicycles (velocipede) were known as bone shakers by their riders. With wooden wheels inside an iron rim and an iron frame, it was a very bumpy ride!

In 1887, Thomas Stevens became the first person to ride a Penny Farthing around the world!

In 1867, father and son, Pierre and Ernest Michaux, invented the modern bicycle.

Did you know that suffragette, Susan B.Anthony made a comment on the bicycle? She said that the mode of transportation “has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world.” She called the bicycle the “freedom machine.”

In 1896, Margaret Valentine Le Long rode a bicycle from Chicago to San Francisco!

Did you know that before Orville and Wilbur Wright became famous for their flying machine, they owned a bicycle repair shop? It was in their shop, in 1903, that they made their first airplane! It was called the Wright Flyer!

YOUR TURN!

1. Write a diary pretending to be one of the cyclists in the Tour de France. What do you see? Feel? Hear?

2. Do you think women should be allowed to compete with the men's Tour de France? Why or why not?

3. What are 2 character traits of a person that would participate in the Tour de France? 

4. After reading the History of Bicycle facts, why do you think Susan B. Anthony called the bicycle, the “freedom machine”?

5. What are two positive things about riding a bicycle?

6. Learn more about the country of France: https://www.natgeokids.com/za/discover/geography/countries/facts-about-france/

Teacher Page:

Ask students if they have heard of the Tour de France and share any information they may have on the famous race.  Have students locate the country of France on a world map.  

Give the students the handout pages. Have students do one or more of the following activities.

Extension Activities:

1. Try this FREE crossword puzzle on France: http://gailhennessey.com/index.shtml?francepuzzler.html

2. Draw/color a picture of a bicycle. Write a fact learned about the Tour de France on your drawing.

3. Read about the Eiffel Tower, one of France's most famous landmarks: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Eiffel-Tower-Explore-World-Landmarks-773097

4. Learn some fun facts about France: http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/countries/france.html

5.Timeline on the history of the bicycle: https://www.brown.edu/Departments/Joukowsky_Institute/courses/13things/7083.html. 

Illustration from:Wpclipart

JUNE IS BRAIN AWARENESS MONTH

COOL BRAIN FACTOIDS!

by

Gail SKroback Hennessey

The brain is made up of five main parts: the brain stem, pituitary gland, hypothalamus, cerebellum, and the cerebrum.  Learn some cool facts about your brain! Share these facts with students.

• Did you know that the brain is about 3 pounds in weight?

• The largest part of the brain, or 85%, is called the cerebrum.

• Did you know that 75% of the brain is made up of water?

• The brain feels no pain as there aren’t any pain receptors in the brain.

• If you lined up all the neurons in your brain, they’d stretch about 600 miles!  That’s because there are about one hundred BILLION neurons in the brain. They are very tiny. About 50 neurons could be lined up side by side across a dot. What’s a neuron?  It’s a nerve cell.

• You can’t tickle yourself! That’s because the brain can tell the difference between your own touch and an external one.

• Did you know that there is a BRAIN BANK at Harvard? It’s the largest such “bank” in the world. About 7,000 brains are stored at the bank for research.

• Mummies of ancient Egyptians have been found with drilled holes suggesting people had some sorts of brain surgery in ancient times.

• You could use  a butter knife to cut the brain. It is THAT soft.

• Your brain creates about 25 watts of energy while you are awake, enough to light up a light bulb.

• Ancient Egyptians didn’t see any value in the human brain. It was removed via the nostrils and thrown away in the mummy-making process.

• Wow…it is estimated that we have 70,000 thoughts each and every day! That’s a lot of thoughts…hopefully they are positive ones.

• 170 mph is the speed in which nerve impulses travel to the brain and back.

• Scientists say we blink about 20,000 times each day. The brain keeps the world from going dark each time we blink.

• The hypothalamus is your brain’s thermostat. It monitors your body temperature. If it is too high, you sweat to help cool down. If your body temperature gets cold, you shiver to warm up.

• Have you had a “brain freeze”? The correct term is sphenopalatine Ganglioneuralgia.

• Often nicknamed, the “grey matter”, the brain is actually a pink-beige color.

• It is estimated that the brain has about 100,000 miles of blood vessels!

• Eating eagle hearts and crushed lizards was thought, in the middle Ages, to be brain food!

• Our brain’s very short term memory(working memory) can remember up to about seven digits at a time before it is forgotten. Hmmm, no wonder telephone numbers are no longer than seven digits!

TRY SOME FUN BRAIN ACTIVITIES AT THIS LINK: http://www.gailhennessey.com/index.shtml?brainfryer.html

Check out these Brain links:

http://kidshealth.org/kid/htbw/brain.html

http://www.ducksters.com/science/brain.php

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/anatomy/brain/index.shtml

NOTE: Illustration from wpclipart.com

YOU CAN ALSO DOWNLOAD THIS RESOURCE AT THIS LINK: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Brain-Factoids-1900973

Using the News In the Classroom: Raccoon Treks Up a Building!

Perhaps, you may find this of interest to use with students as a possible reading passage and/or interactive notebook activity.

Using the News in the Classroom:

An unusual climber scaled a 25 story building in Minnesota. It was a raccoon!  The furry climber first started his trek, stopping from time to time on different ledges to take a break. At one point, around the 17 floor, the raccoon began going back down but changed course and resumed climbing up the building. A crowd gathered at street level to watch the raccoon make its climb. It was dubbed #mprraccoon by reporters at the nearby Minnesota Public Radio station. 

As people learned of the raccoon, people wondered what could be done to help it. The windows of the building do not open and it was feared an attempt to rescue it, would endangered lives of the rescuers. Someone actually suggested using a hot air balloon to try and rescue the raccoon! Wildlife experts said it was best to leave the raccoon alone, fearing human interference would only frighten it. Eventually, the raccoon kept climbing and reached the rooftop where food(cat food) had been placed in a cage. Wildlife Management released the female raccoon back into the wild and hope that climbing days are over for this particular daredevil raccoon! 

Your Turn:

1. Make a caption for the photograph. 

2. Pretend you are the raccoon. Write a diary entry for your day. Why did you make the climb? What were you thinking? What did you see along the way?Etc. 

3. What are TWO facts you know about raccoons?

4. Illustrate one of the Did You Know? Facts.

Did You Know? Fun Facts:

1. Did you know that raccoons like to put their food in water before eating it? 

2. Raccoon is a Native American term(Proto-Algonquin languag)meaning “one who rubs, scrubs, and scratches with its hands”.

3. Raccoons live near a water source.

4. A nursery or a gaze is the name for a group of raccoons.

5. Baby raccoons are called kit.

6. Sound of a raccoon include:hissing, whistling, purring and growling.

7. Raccoons are great swimmers. 

8. Raccoons can run up to speeds of 15 mph(24 km/h)

9. Raccoons are Nocturnal-night is when they are usually most active time.

10. Native to North America, they are also found in southern areas of South America. Raccoons were brought over to other countries and are found in Switzerland, Germany, Russia, Japan and other areas of the world.

11. The scientific name for a raccoon is Procyon lotor. This means “before dog washer.”

12. Raccoons are very smart animals!

13. Omnivorous is the term for an animal such as a raccoon that eats anything!

14. Some people refer to raccoons as “little bandits” because of the black "mask” that they have on their face.

15. Having five fingers enables a raccoon to use their hands to pick up things. They also use their hands and claws to open jars, doors and other things.

16. Although raccoons may look cute, never approach or touch a wild animal! Raccoons are have sharp claws and sharp teeth.

Photo from nbcchicago.com

Illustration of paws to ID a raccoon's tracks:

Crittercontrol.com

The Leaders of the USA and North Korea to Meet on June 12th

 

*You can also click here to view this Interactive Notebook Activity at my website: http://www.gailhennessey.com/singaporesummit.html

Leaders of the USA and North Korea to Meet on June 12th

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. The leader of North Korea and the President of the United States are meeting for the first time in Singapore. The date for this historic meeting is June 12th.

Your Turn:

1. What is ONE fact you know about the country of North Korea? 

_________________

2. What is ONE fact you already know about the country of Singapore?_________________________

3. Locate the country of North Korea on a world map. What are TWO facts you learned about the country of North Korea from looking at the map?________________ and __________________________

4. Locate the country of Singapore on a world map. What are TWO facts you learned about the country of Singapore from looking at the map?

________________and ______________________

3. Have you heard in the news what the leaders of the two nations hope to discuss at this meeting on June 12th?_______________ 

4. It was reported that Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea, wants the United States to pay for his $6000 plus (a night) hotel suite, in Singapore. Do you think that our country should do this? Why, why not?_______________________________________________

5. Do you think it is a good idea for a world leader to meet with another world leader with whom you do not agree? Why, why not?__________________________

Did You Know?

1. North Korea has their very own time zone. It is called Called Pyongyang Time.

2. After you finish school, you are assigned a job for life. You do NOT get to choose your profession.

3. At one time all teachers in North Korea needed to learn to play the accordion!  It is still a popular instrument in North Korea today.

4. The North Koreans used a calendar based on the birthday of their founder, Kim Il-Sung. The date was April 15, 1912. So, in 2018, the Korean calendar is the year 106.

5. The country actually has 28 official hairstyles allowed to be worn by its people.

6. It is said that only about 3 % of the roads in North Korea are paved.

7. The largest city is its capital, Pyongyang and is restricted to only certain people.  Outside the capital, many people have lots of shortages,  including electricity.

Things to do:

1. Illustrate a fact learned from the web quest or create a postcard and write 3 facts learned in their note.

2. Check out my Internet Activity on the country of North Korea:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/North-Korea-Lets-Learn-about-the-Country-of-North-KoreaA-Webquest-3581788\

World Cup 2018 June 14-July 15th

The Global Game

You can also click here to use this resource with kids: http://www.gailhennessey.com/index.shtml?worldcup2010.html

What is the World Cup? The actual term is the FIFA World Cup. FIFA stands for Federation Internationale de Football Association. Held every four years, the championship started in 1930 and except for 1942 and 1946, it's been held ever since. This year there will be 32 countries participating and for the first time, Iceland will be participating in the event.

Here are some activities to learn about the country of Russia, football(called soccer in the United States) and the World Cup!

Using the map of Russia, learn about the geography of the country hosting the World Cup.

Use this map: Map of Russia

1. Look at the map of Russia and find the city which is closest to Lake Baika: ________________

2. Find the city of Sochi, the site of the 2014 Winter Olympic games. It is also one of the host cities for the World Cup. Near which body of water is the city?____________

3. Which sea is located to the north of Russia? _______________________Both the Volga River and the Don River flow into which landlocked sea?_____________

4.Which city is closer to the west: Saint Petersburg(one of the host cities for the World Cup) or Moscow?__________

Webquestions

1. The first World Cup was held in the South American country of_________________, in 1930. The 2010 World Cup was held for the first time in the African country of ___________. Has the United States hosted the World Cup? _____________ Where will the next World Cup be held in 2022?______________ Which countries have hosted the event more than once?__________ ______________ ______________ ______________ Thought questions: Why are some people concerned about the selection of the host country for 2022?__________________ Why wasn't there a World Cup from 1942-1950? _________________Find the answers at this link: topendsports.com

2.During the Middle Ages, pig bladders were inflated and used as "balls"! In which country did soccer possibly originate more than 2000 years ago?_____________The history of "modern soccer" is said to have begun in this country._______________In most of the world, soccer is known as "football". Before whistles were used, beginning in 1878, how did referees control the game?_______________It is estimated that a football player runs about __________ miles during a soccer game. Find the answers at this link: buzzle.com

3.Out of 24 world time zones, how many are found in Russia?_______How many countries touch the country of Russia?___________ Name the longest river in Europe which is found in Russia?______________What is the name of the deeper lake which is found in Russia?_____________The largest country in the world, Russia,is found on both the continents of Europe and the continent of Asia(also called the continent Eurasia). On which continental side is most of the population of Russia?__________ Find the answers at this link:fifa.com

4. Iceland, called the land of fire and ice, was settled by the Vikings around 850 AD. There are more than 170 geothermal pools in Iceland. What is a puffin? _____________Icelandic is similar to which other language? ___________There are about 200 volcanoes in Iceland with about how many still active?_________.Find the answers at this link:Kids-World-Travel-Guide.com

5. Both Denmark and Norway once controlled Iceland, with Iceland becoming a republic in 1944. What is the name of the island that was formed in 1964 by volcanic activity?_____________What is the largest volcano in Iceland?________________Over 90% of the energy used in Iceland is from this type of power________________Find the answers at this link:Kids-world-travel-guide.com

Go to this link: FIFA Official Siteto see the 32 countries participating in the 2010 World Cup.(Click on "Teams")

T or F

1. China is participating in the World Cup:______________

2. Australia is participating in the World Cup:__________ 

3. Canada is participating in the World Cup:__________

4. Mexico is participating in the World Cup:_________

5. Turkey is participating in the World Cup:__________

6. Russia is participating in the World Cup:________

Cool facts about soccer and the World Cup:

In 2003, Martinho Eduardo Orige, of Brazil broke a world record for juggling a soccer ball non-stop for 19 hours and 30 minutes.

During 1976-1992, South Africa was banned from participating in the World Cup in opposition to their policy of apartheid.

The first women's FIFA took place in 1991. Twelve countries participated with the USA winning against Norway in the final match.

The country of Brazil has won the most World Cups(5) with Italy having won (4).

In 1950, the soccer team from India withdrew from the competition because they weren't allowed to play the game barefoot.

The Bicycle Kick was first done successfully by Ramon Unzaga, Chile, in 1914. The move involves throwing your body into the air, moving the legs in a scissor motion, and kicking the ball backwards over the head.

Your Turn
1. Which of the 32 countries would you like to visit most? Why? Look up information about the country and write 5 interesting facts about this country.

2. Do you play football(soccer)?

3. What are two facts you know about football?(Soccer)

4. List two facts you know about the host country of Russia.

5. Can you name one fact about the country of Iceland, who will be participating in the Global Games for the very first time?

Activities:

Watch some penguins playing soccer:CBS NEWS

Learn about the country of Iceland:Iceland Fun Facts and Photographs

Use a World Map and locate the 32 countries participating in the 2018 Games:Online World Map with Countries

Possible Resources of Interest:

My Country in Focus series, highlights a country with a web quest, some fun facts and some extension activities. The first in the series is Iceland. It would be a great one day activity for before a vacation or for an enrichment activity.Iceland, Country in Focus(A Webquest)

Learn about the World Cup Host Country of Russia with this webquest,fun facts and extension activities:Russia:Russia, Country in Focus(A Webquest)

Everything Has A History, even Football(Soccer)! Mapskill, 9 webquestions,fun facts,comprehension questions and extension activities:Everything Has a History, Even Football(Soccer)! A Webquest

Going on School Vacation? Have an Awesome Break!

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

End of the Year Letter to Students. Do You Write One?

 

Do you write an end of the year letter to your students?
If, so, please share.
Here is the one I used with my 6th graders.

To my students:
The end of the school year has passed so very quickly. It seems like we were just beginning to learn about the world in which we live AND a bit about each other, and, now, it is time for me to say goodbye to you as you continue to progress in school.

I'd like to leave you with some thoughts which I find useful in my life: "Know the true value of time, snatch, seize, and enjoy every minute of it. No idleness, no laziness , no procrastination, never put off till tomorrow what you can do today."(Chesterfield).

"Life is NOT a Spectator Sport."(Dick's Sporting Goods) Use every day to the fullest. Read, try to make someone smile, help someone, say a kind word to someone, dream things you'd like to do and work to make them possible. And, at the end of the day, be able to say, "Yes, I used the day, well."  Remember...YOU make your own HISTORY!

One last quote and it's an important one. "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men(and women) to do nothing." (Burke) It's not always easy to break from the "crowd", but speak up for someone you feel is being mistreated, don't stay silent, for it may be YOU that hopes for someone to speak up for you one day.

I've tried to interest you about the world in which we live during our year together. Think about opening up a bank account for a trip to visit Egypt, China, France, etc., one day. Place a couple of dollars away each month so that one day, you will be able to experience an exciting trip.  And, if you should ever take such a trip, I'd love to get a postcard from you.

Life is an adventure...enjoy the ride. I wish you much happiness as you travel down life's highway and hope you have few bumps along the way, but, perhaps, some interesting detours.

All the best,
Mrs. Hennessey
(The teacher who loved the color purple)

Illustration from wpclipart.com