World Ocean Day is June 8th

 

World Ocean Day, 2022

The Theme is " Revitalisation: Collective Action for our Ocean".

What do you think this means?

Click here for the free worksheet:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/World-Oceans-Day-is-June-8th-Ocean-Fun-FactsInteractive-Notebook-Activity-3815482

Exploring the Ocean Blue: Fun Facts about the oceans of the Earth. Share some of these amazing facts with family and friends!

1. Coral has been used to repair bones in humans!

2. Blue Whales can weigh as much as 30 elephants and are as long as three Greyhound buses! Its heart is about the size of a Volkswagen! 

3. Basket Starfish has the most arms of any sea life... 80,000!

4. The highest wave ever recorded hit near Lituya Glacier in Alaska in 1958. It was 1740 ft. high!

5. Wondering how many marine species exist? According to World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), at least 212,906! 

6. Scientists say the jellyfish is older than the dinosaurs, dating back at least 650 million years ago!

7. Did you know that a dolphin sleeps with one eye open and with only half its brain.

8. The highest tides occur in the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia,Canada, reaching 53 ft. high!

9. The Ring of Fire located in the Pacific Ocean is the largest zone of active volcanoes on the sea floor. 75% of the world's volcanoes are here!

10. There are 25,000 islands in the Pacific Ocean!

11. On April 17, 2013, a bottle washed up on the shores of a beach in the country of Croatia. It had been thrown into the sea in Nova Scotia, Canada....4000 miles away! Scientists say it probably traveled 5x that in its 28 years at sea!

12. Great Britain(2013) is building the world's largest wave farm. It will power about 30,000 homes.

13. A fish thought be be extinct for 60 million years was caught alive by fisherman off the southern coast of Africa in 1938. Called a coelacanth, the fish has been around for 300 million years.

14. If you measure the tallest mountain from the sea floor up, Mt. Everest isn't the record holder.! The highest mountain would be Mauna Kea, in Hawaii. It is 33,474 ft from the ocean floor but only 13, 680 ft. above sea level.

15. Need light? An electric eels can make enough electricity to run about 10 light bulbs!

16. The longest mountain range on Earth is found in the Atlantic Ocean,from Antarctica to Iceland!

17. There is so much salt in the ocean that if all the salt was dried and collect, it would cover all the continents with 5 ft. of salt!

18. There is enough gold in the world's oceans for each person on the planet to have almost nine pounds of gold!

19. You can see the world's largest reef, the Great Barrier Reef,in Australia,(1616 miles long) from outer space!

20. The earth has an estimated 315,000 miles of coastlines...that's enough miles to go 12 times around the Equator! 

Your Turn:

1. Illustrate one of the factoids. Write a sentence explaining your drawing.

2. What are three reasons the oceans of the world are important to us?

3. Scientists say there are FIVE oceans covering our planet. The Southern Ocean has been added. It is also known as the Antarctic Ocean. Name ONE fact about each of the other 4 oceans.

4. Have you ever visited an ocean?____________ Pretend you are at the ocean. Write a paragraph describing what you see, hear, smell and feel.

5. Why do you think there is a World Ocean Day?

Teachers:
Additional Links of Interest:
http://www.worldoceansday.org

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/earth/oceans.html

https://www.kids-world-travel-guide.com/ocean-facts-for-kids.html

http://www.marine.usf.edu/pjocean/packets/f98/f98u1le1.pdf (lots of information including reasons why oceans are important)

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 Oceans 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

Using the News in the Classroom: Young Giraffe born without SPOTS!(August/2023)

 World Giraffe Day is June 21st

NOTE: Click here for the free download of this Interactive Notebook Activity: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Giraffe-Possible-Interactive-Notebook-Activity-2924530

The Giraffe

Possible Interactive Notebook Activity

by

Gail Skroback Hennessey

In the News: 8/2023

A baby giraffe was born at the Tennessee Zoo that is quite unusual. It has NO spots. The baby spotless giraffe was born tan with no patches at all. The zoo said that the unnamed baby giraffe may be the only living solid colored giraffe in the world. There is a vote where people can help select the calf's name. One of the four possibilities is Kipekee (Swahili for unique). 

Photograph from USAToday

In less than 30 years, the number of giraffe have drastically decreased by almost 40 percent. That makes giraffe in more danger of extinction than the elephant. In 2016, the conservation group, The International Union for Conservation of Nature, listed the giraffe on its Red List of species which are endangered.  Specifically, the giraffe has been moved from “least concern” to “vulnerable”.The main cause for their dwindling population is destruction of their habitat.  Additionally the group says that illegal hunting of giraffe and civil unrest in the areas where giraffes roam are also causes for their declining numbers.  Learn about the giraffe with this web quest!

Did you Know?

1. There are nine subspecies of giraffe.  One is stable, three are actually increasing in number and 5 have dwindling numbers.

2. Did you know that the okapi is the only close relative of the giraffe?

3. The tallest land animals, the giraffe’s legs are about six feet long!

4. Each giraffe’s spots are different. They are like a human fingerprint.

5. People once called the giraffe a “camel-leopard” because of its small hump and leopard spots. That is how it got its the species name of camelopardalis.

6. Hisses, grunts, snorts roars and even moos are some of the sounds made by a giraffe.

7. Giraffes sleep less than 30 minutes a day.

8. Did you know a giraffe can reach speeds of about 35 miles per hour(56 K)?

9. Giraffes don’t drink much water, just a few drinks every few days. In fact they drink less water than a camel! Drinking isn’t easy as their necks can’t reach the ground. A giraffe must spread its front legs when it wants to take a drink of water.

10. Although Giraffes can lie down, they tend to spend most of their lives standing.

11. Did you know that a giraffe can clean its ears with its tongue! That’s an amazing feat that humans can’t do!

12. Weighing up to 24 pounds, a giraffe’s heart is about 2 ft. long.

13. Did you know a giraffe’s tail can be up to 8 feet long? The tail of the giraffe is the longest of any land mammal.

14. You can tell the age of a giraffe from its spots. They get darker as a giraffe ages.

15. You can find giraffes living in the grasslands, woodlands and

savannas of Africa.

16. With bristly hair, the purple-bluish tongue of a giraffe is tough enabling

them to eat thorny Acadia trees(one of their favorite foods).

Your Turn:

1. Pretend you are a giraffe. Write a day in your life. What did you do? What did you see? What did you hear? Include 3 facts learned about the giraffe in your diary entry.
2. Illustrate one of the fun facts about the giraffe.
3. Use each letter of the word, GIRAFFE, and write a poem.
4. Write a persuasive paragraph and explain why you think that humans should try and save the giraffe from extinction.  Give 2 reasons in your persuasive paragraph. 

5.  Write a story on how a giraffe got its long neck, long tail or long legs. 

6. Read the myth, How Giraffes Got Long Necks. Write a summary of the story. http://myths.e2bn.org/mythsandlegends/userstory6430-how-giraffes-got-long-necks.html

Check out my webquest on the Giraffe(it includes these fun facts as well as extension activities and links for the teacher: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/All-About-the-Giraffe-A-Website-2924515

End of the Year Activities

End of Year Activities: Looking for something to use with your students during the last couple of weeks of school?

Suggestions:

1. History of Candy(Webquest): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Candy-History-of-Candy-WebquestEND-OF-YEAR-ACTIVITY-516787?st=c354c2714cfd10be7993b535242c1fe5

2. World Landmarks(Webquest): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/World-Landmarks-WebquestEND-OF-YEAR-ACTIVITY-1516428?st=4465c5d9b4c9a17cfa73cd3c9466774a

3. US Landmarks(Webquest: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/US-LANDMARKS-A-WebquestEND-OF-YEAR-ACTIVITY-1425419?st=3af63008876f619a3c14df01ddaf82b5

4. Mt. Everest (Webquest):https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mt-Everest-Trekking-up-Mt-Everest-Webquest-ActivitiesEND-OF-YEAR-ACTIVITY-649400?st=93918d2e8b7c54a425534f52270fb50d

5. Sir Edmund Hillary(Reader's Theater Script): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sir-Edmund-HillaryReading-PassageActivitiesEND-OF-YEAR-ACTIVITY-7873784?st=355af22fe67ea9322732a3f9ffa232d5

6. History of Soccer(Football): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/History-of-FootballSoccer-Everything-Has-a-HistoryEND-OF-YEAR-ACTIVITY-4269107?st=3a85131796f87464938d252d31be28a0

7. Explore the Arctic(Webquest): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Arctic-Learn-about-the-ArcticWebquest-END-OF-YEAR-ACTIVITY-2889672?st=770d65a470a61a290c40d91014842be0

8. Explore Antarctica(Webquest): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Antarctica-A-WebquestEND-OF-YEAR-ACTIVITY-2389374?st=413ddfd31672899926c3692c85fa1410

9. Jules Verne(A Reader's Theater Script):https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Jules-VerneA-Readers-Theater-ScriptEND-OF-YEAR-ACTIVITY-7808900?st=0d65cffbceda3306194ce7eeca9a7bd0

10. Mummies of the World(Webquest):https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/MUMMIES-A-WebquestExtension-Activities-1915946?st=09047d34eade1d717aa89b77c411dafb

11. King Tut(To Tell the Truth Play): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/King-Tut-Wrapping-with-a-Mummy-Biographical-PlayTo-Tell-the-Truth-Play-338665?st=41d8920e8577ff3bd1b4b8e83e566d07

12. Presidents:(A Webquest):https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Presidents-A-Presidential-Webquest-338700?st=5c51066b1bd413acc5fd01760c944ff6

I also have a number of reading passages and activities on world landmarks including the Great Wall of China, Ayes Rock(Uluru), Eiffel Tower, Taj Mahal. I also have web questson different countries and a mini unit on Economics(being Wise Consumers!) which I did the last week of school. I also have lots of different "Everything Has a History topics including Peanuts, chewing gum, pretzels, shoes and more...

Have a wonderful end of the school year and a relaxing summer.

I will be updating my website(http://www.gailhennessey.com ) and my blog throughout the summer. Stop by....

Endangered Species Day is May 20th, 2022

 

Click here for free downloadable version: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Endangered-Species-a-FREEBIE-Handout-5554899

In 2022, Endangered Species Day is May 20th. Held the 3rd Friday in May, it is a day for creating awareness to the different creatures of the planet whose population is dwindling. It is a day to encourage people to work to save these creatures from going extinct.

Some creatures on the endangered species list include:

Blue Whale, Lemur, Javan Rhino, Mountain Gorilla, Black Rhino, Loggerhead Sea Turtle, Siberian Tiger, Komodo Dragon, Golden Lion Tamarin and the Northern Bald Ibis.

1. What are two reasons for species declining on our planet?

2. If you could save two of the creatures on the endangered species list from extinction, which two would you select? WHY?

3. What might be some factors people might use to determine which creatures to save? For example, why might people in the USA want to protect the Bald Eagle? Why might some people want to protect the mountain gorilla over the Santa Catalina Island Rattlesnake? Other creatures such as the giraffe and elephant(ie:Sumatran Elephant) are on the endangered list. Why might some people select one creature to save over another?

4. Extinct is forever. Some creatures that no longer exist on the planet include the Passenger Pigeon, DoDo bird, Tasmanian tiger, Pinta Island tortoise(the last one,Lonesome George, died in 2015)and the Caribbean Monk Seal. You may find this link of interest: https://www.rd.com/culture/animals-extinct-last-100-years/ Research an extinct creature and draw a picture, including 4 facts learned. Include what caused their extinction.

5. Watch a short video on 10 animals that MAY go extinct in the next few years: https://www.thoughtco.com/recently-extinct-animals-1092157 Write a paragraph on one of the animals.

6. This Endangered Species Coloring Book has lots of information on the topic: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2013-08/documents/cbook.pdf Write 4 facts learned from the text of information.

7. Lots of information for kids on Endangered and extinct species. https://www.activewild.com/endangered-animals-facts-for-kids/

8. Many butterflies are on the endangered list: This website has some of the most endangered butterflies: https://butterflywebsite.com/endangered-butterflies.cfm
In the USA, more than 20 butterflies and moths are endangered. https://www.saveourmonarchs.org/blog/10-endangered-butterflies   What do you think is the main cause of the dwindling population of butterflies?  The famed Monarch Butterfly (2019) may soon be added to the endangered species list.(2019) https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/decision-on-monarch-butterfly-endangered-species-protection-extended-2019-05-24/

9. The Endangered Species Act(1973) helped some creatures' populations increase including the California Condor and Bald Eagle. There are about 1600 creatures in the USA currently protected by this act which was signed by President Richard Nixon.  Donald Trump(2019) plans to change the Endangered Species Act, lessening regulations.  Why do you think Donald Trump wants to do this? Who do you think is helped if there are less regulations to protect species?

Did You Know?

1. Did you know that 50% of the endangered species of the Earth live in the rainforest, esp. the Amazon Rain forest, the world largest?

2. The Vaquita is the most endangered porpoise in the world. It is believed that less than 20 are still alive. Its name means “little cow” in Spanish.

3. Thanks to conservation efforts, the panda is no longer on the endangered list(2016).

4. Did you know that the polar bear is on the endangered list? One of the main reasons is the warming temperatures has caused a decrease in the sea ice. Polar bears use sea ice to hunt one of their favorite foods, the seal.

5. The continent of Asia has the most endangered species.

6. The IUCN Red List compiles a list of endangered species. There are  16,306 endangered species as of 2019. Source: https://www.endangeredearth.com/threatened-by-country/

7. Many butterflies are on the endangered list: This website has some of the most endangered butterflies: https://butterflywebsite.com/endangered-butterflies.cfm

In the USA, more than 20 butterflies and moths are endangered. https://www.saveourmonarchs.org/blog/10-endangered-butterflies   What do you think is the main cause for the decreasing population of butterflies?  The famed Monarch Butterfly (2019) may soon be added to the endangered species list.(2019) https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/decision-on-monarch-butterfly-endangered-species-protection-extended-2019-05-24/ List 4 facts about the monarch butterfly.Draw a picture of a monarch butterfly.

8. The Endangered Species Act(1973) helped some creatures' populations increase including the California Condor and Bald Eagle. There are about 1600 creatures in the USA currently protected by this act which was signed by President Richard Nixon. Pres. Donald Trump(2019) plans to change the Endangered Species Act, lessening regulations.  Why do you think Donald Trump wants to do this? Who do you think is helped if there are less regulations to protect species?

This is a great way to remember the causes for the decreasing populations of creatures on our planet:

The mnemonic HIPPO represents the five major causes of declining wildlife biodiversity:

    H - Habitat Loss

    I - Invasive Species

    P - Pollution and Pesticides

    P - Population Growth (human) and the Pet Trade

    O - Over-hunting and Over-collecting

From: https://www.worldanimalfoundation.com/wild-earth/endangered-species/

Links:

A. What can YOU do to help endangered species? https://www.endangered.org/15-ways-to-help-protect-endangered-species/

B. https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/endangered-species/

C. https://www.iucnredlist.org

D. https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/most-endangered-species-on-earth.php

Check out these resources on Endangered Species:

1. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Rhinosaurus-Rotund-Rhinos-A-Webquest-698938
2. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Polar-Bears-A-Webquest-604797
3. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/ElephantsOn-SafariA-Webquest-610125
4. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Leopards-Leaping-Leopard-Webquest-848064
5. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Giraffe-Learn-all-about-Giraffes-Internet-Activity-2924515

Friday the 13th is Coming!

May 13th falls on a FRIDAY.

Friday the 13th!

Some people fear high places, other people fear closed places, and some people fear germs. There are many different things which bring out fear in people. For me, it's snakes! Some people don't like the number 13 thinking it is a very unlucky number. Others specifically fear Friday the 13th. The fear of the number thirteen has a special name. It's called triskaidekaphobia. Fear of Friday the 13th is called paraskavedekatriaphobia.(Yikes-try pronouncing both words!) Did you know that many hotels don't have a 13th floor?(Well, actually there IS a 13th floor but it isn't named 13th). Some airplanes don't have a row named 13 and many hospitals don't have a room 13. There WAS an Apollo 13, a space mission that blasted into space on April 11, 1970.(It was launched at 13:13!) On April 13(not a Friday), there was an explosion. Fortunately, the crew was able to come home safely. In many Spanish-speaking countries, Tuesday the 13th (martes trece)and not Friday the 13th, is considered a day of bad luck. 

Do something today to make Friday the 13th an awesome day! Make it a positive day!

Some Superstitions!

Do you pick up a penny for good luck? Another penny superstition is if you find a penny HEADS up, make a wish!

If you have an eyelash on your face, make a wish and blow it away!

Some people like to knock on wood to make sure something bad doesn’t happen after they say something. For example, “I never get a cold.” 

A superstition says you must leave a building by the same door you entered or you will have bad luck.

A superstition says that catching a falling leave in the fall brings good health for you throughout the winter months!

On your birthday, do you try and blow out all the candles in one breath? Superstition says if you do, your wish made will come true.

A superstition says that if you see a spider on Halloween, it means a loved one’s spirit is protecting you.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt refused to travel on the 13th of the month. He also would not sit at a table with only 13 people.

Black cats are thought to bring bad luck in the USA but it is a WHITE cat that is thought be bring bad luck in Great Britain.

Your Turn:

* Illustrate a superstition.

* What is something you can do as an act of kindness for someone else on Friday the 13th?