Native American Heritage Month is November

 

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Native American Heritage Month

Click here for the free downloadable version: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Native-Americans-Heritage-Month-Freebie-7410848

November 2023

Gail Skroback Hennessey

New York was the first state to set aside a day to honor the contributions of Native Americans. Called American Indian Day, it was established in 1916. President George W. Bush approved National American Indian Heritage Month in 1990.

Did You Know?

Native Americans shared their cure for Scurvy, a disease caused by the lack of Vitamin C.  They made a tea from evergreen branches and gave it to French Explorer, Jacques Cartier and his men(1536).

Did you know that Native Americans shared with the Pilgrims the idea of using dead fish when planting corn? It was a natural fertilizer.

At the first Thanksgiving, in 1621, the Wampanoag people shared foods such as squash, corn, maple syrup, cranberries, pumpkins and turkey, with the Pilgrims.

Have you placed the game of lacrosse? It was first played by the Native American. Interestingly, it wasn’t a “game” but a way to settle arguments. The French explorers first saw the game and named it.

The Native Americans played a game called “shinny”. The French called it hockey!

Native Americans shared toboggans and whirligigs(spinning tops) with the colonists.

Some ideas in the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, came from the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. The Great Law of Peace included ideas such as people have rights and limited the power of government over people.

Moccasins and the Parka(hooded jackets with feathers still attached to skins) were shared with colonists.

Native Americans were believers in conservation. They only took what they needed from the Earth.

During World War 2, secret messages were sent by both sides. Each side tried to crack the other’s code. The U.S.Army came up with a code that was never broken. It used the Navajo Indian language!

Activities:
1. Some words in English from Native Americans:

manatee, opossum, parka, raccoon, skunk, squash, succotash, woodchuck, moccasin, chipmunk 

Write a short story using all these words.

2. http://www.apples4theteacher.com/native-american/short-stories/ Read a Native American short story, illustrate the story and write and summary.

3. Look at the Navajo Code Alphabet:  https://jmcrempsblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/screen-shot-2014-09-25-at-11-13-07-am.png

Write a message and have another person try and  decode it.

4. LOTS of Famous Native Americans: Research one of the following people, draw a picture of that person and write 5 facts learned about them on your drawing. Here are just a few possible people to highlight.

Sacagawea, Sequoyah, Jim Thorpe, Squanto, Sitting Bull, Pocahontas, Chief Joseph, Tecumseh, White Cloud, Geronimo, Crazy Horse, Maria Tallchief, Wilma Mankiller, Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte,

More links of interest:

https://www.legacy.com/news/culture-and-history/famous-native-americans/

https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/history/topic/native-americans

Resources of Interest:

1. Learn about Sacagawea with this Reader's Theater Script. Sacagawea is a guest on a talk show and the studio audience asks questions about her life and contributions to the Lewis and Clark Expedition. There are 10 questioners, a Did You Know? fun fact section, comprehension questions, a teacher page with extension activities, the key and additional links. Part of my Ms. Bie Ografee Talk Show Series. Sacagawea, A Reader's Theater Script                                                                                                                                         2. Learn about Sequoyah, the only person in history to "invent a written language"! Part of my Ms. Bie Ografee's Talk Show Series. A studio audience ask questions of Sequoia. Sequoyah, the Man that Invented a Writing System: A Reader's Theater Script.                                                                                                            3. Native Americans: A Webquest: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Native-AmericansA-WebquestExtension-Activities-2121792?st=2957771651d42c1f0e3fcb3ba8121b92

Illustrations from Pixabay and WpClipart

Are you Ready for King Tut Day? November 4th

 

November 4, 1922, the day Howard Carter uncovered the tomb of Tutankhamen!

NOTE: FREE DOWNLOAD OF THIS INFORMATION: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/King-TuT-Day-November-4th-FREEBIE-2184199

Interesting facts:

1. Lord Carnarvon was bitten by a mosquito, while in Egypt and died days later. It is said that the lights in Cairo, Egypt, went out when Carnarvon died. Also, back in London, his dog is said to have started to howl and, died.  When King Tut's mummy was unwrapped, a mark was found in the same location as the mosquito bit on Lord Carnarvon. It was around this time that the idea of a curse on those that went inside the tomb began to gain in popularity!

2. One of the discoveries in the tomb, in addition to golden statues and a golden throne, jewels and chariots, was a box of UNDERWEAR for King Tut to use in the afterlife.

3. Licorice was also found in King Tut's tomb.

4. Each of King Tut's toes were individually wrapped in gold!

5. Watermelon seeds were found in King Tut's tomb. 

6. With the discovery of the tomb, all things Egyptian became very popular. Women began to wear dresses with Egyptian patterns. Songs about King Tut were written,dances created and beauty products were advertised with Egyptian themes.  This popularity in all things  ancient Egyptian was  called "Tutmania".

7. Twenty-two pounds of gold were used to make the gold mask of King Tut.

Questions:

A number of people that went into the tomb died under unusual circumstances. However, the person that discovered the tomb,Howard Carter, lived a long life. So, if there was a curse(as stated on the entrance of Tut's tomb), it didn't harm Carter. WHAT might explain why some people may have died from being in the tomb, opened for the first time in centuries?

When Howard Carter discovered the tomb, he waited weeks for Lord Carnarvon to travel by ship to be there for the opening of the tomb. He had guards stand watch at the entrance of the tomb. He did NOT go inside. He felt that since Lord Carnarvon had funded the expedition, he should be there for the "opening". Could you have waited?

Extras:

Read my article, "Mummies Share Their Secrets" at Science News for Students: https://student.societyforscience.org/article/mummies-share-their-secrets

You may wish to check  out You Tube for a song done by comedian Steve Martin, "King Tut".(Review it first as there is one word which may not be appropriate). You could just share the lyrics and skip over the word.)

Information on King Tut at this link: https://kingtutone.com/tutankhamun/ Coloring sheets of King Tut: https://coloringhome.com/king-tut-coloring-pages

Check my Resource on King Tut, A Reader's Theater Script with LOTS of information on King Tut, mummy making and the discovery of his tomb: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/King-Tut-Wrapping-with-a-Mummy-Biographical-PlayTo-Tell-the-Truth-Play-338665

It's Halloween Time....Great Time to Learn about Mummies!

 

With Halloween around the corner, you may find these MUMMY FACTS of interest to share with your kids.

Click here for the FREE downloadable version: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Amazing-Mummy-Facts-Possible-Interactive-Notebook-Activity-906580?st=da1a4030726edd5f4d25118960d8d00d

1. Mummies of pharaoh (kings) had onions place in the eye sockets for eyes.

Many mummies, male and female, were buried with extra hair wigs for the afterlife.

2.Mummies of pharaoh (kings) had onions place in the eye sockets for eyes.

Some mummies were wrapped in 20 layers of linen.

3.The oldest mummies are not Egyptian. Found in what is now Chile and Peru, the Chinchorro mummies date to 5000 BC.(Egyptians date back to 2500 BC)

4.The Takla Makan Mummies are 3000 year old mummies found in China. Interestingly, their features are NOT Chinese!

5. Egyptians didn’t just mummify people. Mummified gerbils, birds, cats, dogs, fish, snakes, baboons, crocodile, hippo and even a lion have been found!

6. During the 70 day mummification process, ancient Egyptians removed the brain through the nostrils using a hook shaped instrument. Believing it had no value, the brain was thrown away.

7. The center of intelligence and caring, the ancient Egyptians kept the heart, wrapping it and replacing it back into the mummy.Other organs were placed in special containers called canopic jars.

8. Believing mummies had healing powers, for almost 500 years, mummies were ground up and used to treat stomach aches and other ailments.Yuck! 

9. During Victorian times, mummies being unwrapped after dinner was popular entertainment for the guests!

10. Believing you could take possessions into the next life, King Tut was found with licorice root, watermelon seeds as well as chariots, games, weapons and furniture and a change of underwear. 

11.One mummy actually has a passport! When Ramses 11 went from Egypt to France, a passport was issued! 

             

Extension Activities:

1. If you were a mummy, what are 5 things you’d pack away for the afterlife. Why would you place these items in your tomb?

2. Draw/color a mummy coffin. Write 5 facts learned about mummies on your drawing in complete sentence form.

3. Write a day in the life of a mummy on display in a museum. What do you hear? See? Smell? Feel?

4. Do you think mummies should be on display in a museum or be left in their tomb? Write a persuasive paragraph on your position. Include at least 2 reasons for your position.

Yuck!

(2018) An Egyptian burial chamber
with a large sarcophagus was
recently found in Egypt. Inside
the sarcophagus were the re-
mains of several skeletons. The
remains are in a pool of liquid.
A group of people actually signed
a petition to be allowed to drink the red liquid! Yes, you read correctly. For some reason, the 2000 year old liquid is believed to have magical powers. Scientists disagree. It is believed that sewer leakage got inside the black sarcophagus and that those wanting to drink the the liquid mixed with carbonated water(sarcophagus soda) are foolish.

Your Turn

1. What do you think of this news story?

2. Would you believe over 10,000 people wanted to get the antiquities ministry to allow them to drink the liquid? Saying the "juices are not an elixir for life", but sewage water, the request was denied.  Do you think that the minister did the correct thing to say NO to the petition? Why, Why not?

3. Has anyone ever asked you to do something foolish? Did you feel pres- sured to do it?

4. Why was this such a foolish thing to want to do?

Photograph from: www.rt.com

Check out this resource on ALL Things Mummy. Mummies aren't just found in ancient Egyptian culture. Mummies have been found all over the world! In fact, the oldest man-made mummies are found in the country of Chile! Mummies can be naturally created or man-made. This web quest includes the different types of mummies and has 12 web questions including information on Bog Mummies such as Tollund Man, the Inca Mummies, the Taklamakan Desert Mummies of China, Otzi, the frozen mummy, the Chinchorro Mummies of Chile, the Egyptian mummies... and more. There are comprehension questions, a Did You Know? section, a teacher section with extension activities, additional links and the key. Great for a Friday activity, at Halloween time, or if you are studying ancient Egypt.https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/MUMMIES-A-WebquestExtension-Activities-1915946

Also, check out this Reader's Theater Script on probably the most famous of all mummies, King Tut!  

Learn lots of fun facts about mummies and specifically the discovery of King Tut's tomb with this play based on the To Tell the Truth Game Show Format. To Tell the Truth was a popular television show which has returned with host Anthony Anderson(of Blackish). Three guests all claim to be the real guest being interviewed by a panel. The real guest must tell the truth where the other imposters do not have to do so. Kids must be "truth detectives" to determine just who is the REAL King Tut. Directions and a suggested YouTube Clip to show the idea of the game, comprehension questions, discussion questions and extension activities(and resources) are included. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/King-Tut-Wrapping-with-a-Mummy-Biographical-PlayTo-Tell-the-Truth-Play-338665

Illustrations: Pixabay and WpClipart

What do you know about PUMPKINS?

   

Learn about Pumpkins! 

Possible Interactive Notebook Activity

Click here for free downloadable version: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/FreeDownload/PUMPKIN-FACTS-1482068

1. Pumpkins are thought to have originated in Central America, specifically Mexico. Some seeds found date back to 5500 B.C.

2. Top pumpkin growers are U.S. farmers, growing more than 1.5 billion each year.

3. The word pumpkin comes from the French word for “large melon”,

pompon. The English used “pumpion” and colonists used “pumpkin”.

4. The World’s Largest Pumpkin Pie was made in New Bremen, Ohio, in 2010. 1,212 lbs of canned pumpkin, 109 gallons of evaporated milk, 525
pounds of sugar, 14.5 pounds of cinnamon, 7 pounds of salt and 2796 eggs were used. It weighed 3699 pounds.

5. Did you know that pumpkins are 90 percent water?

6. Some people used to believe that pumpkins could cure snake bites and help remove freckles!

7. In addition to orange, pumpkins can be green, yellow, tan, white,red and blue.

8. The “Pumpkin Capital of the World” and home to Libby’s Pumpkins is Morton, Illinois.

9. The fibrous strands of string and seeds are called the “brains” of the pumpkin.

10. Carving pumpkins originated in Ireland using potatoes,rutabagas and turnips. Irish immigrants to America started using pumpkins as they were easier to carve and hollow! What is ONE fact you know about the country of Ireland?_______________________

11. Part of the squash and cucumber family(cucurbita), pumpkins are actually considered fruit! Did you think the pumpkin was a fruit or vegetable?__________________________

12. Ohio, Illinois, California and Pennsylvania are the top pumpkin-growing states. Name a fact about TWO of these states._____________________________________

13. In 2013, Keene, NH, kept the record for the most lit pumpkins! 30,581. It holds the record in 2016, too.

14. 2023: A man in Minnesota has squashed the previous WORLD record for the biggest pumpkin ever grown. In 2021, a man in Italy grew a pumpkin that tipped the scale at 2703 pounds. Last week, a man in Minnesota, drove his giant pumpkin to the World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off, located in Half Moon Bay, CA. His pumpkin weighed in at a whopping 2749 pounds! Travis Gienger, a horticultural teacher, called his pumpkin, which he grew in his backyard, Michael Jordan! Gienger said it cost about $15,000 to care and feed his pumpkin.  

15. A pumpkin grown in the country of (2021) Italy tipped the scale at a whopping 2702. Previously, the record was 2623.5 pounds and was grown in the country of Belgium! This record still holds in the fall of 2022.What is ONE fact you know about the country of Belgium? Italy? If you don't know any, look one up to share._____________________

Pumpkin growers say that a 3000 pound pumpkin is possible in the near future!  It wasn't that many years ago that a 1000 pound pumpkin, now a light weight, would have been news worthy. The problem with growing such jumbos is that gravity often causes them to get smushed and then they can't qualify for judging.

A. Do YOU carve a pumpkin during this time of year?  If, so, what type of face do you create?
B. Do you prefer carving or painting a pumpkin?
C. What is your favorite type of pie?

Activities:
1. Illustrate a picture of one of the facts learned.
2. Write a poem about a pumpkin.Pretend you are a pumpkin and write about your day in the pumpkin patch, on a porch or waiting to be purchased at a farmer’s stand.
3.Discuss syllables. Find 7 words that have 4 or more syllables.
4. Can you spot 7 ACTION VERBS in the Pumpkin Facts?
5. Write an acrostic poem using each letter in the word, PUMPKINS.

* Try my webquest on Pumpkins: 10 web questions with several comprehension questions(lots of extension activities).
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Pumpkin-Fun-Fun-and-Informative-Webquest-359886                  

Photograph from http://firstwefeast.com

Illustration from wpclipart.com

Friday, the 13th (2023)

October 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?

Leif Ericsson Day is October 9th. What do you Know about the Vikings?

 

October 9, 2023, is Leif Eriksson Day. Eriksson, a Viking (Norse) and son of Erik the Red, was born around 970 AD, in Iceland. It is believed that Eriksson (also spelled Ericson, Erikson) sailed to North America (area of Canada) around the year 1000 and named the area Vinland. Although some say the name was for the wild grapes found growing in the area, others say the name means “land of meadows”.He eventually left and returned to Greenland and never sailed back to North America again. Erikson is recognized by many as being the first European to reach North America, almost 400 years before Columbus arrived in 1492. 

In Newfoundland, Canada, a camp discovered in the 1960s, supported the fact that Vikings reached the area around the 11th century. The archaeological site is called L’Anse aux Meadows. Learn more here: https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/nl/meadows

The first U.S. president to sign a proclamation declaring Leif Erikson Day (October 9th) was Franklin D. Roosevelt. The year was 1935. Since President Lyndon B. Johnson, 1964, Leif Eriksson Day, has been given yearly recognition by U.S. presidents. The day is an opportunity to share the contributions of Americans of Nordic heritage.

NOTE:

Bjarni Herjulfsson, an Icelandic seatrader, is also believed to have spotted the continent of North America about 14 years earlier than Leif Ericsson. He sailed on and didn’t explore the area of land so that’s why the day isn’t called Bjarni Jerjulfsson Day!

To date, Canada has yet to recognize Leif Erikson Day.

Click here for free downloadable version: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Viking-FUN-FACTS-Leif-Eriksson-Day-is-October-9th-4110818

Leif Erikkson Day is October 9th. 

What do YOU know about the Vikings?

Did You Know? 

1. Those horned helmets, you often see with Vikings did not really exist. There weren’t any horns on their helmets. 

2. In addition to a statue to Leif Ericksson in the countries of Norway and Iceland, there are statues of Leif Ericsson in several cities in the United States: Minnesota, Boston, Cleveland and Seattle. 

3. Vikings had “fire-starters”. They mixed urine(sodium nitrate is found in urine) with a fungus called touchwood which was found on tree bark. The felt-like cloth would smolder for days so Vikings could take their “firestarter” with them! 

4. Some Vikings invaded other groups of people, frightening them by wearing wolf and bear skins. The word berserk comes from Berserkers, these particular Vikings. 

5. The first President to give Leif Eriksson credit for being the first European to discover America was Calvin Coolidge. He gave a speech where he made the statement. 

6. Leif Eriksson was honored with a U.S. Postage Stamp, in 1968. 

7. The word “law” comes from the Norse language. It is estimated that 20% of words in English come from the Norse language.

8. In a time when most people didn’t bath on a regular basis, the Vikings had razors, tweezers and archeologists have even found ear cleaners left behind from Norsemen. 

9. Vikings named three of the days of the week, still used today. Vikings worshipped  many gods. On Wednesday, they honored ,Odin, god of war(chief god). This became Wodensday(Wednesday). Thursday honored, Thor, god of thunder, and was called Thorsday(Thursday). Friday, was the day to honor their female goddess, Freya, goddess of love. Freyasday became Friday. 

10. Viking last names(called your surname  was based on the Patronymic naming system. This system is used today in the country of Iceland, home to the early Vikings. Leif, as Erik’s son, got the last name of Eriksson(son of Erik). A daughter of Erik, would have been named Erikdottir. (daughter of Erik).Thus, the last names in a family are different. 

ACTIVITIES:

1. The Vikings used a writing system called Runes. Try writing a message using the Old Norse writing system. https://www.teachingideas.co.uk/vikings/the-viking-alphabet and http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ancient/write-your-name-in-runes.html

2 . Icelandic sagas, (stories), told of the Vikings times. Read a story from the Vikings: https://norse-mythology.org/tales/why-odin-is-one-eyed/
How Odin lost his Eye and http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=brown&book=giants&story=house In the Giant’s House. 

3. Draw a Viking ship. Write a day in the life of a Viking. What did you do? See? on your voyage. https://www.dkfindout.com/us/history/vikings/

4. Another possible writing activity. The Viking myths(stories) told of a giant mean wolf named Fenrir. Write a story about the wolf. Draw a picture of Fenrir. https://norse-mythology.org/gods-and-creatures/giants/fenrir/

5. Have students write a paragraph  using 10 words which come from the Norse language: https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/139-norse-words

6. More about the Vikings: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/z939mp3/articles/zvqnnrd

7. Learn more about the Vikings! https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/visit-viking-settlement-sites-180965257/

Check out this Resource on the Vikings:

Part of my Ms. Bie Ografee Talk Show Series of plays, Leif Ericsson and his father, Eric the Red are guests on Ms. Bie Ografee's Talk Show. They share information about their lives and the Vikings. There is a Did You Know? section of fun facts, reading comprehension questions and a teacher section with lots of extension activities, links and the key.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Vikings-Leif-Erikkson-and-Eric-the-RedReaders-Theater-Script-3382114

• Note: There are different spellings for Leif Ericsson’ name.

Free Illustration from wpclipart and pixabay