Ben Franklin’s birthday is January 17, 1706. He had lots of sayings on how to live one’s life. For example,” If a man empties his purse into his head, no man can take it away from him.” He also said, “ An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.” Learn about this famous “founding father” of our country with this webquest!

Webquest:

1. Ben Franklin was a inventor, scientist,writer,statesman and librarian. Believing we could save fuel by using natural light of the sun, Ben first suggested an idea we use today. _______________________Find the answer at:

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/inventors/page/f/franklin.shtml

2. Ben Franklin is the only founding father to sign all four important documents in American History. Name the four documents:______________, _____________, _________________ and _____________An inventor of such things as bifocals and the lightning rod, why didn’t Franklin get a patent for any of his ideas?__________________________Find the answers at this link: http://www.libertyskids.com/arch_who_bfranklin.html

3. Often called the “ First American”, Ben Franklin became a printer, inventor, writer and eventually became ambassador to which country during the Revolutionary War?____________What musical instrument did Franklin invent?___________________ Franklin also started the first________________ and first___________________ in Philadelphia. Find the answers at this link: http://www.ducksters.com/biography/ben_franklin.php

Fun Facts about Ben Franklin

1. While swimming, young Ben used a kite to pull him along the water!

2. Young Ben used some money his parents gave him and went to the store to make a purchase.  He noticed a  young boy blowing a whistle and  asked if  he could buy it.  When he got home, his family laughed that he spent much more than he should have done. Later in life when Ben saw people overpaying for things, he said, “They  give too much for their whistles.”

3. As a young man, Ben  became a vegetarian and lived on potatoes, raisins and bread. With the extra savings and time, Ben purchased books and said he had more time to read.

Test your Knowledge on Ben Franklin: 

1. Ben Franklin is found on which US currency?

A. One dollar bill

B. Ten dollar bill

C.  Hundred dollar bill 

2. In addition to inventing bifocals, a device to reach for items using a  long wooden pole with a grasping claw at the end and an odometer, Franklin invented:

A. electricity

B. lightning rod

C. electronic calculator

3. Ben started the first volunteer fire department , the first free hospital and the

A: first public library in Philadelphia 

B. first pizza restaurant in Philadelphia

C. first public school in Philadelphia

Extension Activities:

• Illustrate a quote of Ben Franklin: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/b/benjamin_franklin.html 

• Have one student be Ben Franklin and another be the interviewer. Have students give a short news interview for the class by asking and answering 3 questions.

• If you could go back in time and meet Ben Franklin. What would be a question you would ask of him?  Explain why this question would be something you’d like to have Franklin answer.

* Discuss character traits such as honesty, helpfulness, trustworthy, etc. Ask the students to find 3 character traits about Ben Franklin. Find evidence from the activity to support the traits given to Franklin.  Have students make a list of 3 character traits they feel they have and why they selected the traits.

Check out the complete resource(9 web questions,more fun facts and additional extension activities): http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Benjamin-FranklinA-WebquestExtension-Activities-1645550

Gail

Snow Factoids: Possible Interactive Notebook Activity

SNOW FACTOIDS!

Get the free downloadable version at this link:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Snow-Factoids-An-Interactive-Notebook-ActivityFREEBIE-2259165

Snow Facts

by 

Gail Skroback Hennessey

Fun/Informative Interactive Notebook Activity!

1. One inch of water is about six inches of wet snow or 12 inches  of fluffy snow.

2. The world's largest snowflake was 15 inches wide and 8 inches thick. It fell in Fort Keogh, Montana, on January 28,1887.

3. Snow can be colors other than white, including blue, orange, green, yellow, and purple.  Actually, snowflakes are clear.

4. Air pollution caused orange snow to fall over an area of Siberia, Russia, in 2007.

5. Mount Baker,in the North Cascades, of  Washington State, holds the record for the most snowfall. 1140 inches fell during 1998-1999.

6. The record for the most snow in one storm, within 24 hours, was in Silver Lake, Colorado. Back in 1921, Silver Lake received  76 inches of snow.

7. Heilongjiang Province, China,holds the record for the world's largest snow sculpture. In 2007, a snow sculpture 656 ft. long and 116 ft. tall was made.

8. Snow flakes have SIX sides.

9. On average, a snowflake falls to earth at 3.1 mph.

10. One snowflake contains about 10 quintillion water molecules(that's the number 10 with 10 zeroes).

11. Did you know that Valdez, Alaska, averages 326 inches of snow a year? That makes it the snowiest state.

12. Wilson A. Bentley studied snowflakes for much of his life and is probably the most famous snowflake researcher. He was nicknamed "Snowflake Bentley. 

13.According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the world record for the most snowmen built in one hour is 2,036. The record set, on February 28, 2015, involved 1406 people. 

14. If you have  "chionophobia", you have a fear of snow.

15. Bethel, Maine, has the record for the largest snowman ever built. A 122 ft. snow-woman was built in 2008.

Extension Activities:

1. Illustrate one of the factoids.

2. Pretend you are a snowflake. Tell about a day in your life. What did you do? What did you see? Feel? Etc.

3. Do a paper cutting of a snowflake. Write a poem using each of the letters of the word snowflake.

4. Locate 10 NOUNS and 10 VERBS in the factoid statements.

5. Pronouns are NOUN substitutes. Can you spot 7 PRONOUNS  in the Factoid statements?

Check out this resource: 

If you live where there is snow, you have probably built a snowman. The snowman has been around for quite a while. In fact, the earliest drawing of a snowman was found in a book dating back to 1380! The book,"Book of Hours" was found in a library in the country of the Netherlands. This resource has four snowmen reading passages:

1. Famous sculptor, Michelangelo, was hired to make a snowman for a wealthy person in Florence, Italy.

2. A snow man is used each April,to help predict the weather during a festival in the country of Switzerland.

3. One of the earliest written comments about snowmen dates back to 1690. Two snowman were left to guard Fort Schenectady, in New York, during a blizzard with very tragic consequences!

4. The world's record for the largest snowman, Olympia, was constructed in 2008. 13 million pounds of snow were used to make the amazing snow-woman! As of 2015, the record still stands.

Each short reading passage includes following directions to identify answers. There are also several extension activities and a Did you Know? section.

Snow Reading Passages/Extension Activities: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/SNOWMEN-Four-Reading-Passages-2252375

Note: Illustration from Wpclipart.com

HAPPY DIWALI, 2015!

This year , 2016, Diwali, or Deepavali, begins on October 30th and lasts for 5 days.

Deepavali means "festival of lights”. It's a happy time of year and is the biggest holiday in the country of India.  Practiced mainly by people of the Hindu faith, many other people enjoy taking part in the festive holiday season,too. During the holiday, people pray, give gifts and light lamps(Dipa lamps). Special sweet treats including Laddus(sweet wheat balls with nuts and fruits inside) and Karanjis (flour fried dumplings with coconut and sugar) are eaten. Families and friends get together and fireworks are set off to help welcome the new year.

Fun Facts:

Diwali celebrates the end of the harvest season.

President Barack Obama was the first US president to participate in a Deepavali celebration in the White House, in 2009.

“Shubh Deepavali” means “Have an auspicious Diwali “and is a common greeting for this holiday time. 

Diwali marks the Hindu New Year. It is a national holiday in India.

Other countries which have Diwali celebrations include: Australia, Guyana, Trinidad, Nepal, Singapore, Japan, Thailand, Fiji,  Malaysia,Myanmar, Tobago, Surinam, Mauritius, Sri Lanka and there are celebrations in the United States. Use a world map and identify the location of these countries.

Extension Activities:

Make a Rangoli- Using colored rice flour and water, people decorate patterns on the ground outside their homes and place of worship. It's a way to honor the Hindu Goddess Lakshimi and hope the goddess feels welcome in their homes. Use colored markers and create a colorful Rangoli pattern  See some pictures: http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/rangoli/

Make a Dipa Lamp:

Usually made from clay, they are traditionally the size to hold in the palm of the hand. Make sure you make a small depression in the center to hold a votive candle.You can paint your lamp purple, yellow, blue or red and decorate with colorful sequins. Dipa lamps are lit and placed in the water. Legend says if the dipa lamp makes it across the water to the other side, a wish will be granted by the Hindu Goddess Lakshimi.

Have small groups of students review the country of India at this link:  Draw/color a picture of something that has to do with India(Taj Mahal, tigers, etc.) Write 5 facts learned about the country to share with the rest of the class. http://www.timeforkids.com/destination/india  Learn more about India at this link:

http://gailhennessey.com/index.shtml?traveltoindia.html

Read a folk story from India to the students such as “The Elephant and the Blind Men”. Have students write a summary of the story. http://www.jainworld.com/literature/story25.htm

Additional Links:

Learn more about Diwali at these links:

http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/homework/religion/diwali.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUbros5VFso  Cartoon video on Diwali for kids

Learn about India with these resources:

1. India in Focus,is a web quest, with additional fun facts and extension activities. Did you know that it was ancient India which gave the world the idea of the zero? The game Chutes and Ladders comes from an Indian board game. More people speak English in India than in the United States? Students learn about the country of Skills include:reading for information and using research/computer skills.  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/India-Country-in-Focus-Webquest-540271

2. Taj Mahal:Explore World Landmarks are great to introduce kids to some popular world landmarks around the world. With writing in the content area, the short activities can also be used in Language Arts classes, too! About one page of reading, discussion questions and extension activities. Grades 4 and up. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/290482244687597440/ 

3. Chess, yoga,the game Parcheesi and the place value -zero are just some of the gifts we have from India. Want to introduce your students to the country of India? This resources will be most helpful.Basic notes,mapskill activity, lots of extension activities and links to get your students engaged in learning about the country of India. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Lets-Explore-India-547316

NOTE: Check out this reading passage resource on Diwali: 
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/DiwaliDeepavaliLearn-about-Diwali-A-Reading-PassageActivity-2176182


Note: Illustration from:openclipart.org

October is National Bullying Prevention Month! Although highlighted in this month, anti-bullying awareness should be practiced every day of the year.  If you SEE bullying taking place, SPEAK UP!  

Check out this short video at the Cartoon Network about joining the "I Speak Up" campaign. http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/tv_shows/promotion_landing_page/stopbullying/index.html


Have kids read this short saying:
"Sticks and stones may break your bones but names can never hurt you."  Is this a true statement? Explain your answer.

Personally, I never thought this to be true. Words are very powerful and negative words can and do hurt....a lot!  

Discussion Questions to ask Students:

1. What is your definition of a bully?  What are some examples of bullying?

2. Why do you think some people are bullies?

3. If you see someone being bullied, what could YOU do?

4. If YOU are being bullied, what could YOU do?

5. Have you ever been bullied? How did you feel? What did you do?

6. Have YOU ever bullied someone else? Have you ever been asked by others to join them in bullying someone else? How did you react to this?

A great start to discussing bullying might be to read about Hans Christian Andersen, the author of "The Ugly Duckling". Hans was often teased as a boy. He was very tall and skinny. He was called "scarecrow" by neighborhood children. One day, he actually climbed a tree to get away from bullies who were chasing him. Then, he got tangled and stuck. His father had to come help get Hans out of the tree.  Check out my resource, a play on Hans Christian Andersen: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Hans-Christian-AndersenBiographical-play-To-Tell-the-Truth-Play-348807

Other suggestions:

Using Literature to discuss the issue of bullying:

Read the story, the Ugly Duckling to start a discussion on bullying.   Best Children's Books   

Another story to read is Goose Girl by the Brothers Grimm. Find the story

at this link:Best Children's Book(Goose Girl)

Still another story is Cinderella.Find the story online at this link: Together We Teach

Newspapers in Education has an online comic book story about bullying: 

 http://niefresnobee.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/Bullying.pdf

There are also many contemporary books that deal with bullying. Here is a small sampling for elementary and middle school student.

The Berenstain Bears and the Bully by Stan Berenstain

Blubber by Judy Blume

The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes

Thank you, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco

Bullies Are a Pain in the Brain by Trevor Romain and Elizabeth Vedick.

The Bully from the Black Lagoon by Mike Thaler with Jared Lee.

My Secret Bully by Trudy Ludwig

Roxie and the Hooligans by Phillis Reynolds Naylor 

Find more books on bullying and read summaries at this link: 

Story Lovers(Lists Bullying Stories)

Read and listen to a short story about bullying online at this link:

My Young Child.Org(Ramone Sticks Up for Himself)

ANTI-BULLYING TITLES FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COUNSELORS: Click here:Counselor Resources

I have compiled lots of resources for classroom teachers to use on this topic. Go to this link: http://gailhennessey.com/index.shtml?bullyingresources.html

I hope you find this information of value to use with your students!

Gail 

Who Owns This Photograph?

Here is a possible bell ringer to use with your students.

A couple of years ago, a macaque found a camera that had been left unattended. Named Naruto, the monkey started to snap pictures, including a fantastic selfie. The owner of the camera got his camera back and published the photographs. Now, an animal rights organization has filed a lawsuit claiming the photographs are the property of Naruto.  PETA says that if the courts rule in favor of the macaque, it will be the first time a right(in this cause, ownership of property) is giving to a non-human animal. 

What do you think? 

1. Who owns the photographs, the owner of the camera or the monkey? Why?

2. Write a caption for the photograph.



Note: Photograph from news.discovery.com

Gail

Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month(September 15-October 15th)with this fun/informative web question. There are 12 questions- famous people, customs, contributions are included. A Did You Know? section, comprehension questions, a Teacher Page with activities and key!  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Hispanic-Heritage-Month-A-WebquestExtension-Activities-2095906


Gail

Check out this Preview:

Mes de la Herencia Hispana

National Hispanic Heritage Month!

by

Gail Skroback Hennessey

National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated each year from September 15-October 15th. It was originally established, in 1969, as Hispanic Heritage Week, by President Lyndon Johnson. In 1988, it became a month long celebration. Learn some of the contributions made by Hispanic(and Latino )Americans, to our country, with this informative webquest!

1. National Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15th to celebration the independence for which five Latin American countries?______________ _________  __________   ___________ and ___________.Which other holiday occurs during National Hispanic Heritage Month?_________ According to the 2010 census( a survey of a population), what percent of people living in the USA are of Hispanic or Latino origin?_________Find the answers at this link: http://www.hispanicheritagemonth.org

2. Perhaps , you’ve heard a mariachi band? This music originated in Mexico. Which music  is popular with people who came from Puerto Rico and Cuba?_________Which type of music uses both the accordion and alto saxophone and has roots with German and Czech music?________ From which country, do most people of Hispanic and Latino origin in the United States,come from?_________Which popular condiment( something placed on food to add to the taste) sells better than ketchup in the U.S.A?__________Which green vegetable snack is often served with chips?________Find the answers at this link:

http://sparkenthusiasm.com/hispanic_influence_english.pdf

3. Many words in English originated(started)with Spanish words. It is thought that at least_________ English words originated with Spanish words. Oregano, tomato, burrito and taco are examples.Find three words that have to do with cowboys that come from Spanish._________   __________and______________What are three words that came to us from sailors stopping at Caribbean islands?_________   __________ and ____________Which insect’s name comes from a Spanish word?________Find the answers at this link:  http://www.factmonster.com/spot/spanishwords1.html

There are 12 web questions, a Did You Know? section, comprehension questions, a Teacher Page with extension activities and the key.

Did You Know?( SAMPLE of some of the facts)

• Before colonists settled Plymouth Colony, there were people living in St. Augustine, Florida, and Sante Fe, New Mexico.

• Chinese(Mandarin) is spoken by the most people in the world. The second most spoken language is Spanish.  A close third is…English.

• The majority of Hispanic people in the United States came from the country of Mexico.
• Pedro Flores was the first to mass-produce the yo yo in the United States.

Comprehension Questions:(SAMPLE of some of the questions)

1. Which layer of the atmosphere was affected by chlorofluorocarbons? How is this layer important to us?

2. What is the term for the highest court in the United Sates? Who is the head of this court?

Define and place in a sentence: census, architecture, condiment, customs, luminaries, piñata.

Teacher Page:

Have students in small groups work on the web quest. Regroup and discuss the web quest.

Have groups make 7 true or false questions to exchange with another group to answer as a review.

Extension Activities: (SAMPLE OF SOME of the ACTIVITIES)

1. Fun online activities:  Play Paco’s Passport http://pbskids.org/mayaandmiguel/english/games/passport/index.html

2. Game from Mexico: Toma Todo: http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/hispanic/act_tomatodo.htm

3. Read a Hispanic folkstory: http://www.worldoftales.com/European_folktales/Romanic_folktale_2.html  The Ugly Princess  or http://www.worldoftales.com/European_folktales/Romanic_folktale_2.html  The Bear-Prince, The Gypsy queen and the Forbidden Chamber. (from Mexico)

4. El Chupacabra, is a mythical creature. Write 5 descriptive phrases to describe a chupacabra. Draw/color a picture. Write a day in the life of a chupacabra. http://www.kidzworld.com/article/2151-el-chupacabra

Notes: Illustration from: https://openclipart.org

Thank you for purchasing this resource! Please check out my other webquests/reader’s theater scripts and units of study(world history): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Gail-Hennessey

The Monarch Butterfly Migration has Begun!

North American Monarch butterflies are in trouble. According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, the population of monarchs has dropped so much that they have listed the butterfly on the endangered list. Just in the past 10 years, it is estimated their numbers have gone down 70%. A source of food for many North American birds, the monarchs are important pollinators helping to grow our different crops. Pesticides, loss of habitat and climate change are the cause for the dwindling number of these beautiful orange and black butterflies.  

NOTE: 

One main reason for less monarch butterflies is a pesticide that is used today. It kills weeds and it also kills a plant called milkweed. Milkweed is the only plant that a monarch butterfly uses to lay their eggs. It is also the only food of the Monarch caterpillar. The lepidoptera(name for butterflies) need our help. People are being encouraged to plant more milkweed plants along the routes that Monarchs follow on their migration south. 

Extension Activities:

Draw/color a picture of a monarch butterfly. Write a day in the life of a monarch. What do you see? Hear? Feel? Touch? as you migrate toward Mexico for the winter.

Discuss the Japanese poem, Haiku. Three lines, syllables 5/7/5. Write a Haiku about a Monarch Butterfly.

Review prior knowledge on why butterflies are important.Review the information at this site: http://bc-europe.eu/upload/Why%20butterflies%20and%20moths%20are%20important%203.pdf   on the importance of butterflies. Make a poster and include 3 facts learned.

http://www.primarygames.com/puzzles/jigsaw/butterfly/  or http://www.kidzone.ws/animals/butterflypuzzle.htm  (jigsaw puzzle of a butterfly)

Helpful links:

http://kidzone.ws/animals/monarch_butterfly.htm

http://www.kidsbutterfly.org/life-cycle

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/butterfly/species/Monarch.shtml

Note: Photograph from wpclipart.com

Gail

Check out my teaching resources(webquests/reader’s theater scripts: https://www.pinterest.com/gailhennessey/gails-tpt-store-social-studies-emporiumand-more/