Thanks to Education World for use of my Mrs. Waffenschmidt illustration.

Thanks to Education World for use of my Mrs. Waffenschmidt illustration.
Click on icon to go to my website: http://www.gailhennessey.com

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

Back to School: Start the year with some of These Geographic Activities!

 




Geographic Activities to Foster Geographic Awareness.

1. A fun way to show our  Globally Interdependent World: Assign a partner and have the students check the labels on their tops to see where they are made.  Do the same for their shoes. Have the students do a safari search with their partner looking for where things in the room were made(ex: crayons, textbook, colored pencils, ruler, etc.). Explain that in a globally interdependent world, we have goods from many parts of the world.  Identify the countries mentioned on a world map. Continue by having students find things in their home and where they are made. For example- their television, computer, dinner dishes, favorite jeans, favorite game or sporting equipment.  Discuss the countries using a world map for reference and tally up the 4 most popular countries mentioned for products in their homes.  

2. Atlas Letter Game:  Give groups of students a list of letters from A-Z and an atlas.  Have the students find a country, a capital city, river or a mountain range which starts with each letter of the alphabet. Return as a class and tell the students to raise their hand if the same response is given for a letter. Start with A. If more than one group has “Austria” for example, cross out the response and no points are given. If groups have different responses, the teams each earn 2 points. If only one team has a response and no other group has any country, capital city, river or mountain range for the same letter, the team earns 3 points. Continue down the alphabet list reviewing what the groups wrote down on their list of letters. The group with the most points wins!

3. Teaching Latitude and Longitude: Copy the map at this site: https://www.mapsofindia.com/worldmap/latitude-longitude.html or this link: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/geography/world/cylatlongoutlinemap/  After explaining coordinates of latitude and Longitude, have students use a crayon to mark N(north) and S(south) above and below the equator and E(east) and W(west) on opposite sides of the Prime Meridian.  Explain that Latitude is stated first.  Have students place their one hand on the latitude line and the other hand on the longitude line for the coordinates you state.  For example, Which continent is 40 degrees N of the Equator and 140 degrees W of the Prime Meridian?(Asia). For younger children. Use colored masking tape and make a grid on the playground.  Place  0, 20, 30, 40,50 north and same for south on the latitude lines. Place 0, 15, 30, 45, 60 east and west on the Longitude lines.  Have a student stand on the 20 N and another student stand on 15 W. Have them walk together until they meet.  Another latitude and longitude activity is to make a grid using the coordinates  and having  LETTER where they meet. In groups have students figure out a short message from given coordinates using the letter grid.
4. Geographic IQ Game: Prior to this activity, make a number of pictures of a world map , globe and  red Xs. Divide the students into 4 groups..  Take turns asking a group a geographic question(ex: which is the largest ocean? Name a country on the continent of Europe. What is a peninsula?)  If the group give the correct answer, they get a picture of a world map or globe.  If wrong, they get a picture of an X.  Groups with correct responses can opt to get another world map or globe, or pass an X they may have earned to another team. The team with the most world maps and globes are the geographic IQ game winners! 

5. Create geography puzzlers: Have partners of students  make a geography puzzler with three facts from hardest to easiest about a mystery place in the world. Once done, have the students share their geographic puzzler with the class.  Taking turns, have the other partners try and be the first to raise their hand identifying the mystery location. For example: Clue 1. I am thinking of a place which touches the Pacific Ocean.  Clue 2: This country is an island. Clue 3:  It’s capital city is Manila. (Answer-Philippines)

6. Humpty Dumpty World Mappers: Go to the following website: http://www.jigzone.com/gallery/Mountains Assign groups of students a puzzle on a mountain of the world(such as the Matterhorn). After completing the puzzle, go to a site such as https://www.skyhookadventure.com/blog/famous-mountains-of-the-world
and type in the name of the mountain. On an index card, write three facts about the mountain to share with the rest of the class on completion of the activity. Have the students go up to a world map and show the mountain’s location. Another activity would be to copy some world maps(see this link:http://www.worldatlas.com. Have 2 students cut up the map. Pass the pieces to another group. Allow time for the students to try and piece their puzzle together. Time their first attempt.  Jumble the pieces and solve the puzzle two more times and record the fastest time.

7. Geography Concentration. Have groups make up cards with geographic questions and answers on index cards(ex: Peninsula/ land surrounded by water on three sides  France / capital is Paris ) Have groups share their cards with another group. Students take turns turning over pairs of index cards to find their match.  If they find a pair, they continue their turn as long as they find pairs.

8. Country Cards: Give students a card with the following headings:  Mountain , River, Resource, Continent and Cool geography fact(such as Iran is the world’s leading exporter of pistachio nuts). Have students select a country of the world and find information to fill in the grid card.

9. How did they get that name? Just why is the NBA basketball team, the LA Lakers, called that name?  There aren’t lots of lakes in Los Angeles! Make a list of some of the major league basketball, football and baseball teams.  This site is really great to give the origin of the team’s names.  http://www.factmonster.com/spot/nameorigins1.html  Seems that the LA Lakers originally came from Minnesota where there are LOTS of lakes. In fact, the state motto of Minnesota is “Land of 10,000 Lakes.” When the team moved, the part about lakes stayed. See if the students can brainstorm the geographic origin of some of the following teams’ names.   NY Knickerbockers(Knicks for short)(Give a hint... who first settled New York?)  Utah Jazz(Give a hint... the team originated in New Orleans) Seattle Supersonics(hint... Boeing airplane manufactures are headquartered in this state) Houston Astros(Hint ...NASA Space Center is in Houston) Indiana Pacers(hint...Indianapolis 500 is here) Denver Nuggets(Hint...What caused people to go west in 1849?)  Baltimore Ravens(Hint... Famous writer, Edgar Allan Poe lived in this city)

Fun sites to help with geography:
2. http://www.earthcam.com Have students check out a world webcam site such as the Eiffel Tower, Mt. Rushmore, Niagara Falls and more.
3. http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/archives/waffenschmidt.shtml  Where in the World is Mrs. Waffenschmidt? 
5. http://www.worldtimezone.com/  What time is it around the world.





More Geographic Resources:
  1. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Geography-Geographic-Secret-Messages-709102
  2. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Maps-and-Geography-Lets-Map-It-433017
  3. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Maps-and-Geography-Test-Your-Knowledge-Challenge-ActivityBack-to-School-9239435 Test your Geography Knowledge Challenge
  4. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/World-Capitals-Test-Your-Knowledge-Challenge-Activity-9253008 World Capitals. Test Your Knowledge Challenge
  5. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/US-Landmarks-Test-Your-Knowledge-Challenge-Activity-9270184 Test Your Knowledge Challenge Activity-US Landmarks
  6. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/World-Landmarks-Webquest-1516428 World Landmarks, A Webquest
 See Purple Annie’s Travels to China: FREE! http://www.gailhennessey.com/index.shtml?purpleanniestravels.html

Illustrations from Wpclipart.com and Pixabay.com

Wednesday, August 12, 2026

We all See the World in our own Unique Way! Back to School Activity!

                                                      


 We all See the World in our own Unique Way!

This is an activity I used in the beginning of the school year. Give students a shape and have students make something out of it. I have used a straight line with a triangle at the end .You can use any shape. It is amazing the different creations students create from the same shape! Some of my students turned the shape into a stop sign with a car, others created a face, a pyramid scene, mountain view, etc.



Have student color their creation and share the results with the rest of the class. 

You can also use this as a creative writing giving students another student’s drawing and write a paragraph about the drawing.

You could also use this activity to discuss individuality and tolerance.

  1. Why do we have different viewpoints on a similar topic?
  2. How should you react to someone viewpoint if is isn’t the same as your?
  3. Do you have something that you feel makes you unique?

4. Have you ever experienced someone making fun of you? How did you react?

You can expand this as an introduction to cultures to discuss a culture’s uniqueness.

For example, in the United States, we shake hands. How do people greet one another in another culture? Discuss the ways of a group of people are called customs.

Have students share examples of customs of different people of the world. 

Here are some examples of different cultures’ customs:

• Chinese and Japanese people bow to greet one another. Chinese and Japanese people also use chopsticks. Shoes are removed before entering a building in Japan.                                                               •In Indonesian, you point with your thumb.                                     

• In Greece, it is good luck to thrown a child’s tooth onto the roof.            

  • In Morocco, after shaking hands, people in Morocco often place their  right hand on their heart - a sign of friendship.                              

  • In Netherlands, family and friends usually kiss the cheek three times. 

  • In Vietnam, white is the color of death.                                       

• Some people hiss to get someone’s attention in India.

• In Tibet, it is considered respectful to stick your tongue out at someone.

Hope you find this activity of interest. 

Gail 


                           Check out my website for activities for teachers/kids: gailhennessey.com and my TpT Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/gail-hennessey (I would be appreciative if you would click to follow my store.)

Illustration from clipart-library.com

Back to School Activity!

Perhaps, teachers may find this activity of interest:

A Back to School Activity.


Why Study History:

Show students that everything has a history, even them!


I started the activity by bringing in my childhood toy. It is rather sad looking after all these years. I shared memories about the stuffed animal, a dog, and how I remember dropping it in a street, when I was a little girl. My dad had to go back and retrieve it. It had gotten run over a few times! Pinky is no longer pink and my mom had to place new eyes on it several times.


  1. What was your favorite toy as a younger child?
  2. Why was it important to you?
  3. Describe what it looked like?
  4. What happened to your favorite childhood toy?

Write a paragraph with an opening sentence. Expand on your responses in your paragraph. Make sure to have a closing or wrap up sentence.


Ask the students to share their favorite childhood toys with the rest of the class.



Share this reading on Why Study History and how what we have in our lives today came to us from many different cultures when people came and exchanged their culture with others.  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Why-Study-HistoryBack-to-SchoolSharing-CulturesReading-Passage-3164074


Sunday, August 2, 2026

Constitution Day is Coming!

      

 





Constitution Day
by
Gail Skroback Hennessey

Each year, Constitution Day is celebrated on September 17th. This is the date, in 1787, when delegates to the Constitutional Convention, signed the Constitution. They had met for 116 days, at the State House(now called Independence Hall), in Philadelphia, PA. If Constitutional Day falls on a Sunday, as it did in 2017, the official observation is the following day. Constitution Day is also called Citizenship Day.  It’s a day to celebrate this important document of our nation!
   
Did You Know?
1. Did you know that Ben Franklin arrived at the Grand Convention in Philadelphia on a sedan chair? Four prisoners from the local Philadelphia jail carried Franklin on the chair.

2. Before deciding on Mr. President, names for George Washington, the first leader of the United States, included “His Most Benign Highness” and “His Highness, the President of the United States of America and Protector of their Liberties.”

3. Philadelphia, the largest and most modern of cities at the time of the Convention, had a population of 40,000.  Gravel was used to cover the cobblestone streets to make it less noisy for the meetings.

4. It took 116 days to complete the draft of the document called the Constitution.

5. To date, only ONE amendment to the constitution has been removed(repealed). The 18th Amendment(1918) which abolished the making, sale and transportation of alcohol, was repealed in 1933.

6. Each night, the Constitution is lowered into a specially made vault for its protection.

7. George Washington announced the first national “Thanksgiving Day”, November 26, 1789, to “give thanks” for the creating of the Constitution.

8. The words “democracy” and “God” do not appear in the document of the Constitution.

9. Eighty-one year old Ben Franklin cried as he signed the Constitution.

10. James Madison, who would become the 4th President of the United States, was called the “Father of the Constitution”. 
Teacher Page:
Things to do:
  1. Have students pretend they are the Constitution on display at the National Archives. Tell a day in your life as people come to see you. What do you hear? See? feel? https://www.archives.gov/publications/general-info-leaflets/1-about-archives.html
2.  This link explains the Bill of Rights  for kids: http://kids.laws.com/bill-of-rights  Groups of students could be assigned one of the rights and make a poster.  Have students write a paragraph explaining which right they feel is most important and why.

3. Have students create posters or greeting cards for Constitution Day.
Website of Interest:

Photograph of US Constitution from Constitution Center.org

Friday, July 24, 2026

Back to School Highlighted Resources

 

 https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/gail-hennessey


                    Here are some of my highlighted Resources for BACK to SCHOOL

Gail







1. FAKE NEWS. FAKE NEWS: The term FAKE News seems to be used a lot these days! A recent survey found that many young people(and adults for that matter) can't seem to determine which is a real news story from a fake news story. We need to develop digital critical literacy with our students. This Interactive Notebook activity also has extension activities: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FAKE-NEWS-Developing-Digital-Critical-Literacy-with-Kids-INA-3074653

 

2.  Need information to use with your students on map skills? Included are notes, lots of activities to use with your students(4-8th grade) and website resources. Also included, a 10 question web quest, comprehension questions(and writing in the content area), and some fun facts on the topic of maps and geography of the world. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Maps-and-Geography-Lets-Map-It-433017

 

3. Geographic Secret Messages: Need a geography activity? Try my geographic secret messages. Students find the answers to geographic questions and then use the first letter of the answer to arrive at a secret message. When the questions are answered, the "secret" term(a geography term) will be revealed!  

There are 5 geographic messages to solve. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Geography-Geographic-Secret-Messages-709102   and https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Geography-Geographic-Secret-Messages-Continuepart-2-709110

 

4.Mesopotamiacalled the cradle of civilization, is where archaeologists have found the remains of the oldest historic people.People called the Sumerians, Babylonians, Chaldeans, Akkadians and Assyrians, all called the area home. These people left behind many ideas which we still have today. This unit of study includes notes, map work, a webquest, activities and resources. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mesopotamia-First-Historic-PeopleUnit-with-notesactivites-and-resources-349937 Have students learn aboutHammurabi, the important lawmaker of ancient times with this biographical reading passage. Additional, there are several Did You Know? facts and comprehension questions. The teacher page gives additional links and the key.  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Hammurabi-King-of-Babylon-A-Reading-Passage-2728405. I also have a bundle of resources on this topic: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Ancient-Mesopotamia-A-Bundle-of-Resources-2808475. A reading on Enheduanna, First Known Poet in History(Mesopotamia): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Womens-History-Mesopotamias-Enheduanna-First-Known-Poet-in-History-4039105

 

5. This product covers an introduction to the Phoenicians and their contributions to the world(Alphabet, color purple, first sea traders).Notes, extension activities and links and several comprehension questions, too. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Lets-Learn-about-the-Phoenicians-366696. Learn about Hannibal with this reading resource: This resource is part of my new series, "Let's Meet..." famous people in ancient history. With this biographical reading passage, students will learn about Hannibal, the famous general of ancient times. There is a Did You Know? section, comprehension questions, map activity and a teacher page with extensions and links and the key.  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Hannibal-Famous-General-of-Ancient-TimesReading-Activity-3978956. I also have a bundle on this topic: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Phoenicians-A-Bundle-of-Resources-4028719

I also have a reading on Hanno, Phoenician explorer: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Hanno-Phoenician-Sea-Explorer-4028002

 

6.  Learn all about mummies of the world. Included: Bog Mummies, Otzi, Chinchorro Mummies, Taklamakan Desert Mummies, Egyptian Mummies and more. 12 informative text questions/comprehension questions/extension activities, key, fun facts: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/MUMMIES-A-WebquestExtension-Activities-1915946King 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(currently on ABC Television during the summer months). Directions and a suggested YouTube Clip to show the idea of the game, comprehension questions, discussion questions and extension activities(and resources) are included. The biographical play meets several common core standards in social studies and language arts.

I really think your students will have fun with this play on King Tut!https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/King-Tut-Wrapping-with-a-Mummy-Biographical-PlayTo-Tell-the-Truth-Play-338665

 

7. With this biographical reading passage, students will learn about Hatshepsut,the first female Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt. There is a Did You Know? section, comprehension questions and a teacher page with extensions and links. This resource is part of my new series, "Let's Meet..." famous people in ancient history. More titles are being added in the coming weeks. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Hatshepsut-First-Female-PHARAOH-of-Ancient-EgyptReading-Passage-2733259I also have a similar resource on Ramses: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Ramses-the-Great-Pharaoh-of-Ancient-Egypt-A-Reading-Passage-2763573. I have a bundle on all things Egyptians: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Ancient-Egyptians-A-Bundle-of-ResourcesAncient-Egyptians-2808551

 

8. This mini-unit on Early Humans/Prehistoric Cultures will assist the classroom teacher in presenting this topic of history to students.In addition to an overview and notes, lots of additional resources, websites and activities are also included. This resource also includes a web quest with 12 web questions. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Prehistoric-Man-Earliest-Cultures-Early-Humans--342418

 

9. Show kids that pretzels, shoes, chewing gum, peanuts, tulips and candy all have a history with my Everything Has a History series ! For the beginning of the school year, show kids that even pencils, pens and paper have a historyhttps://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Pencils-Pens-Paper-Webquest-Back-to-School-Activity-737576 I also have a bundle on this topic: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/History-Everything-has-a-History-A-Bundle-of-Resource-4448553

 

11. Learn about the U.S. Constitution(Constitution Day is September 18th). Part of my Ms. Bie Ografee series of plays, this Reader's Theater Script is on the "Father of the Constitution", James Madison(1751-1836). With 13 audience questioners, a Did You Know Section, comprehension questions, a Teacher Page with extension activities, key and additional links, students will learn about the writing of our important government document, the Constitution. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/ConstitutionReaders-Theater-Script-James-MadisonFather-of-the-Constitution-3337971

 

12. Countries in Focus: Great for a Friday Activity, a substitute or if you are covering the areas in your units of study: TEN countries are in the bundle: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Countries-of-the-WorldA-Bundle-of-Webquests-on-Different-Countries-4725632





FREEBIES!

 

1. FREEBIE ON APPLE FACTS: This interactive notebook on Apples has several activities and 17 interesting fun facts about apples. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/APPLE-FACTS-Interactive-Notebook-Activity-3259122.

 

2. FREEBIE: CONSTITUTION Fun Facts!Learn some fun facts on the Constitution. Activity for Constitution Day! Each year, Constitution Day is celebrated on September 17th. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/CONSTITUTION-DAY-FREEBIE-FUN-FACTS-3338019

 

3. Mummy Facts:https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Amazing-Mummy-Facts-Possible-Interactive-Notebook-Activity-906580

 

4. Antibullying: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Antibullying-FreebieINA-2971457

 

5. International  Peace Day: September 21st. The International Day of Peace is held every year on September 21st.  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/International-Peace-Day-September-21st-3379110

 

6.  World Rhino Day( 9/22)  Freebiehttp://www.gailhennessey.com/index.shtml?rhinofacts.html

 


Images from Pixabay and WPClipart

Thursday, July 16, 2026

In the News: Gus the Tyrannosaurus rex sells for $50 million dollars!

 



One of the best preserved Tyrannosaurus rex skeletons was sold this week to a private collector for a whopping 50 million dollars. This is a new world’s records for such a purchase. The fossilized skeleton is called Gus and was named for the man whose  South Dakota land the discovery was made.It took two years, 2021-2023, to excavate the fossilized remains! It is thought to be the most complete and largest such skeleton of a T Rex ever found. Estimated to be about 67 million years old, it stands 12.5 feet tall! You will need a very large room to display Gus! Interestingly,  Gus’ head is too heavy  to be mounted on the skeleton and a  lighter replica was placed on the skeleton!  
* Photograph from Science.org


Your Turn:

1. Do you think such discoveries should be allowed to be purchased by anyone that can afford to buy it?
2. Do you think such discoveries should be housed in places that the public can visit?
3. Some countries including Brazil and Mongolia do not allow the private purchase of fossils.
4. Do you think the sale of such rare dinosaur fossils can have a negative effect on research of Earth’s past?                                                                SHARE your thoughts.

Things to do:

1. Pretend to be Gus and share a day in your life. What do you see while on display? What do you hear? Etc.
2. Find 5 facts about the Tyrannosaurus rex: Draw a picture of Gus and write your facts around the drawing.

Sources for Kids:

https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/prehistoric/facts/tyrannosaurus-rex

  
https://www.coolkidfacts.com/tyrannosaurus-rex-facts-for-kids/

Teachers:

Information on Gus: https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2026/natural-history/tyrannosaurus-rex

Friday, July 3, 2026

Learn Fun Facts about Ice Cream. July is National Ice Cream Month!

   


 COOL facts about Ice Cream

What's your favorite flavor of ice cream? Mine is Mint Chocolate Chip with rainbow sprinkles.


Did you Know that JULY is National Ice Cream Month  in the USA? It was established by President Ronald Reagan, in 1984. National Ice Cream Day is the 3rd Sunday in July. Learn some fun facts about ice cream!


• One scoop of ice cream needs about 50 licks to finish.


• The Chinese were making a type of ice cream with milk,rice and snow, about 2000 BC.


• The average American eats 48 pints of ice cream each year.


• To make one gallon of ice cream, you need 12 pounds of milk. A dairy cow can produce enough milk for about 9000 gallons of ice cream in its lifetime.


• The USA is the world's leading producer of ice cream.


• Alexander the Great liked nectar and honey flavored snow.


• National Ice Cream Month is in July.


• Yes...vanilla is the most popular ice cream flavor(followed by chocolate and strawberry).


• An ice cream tester for Breyer's Ice Cream actually insured his tongue for $1 million dollars!


• Dolly Madison served strawberry ice cream at the second inaugural ball of her husband, President James Madison, in 1812.


• Sunday is the day of the week when the most ice cream is sold in the United States.


• Did you know that one of the main ingredients in ice cream is ....AIR.(makes it lighter and gives it  smoothness)


• During WW2, the U.S. Navy(1945) built a floating ice cream parlor   for our sailors fighting in the Pacific.


• More ice cream is sold in the WINTER months in Canada than the summer months.


• Strange ice cream flavors? Jalapeno, dill pickle ice cream, garlic ice cream, bacon ice cream,blue cheese and shallots, squid ink and curry carrot ice cream might be flavors to include in this list.


• The world's largest ice cream cone weighted 2204 pounds. It was 13 feet tall. It was made in Gloucester, UK, in 2012.


• The world's largest ice cream sundae was created in Kingston, NY, in 2014. It  was 1606 ft. tall.


• Ever get a brain freeze from eating ice cream?  The top of the mouth has lots of nerves. When cold ice cream comes into contact with these nerves, it causes blood vessels in the brain to dilate, giving the short headache also known as an ice cream headache.


* During World War 2, Mussolini banned ice cream in the country of Italy. He thought it was too American!


• Thomas Jefferson loved ice cream. See his recipe for Vanilla Ice Cream.



Extension Activities:


* Write a haiku poem on ice cream.


* If you had to describe ice cream to an alien from outer space, what would be 3 descriptives you'd use to explain the treat.  Write a paragraph about your encounter sharing ice cream with an alien.


* Draw/color a picture of an ice cream sundae. Exchange your drawing with 3 others and have them write descriptive words to describe what they see. When your drawing is returned, write a paragraph using the comments about your ice cream sundae.


* There is a saying, " A picture is worth a 1000 words. Illustrate/color one of the facts about ice cream which conveys the fact.


Additional Link:


1. https://www.almanac.com/content/history-ice-cream Timeline on the history of ice cream.