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

Thursday, May 14, 2026

World Bee Day is May 20th

 





World Bee Day is May 20th. 



In 2018, the United Nations designated May 20th as World Bee Day.

It is estimated that 75% of the veggies, fruits and nuts in the USA are pollinated by bees! Check here to see some of the foods that are dependent on pollination.  https://bees.techno-science.ca/english/bees/pollination/food-depends-on-bees.php





Here are some helpful links:


Short Bee video









DID YOU KNOW?

1.There are approximately 20,000 species of bees.

2. Scientists have found that bees have personalities. Some are shy, some are adventurous!

3. Bees have a navigational system, a type of natural compass which helps them stay on course by using the sun and polarized light.

4.Did you know that a bee’s wing beats about 190-230 times a second?

5. Bees can find “their hive” because each hive has a distinct smell.

6. With two stomachs, a bee places nectar in one and the food it eats in another.

7. Bees are able to recognize faces!

8. The world's largest honey bee is called the Himalayan giant(or Apis Laboriosa). It can reach 1.2 inches in length.

IN the NEWS:(May/2026) A team of firefighters in Parley's Canyon,Utah, came to the rescue of 25 MILLION bees that were in a semi trailer that broke down. The firefighters used hoses to keep the bees cool and calm in the very warm temperatures. Without the help of humans, the 480 hives in the truck would have perished.


IN the NEWS:(April/2026) 5.5 MILLION bees were found living under the ground in a cemetery in Ithaca, NY. Read the story: https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-found-5-5-million-bees-living-beneath-a-new-york-cemetery

A couple of years ago, scientists that study viruses(virology) in the country of Netherland  trained about 150 bees, known for their keen sense of smell, to detect the odor of Covid. Using a conditioning technique, the bees received a reward of sugar water when they correctly sniffed out the virus. The trained bees were able to detect the Covid virus in only a matter of seconds.  Learn more: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-9550297/Bees-Netherlands-trained-detect-COVID-19-infections.html


Illustrations from pixabay and Wpclipart.com


*Illustrations from http://www.fao.org/world-bee-day/en/  and WPClipart.com
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Wednesday, May 6, 2026

Endangered Species Day is in May

 



                                       



In 2026, Endangered Species Day is May 15th. 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.

NOTE: 4/26 The largest of all the species of penguins, the Emperor, has been placed on the endangered species list this past April. The penguins, only found on Antarctica, are in trouble due climate change causing less sea ice. Ice is used by the emperor penguins for breeding. With warming temperatures, the ice is melting quicker and before the babies are strong enough to make it on their own. The result has been many less penguins surviving and their numbers dropping to about 600,000 world wide. Learn more about the Emperor penguins: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/facts/emperor-penguin

Photograph from WWF.org






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?

In the News:5/26: Scientists have observed orangutans in Indonesia doing something for the very first time. They were filmed crossing a man-made canopy bridge. Actually five such hanging bridges  were made to help endangered animals avoid a tarred road. When completed, the  road divided about 350 orangutans that lived in the area.Since constructed, macaques and gibbons have been found to use the bridges but recently a camera captured a Sumatran orangutan using  one of the bridges. With orangutans, native to only Sumatra and the island of Borneo, being so critically endangered, perhaps, these bridges might help keep them safe when attempting to visit their friends on the other side of the road! Photograph from Phys. Org



Extension Activities:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

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

5. 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/

6. 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 changed the Endangered Species Act, lessening regulations.  Why do you think Donald Trump did this? Who does this help 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 says that out of 62,837 species, 19,817 are currently in danger of extinction. Some are very critically endangered, others are either listed as  endangered or vulnerable.

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





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





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
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Thursday, April 30, 2026

Are you Ready for SPACE Day?

 


Space Day is held the first Friday in May. It is a day to recognizes space and spark young peoples’ interest in science. Space Day was first held in 1997. In 2001, astronaut John Glenn promoted the day as International Space Day.

1. Write THREE facts you know about space.________________________________________________ 2. What are three character traits you would give an astronaut and why? ____________________________________________________ 3. What would be your biggest fear as an astronaut? ____________________________________________________ 4. If you could bring ONE personal item with you on a space mission what would it be and why? ______________________________________
5. Do you think there may be life on other planets? Would you like to MEET an alien? Why,Why not? ____________________________________________________

6. Write TWO questions you’d ask an astronaut. _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________     7. Illustrate a Did You Know? Fun Fact



Did You Know?

1. Dennis Tito, became the first space tourist in 2001.He paid $20 million to spend 8 days at the International Space Station.
2. Snoopy, the Peanut character, is the safety mascot of NASA astronauts.

3.Wan-Hu, a Chinese man that lived around 1500 AD,
may have been the first in space. 47 Rockets were attached to a chair with two large kites. He was never seen again!
4. The word astronaut is Latin for “star sailor.
5. The first person to walk in space was Russian, Alexei Leonov(1965).
6. The first American to walk in space was Ed White(1965).
7. President Nixon called Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin while they were taking photographs of the flag on the moon. Nixon said of the telephone call that it “was the most historic phone call ever made from the White House”. 1969
8.Scientists hope that there will be a manned mission to MARS by 2025.
9. Venus is the hottest planet. Although Mars is closest to the sun, its atmosphere can’t regulate temperatures. Venus is about 450 degrees C. on its surface.
10. Pluto was demoted from being a planet(2006). It is called a dwarf planet. Ceres, Haumea, Makemake and Eris are the four other recognized dwarf planets.

• 11. The first man-made object in space was launched by the Russians in 1957. It was called Sputnik. It was the beginning of the “Space Race” between the USA and Russia.

12. Famous Halley’s Comet returns to our solar system every 76 years. It will be visible in 2061.

13. A Latin word, “alien” means “stranger” or “foreign”.
14.The planet Saturn has officially 53 moons. Another 9 haven’t been confirmed as moons.
15. Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system.
16. About 4.24 light years away, the sun is the closest star to the Earth.
17. Stars don’t really “twinkle”. The light of stars is distorted by the Earth’s atmosphere making the appearance of twinkling.
18. A group of solar systems is called a galaxy. We live in the Milky Way Galaxy.
19. It is estimated that there are 500,000 pieces of junk floating around in space!
20. The first person to believe that the Earth revolved around the Sun was Nicolaus Copernicus. People at the time believed the EARTH was the center of the universe and the sun revolved around the Earth.


An out-of-this world hotel is about to be constructed. The first “space hotel”, which will be located about 250 miles above the Earth is being constructed and hopes to open in 2027. In addition to 24 guest pods, that will have spectacular views of space, the hotel complex, shaped like a giant wheel, will have a restaurant, a gym, spa and even a movie theater. You don’t need to worry about floating around the facility as artificial gravity will be created. At this time, the cost for a stay at this unique hotel has yet to be determined.

 Your Turn:

1. Would you stay at such a hotel? Why or why not?
2. Write a diary pretending to be a guest at the Voyager Class Space Station Hotel? What do you see? How do you feel? Etc.

Click on this link to learn more and see an illustration:https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/ voyager-station-space-hotel-scn/index.html





Resources of Possible Interest:


Check out this resource: https://www.nasa.gov/stem/forstudents


Illustrations from pixabay and NASA

page4image59287920 page4image59287712


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Friday, April 24, 2026

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander(AAPI) Heritage Month!

  




       May is Asian American and Pacific Islander(AAPI) Heritage Month!

There is a Black History Month, Native Americans Heritage Month, a Hispanic American Month and a Woman’s History Month. Asian American and Pacific Islanders Heritage Month is a time to highlight the contributions of these groups of people to the culture of the United States. It is celebrated in the month of May but could be used throughout a school year whenever you are wishing to highlight contributions of famous people to our world.


Did YOU Know? 

1. Could the people of Polynesia have sailed across the Pacific to Hawaii? In 1973, a group of people tried to prove this was possible. 

Using just traditional sailing and navigational methods, the Hokule’a sailed, in 1975, from Hawaii to Tahiti and returned back to Hawaii. Eventually, the Hokule’a did a 3 year voyage covering 47,000 nautical miles around the world.(completed in 2017) 





2. Surfing became very popular thanks to Hawaiian native, Duke Kahanmoku. He was called the “father of surfing”. He was also known as the “Big Kahuna”. 


3. Many words in the English language originated with Asia/ Pacific Islanders. For example, the word, “tattoo” comes from the Tahiti language. The word, "ketchup" comes from a Malay word(koetsiap) meaning seafood sauce. The word, " ukelele comes from the people of Polynesia .


Thought Questions:

1. Do you think we should establish specific times to highlight the contributions of different cultures to our American culture? Why or why not?



Extension Activities:

Ask the students if they can identify Asia and Pacific Island nations. Use a world map to locate the countries. 

Scroll down to Map of Asia Pacific region: http://worldmapwithcountries.net/2018/07/26/asia-pacific/


1. Try Japanese Origami: https://www.origamiway.com/very-simple-origami-for-kids.shtml 

2. Make a Chinese paper Lantern: https://chalkacademy.com/easy-chinese-paper-lanterns-template/ 

3. Try Rangoli, an Indian art: https://www.kidsartncraft.com/rangoli-designs-kids/ 

4. Try learning a Filipino dance called tinkling. https://kidskonnect.com/social-studies/tinikling/ 

5. Lunar New Year: https://www.kids-world-travel-guide.com/chinese-new-year.html 

6. Learn about the Hula, Traditional Hawaiian dance: https://textproject.org/wp-content/uploads/fyi4k/FYI-for-Kids-5-11-Hula.pdf

7. https://www.nypl.org/blog/2021/05/19/aapi-heritage-month-recommendations-teen-ambassadors 

Book recommendations
8. https://www.education.com/worksheets/asian-pacific-american-heritage-month/ Coloring sheets

9. Learn about the Cherry Blossom Festival: https://www.tripsavvy.com/japan-cherry-blossom-festivals-1550069 

10. Dragon Boat Festivals: https://raisingworldchildren.com/2018/10/31/dragon-boat-festival-kids/

11. Animals native to Asia: https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-animals-live-in-asia.htmlhttps://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-animals-live-in-asia.html

12. Animals native to Pacific Islands: https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/regions/pacific-islands

13. Languages from Pacific Islands: https://www.allaroundthisworld.com/learn/oceania-and-the-pacific-%20islands/polynesia/polynesia-language/#.YR2MJi1h3Fwhttps://www.allaroundthisworld.com/learn/oceania-and-the-pacific-%20islands/polynesia/polynesia-language/#.YR2MJi1h3Fw

14. Languages from Asia: https://www.allaroundthisworld.com/learn/oceania-and-the-pacific-islands/polynesia/polynesia-language/#.YR2MJi1h3Fw

15. There are many people to highlight in a resource on Asia/Pacific Islanders including Here are additional names you may wish to share with your students: 

Michelle Kwan: Figure skater, Olympic medalist(Hong Kong ancestry). 

Kristi Yamaguchi: Olympic Gold Medalist, figure skating(Japanese ancestry). 

Apolo Ohno: Japanese American speed skater/ 8 time medalist at Olympics. 

Iwao Takamoto: Japanese American animator and creator of Scooby Doo. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson: WWE World Heavyweight Champion and actor, Samoan and African American descent. Jordan Ta’amu NFL quarterback, Samoan descent. 

16. https://www.allaroundthisworld.com/listen/pacific-islands-songs-for-kids/kafa/#.YPGepS1h2FU listen to music from Pacific countries(see instruments). Sing songs such as a Lullaby from Tonga, Tahiti, etc. Click on Oceania and the Pacific Islands. 

17. For teachers: https://worldwidevoyage.hokulea.com/?_gl=1*fcl3st*_ga*MTI0MjkzNzA3My4xNzE0MzA4Nzcw*_ga_2EG3TS0QXX*MTcxNDMwODc3MC4xLjEuMTcxNDMwOTAxMy4wLjAuMA..


Additional Links for Teachers: 

https://asianpacificheritage.gov 

https://www.teachervision.com/holidays/asian-pacific-american-heritage-month





Check out my webquest: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Asian-American-and-Pacific-IslanderAAPI-Heritage-Month-A-Webquest-7160633?st=2b36c5629de6ed9a0fa1ad3d3d7cb07b


Free illustrations from Pixabay

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Friday, April 17, 2026

Arbor Day is Coming!

      






TREES!  
Interactive Notebook Activity
 by
Gail Skroback Hennessey

Arbor Day
It’s a time to celebrate trees!

Can you think of THREE ways in which TREES are important to us?




Did You Know?

1. The Botanical Gardens Conservation International  announced that there are 60,065 different species of trees in the world.(2017)

2. The most endangered tree species according to the Botanical Gardens Conservation International is the karma gigs. Found in the country of Tanzania, there are only six trees left. Where in the world is Tanzania?

3. The tallest tree in the world is the Hyperion. The tree is 379.4 ft.(115.6m) tall and is located in California’s Redwood National and State Parks. The tree is taller than the Statue of Liberty (305.6ft or 93.1m) and the famous Big Ben(316 ft or 96 m) found in London, England.

4. The largest tree in the world is the General Sherman. The giant sequoia stands 275 ft.(or 83.8 m). Twenty people holding hands would be needed to circle the base of this tree!

5. For many years, the oldest individual tree in the world has been a bristlecone pine named Methuselah.It’s location is a secret but it is located in the White Mountains of California. It is estimated to be about 4,,848 years  old. In 2013, another bristlecone was found to be about 5,066 years old. This tree may now be the world’s oldest tree.The unnamed tree is located in the same forest. What would YOU name the tree? http://www.livescience.com/29152-oldest-tree-in-world.html

6. There is a clonal tree in the country of Norway which has a root system estimated to be about 9552 years old! It is called Old Tjikko. A clonal tree grows when their branches touch the ground and start new roots.

7. The beautiful cherry trees, found in  Washington, D.C., were a gift from the people of Japan. Back in 1912, 3000 trees were gifted by the mayor  of Japan. Interestingly, in 1981, the United States gifted cuttings of some of the cherry trees back to the people of Japan, after many of their trees were destroyed in a flood.

8. Did you know that Guinness World Records says the manchineel tree is the “most dangerous tree” in the world? Just getting the sap of the tree on your skin can cause blisters. Getting the sap in your eye could actually cause blindness! This tree is found in tropical regions of North and South America.  Can you name 2 countries found on North America? Can you name 2 countries found on South America

9. There is a tree called the Great Banyan Tree, found in the country of India that is called the “widest tree in the world”. If you look at the “tree” it looks like a forest as the “tree” covers 3.5 sq. acres of land in the Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden. Its branches reach the ground and sprout new growth. Is the Banyan tree a “clonal tree”?

10. Did you know that one tree can inhale about 48 pounds of carbon dioxide a year?

11. Some people like to grow trees in a small dish. Called bonsai, the word means “tree in tray”. Growing living trees in this way is an art form from Japan. China also developed a similar type of art, too. Name ONE Fact about the country of Japan.  Name ONE fact about the country of China.

Your turn:
1. What do you think these quotes mean? Illustrate on of the quotes.
A. “The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn”.  Ralph Waldo Emerson
B.“A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people. ” 
2. List 7 products we get from trees.
3. Write a diary entry about a day you took a walk into the woods. What did you see? Hear? Smell? Feel?
4. Draw a picture of a tree. Write three ways in which trees are important.


Teacher Page:
1. Have students learn about bonsai trees with this reading passage. Write 4 facts learned: http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/virtual/bonsai/bonsai01.html
2. Show students the Great Banyan Tree: http://unbelievablefactsblog.com/post/75501683200/the-great-banyan-treeb  Write a poem about the tree.
3. Have students illustrate one of the Did You Know? facts.
Links for additional information teachers:
Resources of Interest on this Topic:
1. Learn about the history of Arbor Day and all about trees with this web quest. There are 11 web questions, a Did You Know? section, comprehension questions and a teacher section with keys, additional links and lots(11 extension activities).This could also be something to use with EARTH DAY, when you are studying TREES and, of, course, for ARBOR DAY!
2. A Biologist and marine zoologist, Rachel Carson’s books shared her love of nature, especially the ocean and its inhabitants. Her book, Silent Spring, sparked concern in how chemical pesticides were harming our environment. Carson helped to start the environmental movement in our country, which led to the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This Reader's Theater Script on Rachel Carson could be used as a STEM biography any time of year or especially during the time of Earth Day.https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Rachel-Carson-A-Readers-Theater-Script-3071478




Illustration from wpclipart.com 

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