What do YOU know about the Vikings?(Leif Erikkson Day is October 9th)

                                              

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

4. Check out the routes of the Vikings on this interactive map. http://www.thinglink.com/scene/672411731087065088?buttonSource=viewLimits

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

The New Supreme Court Session Begins the First Monday in October!

 

 Teachers, you may find this of interest to introduce students to the Supreme Court, the highest court in our country.Click here for a free resource on the newest Supreme Court Justice, Ketanji Brown Jackson: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Supreme-Court-Justice-Ketanji-Brown-Jackson-FREEBIE-7957540

Oyez, Oyez...The Supreme Court begins its new session the first Monday of October. Used by the Supreme Court Marshall to call the Supreme Court to order, the word OYEZ means “Hear Ye”. The word originates from the Latin word which means “to hear”. The Supreme Court hears a number of cases each year in which questions to the Constitution are raised. 

What are three characteristic you think a Supreme Court nominee should have? Did you know that you don’t have to be a lawyer or have even gone to law school?

Did You Know?

1. Only one president did not get the opportunity to name a Supreme Court Justice. That was Jimmy Carter.

2. There is an indoor basketball court at the Supreme Court Building. It is called the “Highest Court in the Land” and is located on the fifth floor.

3. Since 1969, there have been 9 justices on the Supreme Court. However, Congress can change this number to be more or less justices.

4. Justice Clarence Thomas has a record for being the only Supreme Court Justice to remain totally silence, not asking any questions or making any statement, on the

bench, for seven years. Appointed to the Supreme Court in 1991, Thomas spoke, from the bench, for the first time in 2013.

5. Is a pickle a vegetable or a fruit? This was one of the decisions the Supreme Court determined in Nix v. Hedden. The court determined it is the seeds that classify the pickle as a “fruit of the vine”.

6. Supreme Court Justices are appointed for life. WHY do you think this is the case?____________________

7. You DON'T have to be a lawyer to be named to the Supreme Court.

8. Should a president be IMPEACHED(a trial to determine whether a President has committed actions which could remove the President from office), the Supreme Court Chief Justice presides over the trial.

9. President Taft is the only President to go on to become a Supreme Court Justice.

10. SCOTUS is an acronym for Supreme Court of The United States. What is an acronym? Think of three other acronyms that are common in our daily lives.

This web quest will introduce students to the Supreme Court. There are 12 web questions, a Did You Know? section and comprehension questions. Additionally, there are several extension activities and additional links as well as the key.https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Supreme-Court-A-Webquest-913089

Check out this Reader's Theater Script on Justice Sonia Sotomayor: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sonia-Sotomayor-Supreme-Court-Justice-A-Readers-Theater-Script-6044779

Learn about Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic American and only the 3rd woman to be appointed to the Supreme Court. Students will also learn information about the Supreme Court.

A great resource for Women's History Month, a study of the Supreme Court, for Hispanic Heritage Month, a Friday activity or as a substitute lesson. Extension activities included. There are 9 Audience Questioners in this Ms. Bie Ografee Talk Show Series of Reader's Theater Scripts.

 

Wpclipart and Pixabay

Check out this Reader's Theater Script on Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Ruth-Bader-Ginsburg-A-Supreme-Court-Justice-Readers-Theater-Script-6045122

Hispanic Heritage Month Begins September 15th

National Hispanic Heritage Month

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. Some people say we don't really need an Hispanic Heritage Month, A Black History Month, A Women’s History Month, A Native American Heritage Month and other such months to recognize the achievements of groups which have helped to make this nation great.  I believe we do since history books just can’t address all the different accomplishments of all the people that have contributed to making our country what it is today. Here are some interesting facts to share with your students during National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Did You Know?

• 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.
• in 1989, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen became the first Cuban American to become a member of Congress.
• Learn some Spanish: gracias(Thank you), por favor) (Please)and adios(goodbye)
• Cinco de Mayo(May 5th) is a festive holiday. It celebrates the victory over the French in the Battle of Pueblo(1862). The Mexicans were outnumbered 3-1, yet they won the battle. 
• Have you ever played with a pinata at a birthday party? This is another activity that has its origins in Mexico.  

Check out my webquest, Histanic Heritage Month. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Hispanic-Heritage-Month-A-WebquestExtension-Activities-2095906