Elementary School Other (Social Studies & History) Activities

Famous Games from Ancient Greece(Interactive Notebook Activity)FREEBIE

By Gail Hennessey

Use this free resource during your discussions of the famous games which began in ancient Greece. The 2022 Winter Games will be held in Beijing, China, in February.

Check out these resources:

1. Learn about the History of the Famous Games of Ancient Greece with this fun/informative webquest: History of the Ancient Games of Ancient Greece

2. Learn about the country of France, host country for the 2024 Summer Games: https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/FRANCE-a-Webquest-Part-of-my-Country-in-Focus-Series-11641940

3. Learn about the country of Greece, where the famous games originated with this webquest. There are also comprehension questions and extension activities:Learn about the country of Greece!

Check out my website for teachers/kids:Gail's Website for Teachers/Kids

Please consider following my TeachShare Store. Click follow by my photograph. Thank you.

Free

Mayflower: What Might Have Become of the Mayflower? A Reading Passage

By Gail Hennessey

So glad to see so many of you have downloaded this resource. I hope you find it of interest. I found my visit to the "Mayflower Barn" on a trip to England(about 40 minutes by train from London) so very interesting. William Penn is buried in the church yard outside of the Quaker Meeting Building.

Please consider following me. Click on the green star by my picture. Thanks!

Ever wonder what became of the Mayflower? The ship sailed with 102 Pilgrims over the Atlantic to North America, in 1620. If you are expecting to find it docked to some pier, or in a museum, you’d be wrong. That’s because the Mayflower most likely ended up as scrap wood and may have ended up in an old Quaker Barn in Great Britain! This Reading Passage is a possible Interactive Notebook Activity with Did You Know? facts and several Your Turn questions.

Other possible resources of interest:

1.Want a fun and informative activity to teach your students about the history of Thanksgiving?This webquest has ten informative text questions on the history of Thanksgiving(including the Macy's Day Parade). TURKEY facts,too! Thanksgiving and Turkeys: A Webquest

2. Learn about the Mayflower and the Pilgrims with this informative web quest!There are ten informative text web quests,extension activities,fun facts. Skills include:reading for information and using research/computer skills. Mayflower and Pilgrims: A Webquest

3. A Ms.Bie Ograffee Reader's Theater Script, an interview with Love Brewster, a Pilgrim of Plymouth Colony.Love was an actual member of the 102 Pilgrims that came to America. He was about nine years old. Interestingly, several in his family also had unusual names. He had a sister named Patience, another named Fear and a brother named...Wrestling! Learn lots of interesting information about the Pilgrims and the Thanksgiving feast, of 1623, with this fun format.

Using the format where Love Brewster is a guest on Ms. Bi Ograffee's Talk Show, the studio audience asks Love questions about the voyage on the Mayflower, the first winter and the first Thanksgiving at Plymouth. The play includes comprehension questions, a Did You Know? Section, a Teacher Page with extension activities, links and the key:Reader's Theater Script on Love Brewster, A Pilgrim at Plymouth Colony

Free

PRESIDENTIAL TRIVIA: FREEBIE(Interactive Notebook Activity)

By Gail Hennessey

Great for an INTERACTIVE NOTEBOOK. Give students the factoids and have them do one or more of the extension activities.

Learn lots of fun facts about the Presidents of the United States. A couple of extension activities are included, too.

Please check out these resources:

1. Did You know that President John Quincy Adams had an alligator? Martin Van Buren had two tiger cubs and President McKinley's pet parrot could whistle, "Yankee Doodle". Did you know that President Franklin D. Roosevelt served HOT DOGS to the King of England? Did you know that President Garfield could write with both his right and left hand at the SAME time? Presidential Webquest/Extension Activities: Presidents:A Webquest

2. Did you know that Florence Harding was the first woman to be able to VOTE for her husband in a presidential election? Learn about the contributions of some of our first ladies with this fun and informative web quest. First Ladies of the USA: A Webquest

3. Learn about Abe Lincoln with this informative web quest! President Lincoln started our national Thanksgiving holiday.And, you may not know that Abraham Lincoln didn't like the name Abe and that even his wife called him by the name Lincoln. Skills include:reading for information and using research/computer skills. Updated to include extension activities for language arts. Abraham Lincoln: A Webquest

4. Learn about the White House with 10 informative web questions, comprehension and discussion questions and several extension activities. White House: A Webquest

I have also written several plays on First Ladies including: Dolly Madison, Abigail Adams, Martha Washington,Florence Harding, Edith Wilson, Mary Todd Lincoln, Eleanor Roosevelt,Lady Bird Johnson, Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama.

Other FREEBIES:

1. BOOK Fun Facts(great for National Library Day, 4/15 and Library of Congress Day, 4/24: Book Fun Facts

2.Earth Day Freebie: Earth Day Freebie

3. Women' s History Month Freebie: Women's History Month Freebie

4. Black History Month Freebie: Black History Month Freebie

5. Pumpkin Facts: Pumpkin Fun Facts

6. Amazing Mummy Facts: Amazing Mummy Facts

7. Amazing Chinese New Year Factoids: Chinese New Year Factoids

8. King Tut Day Freebie: King Tut Day Freebie

9. April Fools’ Day Freebie: April Fools’ Day Freebie

10. Learn about Diwali: Diwali Fun Facts

Free

Chocolate Fun Facts(Interactive Notebook Activity)

By Gail Hennessey

Use this fun factoid activity on chocolate with your students on a Friday, for Valentine's Day, a sub or when you are looking for a one-day activity. In additional to facts, there are questions for students to answer.

Please consider following my store. Thanks.

Gail

Gail's Website!-my website for teachers/kids has lots of free materials in geography, career surveys, news, bell ringers, short reads,factoids(such as this one) and more.

Free

Today In History - Daily Warm Up - December 1st

By José Guzmán

Today in History Daily Warm-Up Instructions:

Image Observation:

Display a historical image related to the day's date or a significant event in history.

Instruct students to carefully observe the details in the image without providing any background information.

Individual Inference:

Ask students to individually jot down their inferences about what they think might be happening in the image.

Encourage them to consider details such as clothing, setting, facial expressions, and any other relevant visual cues.

Partner Discussion:

Pair up students and have them share their individual inferences with their partners.

Prompt partners to discuss and compare their interpretations, encouraging them to consider different perspectives.

Collaborative Inference:

Bring the class back together and facilitate a collaborative discussion.

Select a few pairs to share their inferences with the entire class.

Encourage students to consider diverse interpretations and discuss any common themes or differences in their observations.

Historical Context:

After the collaborative discussion, provide some historical context or information about the image.

Discuss how the actual events align or differ from the students' inferences.

Benefits for Students:

Critical Thinking Skills:

Analyzing historical images promotes critical thinking as students must observe details, make connections, and draw conclusions.

Inference and Interpretation:

Making inferences based on visual cues enhances students' ability to interpret information and think beyond the surface.

Collaborative Learning:

Partner and class discussions foster collaborative learning, allowing students to share and refine their ideas through dialogue.

Engagement with History:

Connecting historical events to visual stimuli makes history more tangible and relatable for students, increasing their interest and engagement.

Communication Skills:

Sharing inferences with partners and the class improves communication skills and helps students articulate their thoughts effectively.

Diverse Perspectives:

Encouraging students to consider different interpretations promotes an appreciation for diverse perspectives and helps them understand that history can be viewed from various angles.

Contextual Learning:

Providing historical context after the activity solidifies students' understanding, reinforcing the connection between visual stimuli and historical events.

By incorporating this activity into the daily warm-up routine, students can develop a deeper appreciation for history, enhance their analytical skills, and actively engage with the learning process.

Free

Famous Games from Ancient Greece(Interactive Notebook Activity)FREEBIE

By Gail Hennessey

Use this free resource during your discussions of the famous games which began in ancient Greece. The 2022 Winter Games will be held in Beijing, China, in February.

Check out these resources:

1. Learn about the History of the Famous Games of Ancient Greece with this fun/informative webquest: History of the Ancient Games of Ancient Greece

2. Learn about the country of France, host country for the 2024 Summer Games: https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/FRANCE-a-Webquest-Part-of-my-Country-in-Focus-Series-11641940

3. Learn about the country of Greece, where the famous games originated with this webquest. There are also comprehension questions and extension activities:Learn about the country of Greece!

Check out my website for teachers/kids:Gail's Website for Teachers/Kids

Please consider following my TeachShare Store. Click follow by my photograph. Thank you.

Free

Mayflower: What Might Have Become of the Mayflower? A Reading Passage

By Gail Hennessey

So glad to see so many of you have downloaded this resource. I hope you find it of interest. I found my visit to the "Mayflower Barn" on a trip to England(about 40 minutes by train from London) so very interesting. William Penn is buried in the church yard outside of the Quaker Meeting Building.

Please consider following me. Click on the green star by my picture. Thanks!

Ever wonder what became of the Mayflower? The ship sailed with 102 Pilgrims over the Atlantic to North America, in 1620. If you are expecting to find it docked to some pier, or in a museum, you’d be wrong. That’s because the Mayflower most likely ended up as scrap wood and may have ended up in an old Quaker Barn in Great Britain! This Reading Passage is a possible Interactive Notebook Activity with Did You Know? facts and several Your Turn questions.

Other possible resources of interest:

1.Want a fun and informative activity to teach your students about the history of Thanksgiving?This webquest has ten informative text questions on the history of Thanksgiving(including the Macy's Day Parade). TURKEY facts,too! Thanksgiving and Turkeys: A Webquest

2. Learn about the Mayflower and the Pilgrims with this informative web quest!There are ten informative text web quests,extension activities,fun facts. Skills include:reading for information and using research/computer skills. Mayflower and Pilgrims: A Webquest

3. A Ms.Bie Ograffee Reader's Theater Script, an interview with Love Brewster, a Pilgrim of Plymouth Colony.Love was an actual member of the 102 Pilgrims that came to America. He was about nine years old. Interestingly, several in his family also had unusual names. He had a sister named Patience, another named Fear and a brother named...Wrestling! Learn lots of interesting information about the Pilgrims and the Thanksgiving feast, of 1623, with this fun format.

Using the format where Love Brewster is a guest on Ms. Bi Ograffee's Talk Show, the studio audience asks Love questions about the voyage on the Mayflower, the first winter and the first Thanksgiving at Plymouth. The play includes comprehension questions, a Did You Know? Section, a Teacher Page with extension activities, links and the key:Reader's Theater Script on Love Brewster, A Pilgrim at Plymouth Colony

Free

PRESIDENTIAL TRIVIA: FREEBIE(Interactive Notebook Activity)

By Gail Hennessey

Great for an INTERACTIVE NOTEBOOK. Give students the factoids and have them do one or more of the extension activities.

Learn lots of fun facts about the Presidents of the United States. A couple of extension activities are included, too.

Please check out these resources:

1. Did You know that President John Quincy Adams had an alligator? Martin Van Buren had two tiger cubs and President McKinley's pet parrot could whistle, "Yankee Doodle". Did you know that President Franklin D. Roosevelt served HOT DOGS to the King of England? Did you know that President Garfield could write with both his right and left hand at the SAME time? Presidential Webquest/Extension Activities: Presidents:A Webquest

2. Did you know that Florence Harding was the first woman to be able to VOTE for her husband in a presidential election? Learn about the contributions of some of our first ladies with this fun and informative web quest. First Ladies of the USA: A Webquest

3. Learn about Abe Lincoln with this informative web quest! President Lincoln started our national Thanksgiving holiday.And, you may not know that Abraham Lincoln didn't like the name Abe and that even his wife called him by the name Lincoln. Skills include:reading for information and using research/computer skills. Updated to include extension activities for language arts. Abraham Lincoln: A Webquest

4. Learn about the White House with 10 informative web questions, comprehension and discussion questions and several extension activities. White House: A Webquest

I have also written several plays on First Ladies including: Dolly Madison, Abigail Adams, Martha Washington,Florence Harding, Edith Wilson, Mary Todd Lincoln, Eleanor Roosevelt,Lady Bird Johnson, Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama.

Other FREEBIES:

1. BOOK Fun Facts(great for National Library Day, 4/15 and Library of Congress Day, 4/24: Book Fun Facts

2.Earth Day Freebie: Earth Day Freebie

3. Women' s History Month Freebie: Women's History Month Freebie

4. Black History Month Freebie: Black History Month Freebie

5. Pumpkin Facts: Pumpkin Fun Facts

6. Amazing Mummy Facts: Amazing Mummy Facts

7. Amazing Chinese New Year Factoids: Chinese New Year Factoids

8. King Tut Day Freebie: King Tut Day Freebie

9. April Fools’ Day Freebie: April Fools’ Day Freebie

10. Learn about Diwali: Diwali Fun Facts

Free

Chocolate Fun Facts(Interactive Notebook Activity)

By Gail Hennessey

Use this fun factoid activity on chocolate with your students on a Friday, for Valentine's Day, a sub or when you are looking for a one-day activity. In additional to facts, there are questions for students to answer.

Please consider following my store. Thanks.

Gail

Gail's Website!-my website for teachers/kids has lots of free materials in geography, career surveys, news, bell ringers, short reads,factoids(such as this one) and more.

Free

Classrooms & Chimeras - Monster Card Probability Game - Dungeons & Dragons

By Sean Alexander Dennison

Step into the captivating world of "Classrooms & Chimeras" with our "Monster Card Probability Games - Probability Dice Game Trial." This engaging resource is designed to introduce students to the concepts of probability and quick mental addition through a fun and interactive card game. Featuring eight unique monster cards, this trial set is just a glimpse into the full card game soon to be released, echoing the excitement of the full "Classrooms & Chimeras" campaign.

Product Highlights:

  • 8 Unique Monster Cards: Includes Shoggoth, Slime, Hideguise, Pseudo-Chimera, Cursed Frog, Firebelly Frog, Sandburrower Salamander, and Fungal Toad. These are only 8 of the 151 monster cards created for the "Classrooms & Chimeras" card game.
  • Four Attributes to Choose From: Players can choose from Armour, Hitpoints, Movement, and Attack. The number on each attribute represents the number of 6-sided dice they need to roll.
  • Probability-Based Gameplay: The higher the attribute number, the greater the probability of rolling a higher total compared to the opposition, introducing students to basic probability concepts.
  • Quick Mental Addition: Players must quickly add the numbers on the dice, enhancing their mental arithmetic skills.

Why Educators Need This Resource:

  • Engages Students in Math: Combines the excitement of a card game with educational math concepts, making learning fun and interactive.
  • Enhances Critical Thinking: Encourages students to think strategically about probability and outcomes.
  • Promotes Quick Calculation Skills: Helps students improve their mental addition through fast-paced dice rolling and scoring.
  • Introduces Probability Concepts: Provides a hands-on way for students to learn about probability and chance in an engaging format.

Ideal For:

  • Teachers looking to integrate fun, educational games into their math curriculum.
  • Educators seeking resources to enhance students' understanding of probability and mental arithmetic.
  • Classrooms that value interactive and engaging learning experiences.

Future Release:

  • Full Game Coming Soon: This trial set is just a tester for the full "Classrooms & Chimeras" card game that will soon be released. The full game includes 151 monster cards and mirrors the immersive and educational experiences of the "Classrooms & Chimeras" campaign.

Find our other Classrooms & Chimeras materials below!

  • The Chimera Compendium - A monster manual of all the monsters in the game... so far.
  • The Character Creator Template - a fresh character creator template for creating new characters for Classrooms & Chimeras
  • The 6 Premade Character Sheets - 6 Premade characters including Gorim, Zephyra, Shadowtide, Aerin, Valerius and Whispering Wind
  • The Character Creator + Premades Bundle with bonus Ghorbash - The whole character bundle with a bonus feathered fury with a pretty terrifying ultimate attack!
  • The Student's Handbook - A guide to everything Classrooms & Chimeras instructing you on how to make a unique character and play, but more importantly, how to play well!
  • The Classroom Master Guide - Episode 1: The Portals of Possibilities Campaign - A guide on how to run a TTRPG Classrooms & Chimeras game including all the content from the first campaign with the dreaded Mr. Jenkins, Slimes and Goblins!
  • The Portal of Possibilities Interactive Presentation - Episode 1 - An interactive hyperlinked version of the TTRPG Classrooms & Chimeras game!
  • The Classrooms & Chimeras Daily and Lesson Planner - A day-by-day companion to make sure you can be the best teacher you can be!
  • Classrooms & Chimeras - Episode 2 The Machine - The second instalment of the Portals of Possibilities Campaign!
  • Classrooms & Chimeras - Hitpoint HUD Tracker - A way to track your damage and where you get hit for more immersive roleplay
  • Classrooms & Chimeras - Leveling Up! - Spells & Cantrips - A helpful guide to helping your students/players level up effectively!
  • Classrooms & Chimeras - Coloring Book - A coloring book for mindful C&C coloring!

Equip your classroom with the "Monster Card Probability Games - Probability Dice Game Trial" and watch as your students delve into the fascinating world of monsters, probability, and quick math skills. This resource not only makes learning enjoyable but also prepares them for the full adventure awaiting in the complete "Classrooms & Chimeras" card game.

Free

Geography Latitude & Longitude Activity Project Upper Elementary Social Studies

By The Magical Avocado

Practice using latitude and longitude in this engaging and creative real-world application activity! Four pages of student work can be used to mix and match for seven different activities, with the ability to scale up to a mini project! Ready to print and use, a teacher's guide and answer key are included. Great for 4th, 5th, and 6th grade, this activity is perfect for the beginning of the year, geography units, introduction to social studies, and substitute work!

Specifically, the resource includes:

  • 10 sets of coordinates for students to find the city and country (one page is South America, and one page for Europe)
  • 10 sets of city and country for students to find the coordinates (one page is South America, and one page is Europe)
  • Introduction pages to explain each type
  • Teachers' Guide with differentiation ideas
  • Answer keys
  • NEWLY ADDED DIGITAL VERSIONS FOR STUDENTS TO USE ON THE COMPUTER!

** This is an updated version of the Longitude/Latitude Rising Star activity from 2015!

Free

The ABC's of Primary Source Analysis

By The Magical Avocado

Analyzing primary sources is a great way to bring history to life! This ABC Primary Source Analysis sheet is ready to use with any primary source, just print!

This FREE resource includes:

  • The ABC's of Primary Source Analysis two page printable guide
  • The ABC's of Primary Source Analysis two page student worksheet

This can be used as an introduction to Primary Sources, in centers or stations, for independent analysis, extension and enrichment, as tools of comparison, with Document Based Questions, and so many more!

Free