My Book-Mrs. Paddington and the Silver Mousetraps
Anti-Bullying Resources
Bell Ringers!
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Mrs. Portulaca Purpilopilis
and the Purple Adventure Goggles
Facts to Wow your Friends!
Teaching Ideas!
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Teach PEACE and TOLERANCE
In 2025, the Tour de France will begin on July 5-July 27th. The race will start in the city of Lille and end in Paris, France, along the famous Champs-Elysees.This is the first time in a few years, the race will take place ONLY in the country of France. For the first time, the racers will climb Montmartre, in Paris, in the final stage. It's considered the world's biggest and most exciting bicycling race. Athletes competing in the race will travel approximately 3320 km (2063 miles) during the 23 day race. Each day(called stages), a leader will be awarded a yellow jersey(or Maillot Jaune in French). In addition to the yellow jersey, there is a polka dot jersey awarded to the best climber(king of the mountains), a white jersey(the best youngest rider) and a green jersey(best sprinter).The Tour de France began in 1903.This year, there are 22 teams of eight riders competing in the Tour de France, a total of 176 riders.
Download the free resource here: Tour de France FREEBIE, 2025
River
Try doing an act of kindness for someone, today!
7/2020:Mrs. Paddington and the Silver Mousetraps won a 1st place Purple Dragonfly Book Award in the Picture Books 6 & Older category. Thank you, Story Monsters!
3/24/20:Excited to have my latest children's book, Mrs. Paddington and the Silver Mousetraps, chosen as a 2019 Story Monster Approved winner!
SUMMER FREEBIES!
2. Brain Factoids: Brain Factoids
3. Amazing Book Facts: World Book Day, Amazing Book Facts(Freebie)
5.Water Facts: World Water Day is 3/22. Fun Facts about Water!
6. THE 6888(FREEBIE) Reading: 6888 Reading
7. Ocean Fun Facts:Ocean Fun Facts
8. Giraffes!Giraffe Fun Facts
SUMMER Highlights!
2.Famous Women in History: Women's History, Bundle of 10 Reader's Theater Scripts
3.Famous People in Science 1: Stem Biographical Plays 1
4.Famous People in Science 2: Stem Biographical Plays 1
5.Jules Verne:Jules Verne, A Reader's Theater Script
6.Everything has a History:Candy:History of Candy, a Webquest
7. Everything has a History:
Everything has a History, Bundle of Resources (each sold individually, too)(History of Pretzels, Shoes, Spring, Peanuts, Soccer, Chewing Gum, Why Study History, Candy)
8. World Landmarks(Webquest): Worldl Landmarks, Webquest
9. US Landmarks(Webquest):US Landmarks, A Webquest
10. World Capitals, Test Your Knowledge: World Capitals, Test Your Knowledge
11. US Landmarks, Test your Knowledge: US Landmarks, Test Your Knowledge
12. Maps and Geography, Test Your Knowledge: Maps/Geography, Test Your Knowledge
13. Women Trailblazer, Test Your Knowledge: Women Trailblazers, Test Your Knowledge
14. Learn about countries of the world: Countries of the World, Webquest. All sold individually, too.
15. Learn about the country of Greenland: Greenland, A Webquest
1. World Capitals: World Capitals, Test Your Knowledge
2. US Landmarks: U.S. Landmarks, Test Your Knowledge
3. Maps and Geography: Maps and Geography, Test Your Knowledge
4. Women Trailblazers: Women Trailblazers, Test Your Knowledge
Bundle on Countries of the WorldAll sold individually, too.
MATH and STEM Biographies:
1. Hypathia: Hypathia, Woman Mathematician
2. Ada Lovelace: Ada Lovelace, Woman Mathematician
4. Katherine Johnson: Katherine Johnson, STEM Biography
4. Marie Curie: Marie Curie, Stem Bio
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Use my THINGY letters to have kids write spelling words, vocabulary words or as an art activity! Have students try and guess what some of the THINGY Letters are.(also have Black/White option):ClipArt: Alphabet Thingy Letters!
Check out my series of Children's Books from Aadarsh Publishing!
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Stop Bullying!
To any young people visiting my website. Please,if you are being bullied, seek help...SPEAK TO AN ADULT today!And, if you SEE something that looks like bullying-SAY something to an adult!
Check out my Pinterest page to see all my resources in one easy place!Click here to learn more:Gail's Social Studies Emporium(and More)
IN THE NEWS: 07/11/2025:
The Bayeux Tapestry, actually an embroidery, was made more than 900 years ago, depicts the famous 1066 Battle of Hastings. For the first time, in the fall of 2026, the tapestry will be on display at the British Museum in London, England, due to an agreement between the countries of France and Great Britain. The French are loaning the tapestry as a gift to honor the upcoming 1000 birthday of William the Conqueror. Artifacts will be loaned to France in the exchange. Made up of six pieces of bleached linen, the tapestry is about 230 ft. long and includes 626 humans(of which 4 are women), 202 horses, 41 ships, 33 buildings, 49 trees and 55 dogs! The tapestry gives a wealth of information on the period of time including the types of ships used, the clothing worn, architecture, hair styles and lots more. Halley's Comet is also woven into the embroidery as it was in the sky during the battle. The tapestry was almost destroyed when it was used to cover military wagons in the French Revolution(1792). Later, it was almost cut up to decorate a float! Realizing the historical importance of the Bayeux Tapestry, it was eventually placed in a safe place during World War 1 and World War 2. Today, tapestry is hanging in the Musee de la Patisserie de Bayeux, in Bayeux, Normandy, in the country of France. While the tapestry is in Great Britain, the French museum will go through a renovation.
Photograph from Bayeux Museum. Check out this reading for kids on the Bayeux Tapestry.Bayeux Tapestry, A Reading A soldier's shoe being discovered may not seem newsworthy until you learn it belonged to a Roman soldier who wore it more than 2000 years ago! Found in Northumberland, Great Britain, the letter shoe was pretty much intact. It is also a really BIG shoe, suggesting the wearer was a big man. The shoe is about a size 11.5. The average man's shoe size is about 10.5. Found at the Magna Roman Fort, other artifacts unearthed including children's shoes and pottery.
Photograph from LiveScience. What will be the world's largest man-made reef is getting ready for its new home. The SS United States had an impressive record crossing the Atlantic Ocean in 3 days, 10 hours and 40 minutes on its first trans-Atlantic voyage in 1952. The record still holds today! Long retired, the ship is currently being salvaged for anything that can be used as well as removing any toxic substances. It is hoped the wreck will be ready by the end of this year or early 2026 for sinking near Destin-Fort Walton Beach in Florida where it will become home to many marine creatures.
Photograph from DogoNewsScientists in Australia studying the intelligence of sulphur-crested cockatoos has learned that they have taught themselves to get a drin...from a water fountain. The birds realized if they kept one foot on the fountain handle, they could get water from the spout. The birds problem solving skills were first documented on a video back in 2018. Studying 24 cockatoos, the scientists set up cameras by a drinking fountain that the birds gathered. To their amazement, the birds used the fountain 525 times in about 44 days!
Photograph from Western Sydney University.A very rare camel was just born at the Tennessee Safari Park. The little male camel is not yellow-brown like its parents. The camel is white! Not actually an albino because of its blue eyes, the dromedary(two humped) camel is actually called a piebald. If you are interested in participating in the naming the baby camel, contact the zoo's website.
Photograph from Pethelpful via YahooImagine reaching the summit of Mt. Everest. Kami Rita Sherpa has not only done it once but holds the record for the most ascents of Mt. Everest, doing it 31 times! His latest summit was on May 31st. Kami, of Nepal, is a member of the Sherpas who are world famous for the mountaineering abilities and for bringing others up the dangerous mountain. Mt. Everest, is 29,032 ft. high. It is the highest mountain on the Earth. The first successful summit of Mt. Everest was done in 1953 by Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay.
Photograph from Seven Summit Treks/ FacebookPAST NEWS STORIES
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About Gail:
I retired from teaching after 33 1/2 years in the classroom. Of that time, I taught Grade 6 Social Studies teacher for 31 1/2 years.I earned my BA in early secondary education with a concentration in social studies from SUNY Oneonta, New York, and my MST in social studies education from Binghamton University in New York. In 1988, I was awarded the Outstanding Elementary Social Studies Classroom Teacher of the Year Award from the New York State Council for the Social Studies. Additionally, in 1988, I was also awarded the Outstanding Elementary Social Studies Teacher of the Year Award by the National Council for the Social Studies. I am the author of 8 books for teachers and over 35 books for children(Purple Turtle Series by Aadarsh Publishing and Odd History Series by Red Chair Press).
My work has appeared in most children's publications including:
Highlights for Children,News-O-Matic,Appleseed,,Scholastic's Super Science,,Scholastic's Science World,Jack and Jill,National Geographic World, Ranger Rick, Cobblestone, Faces, Muse Magazine,Contact Kids, US Kids,Action Magazine(Scholastic),Girls' Life,Boys' Life,American Girl, Instructor,Creative Classroom,Middle Years,Time for Kids,Scholastic News,Scholastic News Zone, Time for Kids , Ask Magazine, Dig,Calliope, Cobblestone, FACES, Studies Weekly, Glo Adventurer, and more.
Mail Gail:
Gail Hennessey