Teaching Irish Culture: A Guide for Educators
Overview
This post provides educators with innovative and culturally rich ideas for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day and teaching about Ireland. The suggestions leverage traditional Irish music, art, literature, and legends to create engaging learning experiences.
Free Resource
A Travel to Ireland Activity Kit is available for free until March 8, 2019. This comprehensive kit includes over 30 pages of trusted information and activities related to Irish culture. After the free period, it will be available for purchase in the store.
Lesson Ideas
- Incorporate Irish Music
- Play traditional Irish music during class to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
- Recommended artists include Altan and Lunasa for instrumental tunes that are classroom-friendly.
- Avoid songs with inappropriate lyrics; focus on instrumental fiddle tunes.
- Art Project: St. Bridget’s Cross
- Research and create St. Bridget’s Cross using pipe cleaners.
- Teach students about its significance in Irish culture without delving into religious instruction.
- Step-by-step instructions can be found in the Travel to Ireland Activity Kit.
- Explore the Works of W.B. Yeats
- Introduce students to the poetry of William Butler Yeats, a notable Irish poet.
- Read and discuss one of his poems in class to appreciate his literary contributions.
- Link to a full lesson plan is here
- Study C.S. Lewis
- Explore the works of C.S. Lewis, particularly The Chronicles of Narnia.
- A lesson plan on The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is available for a structured reading assignment.
- Legend of the Giant’s Causeway
- Investigate the legend of Finn McCool and the Giant’s Causeway.
- This lesson connects geography and topography while engaging students with a captivating Irish legend.
Conclusion
These lesson ideas aim to enrich students’ understanding of Irish culture beyond the typical symbols associated with St. Patrick’s Day. For additional activities and information, download the free Travel to Ireland Activity Kit.