March L2.html

March Lesson Plan

Level 2

Return to March

Return to Home Page

Lesson Plan Level II

St. Patrick's Day

An Irish Festival

History/Social Science Standard #3 The student knows that there is cultural diversity

History/Social Science Benchmark - Student knows the basic elements of culture

Objective:

Students will learn about the holiday celebrated in many parts of the western world.
Students will learn what is a legend
Students will learn about symbols, and the traditions of the festival

Background

Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17th, to honor and celebrate the death anniversary of St. Patrick the patron saint of Ireland. He was born about 385 A.D. in Northern Wales. He took the name of Patrick after he became a priest. When he was about 60 years old he brought Christianity to Ireland. St. Patrick taught the Irish to read and write.

St. Patrick's day is celebrated with parades and marching bands. People eat corned beef, cabbage and Irish soda bread. Some people sing and dance the Irish jig. The shamrock leaf is a symbol of St. Patrick and Ireland. St. Patrick used a three leafed clover to explain the concept of the Trinity (father,son and holy spirit). Many people wear green on this day. Green symbolizes the color of spring, Ireland and the shamrock. Ireland is called the "Emerald Isle"as it has lots of green pastures.

St. Patrick is also thought to have driven out all the snakes from Ireland, snakes were supposed to be a pagan symbol.

One of the popular legends is about the leprechauns, they are tiny people who dress in green with a cocked hat and leather apron. They collect pots of gold and live alone, spending time making shoes. If a person can catch a leprechaun then he can have him lead them to the pot of gold.

The Blarney stone is in the Irish village of Blarney in the wall of the Blarney castle. Legend has it that kissing the stone gives a person the ability to speak sweetly and convincingly.

Vocabulary Words:- legend, symbol, jig, shamrock, blarney stone, leprechauns, pot of gold

Materials Needed:

Globe or world map
Internet access- to research St. Patrick's Day
For this lesson Intellipics software and overlay were used. Intellipics software and overlay will need to be downloaded.

Teaching Strategies
1. Show the students on a globe or map where Ireland is located.
2. Have students find Ireland and St. Patrick's Day sites on the Internet
3. Discuss St. Patrick's Day festival, since it is celebrated in the USA students can verbalize what they know about it
4. Give students an overview of the festival and why it is celebrated and how.
5. Have students explain how legend is different from fact
6. Have students tell what are the different symbols of St. Patrick's Day.
7. Have students do the Intellipics activity

Instructions for using Intellipics activities.

If using the Intellikeys alternative keyboard, the Intellipics activity should be open and active on the screen and the keyboard connected. Check to see that the activity works before beginning, If it does not, make sure the overlay has been sent by selecting the File menu and clicking on "Send Overlay". For best results start by using the mouse to move the cursor to the first picture item in the column (moon ) click to see the story. When students activate the activity, it will begin with the first picture in the sequence. If not using the adaptive keyboard, you may access this activity using the mouse, however, the cursor will need to be moved to each picture item individually in turn in order to read the story in order. After student reads the story have him or her do the accompanying worksheet to see if the student has comprehended the material.

Return to March

Return to Home Page

	March Lesson Plan Level 2
	Return to March Return to Home Page
	Lesson Plan Level II St. Patrick's Day An Irish Festival History/Social Science Standard #3 The student knows that there is cultural diversity History/Social Science Benchmark - Student knows the basic elements of culture Objective: Students will learn about the holiday celebrated in many parts of the western world. Students will learn what is a legend Students will learn about symbols, and the traditions of the festival Background Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17th, to honor and celebrate the death anniversary of St. Patrick the patron saint of Ireland. He was born about 385 A.D. in Northern Wales. He took the name of Patrick after he became a priest. When he was about 60 years old he brought Christianity to Ireland. St. Patrick taught the Irish to read and write. St. Patrick's day is celebrated with parades and marching bands. People eat corned beef, cabbage and Irish soda bread. Some people sing and dance the Irish jig. The shamrock leaf is a symbol of St. Patrick and Ireland. St. Patrick used a three leafed clover to explain the concept of the Trinity (father,son and holy spirit). Many people wear green on this day. Green symbolizes the color of spring, Ireland and the shamrock. Ireland is called the "Emerald Isle"as it has lots of green pastures. St. Patrick is also thought to have driven out all the snakes from Ireland, snakes were supposed to be a pagan symbol. One of the popular legends is about the leprechauns, they are tiny people who dress in green with a cocked hat and leather apron. They collect pots of gold and live alone, spending time making shoes. If a person can catch a leprechaun then he can have him lead them to the pot of gold. The Blarney stone is in the Irish village of Blarney in the wall of the Blarney castle. Legend has it that kissing the stone gives a person the ability to speak sweetly and convincingly. Vocabulary Words:- legend, symbol, jig, shamrock, blarney stone, leprechauns, pot of gold Materials Needed: Globe or world map Internet access- to research St. Patrick's Day For this lesson Intellipics software and overlay were used. Intellipics software and overlay will need to be downloaded. Teaching Strategies Show the students on a globe or map where Ireland is located. Have students find Ireland and St. Patrick's Day sites on the Internet Discuss St. Patrick's Day festival, since it is celebrated in the USA students can verbalize what they know about it Give students an overview of the festival and why it is celebrated and how. Have students explain how legend is different from fact Have students tell what are the different symbols of St. Patrick's Day. Have students do the Intellipics activity Instructions for using Intellipics activities. If using the Intellikeys alternative keyboard, the Intellipics activity should be open and active on the screen and the keyboard connected. Check to see that the activity works before beginning, If it does not, make sure the overlay has been sent by selecting the File menu and clicking on "Send Overlay". For best results start by using the mouse to move the cursor to the first picture item in the column (moon ) click to see the story. When students activate the activity, it will begin with the first picture in the sequence. If not using the adaptive keyboard, you may access this activity using the mouse, however, the cursor will need to be moved to each picture item individually in turn in order to read the story in order. After student reads the story have him or her do the accompanying worksheet to see if the student has comprehended the material.


	Return to March Return to Home Page