Resources include videos, arts & crafts, printables, worksheets, interactive maps, and tutorials. They will help your students learn about and explore Irish culture, history, and traditions, including Irish folktales, literature, recipes, Celtic art and mythology, the Great Potato Famine, and more.
For Grades K-5
1. Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato (8:08)
An Irish folktale. A leprechaun offers Jamie O’Rourke the biggest potato in the world if Jamie will let him go. (Grades K-2)
2. History of St. Patrick’s Day
Nine brief videos covering the history of St. Patrick’s Day and associated traditions. (Grades K-5)
3. St. Patrick’s Day Crafts and Activities
Crafts, activities, printable books, spelling and writing pages, math activities, coloring pages, and more. (Grades K-5)
4. St. Patrick’s Day Printables and Worksheets
Word searches and scrambles, puzzles, and coloring pages. (Grades K-5)
For Grades 6-12
5. White Soda Bread
A traditional recipe for this quick bread and seven variations. (Grades 6-12)
6. Learn About the Great Hunger
Provides a brief history of the great potato famine that cost more than a million lives. (Grades 9-12)
7. Hunger on Trial: An Activity on the Irish Potato Famine and Its Meaning for Today A trial simulation to establish responsibility for the death of Irish peasants during the potato famine. Note: Teachers must register to download the lesson. (Grades 9-12)
8. Celtic Europe
An introduction to Celtic history and mythology. (Grades 6-12)
9. Immigration Explorer
With this interactive map, users can select a foreign-born group to see how they settled across the United States. (Census data from 1880 to 2000) (Grades 6-12)
10. Celtic Knotwork Tutorial ( PDF, 2.2 MB, 59 pgs.)
Introduction to Knotwork Construction: A Tutorial. This tutorial is introductory and doesn’t require prior experience in Celtic art or design. (Grades 6-12)
11. Nativism in 19th Century America Students examine Anti-Catholic political cartoons and Nativism in light of the First Amendment. (Grades 9-12)
Recommended Picture Books:
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Patrick: Patron Saint Of Ireland by Tomie dePaola
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St. Patrick’s Day by Gail Gibbons
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St. Patrick’s Day in the Morning by Eve Bunting Illustrated by Jan Brett
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A Fine St. Patricks Day by Susan Wojciechowski Illustrated by Tom Curry
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Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato by Tomie dePaola
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Brave Margaret by Robert D. San Souci Illustrated by Sally Wern Comport
Recommended Videos:
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Reading Rainbow: Two Old Potatoes and Me (about 30 minutes)
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Darby O’ Gill And The Little People (1:33:00)
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The Secret of Kells (1:15:00)
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The Song of the Sea (1:34:00)