Lesson #1: The Island of Ireland: Exploration of the geography, culture, and economy of Ireland through the film,
The Field
.
Objectives: Students will read, view and listen to multiple sources that reflect the diversity of culture. Students will read, view and listen to multiple sources concerning geography. Students will read, view and listen to multiple sources concerning economics.
Materials: VHS tape of
The Field
, detailed topographical / geographical maps of Ireland,
Ireland: A Portrait of the Country through its Festivals and Traditions, Countries of the World: Ireland, Black Potatoes: The story of the Great Irish Famine
, internet, and highlighters.
Activity:
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- Each group of three students will be given a topographical and a geographical map and will be given approximately 10 minutes to study the maps independently.
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- During a teacher directed session, the students will learn how to read the maps, become familiar with the different provinces, counties, and waterways. Within a whole class format students will create a Venn diagram recognizing the notable differences and similarities between America and Ireland.
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- During the viewing of the film,
The Field
, each student will be required to record observations relating to one of the following categories: economy, geography, and culture
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- Given a “film record journal” the student will record observations during the viewing
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- After the viewing, the students will be given approximately 10 minutes to discuss what they viewed and recorded.
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- Class discussion will ensue pertaining to the geographical, economical, and cultural aspects of the film. Teacher will need to direct and prompt discussions as deemed necessary. Students will highlight the areas on the maps the movie visited.
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- Each group will then choose to research one aspect of the film: culture (traveling people / language /social life / church, etc.) economy ( farming / occupations within the community / poverty vs. wealth), or geography (the land, bogs, farmland, water)
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- Upon completing their research, the students will be asked to complete the Venn diagram and the comparison between Ireland and America, focusing on all aspects of a region: geography, culture, and economy
Assessment: Group presentation and participation
Lesson #2: The Western Myth
Objectives: Students will read, view and listen to multiple sources concerning geography. Students will gain an understanding of western expansion as it pertains to America and Ireland.
Activity:
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- Students will access prior knowledge of American Western Expansion during a brainstorming activity. Students will discuss Americans motives for traveling into the western frontier
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- Students will be provided with background knowledge pertaining to Ireland and how western Ireland was established and settled while eastern Ireland developed as the Irish moved towards the east in pursuit of a more metropolitan and urban environment
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- Students will be provided with information regarding how the west, in both American and Irish legend, represents hope and a better life.
Assessment: Students will use their acquired knowledge to aid in their understanding and analysis of the films,
The Secret of Roan Inish
and
Into the West
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Lesson #3:
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Approach to Literature: Irish Folktales and Poetry
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Objectives: Students will read, view and listen to multiple sources that reflect the diversity of a culture. Student will demonstrate strategic skills that ensure success in reading. Student will demonstrate strategies used before, during, and after specific reading tasks. Student will demonstrate strategic speaking skills in order to ensure success in verbal communication. Students will construct a book mobile and give a short presentation to the class
Materials:
The Sailor who Captured the Sea and Other Celtic Tales; Brave Margaret; Poetry for Young People: William Butler Yeats;
construction paper, crayons, markers, string, wooden sticks
Activity:
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- Create a web, with
Folk Tale
as the focal point, and display it in the room. Students will identify all the components of a folk tale as the teacher reads one aloud. Students will be introduced to the folk tale and the qualities that identify this genre: magic, imagination, storytelling, language (metaphor and similes), and rhythm. These folk tales are unique to a culture because they explore myths and stories that have survived centuries. Folk tales began as an oral tradition and developed through various interpretations, into the tales we will read in written format
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- Students will practice before, during, and after reading strategies as the tale is being read
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- Students will identify vocabulary words and language that is significant in the telling of this tale
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- Create a web, with Poetry as the focal point, and display it in the room. Students will identify all the components of this genre as the teacher reads one of Yeat’s poems aloud. Students will be introduced to the poem and the qualities that identify this genre: imagination, ideas, figurative language (metaphor and similes), and rhythm. Many of Yeats poems are unique to the Irish culture because they explore the myths and geography of this mystical island.
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- Students will identify vocabulary words and language that are significant in the understanding of this poem.
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- Students will discuss in a whole class format the similarities and differences between their own experiences and culture (American legends such as Halloween, Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, Santa Clause, Boogey monster) in comparison to that of the Irish folktales and poems.
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- Students will work in groups and choose either a poem or folktale to present to the class. Their presentation will consist of a book mobile (with the mobile parts created to represent the main character, setting, problem, and solution) and a summary of the story/poem.
Assessment: Students will be assessed on their presentation, book mobile and ability to
summarize the story / poem in a concise and articulate manner.
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Lesson #4:
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Analysis of Irish Film:
The Secret of Roan Inish
and
Into the West
|
Objectives: Student will demonstrate strategic viewing skills by interpreting meaning from visual resources.
Materials: The Films:
The Secret of Roan Inish
and
Into the West
.
Activity:
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- Each group of three students will be given their topographical and geographical maps from the previous lesson
-
- During the viewing of the film,
Secret of Roan Inish
, each student will be required to record observations relating to one of the following categories: economy, geography, and culture
-
- Given a “film record journal” the student will record observations during the viewing
-
- After the viewing, the students will be given approximately 10 minutes to discuss what they viewed and recorded.
-
- Class discussion will ensue pertaining to the geographical, economical, and cultural aspects of the film. Teacher will need to direct and prompt discussions as deemed necessary
-
- Each group will then choose to research one aspect of the film: culture (traveling people / language /social life / church, etc.) economy ( farming / occupations within the community / poverty vs. wealth), or geography (the land, bogs, farmland, water)
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- This will be repeated for the viewing of the film:
Into the West
Assessment: Group presentation and participation
