Ireland Unit for Upper Elementary
Ireland is a gorgeous and fun country to visit. I’ve been lucky enough to visit twice and would love to go back with my kids. In the states, around St. Patrick’s Day, it is normal to see lots of green and pots of gold and shamrocks. It’s also a great time to dive into this fascinating island and it’s rich history and culture. Here is everything you need to do a unit on Ireland with upper elementary schoolers.
affiliate links may be included below. thanks for supporting bambini travel.
Visit Ireland
So, obviously going to Ireland is the best way to really experience Ireland. However, this isn’t possible in a lot of situations so here are some alternatives.
Attend an Irish Cultural Event
A lot of cities and towns have Irish Cultural Events around the time of St. Patrick’s Day. Parades, Festivals, etc. These will allow you to at least hear Irish music, maybe see some Irish dancing. You might even be able to try out or watch an Irish sport like curling.
Virtual Visit to Ireland
Another option is a virtual visit. My fourth graders loved this 17 minute YouTube visit to Ireland.
Ireland: Travel the World with Your Kids
Read about Ireland
Follow Me Around Ireland
by Wiley Blevins
I have been pleasantly surprised by this series several times. They serve as a good introduction or overview of a country, in this case Ireland. I love that they are from a child’s perspective so they include things like how kids play and what school looks like. FOLLOW ME AROUND IRELAND is a wonderful book for giving some context for all of the playful picture books on this list for St. Patrick’s Day.
Celtic Tales: Fairy Tales and Stories of Enchantment from Ireland, Scotland, Brittany and Wales
illustrations by Kate Forrester
This is a beautiful book of fairy tales from Celtic heritages. Obviously they aren’t all from Ireland, but when we did our Fourth Grade Unit on Ireland, or when you’re getting ready for St. Patrick’s Day you could just read the tales from Ireland. They are brief, just a few pages, which works well for a daily read aloud or before bed.
For More Book Recommendations, check out this booklist on My Storytime Corner
Explore Irish Music
- Irish Music lesson from Music in Our Homeschool
- St. Patty’s Music Theory from My Fun Piano Studio
Art Activities inspired by Ireland
- Make St. Brigid’s Crosses using pipe cleaners from Everything Irish by AnnMarie O’Grady
- Learn to draw a Pot Gold with Art Hub for Kids
- Draw Celtic Knots with Kitchen Table Classroom.
Science & Math Activities
- Pot of Gold Multiplication Game from Hanging with Mrs. Hulsey on Teachers Pay Teachers.
- St. Patrick’s Logic Puzzles freebie from Mrs. Thompsons Treasures
- Bake Irish Soda Bread. Everyone swears by their family recipe for this, but regardless of the recipe you choose – this bread is a staple.
- Play Rainbow Game from Waldock Way
- Make Rainbow Slime from Little Bins for Little Hands
Irish Reading & Writing Activities
- St Patrick’s Day Fact vs. Opinions
- Write Irish Limericks – this was a favorite with my kids.
- Ireland Cursive Pages
- Write Your Name the Celtic Way also from Everything Irish by AnnMarie O’Grady
Learn about Irish Dance
Irish Dance is a unique form of dancing that’s a traditional part of Irish culture still thriving today. If you can’t watch Irish dancers live, here are some YouTube videos of Irish dance:
- RiverDance – you might be able to find a full show at your library as well. This was a world famous touring group of Irish Dancers.
- Trinity Irish Dance Company – this group is currently touring and is a more modern take on Irish dance.
- Leahy Call To Dance – this is a family of musicians that play in a band together. They are not professional dancers, but they dance and I love this song. It’s great fun.
- Cairde – also more modern, but still traditional. This is a group in Ireland.
If you have more time, Netflix has an animated movie full of Irish dance, RIVERDANCE: THE ANIMATED ADVENTURE which is really cute.
End of Unit Irish Program
At the end of our unit, we had an Irish themed program for friends and family. We included:
- Irish Dance
- Irish Songs on Recorder and Piano
- Irish Limericks Read Aloud
- Art Show
