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ST.PATRICK’S DAYSaint Patrick’s word families
Introduction
St Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. St. Patrick’s Day
falls on 17 March, which is the anniversary of his death in the
fifth century. Although originally a Catholic celebration, it has
become more and more secular with parades, music and songs, both in
Ireland and in countries to which the Irish have emigrated.
This activity combines a lesson on Saint Patrick’s Day with the
opportunity for students to improve their dictionary and writing
skills.
Objectives
• To learn about Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. •
To learn how Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated. • To look up words
in a dictionary. • To look for rhyming words to finish a poem.
Vocabulary and lexis
• Saint Patrick’s vocabulary: clover, shamrock, snake, pot of
gold, rainbow, Leprechaun, green, snake. • When/Where is Saint
Patrick celebrated? It’s celebrated in/on … • What words belong to
…? • How many …? There are …
Key competences
• Competence in knowledge of and interaction with the physical
world • Cultural and artistic competence • Autonomy and personal
initiative • Competence in linguistic communication
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Assessment criteria
Evaluate students’ knowledge about Saint Patrick: can they
remember basic information about Saint Patrick’s Day and its
history?
Evaluate their ability to look for words in the dictionary: have
they been able to find the words they were looking for?
Evaluate their writing skills: have they been able to finish the
poem?
Evaluate their cooperative skills: has each member of each pair
helped and encouraged each other?
Timing
2 sessions (2 hours).
Activity development
You will need: • A copy of Worksheets 1, 2 and 3 for each pair
of student
Instructions: 1. Surf the internet with your students to learn
about Saint Patrick’s Day:
• St. Patrick’s Day: http://www.st-patricks-day.com/• Fun facts
about St. Patrick’s Day:
http://www.wsaw.com/seasonal/misc/40129602.html• More on St.
Patrick’s Day: http://www.theholidayspot.com/patrick/• St.
Patrick’s Day Facts: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/
news/2010/03/100316-stpatricks-day-facts-shamrocks/
2. Ask students to work in pairs and give them a copy of
Worksheet 1 and Worksheet 2, and a dictionary. Tell them the number
of words you want them to write in each family group.
GOING BILINGUAL!PR IMARY 4 - 6
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ST. PATRICK’S DAY
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3. Ask them to have a look at the words related to Saint
Patrick’s Day and to write down words they already know in the
appropriate box.
4. Encourage them to use the dictionary to find out new
words.
5. There are some family words which are more difficult to find
than others, so move around the classroom helping students with
those difficult groups of words.
6. Once most pairs have found the required number of words, ask
them to read them aloud to each other, so that those students who
have not finished can complete their tasks too.
7. At this point, give each pair of students a copy of Worksheet
3, and tell them that they should write the three missing verses of
the unfinished Saint Patrick’s poem. Explain that they have to use
pairs of words from the family groups. Remind them to take into
account the number of syllables in each line and the rhyming words
to complete the poem.
8. Ask them to write a title for their poem, and to decorate the
worksheet.
9. Display the poems around the classroom and praise everyone’s
efforts.
Extension activity
As an extension activity, give your students a copy of the
Extension Worksheet and ask them to make a concept map containing
the most interesting information about Saint Patrick’s Day.
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Answer key
Saint Patrick’s Day word families
Extension activity: Saint Patrick’s Day interesting facts
PR IMARY 4 - 6
GOING BILINGUAL!ST. PATRICK’S DAY
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© Oxford University PressPhotocopiable
Worksheet 1PR IMARY 4 - 6
GOING BILINGUAL!St. Patrick’s Day
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© Oxford University PressPhotocopiable
Worksheet 2PR IMARY 4 - 6
GOING BILINGUAL!St. Patrick’s Day
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© Oxford University PressPhotocopiable
Worksheet 3PR IMARY 4 - 6
GOING BILINGUAL!St. Patrick’s Day
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© Oxford University PressPhotocopiable
Worksheet 4: Extension WorksheetPR IMARY 4 - 6
GOING BILINGUAL!St. Patrick’s Day
