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All About Ireland
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3º ES O DBH 3 3r ESO
Burlington Books
Emily Winston
TEACHER’S MATERIAL
CONTENTS To the Teacher
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Before Reading
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After Reading: Extra Challenges
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Final Test
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Answers to Final Test
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Answers to Activities in the Reader
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Answers to Cross-Curricular Focus
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Before using the following teacher’s material, we recommend that you visit the Teacher’s Zone at www.burlingtonbooks.es and consult the Burlington Activity Reader Series general information leaflet . The Final Test in this teacher’s material is also available in editable Word format from the website. The Student’s Zone on the site offers additional activities.
All
About
Ireland
TO THE TEACHER S U M M A R Y
All About Ireland focuses on the culture and history of a country known for its beautiful green landscapes. Irish culture is full of colourful legends, beautiful music and strong feelings of patriotism. All About Ireland also looks at the country’s geography and economy.
In Chapters 1 and 2, we learn about the early history of Ireland and why there was a long history of violence between the English and the Irish. In the 1600s, the English King James I sent English Protestants to take land away from Irish Catholic farmers. The Irish farmers remained poor and depended on the potato crop for almost all of their food supply. Disaster struck in 1845 and 1846 with the Irish Potato Famine. The British government did not do enough to help the Irish and more than one million people died from starvation. Consequently the movement for Irish autonomy began to grow. The Sinn Fein party was established in the early 1900s, which produced the Irish Republican Army (IRA), known for its violent fight against the British. After years of fighting, a treaty was signed in 1921 that separated the Irish Free State (Republic of Ireland) from Northern Ireland, the six counties that remained part of Britain. Chapter 3 describes the geography of Ireland, mentioning how the high levels of rainfall and cool temperatures help keep Ireland green. There are many places to visit including the Burren, a huge limestone area with a large variety of plants and Aillwee Cave, in the middle of the Burren, which has many stalagmites and stalactites. This chapter also tells us the colourful legend of how the fantastic Giant’s Causeway was formed by two giants. Chapter 4 describes four interesting places to see in Ireland. First is Newgrange, an ancient temple near the east coast of Ireland that is older than the Pyramids in Egypt. Newgrange is famous because it is perfectly aligned, so the sunlight shines down a passage through a hole in the ceiling to a chamber, on the shortest day of the year. Next, we read about the Book of Kells, a lovely medieval manuscript, which is on display today at Trinity College Library in Dublin. We then move to Blarney Castle with its famous “Blarney Stone”. Many people come to kiss the stone because, according to legend, they will become more eloquent if they do. Finally, we look at a replica of the Jeanie Johnston on the River Liffey, a ship that made voyages from Ireland to North America, carrying the emigrants away from Ireland during the years of the potato famine. In Chapter 5, we are introduced to Irish customs, traditions and holidays. First we read about the history of Irish dancing and learn why the early dancing masters learned to keep their arms close to their body. Then, Irish wedding customs, influenced by the early Celtic people, are presented and finally, we find out how the Irish celebrate St Patrick’s Day and Halloween. Chapter 6 is about Irish myths and legends, most of which come from early Irish history. Leprechauns, banshees and changelings are introduced and we learn about some other fascinating legends. Chapter 7 mentions Ireland’s four Nobel Prize winners in literature, more than by any other country with a population as small as Ireland’s. This chapter includes short biographies of three other famous Irish writers: James Joyce, Oscar Wilde and C.S. Lewis. In Chapter 8, Irish successes in dance, architecture and the Eurovision Song Contest (which Ireland has won seven times) are discussed and information about five contemporary Irish celebrities is presented. In Chapter 9, we read about some sports unique to Ireland like Gaelic football and hurling. We also find out about other popular sports like horse racing. Then, in Chapter 10, we discover some typical Irish food and drinks. In Chapter 11, we learn about “The Troubles” in Ireland from 1968-1998, the three decades of violent conflict between the Protestant majority and the Catholic minority in Northern Ireland. As a result of discrimination, the Catholic minority wanted to unite with the Republic of Ireland. Protests and marches gradually became more violent. As the danger grew, the British government sent soldiers to keep the peace. The Irish Republican Army joined the battle, and their campaign of violence was answered by the Protestant Ulster Volunteer Volunteer Force. More than 3,600 people died and 50,000 were injured during the 30-year period. Finally,, the Good Friday Agreement of 1998 ended the violence. Finally
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All
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Chapter 12 tells us about Ireland today, including a description of the flag, the official languages of Ireland and the lively tourist scene. The impressive period of economic growth from 1995 to 2000 is described, followed by the difficulties Ireland faces today after the major economic recession which began in 2008. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
King James I of England and Ireland (1566-1625) was a religious Protestant and wanted to convert the Irish to Protestantism. However, he was afraid of Catholic conspiracies against him, so he used this fear to justify introducing restrictions against Catholics and suppressing their religion.
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Great Britain consists Britain consists of three different countries: England, Wales and Scotland. Most of the island of Ireland (that which is not the UK’s Northern Ireland) is an independent country called the Republic of Ireland.. Ireland
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Kingdom consists of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The official name of the country is The United Kingdom consists “The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland”.
Seats in Parliament refer Parliament refer to the number of members in Parliament. For example, today there are 650 members in the British Parliament, so that means that there are 650 seats (places).
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Jacob’s pillow appears pillow appears in the Book of Genesis as the stone used as a pillow by the Israelite patriarch Jacob. He had a vision in his sleep and he consecrated the stone to God.
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St Columba (521-597) was (521-597) was an Irish monk and missionary. He helped spread Christianity in Scotland. Some people believe the Blarney Stone is the deathbed pillow of St Columba on the island of Iona (west of Scotland). Later, the stone was taken to Ireland.
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The Irish Republican Army (IRA) is The Irish (IRA) is an Irish republican revolutionary military organisation. The IRA fought a guerrilla campaign against British rule in Ireland in the 1919-1921 Irish War of Independence and resumed a violent campaign later, especially in Northern Ireland from 1968 to 1998.
Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) is (1667-1745) is an Irish author, clergyman and satirist. Most of his writings were published under false names. He is best remembered for his book Gulliver’s Travels, published in 1728.
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Riverdance and Lord Riverdance and Lord of the Dance are Dance are theatrical shows consisting of traditional Irish stepdancing, known for its rapid leg movements while body and arms are kept largely stationary. They were created and choreographed by Irish-American dancer Michael Flatley and are performed around the world. Jack is the national flag of the United Kingdom. The flag combines elements of three older The Union Jack is The Union national flags: the red cross of St George for England and Wales, the white diagonal cross of St Andrew for Scotland, and the red diagonal cross of St Patrick to represent Ireland. One of the uses for the word “jack” was to describe a naval flag before 1600.
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All
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BEFORE READING Ask the questions and elicit the answers from the whole class. Some possible answers are provided in italics. If you prefer, students can work in pairs or small groups. SUGGESTIONS FOR LEAD-IN ACTIVITIES
1. What do you you know about Ireland? (It’s a small country. It’s an island. St Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. There There has been violent conflict between Ireland and Britain for many years. Ireland is associated with the colour green. The Irish are famous for their folk music and Irish folk dancing. There are myths about leprechauns leprechauns.) .) 2. What famous Irish people do you know? (Bono, Oscar Wilde, Pierce Brosnan) scenery, good food, friendly people, 3. What makes a country especially attractive to tourists? tourists? (pretty scenery, interesting places to visit)
4. Why do you think certain food becomes becomes popular in particular particular areas? (Because it is easily available and people become used to it.) i t.) 5. What reasons can you think of to explain explain why people move away fro from m their country of birth? (to look for better opportunities in another country; to escape war war,, poverty or other social problems) 6. Do you know of any myths myths or legends that are famous in your your area? (accept all logical answers) How do you think these stories came to be told? (to explain things in history or nature that people are not able to understand; people like stories about interesting places or events that they can tell to their children and grandchildr grandchildren) en) BEFORE READ ING ACTIVITIES
1. Look at the map of Ireland on page 6 and the paragraph on page 8 which starts starts “Sssh! Don’t Don’t say that too loudly”. Explain the differences between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. (They are different countries. The Republic of Ireland has got about 4.5 million people. It has got its own language, Irish Gaelic. Northern Ireland is part of the UK. It has got around 1.8 million people.) 2. Read the first six lines on page 11. 11. What was life like for the Irish Irish farm workers? (They were very poor. They lived in one-room houses and grew potatoes. The potatoes were the only food they ate.) 3. Read the last paragraph on page 17 and look at the picture below. Give some reasons why the Cliffs of Moher are popular with tourists. (The cliffs stand high above the Atlantic Ocean. There are about 30,000 birds there, representing about 20 different species.) 4. Look at the picture at the bottom of page 21. Read the last four lines of the last paragraph on on the same represent the Irish people leaving Ireland page. What do the sculptures in the picture represent? (They represent because of Famine.) 5. Read the first paragraph on page 32. What is special about the Nobel Prize for Literature and the country of Ireland? (No other country with such a small population has got four Nobel Prize winners for literature.) 6. Read the second paragraph on page page 53. What is the problem in Ireland Ireland today? (750,000 people live just below the poverty line. A quarter of the population haven’t got enough money to afford home heating, meat or a warm coat.)
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AFTER READING: EXTRA CHALLENGES MAKE YOUR STUDENTS THINK
Here are some points that more advanced students can be asked to consider after reading the book. 1. What do you you think was was the most most important event in Irish history? Why? Why? 2. Imagine your parents tell you that you are leaving your home and starting a new life in another another country. country. How do you react? 3. What can we we learn from the violence in Northern Ireland and the eventual peace agreement? 4. Which of the famous famous people in the book would you like to meet? Give reasons reasons for your answer answer.. 5. In your opinion, what makes Ireland an interesting place to visit? 6. Choose three places you would like to visit in Ireland and explain your decision. DRAMA ACTIVITIES AND PROJECT SUGGESTIONS
You may want to present some of these activities in the student’s own language. 1. Make a poster to advertise a holiday to Ireland for history history lovers, sports sports fans or nature nature lovers. Include some pictures. Write a short description in English under each one. 2. Work with a partner. partner. Write Write a conversation between a British landowner landowner and an Irish farmer during the Potato Famine of 1846 about the problems the farmer experiences and the landowner’s reaction. Then act it out. 3. Make a fact file for Ireland. Include facts about the population, population, government and places of interest. 4. Work with a partner. partner. Act Act out the story of the giants Finn McCool McCool and Benandonner. Benandonner. 5. Write a recipe for Boxty Boxty.. Then imagine you are a chef on on a television show and demonstrate demonstrate how you prepare Boxty. 6. Imagine you are in Ireland for “Bloomsday”. “Bloomsday”. Write Write a page in your your diary describing the activities you have seen. 7. Work with a partner. partner. Invent a conversation between Anna and Ben choosing a place in Ireland Ireland to visit. Act it out. 8. Imagine you are an Irish tour guide guide and you are meeting a new group group of tourists tomorrow. tomorrow. Write Write an email to introduce yourself and present your itinerary to the group. 9. Prepare a quiz about Ireland based based on the information in the reader. reader. Then test your classmates’ classmates’ knowledge of Ireland. 10. Search on the Internet for stories about banshees, leprechauns, changelings or other Irish legends. Write a paragraph about one of the stories and read it to the class.
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