Irish Potato Famine│Immigration Lesson Plans/Activities│Primary Source Analysis

Looking for a hands-on, engaging history lesson on immigration and the Irish Potato Famine? Want it to include timelines, interactive games/activities, role-play and fictional primary source analysis? Then this resource is for YOU!

Take the stress out of creating complete lesson plans and resources! Embark on a captivating exploration of Ireland's past with this comprehensive lesson plan package.

⭐️Benefits⭐️

✅️ Reduces planning demands on teachers, saving valuable time and effort while being well-designed and aligned with curriculum standards (Irish Primary School History Curriculum 1999).

✅️ Offers a complete, low prep resource with step-by-step instructions, ideal for newly qualified teachers who want support teaching history to 5th-8th Grade.

⭐️What's Included⭐️

Introductory Games: 

Lesson 1:Famine or Feast?: Engage your students from the outset with a stimulating game of "Famine or Feast?" Teams will compete to guess whether images represent aspects of life during the Great Famine or prosperous times. This interactive activity sets the stage for deeper exploration and critical thinking. Note: because of copyright, this lesson pack gives you a detailed explanation of where to find images for this activity.

Lesson 2: Survival Choices - Dive straight into the heart of the Great Famine with this scenario-based game. Students will grapple with difficult decisions faced by individuals and families during this challenging time. With cards depicting different choices, students will explore the factors that influenced survival strategies during the famine.

Main Activities: 

Lesson 1: Timeline Activity: Dive into the heart of the lesson with a captivating timeline activity, guiding students through the key events and developments of the Great Famine period. From the causes of the famine to the waves of emigration that followed, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of this transformative period in Irish history.
Lesson 1: Fictional Primary Source Analysis: Explore the human stories behind the famine with a fictional primary source analysis. Students will step into the shoes of individuals living during the famine, analyzing letters, diaries, and newspaper articles to uncover the challenges and hardships faced by ordinary people.

Lesson 2: Role-Play Activity: Put your students in the shoes of various key players during the Great Famine, from Irish farmers to British landlords, government officials, relief workers, and emigrants. Each group will receive background information to understand how the famine impacted their assigned role. Through discussion and presentation, students will analyse the actions taken by different groups in response to the crisis. 

Lesson 2: Gallery Walk: Transform your classroom into an immersive learning environment with stations featuring images and descriptions of workhouses, emigration ships, and other significant aspects of the Great Famine. Students will engage in small group discussions, exploring the social and economic implications of each aspect and deepening their understanding of this period in history. Note: because of copyright, this lesson pack gives you a detailed explanation of where to find images for this activity.

➡️ Don't let this opportunity slip away! Elevate your teaching experience and engage your students - secure your complete lesson plan and resources TODAY! ⬅️