Mythology: Irish/Welsh/Celt
Well I must say that this turned out to be
one of the harder lessons to plan so far. I am not as familiar with the
Celtic/Irish/Welsh folklore as I should be. I do have a great
grandfather that came to America straight from Ireland. So it is much to
my shame that I am so uneducated in what should be my heritage.
Below we have a variety of plans to fit into your lesson. Including appeasing the wee folk in order to have a smooth lesson! Grab your binoculars and head out in search of the little people!
Resources: Unfortunately, I pulled most of this together via the internet. Well that and picking my brother’s mind. As a red head with Irish Ancestors I have no choice but to be subjected to my brother passion for our Irish, and therefore, Celtic ancesty. So this in turn paid off, because he had to recite all the tales and facts that he has already shared with me that I pretty much ignored! Little sisters are the best at ignoring big brothers!! But he came through for me whenever I got stuck!
I do recommend that you find some books at your local library. I personally will be heading over to our local one before our class so that I can find some decent pictures of each of the Faery for our drawing project.
Expedition Pictures: http://www.mediafire.com/?yqmln2azcy3o3cs
My post on how this lesson went and what I did: http://homeschoolblogger.com/shiveracademy/780779/
The Book of Kells The Book ofKells is the Celtic histories. It tells their “Settlement” tales and their battles, their mythologies and their tales of Faeries. It is also really beautifully crafted. It is scripted in the art of Illumination. Very intricate drawings and beautifully painted. Our Book of Kells does not contain all the tales, or really any tales. It merely explains what the Book of Kells is and what each cycle contains.
Book of Kells mini-book: http://www.mediafire.com/?aatar6xlpcalcvt
Here are some great pictures of the Book of Kells: http://www.snake.net/people/paul/kells/
Stonehenge We all know about Stonehenge, but there is also Woodhenge and Bluehenge that were built in conjunction with Stonehenge. They both had trenches leading directly to stonehenge. Stonehenge was used as a place to celebrate departed ones, it is surround by many burial mounds. So in a way it could have been used much like today’s mortuary–for the funeral or burial ceremony.Woodhenge it seems as if it was used to celebrate the living. Bluehenge it is suggested that it was used for cremations. Below is a pop up that will make stonehenge for their books. I would love to have the time to create a Woodhenge and Bluehenge as well, but I don’t think we will have the time or the room in their books. Be sure to tell them about both though!!
Stonehenge pop up: http://www.mediafire.com/?yeacg64516yca8m I didn’t come up with the center stones you can have them draw them in, or just leave it. Also, please note that you will most likely have the trim the paper to fit your cardstock. I am leaving the size up to your discretion! This is file: http://www.mediafire.com/?goxvkxt4xvx15l1 is the front cover to the pop-up card and the info box on Stonehenge. One thing I didn’t put on there is that Stonehenge was built circa 3000 -2400 bc. so that is around 5000 years ago!!
JUST FYI: The original idea came from this site: http://www.papercraftcentral.net/2009/02/kirigami-stonehenge/ I could find no instructions or pattern so I had to come up with something of my own. I give them full Kudos for the idea, but this is my finagling with the computer!
A grumbling moment!! I realized a very sad thing during this study!! As a child I lived in England just outside of Bury St. Edmonds. This is a mere 3 hours away from Stonehenge! But alas, my parents never took us there!! We went to London several times, and took a wandering trip throughout the Mediterranean Countries–Italy, Greece, etc but we never made it to stonehenge– May I suggest that you make time for the famous places that are in your back yard!! We live near crater’s of the moon and I have yet to take my kids, I always say SOMEDAY–well, sometimes, someday never comes. Make today SOMEDAY!
The Land of Faery When the Tuatha de Danann were defeated they were given the right to live in the land of faery. The entrance to the land of faery is the Faery Mounds. To appease the fairy’s one must put out Milk and Honey! Don’t forget to do this when you study them that way they will be happy and your study will go smoothly. A fun idea would be to have small cakes (perhaps even cupcakes) or fairy biscuits (basically sugar cookies with frosting and tons of sprinkles) as a treat to take home.
Under the Faery Mound Mini-book: http://www.mediafire.com/?emjvndulihgkqhj This mini-book is a drawing activity. I will not have enough time for them to draw all 10, but I will be adding the description pages into their project folders so that they can finish them at home at the end of the study.
Comparing the 3 mini-book: http://www.mediafire.com/?4s73orle2d2ca64 This mini-book is to “define” cluricauns, leprechauns and the fear Dearg. Those 3 are often confused as the same beings. They are not and have very distinct differences.
A Mermaid’s Tale The Merrow-folk is the Irish version of the Mermaid. The Selkie is the Welsh version of the mermaid’s tale. For this craft project you will have a cut out mermaid that you put together with brads. You can either send them home or add them to the project book. I will have the kids glue them onto cardstock except for the two last pieces of the tail, which will be connected with brads. They will need to turn them in so they fit in the page protectors and then we will add them to their project books.
The original post is here: http://www.fantasyjr.com/fairy-tale-crafts-for-kids/
Downloadable .pdf is here: http://www.mediafire.com/?jq5oaqtc6bfjwf4 Yes, yes I know it’s not an authentic Merrow-folk mermaid. But this is for 6-8 year old kiddos and I don’t think they would get the distinction. And besides–she’s pretty! And yes, she is just getting back from a vacation in Hawaii! So glad you asked! LOL, I know just laugh with me here!
Other Websites
http://www.godchecker.com/pantheon/celtic-mythology.php
http://www.interfaith.org/ancient/celtic/myths_and_legends_of_the_celtic_race/
Faery Lore: http://www.earthwitchery.com/faery.html
http://irelandsown.net/
Scroll down to “The British isles” http://www.squidoo.com/WorldHistory1
Below we have a variety of plans to fit into your lesson. Including appeasing the wee folk in order to have a smooth lesson! Grab your binoculars and head out in search of the little people!
Resources: Unfortunately, I pulled most of this together via the internet. Well that and picking my brother’s mind. As a red head with Irish Ancestors I have no choice but to be subjected to my brother passion for our Irish, and therefore, Celtic ancesty. So this in turn paid off, because he had to recite all the tales and facts that he has already shared with me that I pretty much ignored! Little sisters are the best at ignoring big brothers!! But he came through for me whenever I got stuck!
I do recommend that you find some books at your local library. I personally will be heading over to our local one before our class so that I can find some decent pictures of each of the Faery for our drawing project.
Expedition Pictures: http://www.mediafire.com/?yqmln2azcy3o3cs
My post on how this lesson went and what I did: http://homeschoolblogger.com/shiveracademy/780779/
The Book of Kells The Book ofKells is the Celtic histories. It tells their “Settlement” tales and their battles, their mythologies and their tales of Faeries. It is also really beautifully crafted. It is scripted in the art of Illumination. Very intricate drawings and beautifully painted. Our Book of Kells does not contain all the tales, or really any tales. It merely explains what the Book of Kells is and what each cycle contains.
Book of Kells mini-book: http://www.mediafire.com/?aatar6xlpcalcvt
Here are some great pictures of the Book of Kells: http://www.snake.net/people/paul/kells/
Stonehenge We all know about Stonehenge, but there is also Woodhenge and Bluehenge that were built in conjunction with Stonehenge. They both had trenches leading directly to stonehenge. Stonehenge was used as a place to celebrate departed ones, it is surround by many burial mounds. So in a way it could have been used much like today’s mortuary–for the funeral or burial ceremony.Woodhenge it seems as if it was used to celebrate the living. Bluehenge it is suggested that it was used for cremations. Below is a pop up that will make stonehenge for their books. I would love to have the time to create a Woodhenge and Bluehenge as well, but I don’t think we will have the time or the room in their books. Be sure to tell them about both though!!
Stonehenge pop up: http://www.mediafire.com/?yeacg64516yca8m I didn’t come up with the center stones you can have them draw them in, or just leave it. Also, please note that you will most likely have the trim the paper to fit your cardstock. I am leaving the size up to your discretion! This is file: http://www.mediafire.com/?goxvkxt4xvx15l1 is the front cover to the pop-up card and the info box on Stonehenge. One thing I didn’t put on there is that Stonehenge was built circa 3000 -2400 bc. so that is around 5000 years ago!!
JUST FYI: The original idea came from this site: http://www.papercraftcentral.net/2009/02/kirigami-stonehenge/ I could find no instructions or pattern so I had to come up with something of my own. I give them full Kudos for the idea, but this is my finagling with the computer!
A grumbling moment!! I realized a very sad thing during this study!! As a child I lived in England just outside of Bury St. Edmonds. This is a mere 3 hours away from Stonehenge! But alas, my parents never took us there!! We went to London several times, and took a wandering trip throughout the Mediterranean Countries–Italy, Greece, etc but we never made it to stonehenge– May I suggest that you make time for the famous places that are in your back yard!! We live near crater’s of the moon and I have yet to take my kids, I always say SOMEDAY–well, sometimes, someday never comes. Make today SOMEDAY!
The Land of Faery When the Tuatha de Danann were defeated they were given the right to live in the land of faery. The entrance to the land of faery is the Faery Mounds. To appease the fairy’s one must put out Milk and Honey! Don’t forget to do this when you study them that way they will be happy and your study will go smoothly. A fun idea would be to have small cakes (perhaps even cupcakes) or fairy biscuits (basically sugar cookies with frosting and tons of sprinkles) as a treat to take home.
Under the Faery Mound Mini-book: http://www.mediafire.com/?emjvndulihgkqhj This mini-book is a drawing activity. I will not have enough time for them to draw all 10, but I will be adding the description pages into their project folders so that they can finish them at home at the end of the study.
Comparing the 3 mini-book: http://www.mediafire.com/?4s73orle2d2ca64 This mini-book is to “define” cluricauns, leprechauns and the fear Dearg. Those 3 are often confused as the same beings. They are not and have very distinct differences.
A Mermaid’s Tale The Merrow-folk is the Irish version of the Mermaid. The Selkie is the Welsh version of the mermaid’s tale. For this craft project you will have a cut out mermaid that you put together with brads. You can either send them home or add them to the project book. I will have the kids glue them onto cardstock except for the two last pieces of the tail, which will be connected with brads. They will need to turn them in so they fit in the page protectors and then we will add them to their project books.
The original post is here: http://www.fantasyjr.com/fairy-tale-crafts-for-kids/
Downloadable .pdf is here: http://www.mediafire.com/?jq5oaqtc6bfjwf4 Yes, yes I know it’s not an authentic Merrow-folk mermaid. But this is for 6-8 year old kiddos and I don’t think they would get the distinction. And besides–she’s pretty! And yes, she is just getting back from a vacation in Hawaii! So glad you asked! LOL, I know just laugh with me here!
Other Websites
http://www.godchecker.com/pantheon/celtic-mythology.php
http://www.interfaith.org/ancient/celtic/myths_and_legends_of_the_celtic_race/
Faery Lore: http://www.earthwitchery.com/faery.html
http://irelandsown.net/
Scroll down to “The British isles” http://www.squidoo.com/WorldHistory1