Lesson plan
Leprechaun Traps
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to use their knowledge of a story’s setting to create a leprechaun trap.
Introduction
(5 minutes)- Ask students if they’ve ever heard of St. Patrick’s Day and if so, what they know about the holiday.
- Explain that St. Patrick’s Day is a celebration of Irish culture. Show students where IrelandIs on the map or globe.
- Tell students that on St. Patrick’s Day, people celebrate Irish culture by wearing green and eating traditional food like corned beef and cabbage. Tell students that other symbols of St. Patrick’s Day are clovers (or shamrocks) and Leprechauns. Leprechauns are mythical Irish fairies that like to dress in green and often act rascally.
Explicit Instruction/Teacher modeling
(10 minutes)- Read aloud the book How to Catch a LeprechaunBy Adam Wallace.
- Have students pay attention to the details in the story, including the characters and setting.
Guided practise
(5 minutes)- Ask students what happened in this story. (A leprechaun came into a house and made a big mess. Humans tried to trap him but weren’t able to.)
- Ask students where the story took place. (It took place in a house.)
Independent working time
(20 minutes)- Tell students that they are going to make their own leprechaun trap. Explain that their traps should be able to be used in a house, just like in the story.
- Show students the collection of recycled materials. Tell them they can use any of the materials to build their traps.
Differentiation
Support:
Pair students together who might need additional support. Have students work together to build their traps.
Enrichment:
If students finish early or need more enrichment, challenge them to draw a leprechaun to put in their traps.
Assessment
(5 minutes)- To assess student understanding, notice how students are using the setting of the story to inform their project.
- Pay attention to how students are using the materials to build a trap. Are they putting the materials together randomly or with the intention of trapping a leprechaun?
Review and closing
(5 minutes)- Gather students together for the close of the lesson and ask them to share about their traps.
- Congratulate the class on successful leprechaun trapping!
Related learning resources
Leprechaun Traps
Lesson plan
Leprechaun Traps
After reading a story, get students to use recycled materials to make their their own leprechaun traps. They will use the story's setting as inspiration for their projects!
Kindergarten
Reading & Writing
Lesson plan
