Unlocking the curriculum for Years 5 & 6
At Birkdale Primary School, Sefton, David Jessop 'unlocked the curriculum' by using Irish
materials for a ten-week unit for Years 5 and 6 to encourage creative learning.
The hub
| The hub of the unit was a range of Irish texts - myths and legends, historical and contemporary fiction and poetry - in the Literacy Hour |
Myths & Legends
‘The Quest for Aideen’, Celtic Magic Tales by Liam Mac Uistin, O’Brien Press, 0-86278-341-0
‘The Giant’s Causeway’, Irish Fairy Tales & Legends by Una Leavy, O’Brien Press, 0-86278-482-4
Finn & The Fawn: Narrative Poem by Neil Williams, IiS |
Historical novels
Under the Hawthorn Tree by Marita Conlan-McKenna, O’Brien Press, 0-86278-206-6 Resource
|
Contemporary novels
The Battle Below Giltspur by Cormac MacRaois, Wolfhound Press, 0-86327-356-4
The Moon King by Siobhán Parkinson, O’Brien Press, 0-86278-573-1 Resource
Cherokee by Creina Mansfield, O’Brien Press, 0-86278-368-5 |
Poetry
Wishes & Dreams, based on W B Yeats ‘Had I the ...’ |
The spokes
The spokes - the Foundation Subjects - drew upon the texts to inspire, with the assistance of visiting artists, an impressive range of creative work in Art, Dance and Drama. Click here for examples of this work. |
Art/D&T
Pen & Ink Designs
Celtic Knots/Historic awareness - shape & form & use of colour/Step-by-step process
Banner Design - ‘Celtic Rotunda’ |
3D Art Finn McCool the Legendary Giant |
Dance Celtic tales/Knot design/Folk songs |
Drama Based on events from historical novel Under the Hawthorn Tree Created two authentic sets to perform within |
Music
Original music compositions inspired by Irish myths & legends |
Culmination
 | The culmination of the unit was a presentation in which the performers stayed in place as the audience took a journey through Irish history and culture in song, dance and prose. |