Explore the theme of partnership, Goal 17, through book reading, storytelling, craft activities and school yard games. This month our Global Goals book club storyteller retells an old story from the Irish Traveller community. A story of hardship during the times of famine in Ireland and how hedgehog came to the aid of the people. There is also an additional story about a brave robin. There is a clay craft activity and two school yard games linked to the stories.
(Retold from the award-winning Irish Traveller story collection ‘Why the moon travels’ by Oein DeBhairduin.) (Suitable for infants to 6th class)
How friends/partners come to our aid when they are needed and without looking for reward or thanks. Crucially how even the seemingly small and less powerful can save the day when times are really tough.
Q; Sometimes the big and strong need help from the smaller and less strong or powerful. Can you think of examples of this? Consider nature; what do bees and butterflies do for us? Even wasps? (Wasps are a surprising one, they are also important pollinators, but don’t often get the credit for it like bees and butterflies do,) What do earthworms do for us? (Without earthworms there would be no soil, then where would we be?)
Q: Ireland, as a country, isn’t big or particularly powerful but what roles does it play in helping the world? Think about being a member of the EU and UN and the missions of the Irish PeaceKeepers.
Q: In what period of Irish history could this story be set in? When was it that the people of Ireland were most hungry and food (potatoes) would not grow?
Q: How was it that a hedgehog was able to know where so much food was to be found?
Q: In what ways do hedgehogs need our help now?
Which also features in the Goal 15; Life on Land section. Robin is brave and resourceful but can’t save its woodland home from fire alone. Robin inspires others to act, in collaboration and partnership. (Suitable for infants to 6th class)
Q: How does this story demonstrate the power of partnerships?
Q: Do you ever feel too small to make a difference? Does the story make you think differently about this?
FACT:
Ireland was one of the first countries to ban smoking in public places and also to introduce a tax on plastic bags. Most countries have followed Ireland’s lead. So the small and less powerful can be world leaders and forces for change.
Age group: 1st to 6th class
Here for teachers is a ‘how to video’ showing a nature craft activity using clay, twigs and string: https://youtu.be/t2bOoTyU_jU How to make a clay mouse and a clay hedgehog is demonstrated in the video. Making the hedgehog is shown from 4:20 seconds if you want to skip directly to that. However the little mouse character links to an audio storytelling track “The little mouse and the tasty acorn” Which is part of playlist of fun stories for listening to: https://on.soundcloud.com/5J3wE
Before your pupils get to add the spines to their little clay hedgehog get them first to reflect again on the Goal theme of partnership. Ask them to think of skills
and strengths they have to offer that could help others. For each one they suggest they can add a spine to their hedgehogs.
Age Group: All class groups will enjoy these games, but perhaps particularly 1st to 5th class.
The ‘Blindfold hedgehog’ game and the ‘Woodland fire’ game and both cooperative games that will work in your school yard or playing field and are inspired by the two stories told this month of the hedgehog and the robin.
Children of the World first published by Barefoot Books, Inc. Written by Tessa Strickland and Kate DePalma. Illustrated by David Dean. Reproduced with kind permission
This is a beautiful story that explores the lives of many children across the world, celebrating the everyday moments that connect all of us. Put on your explorer’s cap because you’ll trek across the earth learning about different children’s stories from their families to language and even food! This delightful journey will both arouse thoughts and promote discussions around how we are more alike than different.
Before we start the other activities lets get our wiggles out with this fun sing-along with a great message!
There was so many pictures of delicious food in the book! Let’s get thinking about the food we eat, and what food we would try around the world.
This book gave us an insight on so many different children’s lives, to get a better understanding of where each child is from take a look at the mapping activity below:
Hello! Bonjour! Konnichiwa! Fill in the activity below to learn more about languages around the world:
A timeline is a tool used to organize dates, fill out a timeline of your life and share your story below:
Barefoot Books, the first publisher, created an amazing toolkit filled with more fun activities for you to enjoy! Check them out:
Green-Schools, An Taisce Environmental Education Unit. Registered Charity Number: CHY 4741 / CRA No: 20006358 / Company No: 12469
