Though most native Spanish speakers are not of Irish descent, St. Patrick’s Day or el día de San Patricio is a large celebration in many communities in the United States.
Students in your bilingual class might be clueless about this holiday and it is always beneficial to teach your students from a young age to appreciate and be curious about other people, countries, cultures and traditions.
1.Explore the holiday:
When is it celebrated?
Where did it come from?
Who celebrates it?
Other special facts about the holiday
2.Read the book ‘Cómo atrapar a un duende’ to the class.
It provokes discussion about traps, leprechauns and some holiday traditions and vocabulary.
3.Have students in your bilingual class write their own version of ‘Cómo atrapar a un duende’— creative writing is always fun and students love sharing their fun and engaging stories with their peers.
4.Create a trap. This would be a fun STEM activity to include designing a trap, testing it and making changes would be a fun activity for grades and up. Let students work in teams to design a trap using designated materials.
5. Compare and contrast ‘el dia de San Patricio’ to a holiday or celebration that they celebrate. Learn about the foods that are commonly eaten by the Irish or for St. Patrick’s Day. Have they ever ate them before. Students could also compare and contrast Irish foods to foods they eat at home or in their culture.
6. Have a leprechaun visit your classroom and make a mess… students could write a story, create ‘Wanted posters’, make a list of the things the duende messed up in the room or a variety of other ideas.
Do you have any other ideas? What is something you like to teach your bilingual students in March about the Irish or St. Patrick’s Day? Share your ideas in the comments.
