Learning journey – A celebration of Irish culture in Scotland
Focus: Expressive Arts and Health and Wellbeing
CfE Level: Second
Introduction:
This learning journey looks at the contribution the Irish community has made to Scottish culture.
The learning journey focuses on expressive arts as the medium to explore the impact of Irish culture on Scotland. This learning journey
considers aspects of the Irish identity in Scotland and gives learners the opportunity to draw comparisons between Irish identity in Scotland and
how it has impacted on their lives. It looks at aspects such as food, dance, music and art.
This learning journey contains the following learning experiences:
•
The history of Irish culture in Scotland
•
Bringing Irish culture alive
•
Celebrating together
Prior learning:
Interdisciplinary opportunities:
Capabilities:
Learners might have been introduced to Irish
culture in their own communities or families.
Learners may be aware of Irish heritage within
their own families. Learners may have also taken
part in previous lessons which may not have
been highlighted, for example books/ poetry by
Irish authors. To contextualise learners'
understanding, practitioners may wish to consider
looking at different aspects of culture with young
people. This could involve identifying what
learners connect with as their culture as young
people e.g. social media, music.
The learning experiences will open
opportunities across literacy, social
studies, in addition to expressive arts and
Health and Wellbeing. Interdisciplinary
topics might include:
Successful learners – use expressive arts to
explore and gather information on Irish culture in
Scotland.
Confident individuals – gain sound knowledge of
Irish culture in our community and nationally.
Responsible citizens – can make decisions on how
to celebrate diverse cultures in our communities
Effective contributors – contribute to the research
and class discussion
•
A diverse culture in Scotland
•
How do we celebrate a diverse
community?
•
Irish culture in Scotland
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Learning journey – A celebration of Irish culture in Scotland
Focus: Expressive Arts and Health and Wellbeing
CfE Level: Second
Relevant Experiences and Outcomes:
Expressive Arts:
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I have experienced the energy and excitement of presenting/performing for audiences and being part of an audience for other people’s presentations/
performances. EXA 2-01a
Inspired by a range of stimuli, I can express and communicate my ideas, thoughts and feelings through activities within art and design. EXA 2-05a
I have taken part in dance from a range of styles and cultures, demonstrating my awareness of the dance features. EXA 2-10a
Inspired by a range of stimuli, I can express and communicate my ideas, thoughts and feelings through drama. EXA 2-13a
I can sing and play music from a range of styles and cultures, showing skill and using performance directions, and/or musical notation. EXA 2-16a
Inspired by a range of stimuli, and working on my own and/or with others, I can express and communicate my ideas, thoughts and feelings through musical
activities. EXA 2-18a
Health and Wellbeing:
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Through contributing my views, time and talents, I play a part in bringing about positive change in my school and wider community. HWB 2-13a
Representing my class, school and/or wider community encourages my self-worth and confidence and allows me to contribute to and participate in society.
HWB 2-12a
Through contributing my views, time and talents, I play a part in bringing about positive change in my school and wider community. HWB 2-13a
RME:
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Through investigating and reflecting upon the ways in which followers of world religions mark major life events and times of year, I can explain key features of
such festivals and celebrations. RME 2-06b
I am developing respect for others and my understanding of their beliefs and values. RME 2-07a
Social studies:
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I can explain how the needs of a group in my local community are supported. SOC 2-16a
I can discuss issues of the diversity of cultures, values and customs in our society. SOC 2-16c
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Learning journey – A celebration of Irish culture in Scotland
Focus: Expressive Arts and Health and Wellbeing
CfE Level: Second
C
Learning experience A: The history of Irish Culture in Scotland
Introduction:
Possible learning opportunities / tasks
Possible evidence
Scottish and Irish culture has been intertwined
across history over thousands of years. Only twelve
miles of sea separates the Mull of Kintyre from
Antrim. The Gaels of Dál Riata and Antrim traded
across the sea routes, intermarried and sometimes
fought. In 17thcentury Scots migrated to Northern
Ireland. In the 19th and early 20th century the largest
group of migrants to Scotland were the Irish. With
this migration Scotland saw a rise in tension
between the Scots and Irish communities. However
during this time we also saw a rise in Scots-Irish
culture. This continues to have positive impacts on
our country today.
Learners could:
• Research personal stories of Irish migration and use the information
to create short stories about individuals or work in groups to
produce short drama scenes that represent the story.
• Research Irish-scots people both past and present, that have had a
cultural impact on Scotland. Learners could present their information
using pictures and supporting information that can be displayed E.g.
author Arthur Conan Doyle, this could be displayed with a piece of
his poetry, a portrait of the author and information on what
contribution the individual has had on Scottish society and culture.
Learners can:
Write-Produce written materials in the form
of short stories and poems
Stimulus:
Learners could be asked: What they know about
immigration. What groups do they recognize as
migrants in Scotland? What do we learn from those
that have migrated to this country? What impact
has it had on our lives e.g. the food we eat, the
sports we play?
Key learning
Learners:
• understand what is meant by migration.
• understand the cultural impact migration has had
on Scotland.
• can draw from various examples of the positive
impact of migration on Scotland.
• can successfully identify Scots Irish people
through history that have had an impact on
cultural aspects of Scotland.
• can reflect on the positive changes migration has
had on Scotland
• can share the benefits of a diverse culture in
their own community.
Make- create pieces of artwork to reflect
their learning of Irish immigration.
Say- Learners are able to discuss the impact
of Irish Scots living in Scotland.
Reflecting on learning:
Learners can also:
Create their own pieces of work inspired by the information they have
gathered from researching Irish immigration or individual Irish Scots. For
example learners could write a fictional story about migrating to their
community or a piece of work inspired by some of the people they have
researched such as the author, Arthur Conan Doyle, the painter, William
Crozier and actor, Gerard Butler.
Questions for learners:
• What have you learned about the
historical migration of Irish people to
Scotland?
• What do you think is the biggest
contribution Irish Scots have made to
Scotland?
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What aspects of Irish culture can you
recognise in your community?
Useful links for resources
Taking it further
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/scotlandshistory/earlypeople/index.asp
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/scotlandshistory/britonsgaelsviking
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/scotlandshistory/makingindustrialurban/iris
himmigration/index.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish-Scots
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Scottish_people_of_Irish_descent
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/scotlandssongs/about/songs/jacobitesongs
/index.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columba
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Patrick
http://www.ionahistory.org.uk/iona/ionahome/ionaabout/columba/life.htm
s/dalriata/index.asp
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Learners could develop short drama
scenes into a play to be performed for
the wider school community.
Learners could identify Irish Scots in their
local community past and present and
look at the impact this has had on their
local community. By inviting speakers to
the class learners would have the
opportunity to interview Irish Scots based
on the information they have gathered so
far.
Learning journey – A celebration of Irish culture in Scotland
Focus: Expressive Arts and Health and Wellbeing
CfE Level: Second
Learning experience B: Bringing Irish culture alive
Introduction:
Possible learning opportunities / tasks
Possible evidence
The 2011 census highlights that Scotland is more
multi-cultural than ever before, and our communities
more ethnically and religiously diverse. The census
also shows a very strong sense of Scottish identity.
With this growing diversity in Scotland it is an
excellent opportunity to look at the influences the
various cultures are having in Scotland. This
includes many things such as the food we eat, the
music we listen to and the sports we play.
Learners could:
• Research different foods that originate in Ireland that we
commonly eat in Scotland e.g. Shepherd’s pie, Champ,
Soda bread, Stew, potato bread. Learners could have a
tasting session or even try making some of the food.
• Scotland has a vast competitive network of Irish dance.
Learners could research and then design their own Irish
dance costumes. As part of the learners physical education
they could participate in an Irish dance lesson.
• Explore traditional Irish music. This could include learning
and performing Irish songs and familiarising themselves with
traditional Irish instruments. Learners could also look at
modern music from Ireland that they will be familiar with. e.g.
U2, The Script, Boyzone.
• Research both sports with Irish heritage and sports stars of
Irish heritage. Scottish sport has been greatly influenced by
Ireland from traditional games like shinty to football teams
such as Hibernian and Celtic. Learners can explore the
history of the sports, their current impact on Scottish society
as well as actively trying these sports for themselves.
Learners can:
Write- write recipes in an appropriate format.
Produce- creative artwork that reflects their
learning of Irish culture.
Do- participate actively to display their
understanding of Irish music, dance and sport.
Stimulus:
Ask: What kind of food do you like to eat, do you
know where it originates from?
What sports do you like to play, can you name
some of the big football teams in Scotland, do you
know their origins? Can you think of any Scottish
actors, do you know their background? Some
example of actors of Irish descent are Sean
Connery and Gerard Butler.
Key learning
Learners can:
• identify various aspects of Irish culture.
• discuss various aspects of an Irish heritage in
Scotland.
• select information to produce artistic pieces of
work which reflects their learning of Irish
traditions .
• identify the impact of Irish culture in their own
community.
Reflecting on learning
Questions for learners:
• What aspects of Irish culture can we
identify in our community?
• Do you feel more connected to Irish
heritage in Scotland?
• Did any of the areas of the covered
surprise you as being from Irish heritage?
Taking it further
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Useful resources
http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/holiday---celebrationrecipes/st--patrick-s-day-recipes/traditional-irish-recipes
http://www.irishdancingdirectory.com/
http://www.irish-music.net/
http://www.netplaces.com/irish-history/preserving-irishtraditional-culture/irish-sports.htm
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Learners could make links with a school in
Ireland to share their learning and also
discover more about how their Scottish
heritage is alive in Ireland
Learners could hold peer learning events to
showcase the songs and other skills they
have developed.
Learners could develop an event for the
wider community to become involved in to
celebrate Irish culture.
Learning journey – A celebration of Irish culture in Scotland
Focus: Expressive Arts and Health and Wellbeing
CfE Level: Second
Learning experience C: Celebrating together
Introduction:
Possible learning opportunities / tasks
Possible evidence
The first two learning experiences focus
on Irish culture independently. The final
experience gives the opportunity to learn
about several different cultures that are
actively involved in creating a diverse
Scotland. Learners will have the
opportunity to look at how we can
celebrate a range of cultures in our multicultural society.
Learners could:
• Work independently or in groups to research a culture
of their interest. E.g. African, Indian, Irish, Polish
culture. Learners could have specific areas to cover in
their research such as food, sport, dance music,
religious festivals.
• Develop pieces of artwork that reflect the culture they
have researched. Learners could also develop
Information guidebooks highlighting some of the
interesting traditions and practices within the cultural
group. This guidebook could also highlight various
cultural groups in their own community.
• Prepare presentations that can be shared with the rest
of the class or wider school community through
assembly. These presentations could include
examples of dance, music and artwork they have
developed.
Learners can:
Communicate- discuss in groups the different cultures that
contribute to Scottish society
Make- produce information materials that are informative
and artistic.
Do- Share their learning of different cultures with others.
Stimulus:
Ask: are you aware of any cultural
influences like Irish culture in Scotland?
How do we see these cultures in our
society? Is there different cultures/ groups
in our community that we are aware of but
would like to learn more about?
Reflecting on learning:
Questions for Learners:
• Do you think the diverse cultures in Scotland are
visible?
• What have you learned about the various cultures in
our community?
• Would you like to become more involved in any of the
aspects we have learned about?
Taking it further
Key learning
Learners can:
• Identify various group that add to a
diverse culture in Scotland.
• Understand the benefits of a diverse
culture.
• Express the information they have
gathered on various cultures in a
format that others can learn from.
• Confidently share their findings on
various cultures with class and wider
school community.
Learners can also:
Contact various groups in their local community to find out
how their community celebrates diverse cultures. E.g. local
council, Community Relations Council, places of worship.
Useful resources
http://www.scotland.org/about-scotland/scottish-cultureand-traditions
http://wiki.cultured.com/cultures/
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/world-cultures-heritage/
http://www.youngscot.org/info/culture-beliefs
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Learners can:
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Hold a cultural festival for their school and wider
community. Offering tasters of various foods, music,
dance sports. Learners can provide information for
others on different groups and organisations within their
community.
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Learners could encompass the various cultures they
have learned about in a school show. Highlighting the
dynamic and diverse culture of Scotland.
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Learners could begin a cultural calendar for the school
celebrating various festivals and celebrations from
many cultural backgrounds.