My school always has an International Festival in late may, partially as a delayed celebration of Cinco de Mayo and partially as a way of acknowledging that our kids come from.a wide array of nations.
Typically, each grade will choose two countries to represent at the festival. The kids then decorate the halls with those countries as their theme, we get parents to bring food that is representative of those countries, and sometimes we have kids dress in traditional attire during a fashion show.
This year, 3rd grade has selected China and Ireland as the countries. We've done China in the past, so that is nothing new to us. We have depicted the Great Wall on our hallway wall, we've put Chinese symbols around the classrooms, we've hung paper lanterns from the ceiling, and we've made fireworks posters with glue and glitter. Oh, and dragons, we've got dragons.
We've never done Ireland before, though. And though I'm part Irish myself, I really don't know what would be considered Irish food, not counting Lucky Charms. And potatoes are too generic.
So I throw it out to the audience for suggestions. Can any of you suggest some sort of food that is traditionally Irish? Or some sort of craft that would represent Ireland? I mean, we are already gearing up for shamrocks, leprachauns, and pots o' gold, me wee laddies, but can you think of anything that Ireland has given to the world? Like, Hey, it was an Irish guy who invented the picture frame!
BTW, alcohol doesn't count. We will NOT (because we CAN not) be bringing Bailey's or Guiness to school.
I'm thinking I might just go around getting really really mad at the kids every day and telling them it's my Irish temper flaring.
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20 comments:
What about soda bread or irish stew? Both are fairly simple to make. And could you guys learn some irish dance steps?? That would make the international festival interesting! :)
We're doing something very similar at our school. Any super creative ideas for Australia? We've already got kangaroos, koalas, flags and maps...oh, and food isn't required.
MJ
I second the Irish Soda Bread. How about green bagels? ;)
You can play bagpipe music.. and hey- maybe YOU can wear a kilt!!!
Robyn
Corned beef and cabbage! :)
i think kilts are more Scottish than Irish, but i could be wrong.
Irish folks are great storytellers. U2 is a band from Ireland. according to Google, a "boxty" is a traditional Irish potato pancake... perhaps some of these ideas will work out. may the luck of the Irish (and the force) be with you!
too bad they didn't choose Scotland. Nothing says fun like haggis.
I'm not Irish, but I do know my history. Have a Potato Bake-Off! There are so many ways to prepare the little buggers, and the kids could learn some history in the bargain!
Irish Stew! You make it with lamb traditionally but it can be made with beef. It's an easy one to dole out for tasting too, and can be kept warm in a crock pot.
My kid's school did this back when he was in elementary and it was charming and a good lesson for the kids, and fun for the parents.
Ooh, boxty! It's the Irish version of a latke and it is DEEEEEEElicious. Especially with Guinness....oh wait. :)
Great ideas, folks! Though kilts and bagpipes are Scottish, not Irish... (Not that I would wear a kilt anyway).
We can probably do stew, and I'll look up boxty. Certainly green shamrock cookies at the very least. :)
MJ, you could let the kids make boomerangs. hehehe Or make them do a Walk About.
Corned beef?
Well if all else fails, how about Green Eggs and Ham?
Corned Beef and Cabbage with potatoes in my house. I like the idea of shamrock cookies though.
Check out crock pot recipes for Shepherd's Pie.
Got any farmers nearby who can bring a lamb?
Have everyone take a shower with Irish Spring, bring biscuits for an Irish Setter, contribute a dollar to the Notre Dame Scholarship Fund, be nice to really short people, eat a badada (potato... or is it PotatoE?), play Danny Boy, and then YOU can have a pint after school at the pub. Dance with a Keltic Woman.
I think kilts and bagpipes work in Ireland as well, depending on the clan.
Tom Anselm
Good ideas Tom, you could also invite Michael Flatley or show the documentary Celtic Dreams
http://gothamist.com/2008/03/14/bronx_kids_marc.php
What about the Book of Kells? You could paint or color "illuminated manuscripts," and talk about how Irish monks preserved quite a bit of literature through the middle ages in monasteries. Plus, those would look pretty on walls.
I think I've seen a book of kells coloring book online somewhere. . . or you could probably google and find one.
ohhh...illuminated manuscripts another good idea!
I am so appreciative of all of the great ideas pouring in! And the funny ones too, Tom! (In fact, I will DEFINITELY be pasting an Irish Springs wrapper or 2 outside my classroom.)
Is corned beef something that can be easily bought and brought? Or is it a recipe that has to be made?
Oh, and definitely going to look for those Book of Kells coloring pages. Thanks for THAT idea!!
This time of the year corned beef is not cheap, but cooking one is a no-brainer. Put it in a crock pot and check back 10 hours later!!
Play some Chieftans and have the kiddos learn some Yeats (and don't forget Bloomsday in June).
I'd loan ya *my* Irish setter if I could :).
Thought of a new idea yesterday...
Limericks!! Not DIRTY limericks, of course, but limericks are certainly an Irish contribution to the world.
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