Free Curriculum-based Education Packfor Primary Schools
Education Pack
Recognising the importance of the Great Famine in education, we have developed a curriculum-based Education Pack for primary schools which teachers can download and use free of charge. It is an interactive, user-friendly resource designed for children from 8 years of age and upwards who have covered the Great Famine element of the curriculum. The Education Pack covers all areas of the curriculum and is logically laid out by subject area. These have associated headings, information and specific links. Class activities are included, often using original archive documents and engaging videos. It is designed to broaden and deepen the Great Famine element of the curriculum in an engaging and interactive way.
Famine is an integral part of Ireland’s history but it is also a very current issue for many countries around the world. This is an important part of education for all.
Explore, Learn, Enjoy
The Education Pack contains real names, real facts and true family stories which children can relate to. It brings the facts of the Great Famine to life by telling the tale of one boy, 12 year old Daniel Tighe, through our Shoe Stories. The National Famine Way™ trail is marked by over 30 sculptures of bronze children’s shoes and at each one a story related to Daniel is narrated on the app. Daniel’s experience, and the broader story of the 1,490 people who walked the trail, are covered in the pack. These vignettes are written by Marita Conlon-McKenna renowned author of Under The Hawthorn Tree.
The combination of resources makes for an evocative and memorable teaching experience. The central digital resources are the National Famine Way™ Website and App. Two introductory videos are also included, one on the Shoe Stories and the other on the trail and the Missing 1,490.
This Education Pack was developed with guidance from Teachers and created by the National Famine Museum at Strokestown Park in association with Waterways Ireland, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum encompassing the Jeanie Johnston Famine Ship Experience and the Irish Family History Centre at EPIC.
