How to Trap a Leprechaun.pptx - CarrolltonFineArtsFall2013

St. Patrick’s Day
Writing Activity
By Nicole Shelby
Note to the Teacher
Are you looking for a fun way to incorporate the Common Core Standards
and St. Patrick’s Day? Well, with the activities in this packet, you can easily
hit those informative/explanatory writing standards with this fun and
engaging St. Patty’s Day writing prompt.
Introduction:
Begin with sharing with the students background information about the
history of St. Patrick’s Day and the Irish tales of leprechauns.
Here are some resources for background information:
Highlights Magazine Story
http://www.highlightskids.com/stories/leprechaun-trap
Kaboose
http://holidays.kaboose.com/saint-patricks-day/history/patrick-historytraditions-symbols.html
Brainpop: St. Patrick’s Day
Be sure and share stories that focus on the magical powers of the
leprechauns. Some books that I use as resources are That’s What
Leprechauns Do by Eve Bunting and St. Patrick’s Day by Gail Gibbons.
Tip: Check with your local public library for books.
Introduce the Leprechaun Trap:
Share the book, The Night Before St. Patrick’s Day by Natasha Wing. It’s a
story about a two kids that make traps to catch a leprechaun. (You don’t
have to have this book, it’s just the book that I use as a springboard for
writing.)
Ask students to brainstorm materials that could be used to create a trap for
a leprechaun.
Are you planning to have the students make the leprechaun trap in class or
as an at home activity and have the students bring them into class? If you
are planning to make it a classroom project, you will need various materials
for the students to use such as small boxes, paper towel tubes and/or toilet
paper tubes, yarn, string, fabric, uncooked pasta, craft sticks, buttons, etc.
Cont. Note to Teacher
You may also want paints, paper, markers, and other decorating supplies.
Stickers or foam cutouts of shamrocks, rainbows, and pots of gold would be
How to Design the Leprechaun Trap:
Brainstorm ideas for creating a leprechaun trap. Lead students to come to
the conclusion that the trap will need to somehow lure the leprechaun and
trap him once he is inside. A trap could consist of propping a box opening
with a stick and tying a bait to the stick. Then once the leprechaun tries to
take the bait, the propped door will close trapping the leprechaun inside the
box. Another option could consist of a net. Brainstorm how the net could
fall once the leprechaun tries to take the bait. Remind the students that the
leprechauns are very clever and are very difficult to catch.
Also, discuss items that would be suitable to use as bait. Some items might
include: coins, chocolate golden coins, small jewels, glitter, or Lucky
Charms.
Let’s Make a Leprechaun Trap:
As mentioned before, you can choose to make the traps in class or send it
home as a project. If you choose to make it an in class project, students
can make individual traps or work in small groups to assemble their traps.
Once the students have created the traps, set them out so that the
leprechauns can visit.
Leprechaun Mystery:
After the students have left for the day and the traps are set, it’s time for
the fun!!! Make each trap appear as if it has been visited. For extra fun,
sprinkle green and/or gold glitter around the traps. For even more fun,
attach small pieces of green fabric on the traps as if to look like the
leprechaun was caught by his clothing trying to escape. You might choose
to leave chocolate gold coins around the room as well.
Creating the traps allows students to use logic and reasoning skills. Then,
of course, makes a nice informative/explanatory writing piece, as the
students can write about how to make a leprechaun trap. Several graphic
organizers and stationery papers are included.
Name: ____________________________________________
My Leprechaun Trap Plan
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www.teachingwithblondeambition.blogspot.com
Nicole Shelby 2013
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How to Build a Leprechaun Trap
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©
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Nicole Shelby 2013
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How to Build a Leprechaun Trap
Introduction: (Give a little history about the leprechaun and
why you would want to trap one.)
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Materials Needed:
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Body Paragraph: (Explain step by step how to make your
leprechaun trap.)
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© Nicole Shelby 2013
www.teachingwithblondeambition.blogspot.com
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Closing Paragraph: (Connect to the introduction.)
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© Nicole Shelby 2013
www.teachingwithblondeambition.blogspot.com
How to Build a Leprechaun Trap
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www.teachingwithblondeambition.blogspot.com
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© Nicole Shelby 2013
www.teachingwithblondeambition.blogspot.com
Terms and Credits
Thank you for downloading my Trap a Leprechaun Writing Activity. I hope that
you enjoy the resource. Please let me know if you have any questions or
concerns. My email address is [email protected].
Copyright: Nicole Shelby 2013
This lesson plan entitles you to single classroom use only. Please be respectful of
my work. I ask that you do not share with grade level teams or district wide and
never post ANY part of this lesson plan online or resell any part of it. I
appreciate your honesty! If you wish to share this file with a colleague, please
refer them to my store or blog. Thank you so much!
Check it out at: www.teachingwithblondeambition.blogspot.com
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