'The Children of Lir' is a well-known Irish legend which features some real landmarks such as Lough Derravaragh in Co. Westmeath. It is part of a longer story three story or saga called 'The Three Sorrows of Storytelling'. The other stories are called 'The Exile of the Children of Uisneach' and 'The Faith of the Children of Tuireann'. It is a saga about the battle between good and evil, the real and the supernatural and it combines ancient pagan times with Christianity.
To find out more about The Children of Lir on the Ask about Ireland website, see:
Information on Lough Derravaragh
Lough Derravaragh is also known as Donore Lake and is found in Co. Westmeath. It covers approximately 3,000 acres. It is a long and shallow lake. It is one of Ireland’s most important lakes for water birds which stay in Ireland during winter such as Little Grebe, Mute Swan, Tufted Duck and Pochard. It is also where Greenland White-fronted Goose roost. Birds such as Shoveler, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Wigeon, Mallard and Cormorant also live on and around the lake.
Different approaches to reading 'The Children of Lir'
Note: The following methods of reading the story are available.
a) Traditional approach: The teacher reads the story ‘The Children of Lir’ using feeling and intonation to create the variety of emotions contained in the story. The children listen. Story available as a PDF.
b) Professional storyteller approach: The storyteller tells the story with feeling and intonation. Storyteller version available as a video.
c) An interactive reading of the book: This is an ebook which presents the story using text, pictures and audio. It is suitable for an interactive board or individual PCs, laptops or tablets.
Analysis of the story
a) Analysis and summary of plot and key events: The teacher discusses the plot or storyline by asking the children to recall key events. By recording these key events the children can be assisted in summarising the story. A plot tracker sheet (below) can be used to guide this activity.
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b) Identifying and finding examples of certain features of the story: The teacher discusses the story with the children asking them to suggest examples of the following features:
- colourful, striking or informative passages or phrases.
- examples of exaggeration.
- descriptions of ‘superhero’ type qualities in the characters.
- examples of repetition and number.
- interesting plot lines or surprising elements.
- examples of mini stories within the story.
- a moral/lesson or how good overcomes evil.
c) Following this discussion the children can work on a rubric* individually, in pairs or up to groups with each person having a specific element to identify. The rubric is available to download and print below. The features of the story listed in (b) are included in the rubric. The children find their own examples under each heading.
* Rubric: A matrix for measuring a language activity against criteria or under specific headings.
d) The individuals, pairs or groups report back giving their examples of the features of the story. The teacher compiles the results on the whiteboard using the rubric.
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