St Patrick’s Day Research

Lesson Overview

Duration: 60 minutes
Year Group: Year 6
Subject: Digital Competence Framework (DCF)
Curriculum Area: UK Digital Competence Framework – Citizenship and Interacting & Collaborating

This lesson will develop pupils’ research, digital literacy, and presentation skills by exploring the history and significance of St Patrick’s Day. Pupils will use online sources to gather information, create a digital presentation, and showcase their findings to the class.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils will be able to:

1. Use digital tools effectively to research information about St Patrick’s Day.
2. Evaluate online sources for accuracy and reliability.
3. Create a visual presentation using digital software (PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Canva).
4. Present their findings confidently to their peers, practising speaking and listening skills.
5. Work collaboratively with their peers to develop and refine their work.

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Resources Needed

• Laptops or tablets (1 per pair)
• Internet access
• Presentation software (Google Slides, PowerPoint, Canva, or similar)
• Interactive whiteboard or projector
• Printed checklist for research guidance
• Timer for managing activities

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Lesson Breakdown

Starter Activity (10 mins) – Think, Pair, Share

1. Engage students with curiosity: Display an image of a St Patrick’s Day parade (without a caption).
2. Ask: What do you already know about St Patrick’s Day? Allow pupils to discuss in pairs.
3. As a class, create a mind map of ideas on the board, categorising facts under "History," "Traditions," and "Symbols."
4. Explain the lesson objective: Pupils will learn about St Patrick’s Day and create a digital presentation to share with the class.

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Main Activity (40 mins) – Research & Presentation Creation

Step 1: Research (15 mins)

• Pupils work in pairs to research answers to guided questions:
  • Who was St Patrick?
  • Why is St Patrick’s Day celebrated?
  • What are traditional symbols of St Patrick’s Day?
  • How is it celebrated in the UK and worldwide?
• Emphasise critical thinking: Encourage pupils to compare multiple sources and decide which are reliable.
• Provide a checklist to help pupils identify trustworthy websites (e.g. ".gov" or ".edu" sites).

Step 2: Creating Presentations (20 mins)

• Pupils organise research into a visually engaging presentation:
  • Title Slide – The topic of their presentation
  • Fact Slides – Key information with brief explanations
  • Images and Graphics – Visuals to support their points
  • Final Slide – What they found most interesting
• Creativity challenge: Ask pupils to include one fun fact or surprising piece of information.
• Teacher circulates, provides feedback, and ensures all pupils are engaged.

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Plenary (10 mins) – Showcase & Reflect

1. Presentations: Each pair delivers a one-minute presentation, summarising their key findings.
2. Peer feedback: Classmates give one positive comment and one suggestion for improvement.
3. Reflection discussion: Ask, What was the most interesting fact you learned? and How did using digital tools help with your learning?

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Assessment Opportunities

• Observation of pupils' research skills and website choices.
• Quality of presentations, including accuracy, creativity, and engagement.
• Peer feedback to assess understanding and collaboration.
• Oral responses in the plenary to gauge how well pupils have retained information.

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Differentiation & Support

💡 For pupils who need extra support:

• Provide a research guide with key website suggestions.
• Offer a template for slide creation.
• Pair with a confident digital learner.

🚀 For more able pupils:

• Challenge them to compare St Patrick’s Day traditions across two different countries.
• Introduce the concept of bias in online sources and ask pupils to evaluate their sources critically.

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Teacher’s Reflection

At the end of the lesson, consider:

• Did pupils demonstrate confidence using digital tools?
• Were the presentations engaging and well-researched?
• How effectively did pupils evaluate online sources?
• What improvements can be made for next time?

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💡 This lesson is designed to be engaging, interactive, and aligned with the UK Digital Competence Framework, ensuring pupils develop essential research and collaboration skills while learning about an important cultural event. 🚀