For a fun St. Patrick's Day writing activity, have students collect facts about different kinds of leprechauns and leprechaun behavior and follow the steps of the writing process to create illustrated field guides about leprechauns. Students can write field guides by themselves, with a partner, with a small group, or with the entire class.
Build Background about Field Guides
To begin this St. Patrick's Day writing activity, share with students a number of age-appropriate field guides about a variety of subjects, such as animals, plants, or rocks. Flip through them and work with students to identify text features (such as table of contents and headings) and graphic sources (such as charts, tables, or illustrations) and discuss why each book is structured the way it is and includes the features it does. Students can then use these books as models for creating their own leprechaun guidebooks.
Students Perform Prewriting Tasks
To begin, have elementary students think about what they already know about leprechauns. Then, have them brainstorm and generate ideas about what kinds of things they would be interested in learning about leprechauns. Finally, they should make initial decisions about what kinds of information they might like to include in their field guides.
Next, have students use sources such as appropriate Internet Web sites, encyclopedias, Irish folk tales, and trade picture books to take notes about subjects such as leprechaun life, leprechaun behavior, and leprechaun lore.
Once they are done researching leprechauns, have students consider how best to divide the information they have collected into logical topics. For example, students may want to devote sections to subjects such as what leprechauns wear, where leprechauns can be found, how to catch a leprechaun, what to do with a leprechaun, and whether leprechauns are helpful or harmful beings.
Finally, have students write outlines to map out the organization of their leprechaun field guides. They should plan whether to include text features such as an introduction, a table of contents, headings, subheadings, and a glossary. They should decide whether to include any graphic sources such as maps showing where leprechauns can be found, diagrams of what leprechauns look like, or pictures with explanatory captions.
Students Write Drafts
Now students should write first drafts of their leprechaun field guides. Remind them to explain each of their ideas clearly and fully. Tell them to make sure their ideas flow in a logical order. Note that it is okay for them to deviate from their outlines if, in the course of writing, they discover that their initial plan does not work or if a great new idea strikes them. Instruct them not to worry about grammar or spelling now; instead, students should focus just on getting their ideas down on the page.
Students Revise Drafts
Once students are done drafting, they should revise their writing to make it clear and vivid. Tell students to ask themselves if they have told their readers everything the reader will need to know about a subject, or if students should include more information or explanations. Suggest that students replace repetitious or clichéd word choices with more descriptive and original words. Before revising, students can trade drafts with a partner and help improve each other's writing by making suggestions for revision.
Students Edit and Proofread Drafts
Once students are happy with all of the sentences they have written, ask students to begin editing their work. Now they should check their grammar, mechanics, and spelling. Students should again trade drafts with a partner and proofread each other's work.
Students Publish a Field Guide
Now students are ready to publish their work. The finished product can be as simple as a computer print-out or as elaborate as a handmade bound book. Collect finished leprechaun guidebooks in a Reading Center for the whole class to enjoy.
This elementary writing lesson plan can be used at any time as a fun writing process activity or as a standalone St. Patrick's Day elementary writing lesson plan. Following the steps of the writing process to create a guidebook about leprechauns will give students practical experience with the steps of prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. The more practice students have with following these steps, the more natural the process of writing will become to them, and the stronger their own writing will be.
Teachers and parents can also use Irish folktales to teach reading comprehension skills, use shamrocks in elementary math activities, or plan a St. Patrick's Day children's party.
Renee Carver - Renée Carver has an Elementary Education degree and over ten years of experience writing and editing children's educational products.
Join the Conversation