Site of the WeekIrishpotatofamine.orgExplore an Irish village during the Potato Famine in this engaging and interactive presentation (Primary).
What is this site about?This is a flash based website which examines different facets of life in Ireland during the Great Famine. There are four nicely illustrated themes relating to Rural Dwellings, the Workhouse, the School, and the Docks, with hidden interactive elements which children have to search for.
Why was this site chosen as Site of the Week?- The site is topical for Famine Commemoration Day.
- It is visually engaging and there are activities that will appeal to most learners.
- There are various learning resources included in the presentation, such as eye-witness accounts, articles, timelines, videos and pictures.
- There are editable sections where children can use what they have learned to write descriptions of what the people are going through and what they are thinking.
- The fact pages are well written and easy to understand for children.
- There is a printable case study of how the famine affected the village of Richhill, Co. Meath.
How can it be used as an educational resource?This site can be used for student-led research into the Great Famine, or as part of a group project. It can also be used as a visual aid for interactive whiteboards in teacher-led scenarios. The case study included provides a useful basis for carrying out a case study of a town or village in the locality affected by the Famine.
Requires Flash.
Curriculum Mapping
Primary History Strands: Eras of Conflict and Change; Life, Society, Work and Culture; Story; Local Studies.