To build a scale model of Kilmainham Gaol
Lesson 1:
Children will read about the events of 1916. Teacher will display a map showing locations of various buildings that were significant to the rising. Old photos and videos will be shown.
Lesson 2:
Children will focus on Kilmainham Gaol and the events that unfolded there. In particular the story of the executions and the marriage of J.M. Plunkett and Grace Gifford. Children will learn the song “Grace”.
Lesson 3:
Children will view Kilmainham Gaol in Google Earth. On their laptops they will have the opportunity to fly around overhead and virtually visit the location.
Teacher will demonstrate how to measure a distance in Google Earth using the ruler tool.
Teacher will explain that the class will be building a scale model of Kilmainham Gaol in Minecraft.
Children will be split into small groups and assigned different areas of the Gaol to build.
Lesson 4:
Teacher will assist with the initial footprint of the building in Minecraft. Teacher will place photos to help with the build on the walls of the classroom. Children start to build. The build may take a few more sessions.
One Group will dramatise the wedding of J.M. Plunkett and Grace Gifford for later inclusion in review video.
Review:
Children will write a paragraph on what they learned while building Kilmainham Gaol. They will include a sentence about teamwork and collaboration.
The teacher will record some of these for inclusion in a review video.
A small group of children will put together a video using clips recorded during the build and using the audio recordings mentioned as a soundtrack.
The children will add audio of themselves singing “Grace” to the section of this video dramatising the marriage in the Gaol Chapel in Minecraft.
At a later date, children will have the opportunity to create a slideshow of their journey through this project.
Children will visit classes throughout the school to present the video of the their project and take questions.
Subjects taught include: English, History, Maths, Music and Drama.