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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Irish in America Through Found Poetry

For Teachers 7th - 9th
What was life like for Irish immigrants settling in America during the late 1800's? Learners examine primary source documents, such as lyrics, poems, and letters, to understand the immigrant experience. They then use those primary source...
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Activity
Constitutional Rights Foundation

Constitutional Rights Foundation: Population Perils: The Potato Famine and Irish Immigration to America

For Students 9th - 10th
Activity on the plight of the Irish immigrant in America during the potato famine. Through a combination of class discussion and role play, students gain an understanding of the reasons people sought to immigrate to America.
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Website
BBC

Bbc: History: The Irish Famine

For Students 9th - 10th
BBC historian Jim Donnelly describes how a million people died of hunger in Ireland in the late 1840s, on the doorstep of the world's richest nation. Archived.
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Unit Plan
Other

Fitzhenry and Whiteside: 'Greener Grass' Teaching Guide [Pdf]

For Teachers 9th - 10th
"Greener Grass" an historical novel by Canadian author Caroline Pignat, is set in Ireland, follows a family's struggle to survive after a potato blight hits their crop and famine comes. The family has many trials along the way. This...
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Article
Hartford Web Publishing

World History Archives: The Great Hunger

For Students 9th - 10th
This article discusses the aftermath of the potato famine; 4 million dead, 2.5 million refugees. Mentions the Irish peasantry, landlords, British Government, relief, and the cause of the famine.
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Website
The History Place

The History Place: Irish Potato Famine

For Students 9th - 10th
The History Place provides complete history of the Irish Potato Famine and life in Ireland in the 19th century.
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Handout
Other

Understanding Race: The Famine and the Irish Race: 1840s 1890s

For Students 9th - 10th
Article discusses how the Industrial Revolution in Europe and the potato famine in Ireland brought millions of people to the U.S. and highlights some of the impacts of immigration during this time.
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Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Irish Immigrants

For Teachers 11th - 12th Standards
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about Irish Immigrants to the United States. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
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Handout
Ancestry

Ireland: The Famine Years

For Students 9th - 10th
This site offers information about the famine years. Using a map of Ireland, authors discuss the percentages of the population living in the lowest class housing and the devastating effects of the famine.