In the year AD 385 a child was born in the country of Wales. His name was Maewyn. Many years later he became the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick.
How long ago was AD 385? Use the calculator. (Start>Programs>Accessories>Calculator) Start with 2001. Then subtract 385.
Answer:
When he was 16 years old, Maewyn was a slave in Ireland. He worked hard as a shepherd, and he studied religion. He was able to escape, but he later returned to Ireland. He wanted to make the people of Ireland Christians. He used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity.
For 30 years he traveled around Ireland setting up monasteries, churches, and schools to spread the Christian religion. Many people were against him, and he was arrested several times. But he always escaped. He died on March 17 in AD 461. That day has been remembered as St. Patrick's Day ever since.
How long ago was AD 461? Use the calculator to find out how long ago St. Patrick died.
Answer:
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The map below shows all of Europe.
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The map below shows the United Kingdom. Can you find Wales? |
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| Name the 4 countries that make up the United Kingdom. |
Copy and paste this map into Paint. Label
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England-------France------Scotland------Northern Ireland-----London
There are many legends about St. Patrick. We really do not know for sure which stories are true. Some of the folklore says that St. Patrick raised people from the dead. Another legend says that he spoke to the people from a hilltop and drove all the snakes out of Ireland. (Even today, there are no snakes in Ireland.)
Even though this celebration began as a Catholic holy day, St. Patrick's Day has really become a holiday for everyone to enjoy. On March 17 in many cities there are parades that attract a lot of attention.
Besides the shamrock, another traditional symbol of the holiday is a special little fellow called a leprechaun. Leprechauns are little make-believe fairies that live in Ireland. They are the shoemakers for the fairies. The story is that if you catch one you can make him tell you where he hides his gold. No one has caught one yet....but start looking today!! Good luck!!
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Here is a song about a leprechaun, sung to the tune of "Mary Had a Little Lamb"
I'm looking for a leprechaun,
Leprechaun, leprechaun.
I'm looking for a leprechaun,
Do you know where he's gone?
He wears a suit that's made of green,
Made of green, made of green,
He wears a suit that's made of green,
Do you know where he's gone?
He lives by a rainbow and hides his gold,
Hides his gold, hides his gold,
He lives by a rainbow and hides his gold,
Do you know where he's gone?
If you see a leprechaun,
Leprechaun, leprechaun,
If you see a leprechaun,
Please tell me where he's gone!
How much have you learned about St. Patrick's Day?
OR...
Copy and paste this leprechaun into Paint. Erase the rainbow and create your own background of all the correct rainbow colors:
(Think....Roy G. Biv)
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red
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(And, of course, you are going to make your face
the face of the leprechaun!)
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