Themes: Divided Loyalties
Subject: History
Estimated No. of Classes: 2
Toolkit: Projector, Computer Lab, Internet Connection
Funders: The Department of Education and Skills and the Irish Research Council.
Developed by: The Letters of 1916 Project, The Military Archives, An Foras Feasa and The Humanities Institute at Maynooth University.
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“Ireland, through us, summons her children to her flag....”
Abstract:
This lesson plan introduces students to the complex question of loyalty. The lesson will encourage an understanding of key concepts from this period such as nationalism and unionism. It also introduces students to key primary sources such as the Proclamation of the Irish Republic and Ulster’s Solemn League and Covenant. Students will carry out textual analysis of these key documents, will participate in group work and will present their findings to their peers. They will also design a poster that will outline the symbols that are linked to the concepts. This lesson plan will equip students with the knowledge required in order to develop a more nuanced understanding of the key concepts.
Lesson Aims/Objectives:
a. To gain an understanding of primary sources and the terms connected to them
b. To gain an understanding of key concepts, including nationalism, unionism.
c. To carry out textual analysis of key documents.
d. To design a poster selecting the symbols linked to the concepts.
Advanced Preparation Required:
a. Teacher should print relevant documents ‐ the Proclamation of the Irish Republic and the Ulster Solemn League and Covenant (see Materials Needed 10. ‘a’ and ‘b’)
b. Teacher should gather information about the documents and suggested sources are given below (see Materials Needed 10. ‘c’ and ‘d’)
c. Teacher should gather materials, paper, pencils, pens and markers for poster design or book computer lab for digital posters.
Methodology:
a. Exercise one
i. Teacher explains essential concepts, such as loyalty, Nationalism and Unionism and the documents to be considered
ii. Students are divided into groups according to class size and each group is given a printed copy of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic and the Ulster Solemn League and Covenant
iii. Students should compare and contrast the language and symbolism utilized by both texts
iv. Class discussion on their findings
b. Exercise two
i. The class will then be divided into two and one half will work on the Proclamation of the Irish Republic and the other will focus on the Ulster Solemn League and Covenant
ii. Each group will be required to make a poster surrounding the concept of loyalty as expressed through their document’s language and symbolism
iii. The groups will then present their posters to the class and explain their work
Assessment:
a. Assessment of the production and presentation of poster and the students’understanding of the themes and concepts covered in the lesson.
Materials Needed:
a. Copy of the Proclamation of the Republic ‐ PC/O459 (Doyle collection)
b. Ulster Solemn League & Covenant ‐ D1496/3 (Courtesy of the Deputy Keeper of Records, Public Record Office of Northern Ireland).
c.Education leaflet on the Solemn league and convenant