The students of 5th & 6th class in Killeen NS wasted no time in starting their 1916 project. The first part consisted of researching the main leaders of the Rising. Quirky information that only the eyes of a child would ask, like how many siblings did the Leaders have? Where did they go to school? What did they look like? Were there any women leaders?
Ensuring that their work was carefully recorded by including references, citing names & page numbers of books looked up and using computers with the internet as a tool, helped the children understand the work of a researcher.
What to do with all the information gathered?
They worked in pairs and displayed their findings on posters using their own unique styles. They then had the task of standing in front of the class and delivering those findings to everyone. Public speaking and short Q & As have left no doubt in my mind that these students were interested in the whole project to the extent that they wanted to know more about it.
Research began, this time focus was on the main organisations involved in the Rising; Irish Citizens Army, Cumann na mBan, Irish Volunteers & Fianna Eireann. Using similar tactics they completed this task and presented the findings to the class. As the interest was growing, attention turned to the local movement and what, if any, involvement did Louisburgh have in the 1916 Rising?
Where better to look than in our county Library in Castlebar? On the bus journey to Castlebar, the students surprised Brige & I, as they sang rebel songs & sang them very well indeed! What a treat….
Sincere gratitude to Maureen Costello for all her help and kindness shown to us while visiting the Library. She sourced books and pointed the students in the right direction for many local events & photographs,including Westport Volunteer meetings & old newspaper information. All the students had access to the Microfiche machine and we even got to photocopy some material to take home to study. The time went too quickly in the Library. For some students it was their first visit to the County Library, an experience which was made very special by Maureen’s patience & help.
We are really blown away by the interest shown by the senior room in Killeen NS. They are so respectful of the past & have such a fresh innocent way of looking at the information researched. They are determined to write their own record of what they’ve learnt about 1916 in this the Centenary year 2016. Special word of thanks to their Teacher Brid Grady for encouraging the students to participate & allowing us the opportunity to work with them.
Can’t wait for the next phase of Easter 1916 Killeen style……
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