Two other Good Apple books that contain ideas for St. Patrick's and green are Learning About Spring and Summer Holidays (1988) and The Complete Color Book (1991).
Crafts
Shamrock HeadbandsHave your children go on a shamrock hunt. Hide paper shamrocks around the room and have your child find them. Then use the shamrocks to decorate a headband. Cut a headband from green construction paper. Decorate the shamrocks with gren glitter crayons and attach them to the headband. Fit the headband to your child's head and tape together. Use in activity below.
GLITTERY SHAMROCKS
Place several small shamrock patterns in the center for the children to
trace on white paper.
Have them cut out the shamrocks and cover with a thin coat of glue.
Sprinkle with green glitter- remember after Christmas next year to buy some
on sale to save for now. Let children take some home, save one for wearing
on St. Paddy's Day and put some on the Bulletin Board.
PATCHY SHAMROCKS
Place several small shamrock patterns in the center for the children to
trace on white paper.
Have them cut out the shamrocks and cover with a thin coat of glue. Place
several different shades of green tissue paper in the center in 1" squares.
Have the children pick up the squares and place them on the shamrock,
overlapping to make darker shades, but not going over the edges any more
than necessary. They can cut off the edges when dry, if necessary.
Paper Plate Shamrocks
Have the children paint three small (dessert) plates green. When dry
glue them on a sheet of 12x18 construction paper in the shape of
shamrocks. Tear or cut a green stem from construction paper and glue
on bottom
Shamrocks
Trace shamrock shapes onto potato halves and cut them out to make shamrock
stamps. Mix equal parts evaporated milk and liquid tempera paint. Pour this
mixture over several layers of paper towels in a meat tray. Press the
shamrock potato onto the pad and then repeatedly onto a sheet of art paper.
The milk/paint mixture clings to the potato better than plain paint, making
it stamp better.
Shamrock Necklace
Each of your little artists can use this shamrock necklace project as an outlet for creative self-expression. To make a necklace, decorate a shamrock-shaped cutout with glue, glitter, sequins, colored rice, or any other art materials that you have on hand. If desired, cover the shamrock with Con-Tact covering and punch a hole near the top. Through the hole, thread a ribbon length, and tie the ends. That's a mighty fine shamrock you're sporting, lad!
Colorful Rainbow
In advance, collect some clean, dry and crushed eggshells. In each of several bowls, mix together two tablespoons of vinegar, a cup of hot water, and about ten drops of food coloring (using a different color for each bowl). Place some of the crushed eggshells in each bowl. Gently stir the eggshells until they absorb the desired amount of color. Spoon the eggshells onto paper towels and allow them to dry. To make a rainbow, use a paintbrush to spread glue in an arch shape onto a sheet of construction paper. Then sprinkle the eggshells onto the glue, using one color for each arch of the rainbow. Allow the glue to dry. To finish the project, glue cotton balls to each end of the rainbow to resemble clouds. Then brush an additional layer of diluted glue atop the eggshells. Very colorful!!
GROUP ACTIVITIES:
READIN' OF THE GREENProvide blank books for the children. Make them by folding four sheets of 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 sheets of paper in half. When closed, fold the fold over 1/2' and staple on that fold.
Have the children draw a different green thing on each page. Put a green cover on the book and title it "The Green Book"
WRITIN' OF THE GREEN
To make it a fine reading activity, write a simple language pattern
throughout the book as the children tell you what they have drawn. Try,
A ____________________ is green. This is a green ________________. See
the
green _________________.
Put them in the library for the children to read at their leisure. Post some on the bulletin board.
LITTLE LEPRECHAUNS
Show the children pictures of leprechauns. Point out the hats, belts,
jackets, shoes and the unique faces.
Leave pictures of leprechauns in the art center. Have the children draw pictures on various sizes of leprechauns for the Posting' of the Green Bulletin board.
Pass the Shamrock
Remind children that many people think finding four leaf
clovers will bring them luck. Invite them to test their luck in this
game. To prepare, obtain some Irish music, cut and laminate some
small four leaf clovers and make a headband. Have the children sit in a
circle and start the music. Let it play for about 20 seconds as the
children pass around a single four leaf clover. When the music stops,
the child holding the clover gets to wear the headband and tell
of a time when they were lucky. Continue with the music until each
child has had a chance to be the lucky learner.
Shamrock Shuffle
You'll get an enthusiastic response to this small group activity
that reinforces letter and number identification skills. Program
ten shamrock cutouts with letters or numbers and one shamrock
cutout with a smiley face. Place the cutouts in a coffee can covered
in green construction paper. Ask students to sit in a circle. To play the
game, pass the can around the circle and have the first child drea out a
shamrock. If the student draws a shamrock with a letter or a number,
he identifies it and puts it back in the can. If the student draws the smiley
face, everyone gets up and does the "Shamrock Shuffle" (shuffles to a new
spot in the circle). Continue to pass the can around until all students have had
a chance to dreaw from the can.
GROWIN' OF THE GREEN
Get a long trough-type plastic wallpaper tray to use as a planter. Put
some gravel in the bottom. Add soil. Sprinkle grass seed along the top.
Put another bit of dirt on the top.
Water as necessary. Place the planter at the base of the bulletin board so the grass grows at the bottom of it.
WEARIN' OF THE GREEN
Send home a note to the parents asking that the children wear green on St.
Patrick's Day. The class will look great.
SHARIN' OF THE GREEN
Send home a note to the parents asking that the children bring something
green from their home for the Sharin' of the Green on the same day that
will be Wearin' of the Green.
RUNNIN' WITH THE GREEN
On St. Patrick's Day set up relays for the children. Divide the children
into two to three teams. Split the teams in half. Put half at one end of
the room and the other half at the other end.
Give the leader of the team a spoonful of green Jell-O cube. Have them run to the other end of the relay area and give the spoonful of Jell-O to their team member at the other end. That person then passes the spoonful to their team member, etc. Let them do it for three minutes and call time. Do not have a winner.
Totally Green
Plan a totally green day for St. Patrick's Day. Use only green writing and coloring utensils for the entire day. Cover your
classroom mirror or windows with green plastic wrap. Transform apple juice into green juice by adding a few drops of food
coloring. Also offer a sampling of green foods such as pickles, celery, green olives, lettuce, Granny Smith apples, and
green jelly beans
Songs and Fingerplays
If you sing this song in earnest, sightings of those little green guys might be on the rise in your classroom! Two Little Leprechauns
Two little leprechauns
Playing hide and seek
One named Zach
And one named Zeke
Up on a mushroom
Zeke did mount
One, two, three, four...
He did count
He opened his eyes and
Looked all around
Zeke was nowhere
To be found!
All of a sudden
From below
Came a squeek
Zack peeked down
And there sat Zeke!
Lucky Leprechaun
(sung to the tune of "Jingle Bells")
Leprechaun, Leprechaun,
Oh, where can you be?
Come a little closer now.
Don't be afraid of me.
Leprechaun, Leprechaun,
You bring luck my way.
I'd really like to see you
Tune: "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!
Five Little Shamrocks
One green shamrock, in the morning dew;
Another one sprouted;
And then there were two.
Two green shamrocks, growing 'neath the tree,
Another one sprouted;
And then there were three.
Three green shamrocks, by the cottage door,
Another one sprouted;
And then there were four.
Four green shamrocks, near a beehive;
Another one sprouted;
And then there were five.
Five little shamrocks, bright and emerald
Five little shamrocks, bright and emerald green,
Think of all the luck these shamrocks will bring.
It's St. Patrick's Day!
Tune: "Clap, Clap, Clap Your Hands"
It's St. Patrick's Day!
Dance a jig together.
It's St. Patrick's Day!
Time for sunny weather.
(Chorus: "la, la........")
When St. Patrick came along to the Emerald Island,
He chased all the snakes away; you won't find snakes in Ireland!
Rainbow Bridge
There's a great big cloud over here.
(form clouds with hands to right side of body)
And a great big cloud over there.
(form cloud with hands to left side of body)
The rain falls down and makes a path.
(make pretend falling rain with fingers)
A rainbow bridge up in the air!
(make a large arc from left to right with hands)
St. Patrick’s Day is Here
Tune: Farmer in the Dell
St. Patrick’s Day is here
St. Patrick’s Day is here
Let’s give a clap and dance a jig
St. Patrick’s Day is here.
How to Trap a Leprechaun
Inspire creativity and eager anticipation in youngsters who are just longing to see a leprechaun.
Mention to youngsters that leprechauns love green things, Lucky Charms cereal, gold, and chocolate foil-covered candy
coins. Then give each child an opportunity to design his own original leprechaun trap. It has been reported by some that
reciting the poem below can be beneficial in coaxing the little green guys into your general vicinity!
Leprechaun Poem
Leprechaun, leprechaun, don't catch cold.
Leprechaun, leprechaun, come get the gold.
Eat some cereal, drink some tea.
Leprechaun, leprechaun, visit with me.
I promise not to keep you for more than just a spell.
My mother wouldn't let me, so it's just as well.
Leprechauns, leprechauns, where do you dwell?
Leprechauns, leprechauns, elves, and trolls.
I think you live on grassy knolls.
Leprechauns, leprechauns everywhere.
Leprechauns, leprechauns in my hair.
On my foot and near my ear
Leprechaun, leprechaun, see you next year!
St. Patrick's Day
St. Patrick's Day is here, you see.
We'll pick some shamrocks, one, two, three.
We'll count the leaves and look them over,
And maybe find a four-leafed clover.
I'll sew green buttons on my vest,
Green for St. Patrick is the best.
I'll wear a green hat, very high,
And dance a jig--at least I'll try!
Bulletin Board/Classroom Displays
POSTIN' OF THE GREENAs the children do the activities post them on the bulletin board. Make sure that most things are green and that each shows something made of a different texture of material.
Aren't we lucky that everyone in the world is unique? Send that message to your class this St. Patrick's Day with a student-made bulletin board. Provide students with plenty of old magazines; then instruct each child to cut out pictures (or words) that describe and illustrate his uniqueness. Have the student glue the cutouts, collage-fashion, on a large shamrock pattern that's been cut from green construction paper. Post the one-of-a-kind shamrocks on a bulletin board titled "Lucky to Be Me!" or "Lucky Me! I'm Special!"
Cooking/Food Activities
Leprechaun ShakeFor each shake, place a scoop of mint ice creamin a plastic jar with a lid. Add about 1/2 cup of milk and a drop of green food coloring. Screw the lid on tightly and have your child vigorously shake the jar to mix. Poor into a glass and enjoy.
Leprechaun Pudding
Prepare pistachio pudding according to package directions. In a
large bowl add a tub of Cool Whip and a can of crushed
pineapple or other fruit to pudding. Spoon into individual
bowls and chill.
TASTIN' OF THE GREEN
Place celery, green pepper, lettuce, green onions, fresh cooked green beans
in the center. Provide seriated table knives, green paper plates and green
napkins for the children.
Let them cut the vegetables into small pieces and place a few on their green plates to eat for snack. Top it off with green paper cups and lime Kool-Aid for a drink.
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