The aim of this year’s 1916 initiative is to encourage students to research, reflect, find and observe history in their own local area. For the purposes of ensuring a broad themed approach to local history, we have divided the theme into four areas.
(a) School Days in 1916: Junior & Senior Infant Classes
This theme can include any of the following suggestions, in addition to any other relevant areas of school life at the time: a boy or girl in school in 1916, what did they wear, what did they learn about in the classroom/school setting, what did they bring for their lunch, length of school day, number of students per class, what lighting and heating existed in the school, what school games were played, what school books existed, how did they get to school etc.
Format: this will be a whole class project. It can be submitted for entry in any medium deemed suitable by the teacher (photos, scrap book, pictures, interviews, song, video, poster etc.)
This theme can include any of the following suggestions in addition to any other relevant areas of family life at the time: employment/jobs, food, and transport.
Format: this will be a whole class project. It can be submitted for entry in any medium deemed suitable by the teacher (photos, scrap book, pictures, interviews, song, video, poster etc.)
(c) Community and Cultural Life : Third & Fourth Classes
This theme can include any of the following suggestions, in addition to any other relevant areas of community or cultural life at the time: entertainment, theatre, cinema, song, visiting families, seanachaí, dancing at cross roads, etc.
Format: this will be a group project (no more than 5 people per group). It can be submitted for entry in any medium deemed suitable by the teacher (photos, scrap book, pictures, interviews, song, video, poster etc.)
(d) Local Historical Event, Circa 1916: Fifth & Sixth Classes
This theme should be based on the following suggestion, in addition to any other relevant areas of local historical interest at the time: description of local historical event which occurred around 1916, linking the local event to the national picture, where possible, noting any sense of Irish identity that was emerging locally at the time.
Recommended resources: Songs, Witness Statements (www.bureauofmilitarythistory.ie [1]), local newspapers, museums, county council minutes from meetings
Format: this will be a group or individual project (no more than 5 people per group). It can be submitted for entry in any medium deemed suitable by the teacher: essay, pictures, interviews, song, video, poster, etc.)
Each school is asked to select one entry from each category to submit to the Education Centre. An overall winner will be selected locally from each category and the prize will be a specially commissioned trophy for the winning schools.
Links:
[1] http://www.bureauofmilitarythistory.ie/