The Battle of the Somme

Understanding 1916

Lesson 4: The Irish contribution to the Battle of the Somme

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Lesson 4 of the module takes a particular emphasis on the role and contribution of Irishmen at the Battle of the Somme and the large sacrifices they made. The lesson will go on to explore the battle at Guillemont, which took place later in 1916, and the overall death toll recorded from throughout Ireland.

Lesson Intentions

  1. Be able to explain the actions of the 36th (Ulster) Division and the 16th (Irish) Divisions during the battle; and
  2. Identify the sacrifices made by men from across Ireland.

Areas of Learning

Environment and Society

History

Objective 1: Developing pupils as Individuals

Explore how history has affected their personal identity, culture and lifestyle.
(Personal Understanding)

Investigate individuals who are considered to have taken a significant moral stand and examine their motivation and legacy.
(Moral Character)

Objective 2: Developing pupils as Contributors to Society

Investigate the impact of significant events/ideas of the 20th century on the world.
(Cultural Understanding)

Learning for Life & Work

Local and Global Citizenship

Investigate factors including religious and political that influence individual and group identity.

Investigate ways in which individuals and groups express their identity.

Human Rights and Social Responsibility

Investigate local and global scenarios where human rights have been seriously infringed

Language and Literacy

English with Media Education

Objective 1: Developing pupils as Individuals

Engage, through language, with their peers and with fictional and real-life characters and situations, to explore their own emotions and develop creative potential.
(Personal Understanding)

Explore and respond to others’ emotions as encountered in literature, the media, moving image and peer discussion.
(Mutual Understanding)

Explore the use of language and imagery in conveying and evoking a variety of powerful feelings.
(Spiritual Awareness)

Objective 2: Developing pupils as Contributors to Society

Explore the power of a range of communication techniques to inform, entertain, influence and persuade.
(Media Awareness)

Irish with Media Education

Objective 1: Developing pupils as Individuals

Engage, through language, with their peers and with fictional and real-life characters and situations, to explore their own emotions and develop creative potential.
(Personal Understanding)

Explore and respond to others’ emotions as encountered in literature, the media, moving image and peer discussion.
(Mutual Understanding)

Develop an understanding of the power of languages (including bi-lingualism and body language) to communicate and empathise with others.
(Mutual Understanding)

Explore the use of language and imagery in conveying and evoking a variety of powerful feelings.
(Spiritual Awareness)

The Arts

Art and Design

Objective 1: Developing pupils as Individuals

Express themselves through Art and Design.
(Personal Understanding)

Work with other pupils to produce a creative response to group expressions of identity.
(Mutual Understanding)

Drama

Objective 1: Developing pupils as Individuals

Express themselves emotionally and imaginatively through drama and improvisation.
(Personal Understanding)

Explore and respond to the views and feelings of others (Mutual Understanding).

Tasks

A number of tasks have been developed in order to help pupils progress in a number of desirable Using ICT skills and Thinking Skills and Personal Capabilities. This lesson in particular helps develop their knowledge, understanding and skills by engaging the pupils in a number of active learning activities and digital tasks.

Using ICT

  • Research
  • Desktop Publishing
  • Working with Images
  • Working with Sound

Thinking Skills and Personal Capabilities

  • Managing Information
  • Self-Management
  • Thinking, Decision Making
  • Being Creative
  • Working with Others
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