You might be wondering if it’s worth it to squeeze in a St. Patrick’s Day activities in your secondary English Language Arts class, but let me assure you, it certainly is. St. Patrick’s Day has been recognized as a holiday since the middle ages, but it’s certainly changed method and form since then (at least here in America where I live). I’ve got a lucky number 7 activities rounded up for you to try in your secondary ELA classrooms.
1. Roll a St. Patrick’s Day Story
Have students write their own creative works with a bit of luck. Roll-a-Story activities are an engaging creative writing activity that has students roll for their main story elements, then has them brainstorm and get to writing. Have students print or write their works on themed paper or illustrate themselves and use it for an attractive bulletin board. You can find my St. Patrick’s Day Roll-a-Story already prepped and ready to go in printable or digital format here.
2. Practice Parts of Speech with St. Patrick’s Day Mad Libs
Mad Libs are an engaging way to practice parts of speech. You can use these for fast finishers, sub plans, or a whole class review for grammar and parts of speech. Use themed Mad Libs for a unique activity. There’s a print-and-go resource with five silly stories you can use, or have students create their own!
3. Create a St. Patrick’s Day Banner
Build class culture and decorate your space with engaging, unique (and inexpensive) decor. You can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by creating a “WE ARE LUCKY” banner to display in your room. Having a template makes it easy to print and go, there’s no prep for this kind of activity, and you can use as few or as many supplies as you’d like. I have pre-made and blank banner templates available in my store.
4. Play Themed Word Games
I love word games (anyone else on the Wordle bandwagon?). Put some word puzzles together (or use my premade ones here) and create an easily implemented activity for early finishers, sub plans, or build class community. Find St. Patrick’s Day inspired facts and history for crossword clues, or use inspired words and phrases for a word scramble or word search.
I have a great bundle of the above St. Patrick’s Day activities that you can get here. I also put seasonal bundles together of similar resources – so be sure to search your favorite activities to find resources you can use all year long!
5. Write (appropriate) Limericks
If you hear “limerick” and you think “a man from Nantucket” – you’re not alone. But a limerick doesn’t have to be inappropriate. There’s an overview of writing limericks in this article from Master Class, but if you outline for students the type of rhyme pattern needed with a few (vetted) examples, your students are ready to tackle their own.
6. Study Irish Proverbs
Proverbs are short sayings that offer advice or wisdom – so they are another great writing activity for students. You can find a free worksheet of Irish proverbs here where students can decipher their meaning. You can then have students write their own.
7. Go on a St. Paddy’s WebQuest
If you’re looking for a technology infused activity, put together a WebQuest. Create a list of questions for students to find the answers to questions related to St. Patrick’s Day. You might have students research where St. Patrick originated from, who he was, and legends surrounding him. Research why it is a day celebrated in March, and why green is significant. They can look at the American versions of celebrations like the famous parades or the stories of Irish immigrants. A WebQuest is a great way to utilize technology and practice research skills.
I hope that you have a great list of options to use this St. Patrick’s Day with your secondary ELA students. I personally love adding these creative and engaging lessons when the opportunity arises to break up class monotony, build up the culture in our classroom, and practice creative writing, research, and other ELA elements.
Grab All Of My St. Patrick’s Day Activities!
Looking for a set of pre-made activities to help you celebrate the season all month long? Grab my St. Patrick’s Day Activities Bundle for four great done-for-you activities your students are sure to love!
Let me know what you’ve loved incorporating into your classroom and don’t forget to follow me on Instagram for more tips, tricks, and teacher know-how.
Happy teaching!
