Causes
of Famine
Background and Rationale:
This lesson is the third in a unit which examines coerced Irish migration to
Iowa
for a grade 10-12 advanced placement, American Studies class. Having
learned the causes of migration and early Irish history, students learn the causes of the Great Famine (c. 1845-1849).
Why study the Great
Famine? In 1845, famine hit
southeastern
Ireland
, spreading throughout the country in subsequent waves in
1846 and 1848, and 1.5 million Irish died from a combination of famine and
disease. Even more important is the fact that an additional 1.5 million Irish
migrated, mostly to
America
(Daniels, 1991, 133-134).
Objectives
and Procedures:
(50 minute class period)
Given the following activities, the
students will:
Sequence of Events:
Minutes
1 through 5:
Administrative functions (attendance)
Minutes
5 through 10:
Topic introduction/hand out materials
Minutes
10 through 15:
Teach construction of causation and genealogic
graphic organizers
Minutes 15 through 20:
Construction of a causation graphic organizer
Minutes
20 through 25:
Lecture: Causes of famine (guided note-taking)
Minutes
25 through 30:
Discussion: Causes of famine
Minutes
30 through 35:
Lecture: Reaction to the famine (guided
note-taking)
Minutes
35 to 40:
Discussion: Reaction to the famine
Minutes
40 through 45:
Discussion: Culpability
Minutes
45 through 50:
Conclusion
Evaluation:
Concept organization strategy: graphic
organizer
How will I know this is working?
a) Students have questions about the previous lesson
b) Lively discussion of culpability
c) Completion/utilization of graphic organizer
Associated
projects: graphic organizer
Additional
Readings
: