|
|
Hereunder are five top resources for Irish language learning during current school closures
For those of us who barely have the ‘cúpla focail’, supporting our child’s Gaeilge homework during this school closure period is daunting to say the least. Here are some resources that are sure to help with Irish language learning at home. So follow the links provided.
(1) www.focloir.ie
Focloir.ie (also available as an app) enables you to look up Irish words and phrases. What is even more helpful, however, is that Focloir.ie also provides the pronunciation of words across the main dialects. A full explanation of how to access the pronunciation of words and the various dialect options is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v22LgQM46Xw&list=PLn9HKh5DfabZeEgV2Yp0Yp26Vmd_tqNeq&index=1
Another lifesaving resource on Focloir.ie is its grammatical information on verbs, nouns, adjectives and prepositions. Simply point and click and everything you could possibly need explained is there. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s14QW_0dP_0&list=PLn9HKh5DfabZeEgV2Yp0Yp26Vmd_tqNeq&index=2
(2) www.teanglann.ie
Irish grammar has never had a reputation for being easy…until now! Among its many helpful features, www.teanglann.ie has a grammar wizard that combines nouns, prepositions and adjectives in accordance with the rules of Irish grammar. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b59ULi-li7c&list=PLn9HKh5DfabZeEgV2Yp0Yp26Vmd_tqNeq&index=4
(3) www.cula4.com
Listening to fluent Irish speakers is a learning objective listed in the new language curriculum for primary schools. Listening to fluent speakers is important in terms of developing one’s ear for understanding and speaking a language. During this school closure period, if your child does nothing else for Irish learning, let them watch Cúla4, TG4’s channel for children. If you visit the player online, you will also find a host of additional games and activities as Gaeilge.
(4) www.seideansi.ie/
Pupils of Irish-medium and Gaeltacht schools will most likely be familiar with Séideán Sí. It is a comprehensive, multimedia resource pack for teaching Irish, aimed specifically at schools where Irish is the language of instruction. An incredible resource, Séidean Sí has much to offer pupils of all ages and Irish language experience. Its online resources offer games, e-books and lots of fun with Gaeilge.
(5) TG Lurgan
TG Lurgan is a musical project launched by Coláiste Lurgan, an Irish language summer school based in Connemara. TG Lurgan has released numerous covers of popular hits and uses everyday phrases and colloquial language to make learning Irish fun and relevant.
Visit their YouTube channel on https://www.youtube.com/user/tglurgan
With school closures extended until April 19th, keeping your kids learning and entertained at home is part of everyone’s new reality. Here are another five great websites that offer free access to pupils and parents and are highly recommended by educators.
(1) www.Storylineonline.net – Suitable for all ages.
The above site is the SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) foundation’s award-winning children’s literacy website. Simply log-on to storylineonline’s website, YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/StorylineOnline) or download their app to enable your child to listen to their favourite actors read aloud some of the world’s best picture books. There’s even an activity guide linked to each book, so plenty of follow up ideas too.
(2) https://www.teachyourmonstertoread.com/ – Suitable for Junior Infants to 2nd Class.
For younger children, ‘Teach Your Monster to Read’ is another award winning website that supports children’s literacy learning and phonics. Their website is free to use and for a limited time their app (which usually costs €5.49) is available for free.
(3) www.readtheory.org – Suitable from 2nd class – Secondary.
It’s hard to believe that this website is free to join, but it is and has almost 14 million users worldwide. This site enables your child to improve their comprehension by reading passages online and answering a series of multiple choice questions. When your child first joins, they do a quick pre-test in order to identify reading ability before assigning reading passages suited to your child’s reading stage.
(4) www.khanacademy.org – Suitable for all ages.
Khanacademy offers free access to lessons and courses primarily in mathematics and science. Pupils can work at their own pace and personalise their learning journey. A great substitute for an actual maths teacher.
(5) Fundamental Movement Skills – Suitable for all ages.
Fundamental movement skills are the skills which support children’s co-ordination and movement. If children are experienced with these fundamental movement skills, they can play any number of sports with greater confidence. The fundamental movement skills include walking, running, hopping, skipping, jumping, dodging, side stepping, landing, balancing, catching, throwing, and striking.
Now more than ever it is important to balance screen time with exercise, so why not enable your child to strengthen their fundamental movement skills by concentrating on a different one each day.
Do visit https://www.scoilnet.ie/pdst/physlit/videos/ for videos and guidance based on the Irish curriculum’s programme; ‘Move Well, Move Often’.
During these difficult times, it is so important that the whole family finds ways to switch off, relax and reduce stress levels.
As many of us know and many studies highlight, drawing and making art can enable us all to reduce our stress levels and to practice mindfulness.
Some day this week why not schedule some time for making art? Don’t know where to start? Why not begin with directed drawing?
Directed drawing (sometimes referred to as guided drawing) is a step by step approach to drawing, led by a more experienced artist. In addition to reducing stress levels, it is particularly beneficial for children because it enables them to listen and concentrate, to follow instructions, to pay attention to detail and to ultimately draw with even greater confidence.
It’s so easy to get started. All you need is some paper and a pencil and someone to direct your drawing. There are lots of directed drawing ‘YouTube videos’ available, but one of the best and most popular is “Art for Kids Hub” at https://www.youtube.com/user/ArtforKidsHub.
Visit their channel and search from thousands of directed drawing videos. There is a directed drawing lesson to suit everyone from ‘Star Wars’ to ‘Unicorns’, ‘Minecraft to Marvel’ and ‘Dinosaurs’ to ‘Daisies’.
Need a break from phone and tablet screens? Remember many Smart TVs will play YouTube videos, so load a directed drawing video on the big screen and get the whole family drawing.
With Schools out, are you and your children climbing the walls with boredom because of isolation? Check hereunder for a possible solution.
Computer coding is the process of using a programming language to get a computer to create your own interactive stories, games, and animations.
As part of the New Mathematics Curriculum for Irish primary schools; primary pupils, from Junior Infants to 6th Class, will be expected to learn the foundations of computer coding: https://www.curriculumonline.ie/Junior-cycle/Short-Courses/Coding/
‘Scratch’ (Visit https://scratch.mit.edu/ ) is a programming language developed by MIT and designed for children ages 8 to 16 years. As already stated ‘Scratch’ enables children to use a programming language to code and create stories, games and animations. As children create with Scratch, they very quickly learn to think creatively, work collaboratively and reason systematically.
With schools closed until March 29th and possibly much longer, www.codingireland.ie are generously offering their coding course free to pupils from 1st to 6th class. Simply visit https://codingireland.ie/SchoolsOut
Coding has many benefits for children. It enables them to problem-solve, design, create, collaborate, think, review and sequence. Most of all, it enables them to understand how the technology that surrounds them actually works.
For children under 6 years, the ScratchJr App has been designed and is available for free to download on android and iOS devices. To get started using ScratchJr take a look at this ScratchJr introductory video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEWFDJSmWcw
“If you’re gonna play the game boy, you gotta learn to play it right”
The Gambler – Kenny Rogers
Sadly, long-time country music star Mr Kenny Rogers, passed away last night; his death confirmed via a statement from his family.
Aged 81 years, Mr Rogers passed away peacefully at his residence in Sandy Springs, Fulton County, Georgia, U.S.A, of natural causes at 10:25 p.m.
The Internationally renowned performer will for ever be known for such songs as “Islands in the Stream,” “The Gambler,” “Lady,” “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town,” and “Lucille”.
In total, Mr Rogers had 24 No.1 hits and was the winner of six Country Music Association Awards and three Grammy Awards (Originally called Gramophone Awards). He made his first gold single at age 20, with a song called “That Crazy Feeling”.
Born in Houston, in the U.S. state of Texas; earlier in his career, Rogers sang with the New Christy Minstrels before leading the band “Kenny Rogers and The First Edition”. When ‘First Edition’ disbanded back in 1974, he then launched his enormously successful solo career.
He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and in 2013, and received the Country Music Association’s Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilís.
|
Support Us Help keep Thurles.info online by donating below. Thank you.
Total Donated 2026: €300.00
Thank You!
Daily Thurles Mass Livestream
|
Recent Comments