Although St. Patrick’s Day originally marked the day of St. Patrick’s death on March 17, 461, it was changed by people who emigrated from Ireland to celebrate all things Irish. The secular holiday celebrates the many cultural traditions of the Irish!
Featured Event
Virtual Viewing Party:
St. Patrick’s Day
Discovery Education Streaming
Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Virtual Viewing Party
Join Discovery Education this Friday, March 16th and gather with classrooms from around the country to learn about the history and mythology associated with this holiday that honors Irish culture and legend. Encourage your students to learn about popular traditions like wearing green and sporting shamrocks.
Featured Resource
Content Collection: St. Patrick’s Day
Discovery Education Streaming
Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Assorted Resources
St. Patrick’s Day on March 17 is the Roman Catholic feast day of the patron saint of Ireland, who died on that day in the year 461. The many Irish who emigrated to other countries made St. Patrick’s Day a secular holiday celebrating all things Irish.
Shamrocks and Leprechauns
Two of the most popular symbols of St. Patrick’s Day are shamrocks and leprechauns. The stories of these symbols can provide a good starting off point for your students to talk about myth versus science and belief versus fact. Have some fun getting into the stories and then use the strategy Myth Bustin’ (Canadian Version) from our Spotlight on Strategies (Canadian Version) series to check your students’ critical thinking skills.
Shamrock
(Canadian Version)
Discovery Education Streaming
Grades K-2, 3-5, Clip Art
Legends and Symbols
(Canadian Version)
Discovery Education Streaming
Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, Video Segment
Explores some of the legends and symbols of St. Patrick’s Day, including snakes, shamrocks, fairies, and leprechauns.
St. Patrick’s Day [Leprechaun]
Discovery Education Streaming
Grades K-2, 3-5, Clip Art
Leprechaun Jokes
Discovery Education Streaming
Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, Video Segment
Features an animated leprechaun telling jokes about St. Patrick’s Day.
Shamrock
(Canadian Version)
Discovery Education Streaming
Grades 6-8, 9-12, Encyclopedia Article
The common name for any of several trifoliate clovers of the genus Trifolium and related genera native to Ireland. Originally chosen as the national emblem of Ireland because of the legend that St. Patrick used the plant to illustrate the doctrine of the Trinity.
Interested in joining classrooms around the world to Celebrate holidays year round? Check out our Timely Content Page for our Virtual Viewing Parties and more Instructional Strategies.
