This St. Patrick’s Day activity for middle school and high school is a 5-station inquiry lesson that goes way beyond shamrocks and leprechauns.
Students explore the real history of St. Patrick’s Day, anti-Irish racism, holiday commercialization, and a Cinco de Mayo comparison, then deliver their own evidence-based verdict on the essential question: “Is ‘we gave you a holiday’ good enough?” The stations build from surprising to uncomfortable to celebratory, and by the end, they have an opinion.
BADGES: Google Slides + printable PDF | No prep | Grades 6-12 | 5 stations
THE 5 STATIONS:
The real history. The actual story of St. Patrick’s Day, not the greeting card version. Students discover what this holiday originally meant and how it changed over time.
Political cartoons. The real cartoons that targeted Irish immigrants in America. Students analyze them and confront how Irish people were depicted, and why it matters.
The money. St. Patrick’s Day is a billion-dollar industry. Students examine who profits when a cultural holiday becomes a commercial product.
The pattern. A side-by-side comparison with Cinco de Mayo. Students spot the pattern themselves.
Celebrating real people. Irish artists, actors, and writers who shaped the world, including people students already know and love. This station is the celebratory counterweight.
WHO IS THIS FOR?
Middle school and high school students
US History, Government, Civics, ELA, Advisory, or Homeroom
Any class covering identity, culture, current events, or media literacy
STUDENT SKILLS:
Practice evidence-based argumentation, where the verdict requires a real position, not a summary
Analyze primary sources including political cartoons, data, and articles
Compare across cultures and recognize systemic patterns of commercialization
Develop media literacy by examining how holidays are packaged and sold
Form genuine opinions, and learn that “it’s complicated” can be the most honest answer
MAKE IT YOUR OWN:
Make a copy in Google Slides and edit anything. Change the essential question, swap in your own sources, edit the response prompts, or run it digitally or on paper.
REFUNDS:
Due to the nature of digital products, all sales are final and refunds are not available. Please review the product description and preview images carefully before purchasing. If you have trouble accessing your files, contact me at drea@deeplyhumanteaching.com and I’ll help resolve it.
This St. Patrick’s Day activity for middle school and high school is a 5-station inquiry lesson that goes way beyond shamrocks and leprechauns.
Students explore the real history of St. Patrick’s Day, anti-Irish racism, holiday commercialization, and a Cinco de Mayo comparison, then deliver their own evidence-based verdict on the essential question: “Is ‘we gave you a holiday’ good enough?” The stations build from surprising to uncomfortable to celebratory, and by the end, they have an opinion.
BADGES: Google Slides + printable PDF | No prep | Grades 6-12 | 5 stations
THE 5 STATIONS:
The real history. The actual story of St. Patrick’s Day, not the greeting card version. Students discover what this holiday originally meant and how it changed over time.
Political cartoons. The real cartoons that targeted Irish immigrants in America. Students analyze them and confront how Irish people were depicted, and why it matters.
The money. St. Patrick’s Day is a billion-dollar industry. Students examine who profits when a cultural holiday becomes a commercial product.
The pattern. A side-by-side comparison with Cinco de Mayo. Students spot the pattern themselves.
Celebrating real people. Irish artists, actors, and writers who shaped the world, including people students already know and love. This station is the celebratory counterweight.
WHO IS THIS FOR?
Middle school and high school students
US History, Government, Civics, ELA, Advisory, or Homeroom
Any class covering identity, culture, current events, or media literacy
STUDENT SKILLS:
Practice evidence-based argumentation, where the verdict requires a real position, not a summary
Analyze primary sources including political cartoons, data, and articles
Compare across cultures and recognize systemic patterns of commercialization
Develop media literacy by examining how holidays are packaged and sold
Form genuine opinions, and learn that “it’s complicated” can be the most honest answer
MAKE IT YOUR OWN:
Make a copy in Google Slides and edit anything. Change the essential question, swap in your own sources, edit the response prompts, or run it digitally or on paper.
REFUNDS:
Due to the nature of digital products, all sales are final and refunds are not available. Please review the product description and preview images carefully before purchasing. If you have trouble accessing your files, contact me at drea@deeplyhumanteaching.com and I’ll help resolve it.