The Vikings in Ireland

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1 Ireland in Key Stage 2 History The Vikings The Vikings in Ireland by Paul Bracey Senior Lecturer in Education (History) Northampton University College University College, Northampton Ireland in Schools School of Education Northampton Pilot Scheme Northamptonshire County Council

2 Contents Note for teachers ACTIVITIES How bad were the Vikings in Ireland? Viking attack! What was so special about the Vikings in Ireland? What might Viking Dublin have been like? Extension exercise: What else can you find out about the Vikings in Ireland? Brian Boru: Who was he? What was he like? SOURCES What was Brian like? What can we find out about Brian in a school textbook? Extension exercise: Was Brian really like this? 1. A time line of the Vikings in Ireland and England 2. Where the Vikings settled 3. Viking attack! 4. Astrid s walk through Viking Dublin in 960 A.D.* 5. Some of the Viking objects which archaeologists have found in Dublin* 6. Brian Boru - a painting 7. Brian Boru and Clontarf - a textbook interpretation 8a-d Brian Boru - hero and protector against the Vikings? * See also attached booklet

3 Note for teachers Purpose of unit 1. To provide an Irish depth study which can be related to a the wider study of the Vikings. 2. To explore different interpretations of the Vikings provided in children s literature. 3. To explore the role of Brian Boru. 4. To encourage children to evaluate and develop their ideas. 5. To provide opportunities for cross curricular links - with particular reference to Literacy, ICT, Citizenship and SMSC. The Vikings in Ireland, 1

4 How bad were the Vikings in Ireland? Activity 1 - Viking attack! Source 3 Read the story. This story is called historical fiction. However, it is based on historical sources showing what people who lived in Ireland said or wrote about the Vikings, or what has been written in Viking Sagas. 1. Underline anything which you think was based on fact. 2. Underline anything which may be based on a person s opinion. What is your opinion of the Vikings from this exercise? Activity 2 - What was so special about the Vikings in Ireland? Sources 1 & 2 Look at the maps and timelines of the Vikings. 1. Working in pairs write down what you think are the most important things which they did in Ireland? 2. What do you think was the main difference between the Vikings in Ireland and England? 3. Write each point on a piece of card and get ready to give your reasons for this to the class. Extension activities Use textbooks, library books, encyclopaedias and/or a CD ROM to add the following onto your timeline: 4. any other events which tell you about the Vikings in England. 5. any other events which tell you about the Vikings in Ireland. The Vikings in Ireland, 2

5 What is the most important thing which you have learnt about the Vikings in this exercise? Note for teachers. Potential discussion point - see if the children found it more difficult to find 2. What does this tell them about their textbooks? Activity 3 - What might Viking Dublin have been like? Sources 4 & 5 Read the story about life in Viking Dublin. This has been taken from a book called Time Traveller 3 by Roddy Day, Fionna Waldron, Tommy Maher and Pauric Travers. This is another piece of historical fiction. The writers, however, had to base it on evidence of the Vikings which archaeologists have found. 1. Using the archaeological evidence and the artist s picture (based on archaeological evidence) make a list of things which you would see in Astrid s house. 2. Use this to complete the first paragraph about Astrid s home. You have now become an historical fiction author. The whole story - even though it is fiction - is based on archaeological evidence and we can therefore believe that life in Dublin may have been something like it. 3. Look through the story and underline in blue evidence which the description of Astrid s home is based upon. Once you have finished write these words in a copy of the box below. 4. Repeat this for the things which the story says about Astrid s life. Viking Dublin Viking homes Archaeological evidence Wattle and post Mud floors The Vikings in Ireland, 3

6 Viking clothes Viking food Jobs Things they bought and sold Extension exercise 5. Look through the story again and find anything else which it says about the Vikings. Look back at what you said about the Vikings in Activity 1. Do you still agree with this or not? Yes/ no Give reasons for your decision. The Vikings in Ireland, 4

7 Brian Boru Who was he? What was he like? You are going to find out about Brian Boru - perhaps the most famous Irish king. Ireland had many kings ruling different parts of the country. Some kings like Brian Boru became very powerful - having power over others and were called High Kings. We are going to see how important he was in fighting the Vikings. Activity 4 - What was Brian like? Source 6 Freeze-frame the painting. This shows Brian as an old man at the Battle of Clontarf. It was made many years after Brian had died. 1. What does the picture tell you? 2. What do you need to find out? Activity 5 - What can we find out about Brian in a school textbook? Source 7 Read the pages on Brian Boru in Life in Viking Times by Samantha Skyrme. 1. Write down the 4 most important things which explain why many people have praised Brian. 2. Which of the following do you think best describes him? Hero Good leader Defeater of the Vikings 3. Discuss this with your class. What is your opinion of Brian Boru? The Vikings in Ireland, 5

8 Extension exercise - Was Brian really like this? Sources 8a-d 4. Working in pairs look at other sources in the sheet given to you by your teacher and if possible surf the internet. For each source see if you can find anything which agrees or disagrees with your description of Brian in question 1. Was Brian a hero who saved the Irish people from the Vikings or not? Conclusion Look at what you said about the Vikings in activity 1. Then look at your other diary entries. Do you still fully agree with what you said after activity 1 or not? Yes/no Give reasons for your decision. The Vikings in Ireland, 6

Vikings: A History Of The Viking Age By Robert Carlson

Vikings: A History Of The Viking Age By Robert Carlson Teacher's Guide: VIKINGS: The North American Saga - Smithsonian - Be sure to check out the Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga website prior to your