Ancient Celts

I said I would give more detail about our study of the Ancient Celts.  Since it is a rainy afternoon and I have nothing better to do, here I am!

This is a week-long, multi-level unit studying the Ancient Celts.  Below are the books we are using for history (core and in-depth) and literature, along with the assigned pages:

History Core:

• Lower Grammar (K-3):  The Story of the World, Volume 1 by Susan Wise Bauer: chapter 40 "Rome Begins to Weaken" (focus on Boudicca/Boadicea)
• Upper Grammar (3-6): Usborne Internet-Linked Encyclopedia of World History by Jane Bingham, et.al.: pp. 182-183 "The Celtic Tribes"
• Dialectic (6-9): Kingfisher Book of the Ancient World by Hazel Martell: pp. 108-111 "The Celtic Civilization"

History In-Depth:

• Lower Grammar (K-3): Celts (Usborne Beginners) by Leonie Pratt and Terry McKenna
• Upper Grammar (3-6): Myths & Civilization of the Celts by Hazel Martell
• Dialectic (6-9): Ancient Celts by Patricia Calvert

Literature: focus on the Irish legends of Cuchulainn (coo-hul'-lin) and Fionn MacCumhaill (Fin Ma-Cool)

• Lower Grammar (K-3): Fin M'Coul: The Giant of Knockmany Hill by Tomie de Paola
• Upper Grammar (3-6): Myths & Civilization of the Celts by Hazel Martell (read tales about Cuchulainn)
• Dialectic (6-9): Celtic Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs "A Legend of Knockmany" (free online resource)
• All Levels: Tales of Irish Myths (downloadbale audio book)

Geography: mapping of Celtic areas and of Ireland (literature-related)

1. Using the maps from the core books, mark the following on a European map:

• Hallstatt
• La Tene
• Rome
• Gaul (France)
• Italy
• Galatia
• Ireland
• England
• Spain
• Mediterranean Sea

   2. On a map of Ireland, mark the following:

• Provinces: Ulster, Leinster, Munster, Connaught
• Giant's Causeway

Here is my blank Ireland map w/approximate province divisions and a marked place for Giant's Causeway:

Download ireland_provinces.doc

Videos: (with Netflix links)

• Queens of England: Boudicca: a movie about the Celtic warrior queen
• The Celts: Rich Traditions and Ancient Myths: done in 1987, this is long and dull, but has information on the Hallstatt and La Tene cultures
• In Search of Ancient Ireland: this is a PBS video, so check your local library as it looks worthwhile.  Read more about the episodes.  While it's not solely on Ancient Celts, it is a good bridge from studying Ancients to studying Medieval times, as well as being something nice to watch in celebration of St. Patrick's Day.

Activities:

• Make a model Celtic roundhouse
• Try drawing some Celtic knots
• Listen to music by the Chieftains