St. Patrick's Day

St Patrick Day

Poems/Songs

Leprechauns Are Dancing
Tune: "Sing a Song of Sixpence"

Leprechauns are dancing,
Oh, how they love to play!
Running in the fields and
Playing tricks all day!
You will never catch one,
No matter what you do.
They sing and dance and play their games,
And run away from you!

Illustrate the poem

This Little Leprechaun
Tune: "This Old Man"

This little leprechaun,
He hid one.(hold up correct number of fingers)
He hid gold in the noonday sun. WHEW!
With a tap, tap, paddy whack, (stomp feet)
Hide a pot of gold.
It’s a secret that can’t be told.(place finger up to lips)

Continue song, adding a new line for each leprechaun:

Two -- He hid gold in his left shoe. OUCH!
Three -- He hid gold in the deep blue sea. AHOY!
Four -- He hid gold behind the door. BANG!
Five -- He hid gold in the old beehive. BUZZ!
Six -- He hid gold and played some tricks. GOTCHA!
Seven -- He hid gold beneath the bed. THAT DOESN’T RHYME!
Eight -- He hid gold near the garden gate. SQUEAK!
Nine -- He hid gold in the nick of time. TICK, TOCK!
Ten -- He hid gold in the old pig pen. OINK!

Art

Leprechaun Ladders
Need per child: white or clear plastic straws cut into 1-inch sections, shamrock shapes cut out of green construction paper and punch holes in the centers (holes need to be smaller than the straws), green yarn.

Make leprechaun ladders to use as room decorations.

Let the children string the shamrock shapes on pieces of yarn with a straw section between each shamrock. When they have finished, hang their leprechaun ladders from the ceiling or in the window.

For a fun surprise, sprinkle a light dusting of flour and gold glitter on the shamrocks for the children to discover on St. Patrick's Day. The "magic dust" was left by leprechauns as they climbed and danced on their ladders!

Shamrock Mobile
Need: 12 craft sticks, yellow paint, green construction paper, yarn.

Paint craft sticks. Let dry. Glue together the ends of 4 sticks to make a square. Make 3 squares.

Cut 1 twelve inch and 2 three inch pieces of yarn. Use the 2 shorter pieces to tie together the squares( when tying turn the squares so that they are diamond shapes). Tie the longest piece on the end to use as a hanger.

Cut 6 shamrocks from green construction paper and glue 2 of them to each square. Let dry and hang.

Video

Snack/Cooking

Magic Pudding
Need: vanilla pudding, green food coloring, containers.

Prepare vanilla pudding and place in the refrigerator to set. Without children around spoon pudding into cup and put in a drop of green food coloring.

Add more pudding to the top carefully. Place the cups with spoons at tables. Give children the instructions to not start until everyone has sat and together said the magic words. Use a St. Patrick's day word and instruct children to stir to make the magic happen. The children will stir and stir and enjoy their treat.

Green Magic Pudding

For each child place 1 tablespoon instant pistachio pudding mix in a baggie or baby food jar. Add 2 tablespoons cold milk and watch as the contents turn to green.

Seal the baggies (or lids on jars) and have the children shake them for about a minute. Then let the children eat their pudding snacks with spoons.

Irish Soda Bread

Make Irish Soda Bread. In a large bowl mix together 2 cups sifted flour, 3 teaspoons baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon salt.

Use fingers to blend in 1/4 cup butter or margarine. Stir in 1 cup milk and add 1/2 cup raisins.

Knead the dough briefly, then shape into a flat loaf and place in a greased pie tin. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes. Cut into wedges and serve warm with butter.