UK: Scotland, Wales, and N. Ireland

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I decided to put Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland on the same page because they’re all part of the Celtic tradition.

Did you know that Wales has over 640 castles, and one of the villages has the 2nd longest name in the world? It’s
Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch.

Scotland has the famous Loch Ness, Loch Lomond, and is famous for it’s Highland games, dancing, and tartan kilt patterns. It also has intense sea fog, called harr.

Northern Ireland has Giant’s Causeway and the Dark Hedges, both surrounded with mythology. The Titanic was built in Belfast!

Navigate this page: Missions, Booklists, Science, Cooking, Composer Study, Folk Dance/Music, Art Project, Art Study, Physical Education/Games, Movie, Videos

Mapping it out

Missions Spotlight

Booklists

I’m working on books reviews of our favorite books about Scotland and Wales. I’ve only provided Amazon affiliate links for the best books that I have added or will add to our home library.

Introduction to Scotland (These series have been kid approved)

  • “Scotland,” by Derek Zobel (Exploring Countries series, grades 2-5)
  • “Scotland,” by Alicia Kelpeis (Country Profiles series, grades 3-7)
  • “Scotland,” by Nel Yomtov (Enchantment of the World Series, grades 5+)
  • “Wales,” by Liz Sonneborn (Enchantment of the World Series, grades 5+)
  • “My School in the Rainforest: How Children Attend School Around the World,” by Margriet Ruurs (one layout about Scotland)

Picture Books

  • “Katie in Scotland,” by James Mayhew
  • “The Further Tale of Peter Rabbit,” by Emma Thompson (Scotland)
  • “The Giant King,” by Kathleen T. Pelley (Scotland)
  • “Wee Gillis,” by Munro Leaf (Scotland)
  • “King of the Sky,” by Nicola Davies (Wales)
  • “A Child’s Christmas in Wales,” by Dylan Thomas (Wales)
  • “Finn MacCoul and His Fearless Wife: a Giant of a Tale from Ireland,” retold by Robert Byrd (Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland)

Folk Tales

Chapter Books

  • “Wild wings,” by Gill Lewis (Scotland, Book Level 4.1)
  • “Hanne’s quest,” by Olivier Dunrea (Scotland, Book Level 4.6)
  • “The Water Horse,” by Dick King-Smith (Scotland, Book Level 5.4)
  • “Little House in the Highlands,” by Melissa Wiley (Scotland, Book Level 5.5)
  • “The Far Side of the Loch,” (sequel), by Melissa Wiley (Scotland, Book Level 5.7)
  • “Journey’s end,” by Rachel Hawkins (Scotland, Book Level 6.3)
  • “Nessie Quest,” by Melissa Savage (Scotland, for Grade Level 3-7)
  • “The Mountain of Adventure,” by Enid Blyton (Wales, for Grade Level 4-7)
  • “Rainbow Garden,” by Patricia St. John (Wales, Book Level 5.3)
  • “Macbeth,” by Shakespeare (Scotland, Book Level 10.9)

Science

Cooking with kids

The scone is from Scotland! We had Potato Scones, which went along with this wonderful “Further Tales of Peter Rabbit” book about Peter Rabbit’s adventure in Scotland. To see the rest of the food I made for Scotland and Wales, click here for recipe links and pictures: Recipes by Country: Scotland and Recipes by Country: Wales.

Potato Scones
Potato Scones

Composer Study

George Frideric Handel was our composer of choice for these few weeks. Born in Germany, he spent most of his life composing and conducting in England. For links to audios for kids, kids books and YouTube videos, visit my page: “Composers: Handel.” For ideas of how to do Composer Study, visit my page: “Art and Music.”

Folk Dance and Music of Scotland

Art Project/Brush Drawing

We could have taken months to weave our own tartan pattern with yarn, but I decided that we would practice painting straight lines for our brush drawing lesson. To cut down on the decision making, I had them choose and copy their dad’s plaid shirts, but then they tried their own designs, too. Painting straight lines is harder than it looks!

Art Study: Vincent van Gogh

We discussed Dutch painter, Vincent van Gogh, during our studies of the United Kingdom and Ireland. His “Sunflowers” and “Starry Night” have come to mind with all the sunflowers of the season as well as our celebration of the Harvest Moon and getting to see stars and Mars along with it. For a list of suggested artwork and links to videos, visit my page: “Artists: Vincent van Gogh.” For ideas of how to do Art Study, visit my page: “Art and Music.”

Physical Education/Games

We tried to recreate the Highland Games in our yard. Use a heavy large rock or fitness ball for a shot-put, play tug-of-war if you can get a group of kids together, or try to throw a heavy log for the caber toss. Make sure the audience stays way back during the field games!

Here is a video to explain to clarify the Highland Games: The Rules of Scottish Highland Games – EXPLAINED!

Movies!

We watched Disney’s Brave. The Scottish have legends about the Will o’ the Wisps, but since they occur around marshes or bogs, it’s really best not to follow them as Merida does in the movie.

YouTube Videos

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