Looking for a fun and creative way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with your Chinese learners? Why not try making a leprechaun trap! This activity is project-based, collaborative, and hands-on that will spark your students’ imagination and creativity.

Here are the 5-step instructions:

1. Introduce the Concept:

Begin the activity by introducing St. Patrick’s Day symbols and talking to the students about leprechauns and their legendary love for gold. Explain that they will be designing and creating their own leprechaun traps to try and catch these elusive creatures.

Here are two little booklets we created to introduce St. Patrick’s Day to our Chinese learners. We also recommend the read-aloud book: How to Catch A Leprechaun.

2. Design the Trap:

Students will be working in groups to design their leprechaun traps. (We recommend that you assign them in heterogenous groups.) Give them a big blank poster paper to draw and write the steps of how they will lure the leprechaun into their traps. Encourage them to be as creative as possible, incorporating St. Patrick's Day themes and symbols.

3. Decorate the Box:

After each group finishes designing their traps, they will be given a cardboard box to use as the base of their trap. Paint, construction paper, stickers, glitter, and other decorative materials can be provided for the students to use in decorating their traps. Students can use markers or crayons to draw trap doors, ladders, and other features on the box. They can also cut out windows or peepholes to keep an eye on the leprechaun inside.

4. Add Lures:

Encourage the students to think about what might entice a leprechaun into their trap. They can use gold coins, fake gold nuggets, green footprints, or other shiny objects to lure the leprechaun inside.

5. Share and Discuss:

Once the traps are completed, have each student hold up their posters and cardboard boxes to share their creation with the class. Encourage them to describe the features of their trap and explain why they chose certain decorations or lures. Other students can give feedback by giving compliments or constructive suggestions.

6. Set the Traps: Finally, set the traps in a designated area of the classroom and come back the next morning to see if any leprechauns take the bait!

Supplies Needed:

• Shoe boxes or small cardboard boxes

• Markers, crayons, paint and paintbrushes

• Stickers, glitter, and other decorative materials

• Scissors

• Tape or glue

• Gold coins or fake gold nuggets (optional)

This leprechaun trap activity is a great way to engage your bilingual learners in a fun and imaginative St. Patrick's Day celebration. It encourages creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork, making it an educational and enjoyable experience for all involved.