St. Patrick's Day is a wonderful excuse for many to party. For school-age children it's a great excuse to pinch anyone who forgets to wear green. For others, it is the celebration of a man.
Many don't know why St. Patrick's Day is even a holiday. St. Patrick was an actual man who achieved sainthood because of his work in Ireland. Through a series of unfortunate events, Patrick, originally from England, was captured by Irish pirates and was held as a slave, taking care of animals, for 6 years. He escaped and went back home to England where he studied to become a bishop. He returned to Ireland to share the Gospel with those who held him capture years before.
He spent the rest of his life as a Bishop serving the people of Ireland.
It is often said that St. Patrick used the three-leaf clover as a way to explain the Holy Trinity to his congregation and that is why we associate the clover, or shamrock, and the color green with St. Patrick's Day.
In our classrooms, since we are a part of a Christian missionary community, we love studying and learning all about St. Patrick and use this as an important opportunity to discuss God as the Holy Trinity; God the Father, God the Son {Jesus}, and God the Holy Spirit.
Today's freebie is a coloring sheet of a three-leaf clover. This shamrock can be used in a variety of activities as well. We used it as a way to practice our fine-motor skills {tearing} and gluing skills. To receive your free download, click the image below. You will also be able to see how we used it in our school.
What is your favorite way to honor and celebrate St. Patrick? Let me know in the comments below.
Until next time, I'll see you over at sherilbrasher.info.
