Learning Outcomes

To develop an understanding and appreciation of an event that is of particular significance to Humanist religion.
Identify and discuss famous features in Ireland and abroad that are related to the summer solstice.

Introduction

Introduce the Summer solstice, the date of the 21st of June and why it is of significance.
Discuss the relevance of it being the longest day of the year and compare it with the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. Represent the solistice as a cycle that repeats annually.

https://study.com/academy/lesson/summer-solstice-lesson-for-kids.html

Website can be used as a prompt to learn about the basics of the Summer solstice.

Development

Group work:

Break the children into groups and assign them a task to research famous features that celebrate the summer solstice.
The groups will be looking  up two different places; Newgrange and Stonehenge.

The group who are researching Newgrange can use this website and youtube video to conduct their research;

https://easyscienceforkids.com/newgrange-facts/

Children who are researching Stonehenge can use this website and video to conduct their research;

Stonehenge Facts!

Each group will present their research to the class using a poster or record a short video presentation on iPads.

places

Plenary

The lesson can then be linked to the religion of Humanism by acknowledging that World Humanism Day is celebrated on the 21st of June. A discussion on the meaning of the summer solstice and the core values of humanism.

This video may be used by the teacher to attain some knowledge on the day or else be shown to the children.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoaC0cWfneM