The lessons for fifth and sixth class challenge the child to examine the nature and quality of life for older people in Ireland today and to consider the impact of the changing demography in Ireland, where the number of older people is expected to double in the next thirty years. The child is encouraged to collect, organise and present data and to interpret data presented, to help to understand the issues involved in treating all of our citizens equally, including our older citizens. The child is also encouraged to think ahead to a time when she or he will be older and to imagine what life will be like then.
It is recommended that you complete the theme Cé atá aosta? first, because it introduces the ageing concept and sets the scene for the other themes for fifth and sixth class. If you class has not completed the lessons at lower levels, you may find some helpful background information in the lesson plans at a lower level, particularly those for third and fourth class.
Although these lessons focus on the ageing themes, the analytical skills that the child develops during these lessons can be applied to the wide range of issues that he or she will encounter in school and in life. Research and project work can be completed individually or in groups. The activities are structured in such a way that you can choose those activities, from the wide range of suggested activities, most suitable to your class, the school and the environment in which the children live.
The Online activities aim to reinforce the classroom-based learning and to develop the child's ICT skills. ICT is used to facilitate learning and you can choose the extent to which your class uses ICT to complete these activities. Many of the computer-based activities also translate well into worksheets, projects and other activities for the classroom or for homework.