Kid’s Craic: Leprechaun Legend
By Megan Lardie
It is said that if you catch a leprechaun, he has to tell you where his pot of gold is hidden, but you cannot take your eye off of him. Unfortunately, leprechauns are tricky and can fool a person into looking away for just a second. And just like that, he can vanish, taking his treasure with him. |
The word leprechaun is thought to come from an old word meaning “small body.” Others believe it came from a different word, meaning “shoemaker.”
Leprechauns are known to be naughty, evil, and sometimes a bit mean. They are usually shown wearing a three-cornered hat, having pointy ears, red hair, a beard, and are dressed in green.
Are they real? In the town Carlingford, County Louth, in Ireland, leprechauns are an endangered species. A person living in that town claimed to see a leprechaun and a law was passed in 2009 to keep them safe. The people who live in this town believe that there are only 236 leprechauns still living, and they all live near Carlingford. Have you ever seen one?
St. Patrick’s Day Popcorn
Ingredients:
Popcorn (air popped or full-size microwave bag butter or lite butter)
1 cup green chocolate candy melts
½ cup white candy melts
St Patrick’s Day sprinkles
Green Mint M&M’s
Directions:
Pop the popcorn and remove unpopped kernels. Place in a bowl. Place candy melts in small bowls or glass measuring cups, one for each color.
- Microwave the green candy for 25 seconds, then stir. Repeat in 10 second intervals until melted and smooth (takes about 30-60 seconds depending on type of microwave). Drizzle the melted green chocolate candy over the bowl of popcorn and toss to coat. Toss the popcorn with your hands until nicely coated (you will get a little sticky), then spread out onto a large serving platter or baking sheet.
- Melt the white candy melts using the same method as the green melts, then drizzle over the popcorn. Immediately top generously with the St. Patrick’s themed candy sprinkles; they will stick to the melted white chocolate.
- Finally, toss on the M&Ms. Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Note: Connor and I made this. We used air popped popcorn; be sure to butter and salt to your liking before adding chocolate.
Also: try to remove all of the unpopped kernels because they really get mixed in after you add the green chocolate.
Let it sit for at least 30-45 minutes to let the white chocolate harden, otherwise it will be sticky and messy to eat. Store in an airtight container.
Literature Corner:
Magic Tree House: Leprechaun in Late Winter by Mary Pope Osborne
Will Jack and Annie be able to inspire Augusta to share her creativity with the world? The problem: she is the most unimaginative person they have ever met! Jack and Annie have a plan and a magical whistle but their plan backfires; will they be able to rescue their new friend?
Check out this link on YouTube for a read aloud version! [READ] Magic Treehouse #43: Leprechaun in Late Winter (Merlin Missions #15) – YouTube
|
Be sure to check out the nonfiction companion, Magic Tree House Fact Tracker: Leprechauns and Irish Folklore by Mary Pope Osborne and Natalie Pope Boyce.
Pete’s friends all need good luck. Is Pete the Cat smart enough to catch Clover the Leprechaun? Find out what Clover tells Pete about friendship. Pete the Cat – The Great Leprechaun Chase – St. Patrick’s Day Kids Books Read Aloud – YouTube
Gab in Gaelic
Luck of the Irish = ádh na nÉireannach (pron: Uh taw nuh nay-raen-uckh)
St. Patrick’s Day Jokes:
Q: What kind of bow cannot be tied? A: A rainbow
Q: Where does a lazy leprechaun find gold? A: The dictionary
*Megan is a Reading Intervention educator at Andrew J. Rickoff Elementary in the Cleveland Municipal School District. She holds a BA in Humanities from Hiram College and a BA+ in Early Childhood Education from Ashland University. She resides in Avon Lake with her husband, Joe, and their five children. Megan enjoys being part of the Brady Campbell Adult Ceili team, trying new restaurants, and traveling. She may be reached at me************@ou*****.com
