Alison Mac Cormaic

Alison Mac Cormaic 600 X 327 For Heritage Council
Alison Close Up
Alison Mac Cormaic 1
Alison Mac Cormaic 3
Alison Mac Cormaic 4
Subject(s):
Science, History, Geography
Curriculum Strands:
Story (History), Local Studies (History), Life, society, work and culture in the past (History), Eras of change and conflict (History), Politics, conflict and society (History), Continuity and change over time (History), Human environments (Geography), Environmental awareness and care (Geography/Science), Materials (Science)
Counties catered for:
Clare, Galway, Laois, Limerick, Longford, Offaly, Roscommon, Tipperary, Westmeath
Classes catered for:
3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th

Alison finds new ways of investigating built cultural heritage, both in and outside of the classroom. She explores architecture local to your environment, in cities, towns or even the school building itself. Find out where the influences in our built environment come from and what buildings from the past tell us about the towns and the people who lived in them.

Before the visit, Alison would use Google maps ‘streetview’ to identify suitable local buildings to study.

Outdoor classes include:

  • a window spotting ‘walk and talk’.
  • ‘no numbers maths’ – using sticks, string and giant circles to investigate and measure building façades.
  • making drawings, photography and print to record architectural features.

Indoors classes include:

  • discovering how ancient Greek design found its way into the main street of your town.
  • using ‘the Golden Rectangle Generator’ to become a 19th-century mason and shop front designer.
  • becoming a town planner and deciding what you would like to live beside - and what you wouldn’t!

There is also an option for Alison to bring a portable, buildable cardboard town to the school. This interactive installation features a miniature medieval settlement which is developed by the children, first into a 19th-century town and then on into a modern-day community. From woollen mills to sports complexes, children physically place carry-sized, cardboard buildings. They negotiate planning by making construction and demolition decisions which are crucial to the development of their growing town.

For further information visit thistown.ie/anbaileseo.ie

Alison is an artist and qualified design historian, training originally in stained glass, which explains her love of windows. She teaches art to early school leavers, is an experienced children’s art facilitator and is registered with the Teaching Council.

Testimonials

  • "A very enjoyable day thankyou!" - Anon.
  • "Our day with Alison was absolutely amazing.The children learned so much about our the local environment. Alison's planning & local knowledge with use of building etc in our area was superb." - St. Nicholas' Parochial School, Galway

Additional Information

  • Caters for Special Needs
  • Provides practical/ hands-on activities
  • Provides field trips

Contact Details

Mobile:
085 7140079
Email:
alisonmaccormaic@yahoo.ie