Francesca Cadeddu - Heritage Experts | Heritage in Schools

Francesca Cadeddu

Francesca Cadeddu
Subject(s):
History, Geography, Classical studies and ancient languages, Civic, Social, Political Education (including CSPE and Politics and Society)
Counties catered for:
Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Louth, Meath, Wexford, Wicklow
Classes catered for:
Senior Infants, 1st class, 2nd class, 3rd class, 4th class, 5th class, 6th class, All year groups (post-primary)

Book in-person visit


I have delivered school workshops since 2019. They all include engaging and interactive presentations and hands-on activities linked to the educational content and are highly customisable. I strongly believe in learning by doing at every age and I offer a true hands-on approach to bring history and archaeology back to life for students of all ages.

Primary school visits

Discover the wonders of the unique Book of Kells manuscript, and the story of its creation and of St Colmcille. In this workshop children will learn how to create their own illustrated Celtic art styled initial letter through a guided step-by-step art class. While they colour and finish their piece of art a story will bring to life Medieval Ireland and how the Irish monasteries saved the Irish Myths and Legends that we all know and love today.

Classes: Senior infants to 6th

Lets learn together the meaning behind family crests and what symbols and colours meant for the Anglo-Normans. Why were they so important? In this workshop the children will discover the code behind heraldry and will make their own shield, decorated by their original family crest. A story about a real family crest and a courageous knight will keep them company while they finish their shield.

Classes: 1st to 6th

How many ringforts are there in Ireland? What they were used for? Why are they called fairy forts? These and many other questions will be answered in this workshop where the children will learn all about the ringforts, daily life in Medieval Ireland, and how they were built and discovered. The children will make their own model of a ringfort and while they craft away they will listen to a story about a lovely girl and her special friend.

Classes: 3rd to 6th

Did you know that round towers were invented in Ireland? What were they built for? This workshop will show the children what life was in the early monasteries in medieval Ireland. They will discover the architectural wonders of the round towers and build their very own round tower.

Classes: 2nd to 6th

In this workshop the children will learn about the Vikings in Ireland and their amazing longboats, used to sail farther than everyone could at that time. They will make a model of a longboat while listening to an engaging story about a Dublin boy who grew up to become the greatest boat builder.

Classes: 3rd to 6th

The Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland comes alive with a workshop on the defensive marvels of the Anglo-Norman castles that made them virtually impregnable. The children will be guided in making their own model of the castle, step by step. For eager craft classes, we have an optional further step to elaborate the castle to a more ancient time.

Classes: 4th to 6th

Post-primary school visits

Led by a professional archaeologist students will learn how to carry out an archaeological assessment. They will then test what they learned by mapping their local heritage, through the examination of all the sources available and if possible, field trips. The outcomes may vary (e.g. historical diorama of their area, guided tour for the community, podcast, etc). Suitable for all classes, particularly for TY students.

Discover through engaging presentations and hands-on team projects the incredibly rich Irish heritage. Let me bring Irish history to life in your classrooms while I tell the stories from the past of historical figures and common people. Particularly suited for Junior Cycle, students will learn how to evaluate sources and develop historical and chronological awareness.

From archaeological methods to possible career paths, through the exploration of different eras and places in global history, students will learn the how, what, and why of archaeology, the comparative method, the evaluation of different sources, and critical thinking through the interpretation of archaeological cases and historical events. Suitable for all classes.

Testimonials

  • "This was excellent. I was blown away with the children's engagement. Francesca was brilliant with them and full of fun and positivity. She was so well prepared and pitched the lesson at a very appropriate level. I would highly recommend!" - Scoil Mhuire GNS, Dublin
  • "We were very lucky to have Francesca visit our school and facilitate this workshop on Celtic Art and the Book of Kells. She is so knowledgeable and passionate about her work and she was just fantastic with the children, she gave time to every child and they absolutely loved the art activity. The Second Class teachers were so happy with their 'Illuminated letters' they are planning to use them to decorate the church for the children's First Holy Communion! Many thanks to Francesca!" - Scoil Mhuire na nGael, Louth
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  • "Francesca was wonderful with our pupils. Her workshop was engaging, well prepared and very enjoyable for all pupils. I would thoroughly recommend a visit from her to any school." - St Joseph's CBS Primary, Louth
  • "Francesca was brilliant with the pupils. She caught their attention from the moment she started off with the history of Christianity in Ireland and had them enthralled as she shared her enthusiasm and deep knowledge of the history of monasteries, ringforts, the Book of Kells and High Crosses in Ireland. The children engaged enthusiastically in all discussion work on the photographs included in the presentation PDF and enjoyed the linked map work of the journey from Ireland to Iona, Scotland and back to Ireland. They had fun comparing the images/maps of Kells from different times and could spot what had stayed the same and what was different. They also absolutely loved the hands on parts of the workshop involving drawing Celtic knots and creating our own high cross. We can't wait to have Francesca back again for another workshop !" - St. Anne's NS, Meath

Additional Information

  • Primary school visits
  • Post-Primary school visits
  • Provides in-person visits
  • Provides practical/hands-on activities

Contact Details

Mobile:
0838013004
Email:
fran.cadeddu@gmail.com