SeanfhocailIrish proverbs & blessings, sourced

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Puzzle

Sort the meanings

Sort ten meaning cards into groups that belong together, then explain your groups.

Níl bua gan duaThere is no success without effort.Meaning, pronunciation and source →

What to do

  1. Cut out the cards. Put the saying cards to one side for now.
  2. Read all ten meaning cards.
  3. Write three labels on separate sheets: “Work and effort”, “Getting on with people” and “Waiting and patience”.
  4. Put each meaning card on the label where you think it belongs.
  5. Some cards could go in more than one group. Choose one, and be ready to say why.
  6. Check your groups with someone else. Did they sort any card differently? Both of you can be right if you have a reason.

Questions to talk about

  • Which card was hardest to place?
  • Which group has the most cards? Why do you think that is?

You will need

  • The printed card sheet, cut out
  • Scissors
  • Three sheets of paper for group labels
  • A pencil

Make it fit

Simpler: Use two groups only, “Work and effort” and “Getting on with people”, and leave out the cards about waiting.

More of a stretch: Throw away the labels and invent your own groups. Then match each saying card to its meaning card, checking on each saying’s page.

Sayings used

Printables

The instructions card is for the adult running the activity; the worksheet is for the children. Prints on A4 or US Letter at 100% / actual size; colour is optional.

The cut-out cards

Ní neart go cur le chéile
There is strength in unity.
Learning comes out of the doing.
Molann an obair an saor
Is maith an scéalaí an aimsir
Níl bua gan dua
There will come another day; there will be another chance.
Practice makes perfect.
Time will tell.
As an obair a thagann an fhoghlaim
Ní buan cogadh na gcarad
Is minic a rinne bromach gioblach capall cumasach
There is no success without effort.
Den cheird an cleachtadh; namhaid don cheird gan a cleachtadh
Many a ragged colt made a fine horse.
Better good solitude than bad company.
Is fearr uaigneas maith ná droch-chuideachta
A quarrel between friends does not last.
Beidh lá eile ag an bPaorach
The work praises the workman.

Cut out the cards. Each saying has one card in Irish and one with its meaning.

seanfhocail.ie · Free for classroom and home use · Meanings, audio and sources for every saying: seanfhocail.ie/classroom/activities/sort-the-meanings

The instructions card

How to run it · Puzzle

Sort the meanings

Sort ten meaning cards into groups that belong together, then explain your groups.

15 minutesOn your own, In pairsAges 9–12, Ages 12+

A tired, proud child planting a flag on a hilltop
  • Níl bua gan duaThere is no success without effort.
  • Den cheird an cleachtadh; namhaid don cheird gan a cleachtadhPractice makes perfect.
  • As an obair a thagann an fhoghlaimLearning comes out of the doing.
  • Molann an obair an saorThe work praises the workman.
  • Ní buan cogadh na gcaradA quarrel between friends does not last.
  • Ní neart go cur le chéileThere is strength in unity.
  • Is fearr uaigneas maith ná droch-chuideachtaBetter good solitude than bad company.
  • Is maith an scéalaí an aimsirTime will tell.
  • Beidh lá eile ag an bPaorachThere will come another day; there will be another chance.
  • Is minic a rinne bromach gioblach capall cumasachMany a ragged colt made a fine horse.

What to do

  1. Cut out the cards. Put the saying cards to one side for now.
  2. Read all ten meaning cards.
  3. Write three labels on separate sheets: “Work and effort”, “Getting on with people” and “Waiting and patience”.
  4. Put each meaning card on the label where you think it belongs.
  5. Some cards could go in more than one group. Choose one, and be ready to say why.
  6. Check your groups with someone else. Did they sort any card differently? Both of you can be right if you have a reason.

You will need

  • The printed card sheet, cut out
  • Scissors
  • Three sheets of paper for group labels
  • A pencil

Talk about

  • Which card was hardest to place?
  • Which group has the most cards? Why do you think that is?

Make it fit

Simpler: Use two groups only, “Work and effort” and “Getting on with people”, and leave out the cards about waiting.

Stretch: Throw away the labels and invent your own groups. Then match each saying card to its meaning card, checking on each saying’s page.

Goes with the printable cut-out cards.

seanfhocail.ie · Free for classroom and home use · Meanings, audio and sources for every saying: seanfhocail.ie/classroom/activities/sort-the-meanings

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