Objective

By the end of this lesson, the student will be able to:

• Understand the concept of cold iron and its significance on the Titanic
• Differentiate between emigrate and immigrate
• Explain why the Irish wanted to immigrate to America
• Identify the Irish flag and its symbolism
• Recognize the flag often flown before the Irish flag
• Understand the significance of the American flag

Materials and Prep

• No additional materials required
• Prior knowledge of the Titanic and basic understanding of geography

Activities

1. Research and discuss the concept of "cold iron" on the Titanic. Talk about its purpose and significance.
2. Learn about the difference between emigrate and immigrate. Provide examples and discuss the reasons why people choose to emigrate or immigrate.
3. Explore the reasons why the Irish wanted to immigrate to America. Discuss the Great Famine and its impact on Ireland.
4. Investigate the Irish flag and its symbolism. Discuss the meaning behind its colors and design.
5. Discover the flag that was often flown before the Irish flag. Discuss its historical significance and why it was replaced.
6. Discuss the significance and symbolism of the American flag. Talk about its history, the meaning of its colors, and the importance it holds for the United States.

Eighth Grade Talking Points

• "The concept of cold iron on the Titanic refers to the ship's engines being shut down and the propellers being stopped. It was done to prevent damage when the ship was docked or anchored."
• "Emigrate means to leave one's own country and settle permanently in another. Immigrate means to come to a new country to live permanently."
• "The Irish wanted to immigrate to America mainly due to the devastating effects of the Great Famine, a period of mass starvation and disease in Ireland during the mid-19th century."
• "The Irish flag, also known as the tricolor flag, consists of three vertical stripes of green, white, and orange. Green represents the Catholics, orange represents the Protestants, and white represents peace between them."
• "Before the Irish flag, the flag often flown was the Union Jack, which represented British rule over Ireland. The Irish flag was adopted as a symbol of Irish nationalism and independence."
• "The American flag is a symbol of the United States and represents its history, values, and unity. The 13 stripes represent the original 13 colonies, and the 50 stars represent the 50 states. It is often referred to as the 'Stars and Stripes'."