This week in class, we’re reading “Easter 1916” by William Butler Yeats.

“Easter 1916” is a famous poem by William Butler Yeats that deals with themes of war and loss of innocence. Although Yeats was an Irish nationalist, in the poem he describes conflicting emotions about the Easter Rising, an armed rebellion against British rule in Ireland.

As we read, we will be discussing the theme of War & Peace as it relates to the text. We are trying to answer this big question :

“How are we changed by war?”

Ways to support your child:

• Ask your child about this poem at home:
  • What was “Easter 1916” about?
  • What did you learn about?
• Watch the following clips with your child at home:
  • ‘Liam Neeson reads WB Yeats’ Easter 1916 | RTÉ ‘
  • ‘Easter Rising Centenary – BBC Newsnight ‘
  • ‘Dublin Rising 1916-2016 Virtual Tour’