In Primary 7 we are studying 'Under the Hawthorn Tree.'

We are learning about life during the Irish Famine as we read about one family's struggles in Ireland during this time.  The O'Driscoll family experienced the pain and heartache of this poignant time in Irish history.  To enhance our understanding of the novel we participated in an online video conference with the author of the novel

Marita Conlon-McKenna.  We had the opportunity to collaborate online with Marita, other primary schools and Mr Rooney live from Pittsburgh.  Mr Rooney's ancestors emigrated to America during the famine. 

We learned more about why Marita wrote the trilogy about the famine and her ideas and thoughts about the plot and the development of the characters.