An t-Alltan 2011 -
A Conference for Gaelic teachers from Stòrlann
5 & 6 October, Inverness
Over 100 delegates, incorporating nursery, primary, secondary and quality improvement officers attended the two day event.
Delegates heard two keynote addresses from Prof. Antonella Sorace, Edinburgh University and also from Joan Esson, HMIE as well as having the choice of attending a pool of workshops each of which was relevant to their teaching experience. An t-Alltan's main aim was for delegates to explore Storlann's resources and how they could be implemented actively in the classroom.
"Great opportunity to network with other teachers."
Speeches
Tuesday Evening
Dr. Alasdair Allan MSP
Minister for Learning and Skills (with responsibility for Gaelic & Scots
Scottish Government
Wednesday Morning
Prof. Antonella Sorace
Edinburgh University
Thursday afternoon
Joan Esson
Education Scotland (HMIe)
Programme Structure
The worskhops were been planned to target specific levels.
Young Musicians Hebrides
Jane Gray & Christine Richings (EY & P) (Wednesday only)
Interactive training on how to implement the 'Ciste-Chiuil' in the classroom. Explore the songs, activities and instruments.
Maths and Numeracy
Donald John Macaulay (P & S) (Wednesday only)
Innovative learning activities that can be taught in the classroom, to help support Teejay Maths and Maths in Action textbooks/materials.
Interdisciplinary Learning (P & S)
Iain Mackinnon and Muriel Murray (P & S) (Wednesday only)
A practical look at how learning activities can be linked across different curricular areas to promote interdisciplinary learning, using Stòrlann resources.
Drama
Artair Donald (P & S) (Wednesday only)
Create CfE related scripts using presented drama structures - Everything taught can then be transferred to the classroom.
Poetry
Margaret MacIver (P & S) (Wednesday only)
Interpretation and appreciation of poetry.
Education Scotland (P & S)
Cathie MacLeod & Rosemary Delany (N, P & S) (Wednesday & Thursday)
This session comes in two parts:
1. An overview of the Gaelic communities and content available through Glow and CPDCentral
2. An overview of assessment
IT Applications in the Classroom
Alan Stewart (EY, P & S) (Wednesday & Thursday)
An opportunity to work with and gain an insight into some readily available ICT tools that are supportive of CfE inclusive practice, and that can be developed for use within Gaelic education.
Active Learning
Margaret Munro + 1 other (EY & P) (Wednesday & Thursday)
Active learning ideas that will promote use of Gaelic language at the Early Levels.
Traditional Tales
Dougie Beck & Darren Maclean (EY, P & S) (Thursday only)
Drama activities that can be taught in the classroom to support ‘Mar a Chuala Mis’ e’ traditional tales.
SQA - Assessment of Speaking
Donald John Maciver & Finlay Cunningham (S) (Thursday only)
An insight into the assessment of speaking.
Mìrean – Grammar
DJ Macleod & Sarah MacEachen (EY, P & S) (Thursday only)
Interactive training on how to use the Mirean website in the classroom.
Literacy
Sarah Fraser (P) (Thursday only)
How to promote Gaelic reading in the classroom using practical examples incorporating Storlann resources.
Learning Support
Archie McLullich (P & S) (Thursday only)
Gaelic Medium Education and children with Additional Needs.
All teachers attended one of the following on Thursday:-
Early Years and Primary
- Best Practice and Enterprise
Flora MacDougal, Shona MacDonald and Anne MacLeod
Secondary
- SQA update
Marilyn Waters & Margaret Sutherland
1. Update on current National Qualifications for Gàidhlig and Gaelic(Learners), Gaelic-medium examination provision, and SQA’s Gaelic Language Plan together.
2. Developments in CfE.