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Graphic Text : A' toirt taic do dh'fhoghlum Gàidhlig gu nàiseantaGraphic: Kids reading book
Graphic: An t-Alltan,

An t-Alltan 2013


A Conference for Gaelic teachers from Stòrlann
2 & 3 October, Aviemore

Over 100 teachers from all over Scotland joined us at MacDonald Aviemore Conference Centre to have a look at new initiatives for teaching and learning through a series of keynote speeches and workshops.

All were connected to new resources produced or in development by Stòrlann Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig.

Opening the conference was Dr. Donalda T. McComb, Head Teacher, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu and also speaking at the event was Julie Matthews, Head Teacher, Bunscoill Ghaelgagh, Isle of Man.

In addition to the workshops listed below, also in attendance were representatives from CLÀS, SQA, Education Scotland, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, BBC, Tobar an Dualchais, and Gaelic4Parents.  

 


Programme

Primary School | Secondary School


Primary School

Graphic : TickPhonetic Spelling Scheme (Primary School 1-3)

Mairi MacDonald & Gwen Culbertson (Wednesday Only)

This workshop discussed a phonetic spelling scheme which has been developed by teachers in Highland Region.

Delegates heard how this scheme was created and also had the opportunity to try the spelling activities for themselves.

Delegates also came together in groups to develop and share further spelling resources which they can use within their own classroom.

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Graphic : TickPE Posters - terminology and activities for primary school (Primary School)

Marion Steele (Wednesday Only)

In this workshop primary school teachers who need to teach PE found out about activities which can be done in the classroom or the playground.

By becoming familiar with the activities they also learned the terminology they should use.

Graphic : TickBig books - Example of best practice (Primary School)

Catriona Campbell (Wednesday Afternoon & Thursday both sessions)

Three new titles have been delivered to schools this year: Goldilocks and the Three Bears, The Billy Goats Gruff and The Three little Pigs.

Using existing titles and presenting examples of the new titles, delegates heard of one teacher’s experience of using these versatile books.

The books support topic teaching and provide examples of creating material with the class. Some of the titles also carry e-books which can be used on an interactive whiteboard where children can use their own imaginations to tell others how they think the story should end!

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Graphic : TickSupport for children with additional support needs  (Primary School)

Archie MacLullich, Fiona Lyons (Wednesday & Thursday)

Archie MacLullich addressed issues regarding assessment of pupils and training of staff in Gaelic Medium Education, arising from his recent research project for Bòrd na Gàidhlig.

He also presented approaches currently being focused on the development of support resources for pupils with Additional Support Needs, from a psychological perspective.

Fiona Lyons addressed these issues from a teacher's perspective.

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Graphic : TickNew media in the classroom (Primary School)

Hamish Budge (Wednesday Afternoon & Thursday Morning)

Delegates had the opportunity of learning about simple media programs which can be used in their classroom.

They also learned how to use them to create a basic media package which can be used as part of a topic or project.

Delegates were also shown the techniques required so that text and images can be recorded, edited and uploaded onto a PC or portable devices.

The programs used were free and available online where they can be accessed by all teachers.

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Graphic : TickA Language Framework for Gaelic (Primary School)

DJ MacLeod, Shona Cormack (Wednesday & Thursday Morning)

In this workshop, D J MacLeod gave a brief rationale for a language framework for Gaelic and showed how language work articulates with CfE and a resource such as Mìrean.

Then, in groups, delegates worked on a draft of this framework which runs from Early level to level 3, altering or adding to it, especially with regard to teaching methods and materials which are required.

Shona Cormack contributed to the workshop from the perspective of the classroom teacher.

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Graphic : TickNovels - Encouraging creative writing

Chrisella Ross, Mairi E Milne (Wednesday & Thursday Afternoon)

This workshop looked at the steps required when writing a creative story and why teachers use creative story writing. Chrissella and Màiri are both authors.

They gave examples of the different styles of creative writing which are suitable for primary children, and showed how younger children can use pictures to create stories. Delegates were also shown how to create and develop characters.

Discussions on how creative writing helps to develop language skills, grammar, literacy, spelling and the use of idioms also took place on the two days.

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Graphic : TickThe Viking Chest  (Primary School 4-7)

Amy Cruickshank (Thursday Only)

This workshop showed delegates how one teacher has used this resource in her own school.

Delegates were informed about each item contained in the chest and how it can be used for topic and project work.

They also had the opportunity to create material for use within their own classroom.

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Graphic : TickYear of Natural Scotland 2013 (Primary)

Emily Edwards and Morag MacDonald (Thursday Only)

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) looks after Scotland’s natural heritage, its wildlife, habitats, landscapes and natural beauty and encourages people to enjoy it and value it.

As part of Year of Natural Scotland, Emily Edwards, SNH’s Gaelic officer, lead the first part of this session looking at SNH’s Gaelic resources for schools incorporating Storlann’s new National Geographic titles, Animals in their Habitats.

The second part, led by artist Morag MacDonald, was a practical session. Morag has worked with SNH on the Air Iomlaid exhibition and more recently the Rannsaich project, which got pupils out of doors to local parks, forests and reserves to explore nature through art.

Morag discussed simple techniques and tips for taking pupils out of doors and getting involved in nature and art in a fun and practical way. Participants in the session were given a CPD pack.

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High School

Graphic : TickSQA National 4 and 5 Gàidhlig and Gaelic (Learners) (High School)

Marilyn Waters, Qualifications Coordinator - Gàidhlig and Gaelic-Medium Subjects

Alasdair Bauld, Qualifications Development Consultant - Gàidhlig and Modern Languages

Donald MacKay, Principal Verifier - Gàidhlig

(Wednesday Afternoon Only)

SQA is responsible for the development and delivery of the new National Qualifications which are being introduced to support CfE.

During the development of each qualification SQA has consulted widely with practitioners and subject experts to create the best qualifications possible.

This has included publishing and seeking feedback on a number of key documents for each qualification. The documents cover the rationale, specification and assessment arrangements for each Course and Unit across all subjects and levels.

Marilyn, Alasdair and Donald delivered updates on the above subject areas and looked at unit assessment requirements in each subject.

Marilyn also updated delegates on SQA's support for Gaelic-medium education in Senior Phase and there was an opportunity to discuss key issues and raise questions.

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Graphic : TickNovels - Encouraging creative writing (High School)

Chrisella Ross, Karen MacKinnon (Wednesday & Thursday Mornings)

This workshop looked at steps required when writing a creative story and why teachers use creative story writing. Chrissella and Karen are both authors.

They gave examples of different styles of creative writing and how to structure stories and develop characters.

Delegates also discussed ways in which creative writing helps to develop language skills, grammar, literacy, spelling and the use of idioms.

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Graphic : TickAssessing literature at Higher and Advanced Higher (Learners only) (High School)

Donald John MacIver (Wednesday Morning & Thursday Afternoon)

In this workshop literature which is suitable for Gaelic Learners at Higher and Advanced Higher was examined.

Participants looked at different types of literature which would be appropriate at this level and the skills which are expected of pupils and the criteria which is used to assess the level of the pupil.

In groups, teachers looked at work done recently by pupils under exam conditions and assessed these pieces.

Teachers had the opportunity to speak about particular pieces of literature which have worked well for them with their class.

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Graphic : TickCreate interactive e-books (High School)

Donald MacDonald (Wednesday Morning & Thursday Afternoon)

This workshop explored the learning potential of interactive e-books, using a Great War text as an example.

Participants were shown how to prepare text and images, how to capture and edit audio and how to publish a very simple book to a variety of e-devices (phones, tablets, computers).

Only free software was used for all stages of the process, so that as many schools as wish can experiment with the techniques shown without incurring any additional costs.

The workshop also offered a whirlwind tour of some new and forthcoming online technologies.

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Graphic : TickGrammar - Support for common mistakes (High School)

Morag MacLean (Wednesday & Thursday Mornings)

Due to the cancellation of the Ceumannan workshop due to circumstances beyond our control, Morag led this useful and interesting workshop and discussion on common mistakes found in writing. Delegates and other language experts contributed to the discussion.

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Graphic : TickA Language Framework for Gaelic (High School)

DJ MacLeod, Shona Cormack (Wednesday & Thursday Afternoons)

In this workshop, D J MacLeod will gave a brief rationale for a language framework for Gaelic and showed how language work articulates with CfE and a resource such as Mìrean.

He updated delegates on the work done in the primary workshop, and then they had the opportunity to report on what weaknesses they found in pupils’ Gaelic and incorporated these into the framework for levels 3 and 4.

In groups, delegates worked on a draft of the framework, especially with regard to teaching methods and materials which are required.

Shona Cormack contributed to the workshop from the perspective of the classroom teacher.



 


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