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Newsletter Winter 2008

And more... An t-Alltan: Gaelic teachers’ New materials 4 conference from Stòrlann Ceumannan 5 Smeòrach Mi 7 Page 2 Gaelic4Parents 7 Staff 8 Funding 8

Ceum air Cheum Page 9 Happy Christmas from all at Stòrlann!

1 Newsletter Winter 2008 An t-Alltan: Gaelic teachers’ conference from Stòrlann

An t-Alltan New materials Ceumannan Smeòrach Mi Gaelic4Parents Staff Funding ne hundred teachers from primary and secondary schools “It is very important that Ceum air Cheum Othroughout Scotland came together in the New Drumossie Hotel in Inverness on 8 and 9 October to explore new resources teachers get the opportunity and related learning and teaching developments. There were www.storlann.co.uk opportunities to try out new software, debate methodology and to meet with each other at a contribute to new developments. The conference was opened with www.anseotal.org.uk a reception at which Hamish Fraser, the Chairman of The Highland conference like this. www.gaelic4parents.com Council’s Gaelic Committee, welcomed the new developments which 8th, education conference, are creating exciting opportunities at the present time for young Drumossie Gaelic speakers, such as wholly Gaelic-medium schools and the new Gaelic ditigal channel ‘BBC Alba.’ it was here one might think our tribe was lost on the Conference papers and audio files are available on field of death - but just hear www.storlann.co.uk for those unable to attend. each living tongue shaping new shoots of growth

Aonghas Dubh MacNeacail

2 Newsletter Winter 2008 An t-Alltan: Gaelic teachers’ conference from Stòrlann

Keynotes •• Language structures in the •• Gaelic and Gaelic-medium Secondary School: Catrìona Education: Murdo MacIver, Murray, Stòrlann Nàiseanta na North Lanarkshire Council Gàidhlig and Christina Walker, and Rosemary Ward, Bòrd na Aberdeen University Gàidhlig •• Teaching Science and Mathematics through the •• The Teacher as Resource: An t-Alltan Joan MacKay, HMIe medium of Gaelic: Angus John MacDonald, Stòrlann New materials Seminar Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig Ceumannan •• Ceumannan: new materials •• Literature, Poetry and the Smeòrach Mi jump to Creative Writing for learners: Emma Christie, Gaelic4Parents (primary): Anne Lorne Gillies Shona Cormack and Gillebride •• Synthetic Phonics for MacMillan, Stòrlann Nàiseanta Staff reading and writing: Donald na Gàidhlig Funding

John MacLeod and Johan Ceum air Cheum Byrne Skills Workshops •• Language structures in •• Using Textease software: Alan the Primary School: Mairi Stewart, The Highland Council •• Using Kar2ouche software: Kidd, Stòrlann Nàiseanta na www.storlann.co.uk Stòrlann would like to “We have been waiting Gàidhlig Ray Shaw, Immersive thank the following for their www.anseotal.org.uk •• Shared Reading and Writing: Education support in terms of funding, for an event like this. Very Mary MacMillan, Learning •• Using Special Needs www.gaelic4parents.com computer equipment etc: and Teaching Scotland Assessment Profiles, ‘SNAP’, in The Highland Council, encouraging. There is a lot I •• Immersion, with a Welsh Gaelic: Archie MacLullaich Learning and Teaching perspective: Cathie •• Accessing Resources online: Scotland, Fèisean nan can use in the class.” Johnstone and Morfudd Marion MacDonald, Gàidhlig Gàidheal, UHI Inverness Roberts, The Welsh Assembly air-loidhne College, Charleston •• Literature, Poetry jump Academy, The Scottish to Creative and Folio Government, Bòrd na Writing (secondary): Rachel Gàidhlig. Sandilands and Aonghas Thanks also to the staff of the ‘Dubh’ MacNeacail New Drumossie Hotel.

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New materials in schools... In the works...... these materials will be delivered to schools in hese materials were •• Smeòrach Mi the coming weeks: Tdelivered to schools in Poetry anthology recent months: •• A’ Chaileag Starraig’: novel •• Uamh nan Cnàmhan Lily’s is finding life challenging A novel about a climber lost in the mountains •• Kar2ouche ‘Daoine Ainmeil but her odd new friends help •• Europe Wallmap ann an Eachdraidh’ her in lots of unexpected •• Droch Ràith Mairead’, ‘Droch Shaoghal BJ’ Software for creative writing ways agus ‘Shenanigans Shen An t-Alltan and history teaching •• Textbooks on Textease Three short novels with accompanying CDs New materials •• ’Lorgan Litreachaidh: Disk of ‘Bunaitean Cruinn- •• Linn nan Caochlaidhean Mòra Ceumannan ‘Leabhar an tidseir’, ‘Faclair eòlais’ and a second of History textbook from Imprint Pearsanta 1’ and bookmarks Smeòrach Mi ‘Cùisean,’ simplified in terms •• Kar2ouche ‘Sgrìobhadh Cruthachail’ The first stage in a new of content and language •• Fuasgail is Freagair 1, 2 agus 3 Gaelic4Parents spelling programme •• Beatha le Buaidh Big Books for Maths Staff •• Heinemann Scottish Maths: A new series comparing the •• Dòigh Eile air a Ràdh Funding Series 4 workbooks lives of famous people with Reprint Reprint different factors in common, •• An Gille a Dh’èigh Madadh-allaidh Ceum air Cheum •• Taigh Lachaidh including Ant ’n Dec and Big Book for Shared Reading Five interactive language Laurel and Hardy and Ronaldo •• Mus Tuit an Oidhche games for computer or and Maradona A creepy doubler-novel for teenagers smartboard www.storlann.co.uk •• Sàr Obair Ìre C •• Shared Reading posters www.anseotal.org.uk •• Mo Chreideamh Six posters demonstrating A whiteboard pack examining major world www.gaelic4parents.com different writing styles, with religions accompanying notes •• Cùrsa airson saidheans D agus E •• Catrìona air Chuairt •• GLPS Boardgame A big book and storysack •• Aonadan Eachdraidh airson S1, 2 agus 3 about an inquisitive cat and •• Playscripts her friendly neighbours Based on well-known short stories •• Magnetic letters for learning support Gaelic phonic blends

4 Ceumannan – a new course for learners

Ceumannan 1 e’ve taken big ‘steps’ with 1. Dè an t-ainm a th’ort? this project recently and W 2. Ciamar a tha thu? the team is very busy moving 3. Cànan a’ chlas things along. A panel of teachers 4. Dè an aois a tha thu? has agreed the shape and 5. Càit a bheil thu a’ fuireach? content of the course and a taste 6. Dè an dath a th’ air? of what’s included is provided: An t-Alltan 7. Dè tha nad bhaga? mma Christie, the course Writer, is locked 8. Dè latha a th’ ann an- New materials in a cupboard finishing the first book, diugh? E Ceumannan which will be with the designer in a couple of 9. Dè as toigh leat anns an weeks. Emma’s computer is red hot and the Smeòrach Mi sgoil? materials look really engaging and exciting. Gaelic4Parents 10. Dè an uair a tha e? There is work included for many different 11. Seo mo theaghlach Staff ability levels and there are lots of important 12. A bheil peata agad? features to support learners: Funding 13. Dè tha thu ag iarraidh? Ceum air Cheum Ceumannan 2 1. A’ bhodhaig 2. Cò ris a tha thu coltach? 3. Dè ’n obair a th’ agad? •• Wordlists in each unit and at the end of the www.storlann.co.uk 4. Dè na cur-seachadan a book www.anseotal.org.uk th’ agad? •• Sùil air ais – extension work at different www.gaelic4parents.com 5. An do chluich thu ball- levels coise Diluain? •• Cultar – a different subject at the end of 6. An cuala tu an t-òran ùr? each unit, including placenames, history, 7. An cluich thu ball-coise? stories and much more 8. An tèid thu dhan sgoil? •• Taic – tips for learners 9. Am faigh mi cofaidh? •• Ceum air cheum – lists of what each module 10. Cò às a tha thu? covers with examples to help with revision 11. Cò ris a tha an t-sìde •• Ceum a bharrachd – more challenging coltach? exercises for very able pupils 12. An taigh agam 13. Am baile

5 Ceumannan – a new course for learners

We’ve kept an eye on Curriculum for ave you ever tried ‘rap’? No? Excellence developments and we HWell, here’s your chance. hope that the course will ease some Shona Cormack has written a of the burden on teachers who so little rap based on the commands often have to prepare all of their in the unit ‘Cànan a’ Chlas. Here own learners’ materials. are the words; find yourself a bit of room and a hoodie and you’re Gillebride MacMillan is preparing all the way! An t-Alltan online materials to support the New materials course and we hope that the Ceumannan materials prove as much of a hit with Smeòrach Mi pupils as they did with teachers at Thuirt an tidsear ris a’ chlas: An t-Alltan. Gillebride demonstrated Madainn mhath dhuibh, thigibh a-steach Gaelic4Parents some of the sites he uses to create Dùinibh an doras, suidhibh sìos Staff Bithibh sàmhach ’s èistibh! resources at the conference and the Funding new site will link to these materials to allow learners to create their own Cuir dhìot do sheacaid, leugh an leabhar Ceum air Cheum multi-media resources. They’ll be Bi modhail, Uilleim, sin gu leòr! so busy enjoying themselves that Seadh ,a Chaluim, dè tha ceàrr? they’ll learn the language without Am faod mi peansail fhaighinn? www.storlann.co.uk noticing! Sgrìobh is èist is bruidhinn is leugh www.anseotal.org.uk Tapadh leat is tapadh leibh www.gaelic4parents.com Cuir dhìot do sheacaid, sin thu fhèin! e now have funding to complete Glè mhath, ’s math a rinn thu! WCeumannan 1 to 3 and we hope that the first book will be in schools in time for teachers to have a good look through the materials before the beginning of the new session. You can find out more from Shona on [email protected]

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Smeòrach Mi: the first Gaelic poetry anthology to put There are new resources now available on the website www. ‘a foot in the door of the 21st century’ gaelic4parents.com. There are audio files to accompany all titles in the Back in April, BBC Craoladh nan Gàidheal and Stòrlann joined up literacy scheme ‘Storyworlds’ and in the Beeb’s new headquarters at Pacific Quay in Glasgow to launch two exciting new poetry resources. parents can freely download and copy these for use with their children. The first Gaelic poetry An t-Alltan BBC’s new site ‘Làrach nam Bàrd’ looks closely at the writing of eleven There are further cards and signs anthology to put a foot Gaelic poets, including Sorley MacLean, Derick Thomson, Anne for downloading and colouring, to New materials in the door of the 21st Frater, Meg Bateman and Dòmhnall Ruadh Chorùna. At the launch help in creating a Gaelic-speaking Ceumannan the audience heard from a number of poets through the audio files century, and it is very environment in the home. The Smeòrach Mi on the site and from one ‘live’ poet, Aonghas Dubh MacNeacail, who attractive indeed. interactive game ‘The Heart Crystal’’ joined the gathering and launched the resources. takes children on a quest through a Gaelic4Parents Ronald Black magical land where there are riddles Staff The Scotsman Aonghas Dubh also features prominently in ‘Smeòrach Mi, Stòrlann’s to solve using a mixture of skill, logic new poetry collection. He reminded the audience that, during his Funding and Gaelic language. own schooldays, only Watson’s ‘Bàrdachd Ghàidhlig’ was available Ceum air Cheum and he warmly welcomed the collection and the site. He reserved a In the ‘community’ section of the site, special mention for the previously unpublished poets appearing in Smeòrach Mi. This was echoed by Ronald Black in his review in The parents can chat to support workers who are online for up to two hours Scotsman on 12 July, in which he said that Smeòrach Mi was an www.storlann.co.uk ‘extremely attractive’ production. per schoolnight to answer questions relating to homework support. www.anseotal.org.uk Rachel Sandilands, the editor of ‘Smeòrach Mi’, explained that The ‘community’ is a secure www.gaelic4parents.com Stòrlann aimed with the collection to introduce pupils to a wealth area on the website and of voices and she expressed her hope that readers would enjoy families can create their own the collection. Her own pupils had been very vocal in offering homepages and can chat, their opinions, although she did reject their suggestion that the share pictures and other book be titled ‘Mo Chreach ’s mo Bhàrdachd’! material.

Logins and usernames for parents of all children in Gaelic- medium primary education are available from

schools. 7 Newsletter Winter 2008 New staff... And some farewells... Funding

Shona Cormack took up post as Johan Smith left Stòrlann in Seumas MacTaggart left Additional funding for Stòrlann Development Officer for Gaelic/ October after more than seven his part-time job as an from the Scottish Government Gàidhlig in the secondary school years with the company, when online support worked on There was excellent news for Stòrlann at at the beginning of April. Shona she and her family moved to www.gaelic4parents.com/ the beginning of this financial year as an came to Stòrann from Portree Edinburgh where her husband community in the summer. increase in the level of Specific Grants for High School and since she arrived is a student in the Free Church Seumas’ support was most Gaelic Education resulted in additional she has been heavily involved College. Johan will be greatly welcome in setting up the funding for the company. The additional An t-Alltan in the development of the missed at Stòrlann and the service and our warm thanks funding of almost £100,000 per annum will New materials Ceumannan learners’ course. board and staff all thank her for go to him for all of his work. allow Stòrlann to expand its programmes Ceumannan all of her hard work over the and facilitated the delivery of ‘An t-Alltan’ in Working with Shona on years. We wish Johan, Calum, and congratulations! October. Smeòrach Mi ‘Ceumannan’ is Emma Christie, Joanie and Marissa every Gaelic4Parents who also came to Stòrlann from happiness in their new home. Anne Marie Henderson gave Staff Portree High School. Emma is birth to Elliot MacKenzie writing the course materials, Stòrlann also thanks Dolina Henderson on 12 November Funding with support from Gillebrìde Smith who spent the summer 2008. Mamaidh and bèibidh Ceum air Cheum MacMillan, who is creating online with us through Comann na are both doing well! materials to go alongside the Gàidhlig’s student placement textbook element. scheme. Dolina is now enrolled on the PGCE course in Aberdeen www.storlann.co.uk Stòrlann also welcomed Marina University where she is training www.anseotal.org.uk Mhoireach to the team. Marina as a Biology teacher. www.gaelic4parents.com will be supporting parents as part of the homework support service on www.gaelic4parents. com/community. Marina hails from Lewis and she will be working closely with Anne Marie Henderson who has been with the project since it first began last year.

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Ceum air cheum...

In September the staff of Stòrlann undertook a 52-mile sponsored walk to raise funds for the Bethesda hospice in Stornoway. The team walked from Stornoway to Tarbert in Harris. The plan was then to walk from Uig to Portree in Skye but after around five miles it became clear that the road was too dangerous. The team transferred over to Braes and completed the same mileage there instead. An t-Alltan New materials The aim of the walk was to allow remotely working staff to spend Ceumannan time with their colleagues in order to build links within the team. This Smeòrach Mi was a valuable exercise given the mixture of sunny and not-so-sunny days encountered. All concerned agreed that the sun was shining Gaelic4Parents especially brightly when the team finally reached Portree! Staff Funding To date Stòrlann staff have raised around £5,000 for Bethesta and there are still monies to be collected. Ceum air Cheum

We would like to thank the following for their help with Ceum air

Cheum: www.storlann.co.uk

www.anseotal.org.uk MacKinnon Self Drive, Lewis Portree taxis - Kenny MacPherson, Harry Dick and Willie MacLeod (A1 www.gaelic4parents.com Cabs/Vital Signs) MacKenzie’s Bakery, Portree Jan MacDonald, Kensaleyre Church of Scotland Lochs Community Centre, Leurbost Marmalade, Portree Radio nan Gàidheal, Isles FM and BBC Alba Everyone who stopped and gave us donations on the road All who pledged money beforehand

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