All posts by Ms Higgins

Creative Learning, Literacy and English, Opportunities, Primary schools, Social Subjects

Free Author event for P7

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Exploring Macbeth: fact and fiction

Monday 23 April

(Shakepeare’s birthday) 

10:00am – 11:30am or

1:00pm – 2:30pm

National Library of Scotland

George IV Bridge, Edinburgh

Join Scottish author and historian Allan Burnett to find out more about Macbeth, Scotland’s infamous king, and his wife, Lady Macbeth. Their life story was turned into a classic play by William Shakespeare filled with magic, murder and mayhem.

How much do we really know about Macbeth, and how can we separate the fact from the fiction?

Find out why the truth is very different from the way Shakespeare told it!

Allan Burnett is the author of ‘Macbeth and All That’ (Birlinn, 2007).

Places are free, but booking is essential.

Places will be filled on a first come, first served basis.

To book a place, or for more information, email NLS Education Officer

Beverley Casebow on b.casebow@nls.uk or call 0131 623 3841

Creative Learning, Creativity, Education Scotland, Funding, Literacy and English, Opportunities, Primary schools

Money for language departments and projects in Scotland

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The British Academy is offering two awards of £4000 specifically for Scottish schools that want to develop creative ways of improving language teaching and learning. It could go towards helping you to work with your local primary schools, take forward business links, or develop a new course.

Click here for more info

Opportunities

Equality and diversity:Fife’s Diversity Week 12th-18th March 2012

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The Scottish Government believes in a One Scotland of many cultures. A nation that values diversity and recognises a multi-cultural society is one that is vibrant, successful and energetic – as Scotland aspires to be. A nation where people from all backgrounds can live and raise their family in peace and where all people – of all faiths and ethnic backgrounds – can achieve their potential.

The One Scotland campaign seeks to create a Scotland where racism is not acceptable and hopes to inspire communities to pull together and be united and stronger. The campaign was updated and repackaged in 2011 in the form of a USB stick containing all the One Scotland material, which can be used to deliver anti-racism messages as part of the wider curriculum.

The One Scotland toolkit is free and can be obtained by contacting Anna Riva (Scottish Government Equality and Communities Division) on 0131 244 5519 or by email: Anna.Riva@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Curriculum for Excellence, Engage for Education

Scottish Studies across the curriculum

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Scottish school pupils are set to broaden their knowledge on aspects of Scottish life and culture across all areas of learning.

Learning Minister Alasdair Allan yesterday confirmed the award in Scottish Studies is among a number of recommendations made by the Scottish Studies Working Group that will be taken forward.

Linda Donnelly, a member of the Working Group and head teacher at Carleton Primary School in Glenrothes added:

“Curriculum for Excellence encourages relevance and coherence. Its aim is to provide a flexible and enriched curriculum. The idea of using Scottish studies as a vehicle to achieve this is both exciting and challenging. Learning about Scotland in Carleton Primary school is taught, not a discrete subject but rather as a whole school themed approach. Staff and pupils are encouraged to take the opportunity to learn about Scotland when and wherever possible.

“Exploring Scotland’s rich cultural diversity and understanding Scotland’s role in the wider world are two of the key principles in developing global citizens. I would therefore encourage everyone to embrace the recommendations from the group and help embed learning about Scotland across the curriculum.”

Competition, Opportunities, Primary schools

Say 4 Schools Competition – 5th March-20th April 2012

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Fife’s Community Safety Panels, Fife Police, Adam Smith College and the Fife Education Service are launching a competition to create a storyboard on the theme of “Stop Vandalism in your Community”.

This competition is open to all Primary 6 and Primary 7 pupils in Fife’s primary schools

Vandalism is damage or destruction to someone else’s property and creates a negative impression in your community. If left, it can often lead to more vandalism occurring

To enter or for more details please go to

http://www.fife education.org.uk/Dig_Lit/say4schools/competition.htm
Competition

Scottish Education Awards 2012

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The Scottish Education Awards 2012 have officially launched and once again the event promises to be the highlight of the Scottish education calendar. The glittering award ceremony will take place on Tuesday 12 June 2012 at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow.

Nominations for this year’s awards are now open. To nominate, please browse through the list of nomination categories and criteria and then complete the nomination form. You may also find it helpful as part of the nomination process to read the guidance, hints and tips as well as look at an example nomination from a previous entry.

Nominations close on Friday 2 March 2012.

Creative Learning, Creativity, Technologies

Raspberry Pi computer

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Raspberry Pi

A credit-card sized computer designed to help teach children to code goes on general sale for the first time today.

 “This is about getting kids to engage creatively with computers: doing interesting things. And to be fair that doesn’t even have to be programming: it can be art, it can be design, using computers in a creative way”

Dr Upton

Find out more!

BBC News: The Raspberry Pi computer goes on general sale

BBC News: Raspberry Pi computer: Can it get kids into code?

 

Creative Scotland, Creativity, Opportunities

Scotland’s Festivals take “One Step Further”

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The One Step Further investment programme aims to enhance the programmes of existing festivals and events during 2012, with a focus on cultural tourism.

Sixteen festivals are to receive a share of over £400,000 to help attract more visitors to Scotland during 2012: the Year of Creative Scotland.

Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland said;

“Scotland is unquestionably one of the most creative countries in the world and these festivals will help showcase that vibrant creativity to new audiences.  Our culture is one of our greatest assets and a major draw for visitors – that’s why this programme is so important – it’s providing opportunities for visitors as well as local communities right across Scotland.”

One Step Further Investment in Fife:

  • While chamber music is at the heart of the acclaimed East Neuk Festival, One Step Further will enable it to extend its activities with several new initiatives including a new performance venue; outdoor performances by young musicians from Live Music Now; Pilgrims, an exhibition and labyrinth evoking St Andrews in the middle ages; and Littoral a programme introducing internationally renowned writers inspired by nature and the environment