Ceilidhmakers – songmaking in Angus!

Over several weeks in May and June, children at Strathmore Primary in Forfar, worked with top traditional singer and songwriter Christine Kydd, under her experienced Ceilidhmakers banner to write songs. Almost 70 children, in P4/5, wrote songs together with themes including local heritage, current local developments in the community, and learned songs relating to project work as well as learning some body percussion. Children recorded a CD of their work, for Enterprise, created artwork and performed the songs they wrote to the whole school, parents and visitors. Angel Gourlay, the Principal teacher was delighted with the outcomes “Working with Christine has enabled our pupils to further develop their skills for life, learning and work.  We have had the opportunity to collaborate, design, apply and create through writing songs linked to our topic work and record a CD and produce a book of our songs.  All our experiences have enabled us to gain greater depth and breadth and work towards achieving our full potential through the four capacities”.


The project was a great success,  and songs written included  The Lang Strang Bell, about a fantastic bell gifted to the town in the 1600s from Sweden, the golden gryphon on the steeple , the new wildlife park, sailing on the local loch, and how a local confectioner built a park, a concert hall and a hospital for  the local community. The children also wrote about all the machinery being used to build a new supermarket.

The project was made possible by Creative Scotland’s Youth Music Initiative and Jerry Randalls, the Music support Officer  for Angus Council agreed. “It was clear that from ideation to making a CD and the final performance, the children and staff at Strathmore Primary, guided by Christine, had a deeply enriching music and Scots Language experience. Christine cannily blends enormous fun with hard work and trusted the children with ownership of their project, which they relished.  In terms of Curriculum for Excellence there was total engagement from the children in terms of higher order thinking skills, creativity and active learning.  ‘Skills for learning, life and work’ was a key player in its success.” Other schools in the North East to have Ceilidhmakers workshops recently include Dunnottar PS and Luthermuir PS, all projects culminating in concerts where children performed their new songs.

My Dream Street art competition

What would your dream street look like?

All you need is imagination, pens and paper. Sustrans have launched “My Dream Street Competition” and are asking children and young people to send in drawings or designs of their ideal street. Entries can be made by schools or individuals and the closing date is 31 October 2011. Prizes include eco-furniture for the outdoor area in the school or a family holiday.

http://www.sustrans.org.uk/what-we-do/safe-routes-to-schools/my-sustrans-dream-street-competition

The Hunted: performance and Glow resources from Visible Fictions

Visible Fictions presents

The Hunted

Wed 12th October at the Palace Theatre

1.30pm

£5 for schools (1 in 10 go free)

“There are paths you should not leave.

There are dreams you should not dream.

There are beasts in the forest that know your name”

A lone girl dares to be something nobody else has been – in a place nobody dares to go.  In a wood.  With a wolf. But when we’re told not to go – we go. Even if what we find turns our world upside down forever.

Visible Fictions will offer school groups an insight into their new production, The Hunted. Through the Glow network pupils will be offered access to the creation of the piece through interviews with the creative team.  A post show discussion with the actors will take place when the production visits the Palace Theatre.  Teaching resources will be available to download from our website from August.

If you would like more information about the production contact Paul Gorman, Head of Education and Participation on 0141 221 8727

Aberdeen International Youth Festival offers young acts increased opportunities to perform

Aberdeen International Youth Festival (AIYF) has announced an increase to its ‘extended festival’ tour to allow artists to perform in more venues across Scotland.  The festival runs from the 27 July – 06 August 2011.

http://www.creativescotland.com/news/aberdeen-international-youth-festival-offers-young-acts-increased-opportunities-to-perform-0607

Dance takes centre stage at opening of Lanarkshire’s International Children’s Games

Opening ceremony is just the ticket http://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/press/article/284/opening_ceremony_is_just_the_ticket

South Lanarkshire Council announces that 2000 tickets are available to attend the opening ceremony of Lanarkshire’s International Children’s Games on Thursday 4 August. The tickets are being offered on a first come, first served basis, free of charge.

The ceremony includes includes a mass cast of 400 primary school children, 100 Highland dancers and 60 street dancers taking part.

Hairy Maclary and Friends: Education Workshops for Nurseries and Schools


Date:     Wednesday 7th September 2011

Time:    By prior arrangement

Age:       Suitable for nursery aged children up to primary 3.

Cost:      £75 per workshop

As an accompaniment to the Hairy Maclary and Friends production, Nonesenseroom will be offering workshops that explore the wonderful characters and elements from this performance.

Workshops will be offered on Wednesday 7th September and can either take place within your school or at the Palace Theatre. Both half-day (2 x 1hour sessions) and full day (3 or 4 x 1h sessions) are available.

Please note this workshop is only available to those who are booking to come and see this production

For further information or to make a booking please contact Michelle Laats on (01563) 554358.

Millersneuk Primary wins chocolatey design challenge

All-new chocolaty Flash Bar wins UK contest for Lenzie pupils http://www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/news/other_news/fairtrade_competition.aspx

East Dunbartonshire Council reports that the children of Millersneuk Primary in Lenzie have won a national competition to design and market a new Fairtrade snack – beating off competition from hundreds of other schools. ‘Flash Bar’ was the name of the pupils’ winning entry in the Snack Attack Challenge run by Traidcraft, the UK’s leading Fairtrade organisation. It is an energy snack containing Fairtrade chocolate and popping candy and is aimed at children.

Find out more about Traidcraft and Millersneuk Primary’s success in the News & Events section at: http://www.traidcraftschools.co.uk/

News, opportunities, research and strategy relating to creative teaching and learning in Scotland

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