Evacuees Visit for Kirkhill Primary School.

Pupils of Kirkhill Primary School, Aberdeen became evacuees for a day. They arrived by train at 10am with no clue where they were going, giving them a small insight into how the children evacuated during WW11 might have felt. The children listened to a talk about the wartime evacuees, investigated our 'evacuee's suitcase' (complete with gas mask) and heard poems and stories on the subject. They also listened to readings from letters between Billy (a fictional evacuee) and his mother in Glasgow. The pupils enjoyed a picnic lunch and then split into groups and tried their hand at writing a fill-in-the-blanks poem about Billy's experience as an evacuee coming to Aberdeenshire.     

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two of our poems:

 

 

Billy the Evacuee

Sees farm animals eating food and running about.

Hears rustling leaves on the trees and birds tweeting.

Smells stinky manure from the animals.

Tastes fresh eggs and milk for his breakfast.

Feels happy and scared on the farm.

 

         By Ellie, Maria, Lauren and Hannah

 

Billy the Evacuee

Sees new friends and waving family.

Hears his family's tears for his new life.

Smells the country air.

Tastes adventures ahead.

Feels excited, scared and awkward.

                                                                                 

 By Zoe, Shelly, Zak, Dayna, Charley and Ellie

 

 

 COMMENTS

"Staff have been extremely helpful in supporting us to organise the evacuation of our children from school to Inverurie.

Deborah's input has been both interesting and stimulating, providing a springboard for further activities back at school.

All of our pupils thoroughly enjoyed listening to the selection of extracts chosen by Deborah."

Pupils comments:

"I really enjoyed listening to the bit from 'Goodnight Mr Tom'." Scott aged 10

"The letters from Billy and his mum helped me to think about what a real evacuee would have felt like." Jay aged 10

"I liked the way Deborah read our poems."  Shelley aged 11
   

 

Ellon Academy 6th Year pupils.

 

6th year pupils at Ellon Academy got together to practise Tam o' Shanter and A Man's a Man for Aa That in preparation for the school Burns' Lunch on Friday 25th of January. Josh, a third year pupil, also joined us with his excellent recitation of To A Mouse.

 

 

 

 

 

We gathered on the squishy sofas - a quiet and comfy corner in memory of former pupil Cameron who loved to read.  

 

 

 

I also spent some time with four S3 classes. We spoke about the Scots dialect, listened to readings from Burns and also enjoyed some poems in Doric. We then had a go at some creative writing in Doric (or any other Scots tongue the pupils were familiar with). Students were asked to imagine a chance meeting/conversation with a famous person.    

 

 

COMMENTS

 

"Excellent presentation to S3 pupils on Scots/Doric. The debate about language including its origins and how it evolves was very interesting. Pupils will really benefit from recognising Doric in their own usage, and the class will be able to develop the learning today in their own future writing.

 

We are also very appreciative of the time and skills shared with pupils in the preparation for our school Burns' Lunch."

 

"Fascinating talk on the origins of Scots. All pupils were engaged and it resulted in some excellent pieces of creative writing. English in schools would benefit from more sessions like this."

 

"Very interesting talk which pupils were very engaged with. They thoroughly enjoyed the chance to write in their 'ain tongue' afterwards. An important part of pupils' lives made relevant and fun."

 

"The kids were engaged and the discussion was relevant and enjoyable. The creative writing task was a good extension of the discussion. I think pupils recognised the relevance of Doric in their everyday lives."  

 

   

Interview at Ellon Resource Centre for the Community News.

 

The clients from Ellon Resource Centre who interviewed me for the Ellon Community News. We had a lovely afternoon and enjoyed a fine 'fly cup and a blether'.

 

 

 

Heritage/Reminiscence Reading Group.

 

Inverurie Community Centre was the venue for the third meeting of the Heritage/Reminiscence Reading group. Interest continues to grow and hopes are high for attracting more new members from the community. Our theme this month was Winter and also New Year Resolutions - are they just wishful thinking? Members listened to poems and stories and some also read poetry of their own. One member took along some photographs of the wild winter weather of 1963.

 

 

 

Old Rayne Primary School.

I had a lovely day working with the whole school at Old Rayne Primary.

We spoke about the different Scots dialects and enjoyed readings in the Scots of Robert Burns and also in Aberdeenshire Doric.

The upper stages joined in with readings/discussions of 'To a Mouse' and 'Address to a Haggis' in preparation for the school's own Burns' Supper.

I also read 'The Gruffalo' in Scots, which was such fun and greatly enjoyed by everyone. Pupils have plans to turn this version of 'The Gruffalo' into a play.

I'm looking forward to returning on the 22nd Jan. to hear how preparations are going for the Burns' Supper/play and to offer a helping hand where required. 

Great children, lovely staff and a very enjoyable morning.

 

 

COMMENTS

 

"Thank you very much for visiting us today. The pupils and staff really enjoyed listening to the stories and poems that you read to us.

 

We will work on our Doric play of 'The Gruffalo' and the Burns' poems to show you next time you visit us in the lead up to our Burns' celebrations.

 

Great way to kick off a new term in January with some Scots language - braw!"

 

"The children enjoyed listening to Deborah and loved hearing her use the Doric words. She read 'The Gruffalo' in Scots and the children loved it. Looking forward to next time."   

Pop-up Library is a hit in Tarves!

 

Isn't it lovely when someone takes the time to let you know they've enjoyed something. I was preparing work for a really busy time ahead when this email dropped into my Inbox re. the Pop-up Library that I've installed in the village store/post office in Tarves. 

Thank you to Annette Gibb for making my day! 

 

 

 

Dear Deborah,

You asked for some feedback about this innovative idea ...brilliant is the answer. I'm a compulsive reader and have been since I was a child so am constantly looking for new material.

Like the idea of the pop up library because....

1. Can get a book at short notice.

2. Am not dependant on getting to Oldmeldrum Library if transport or road conditions are unsuitable.

3. Can recycle the books I no longer want.

 

Keep up the good work

Annette Gibb

A good book...

I'm really looking forward to the next few months in my post as Reader in Residence. The diary is looking very busy with lots of very different and exciting things coming up. 

I went into Aberdeen yesterday to have a look around the January sales, but ended up in the bookshops - reading and drinking coffee. My plastic bag from Waterstone's carried this message: "A good book will keep you fascinated for days...a good  bookshop for the whole of your life."

I like that...

Reading Speed Dating.

I enjoyed a really successful end of term session with a group of enthusiastic S4 pupils from Inverurie Academy. We organised a Reading Speed Dating event, which turned out to be noisy, interactive and, most of all, loads of fun! Photographs to follow - hopefully.

"Deborah's session with my S4 class was excellent. All my pupils participated fully in the 'Sell your book' activity and thoroughly enjoyed every moment. Some of the quietest pupils became animated and enthusiastic, engaging with peers they would normally avoid!
Really, really good! Excellent."  

Toni Cybulski, Principal Teacher, English