Burns in Abernethy...again!

The Bard and I were delighted to return to the village of Abernethy. This time to visit the primary school.

P6 & 7 were an attentive audience in this new (2002) school.

The Twa Dugs steal the show (again)

Although needing some prompting to join in the singing(!) their knowledge of some of Burns work was not bad at all: especially Tam O Shanter, the story of which they managed to tell me in detail.

Auld Lang Syne with enthusiasm!

A big thanks to Ian and Abernethy Burns Club for sponsoring this event and also for taking the photos....

Burns in Caskieberran - Glenrothes

To a Mouse

The 'Bard' and I went to Glenrothes recently to deliver a short show to a very enthusiastic and well behaved group of 70 plus staff and pupils.

Excellent paintings of Rob and his poems

The youngsters have been working on the 'Year of the Homecoming' with a recent ceilidh, at which I was also delighted to play, as well as lots of work on Robert Burns. The art work behind the stage is superb as can be seen from some of the photos.

The Twa Dugs

Many of the songs were new to them but they had a try at joining in anyway. As usual a superb audience who have hopefully learnt some more about our Bard. There was the usual Q & A session at the end which brought some enthusiastic questions from the floor. An especial 'well done' to the young lady who bravely stood up and delivered a word-perfect version of 'Willie Wastle' - bravo!

Auld Lang Syne to finish off another show

Burns in Barassie

The Twa Dugs entertain

The bard and I travelled to Barassie Primary today in Troon where over 100 young people and staff enthusiastically listened to the show. Sadly the arrival of lunch-time meant we had no time for the usual question and answer session but the pupils were very knowledgeable, being able to list a fair number of poems and songs and joining in with the singing where they could. They have also been using the teachertube videos which is great! Perhaps they might leave some comments there, and/or on here?

About 120 keen listeners!

The local Press also turned up and took some good looking photos so hopefully the school (and the show) will get some good publicity. It is a brand new school and looks really splendid - the pupils were well behaved and hopefully are now a little wiser about Rob Mossgiel. Lastly a big thanks to Mrs Bell for the photos.

The 'Bard' in full flow

St Helen's Primary

Well today went very well! First school and a big success. I intended to combine technology with the old story and judging by the feedback it proved a good mix. Around 45 youngsters and 4 teachers all had good fun, gave some excellent feedback and learned something too!
Alice Quinn the HT subsequently sent me this list, which she thought covered some of what the children had learned..

History:

• King George 11 (1727 - 1760)
• King Edward II ( 1284 - 1327)
• Battle of Killicrankie (1689) Highland clans supporting James II
• Battle of Culloden Moor ( 1746) Highland clans supporting Charles
• Bonnie Prince Charlie
• Jacobites
• Battle of Bannockburn (1314)
• Trip back in time via ‘Tardis’
• Male dress of 18th Cent Scotland

Geography:

• Inverness
• Places above
• Highlands and Lowlands
• Ayrshire
• Mount Oliphant
• Tarbolton
• Edinburgh
• Dumfries
• Map of Scotland
• Newfoundland
• Jamaica

Poetry and Music

• The Twa Dugs ( social subjects – rich and poor)
• Rantin Rovin Robin
• The Belles of Mauchline ( Rap)
• To a Mouse
• To a Louse
• Scots Wha Hae- tie in with Battle of Bannockburn
• Auld Lang Syne – meaning of song
• Willie Wastle’s Wife – Burns’ humour
• Tam O’ Shanter – classic tale, illustrated by slides
• Kilmarnock Edition Poems
• Edinburgh Edition Poems

Maths

• Money raised by sale of both editions (above) – old coinage
• Distances
• Ages
• Shillings / value

Language

Numerous opportunities for discussion and questions. Some of the children’s questions were:

• Was King George II ‘Mad King George?
• What was Burns’ most famous poem? (Debate – give opinion)
• Why did Burns Doctor’s treatment lead to his death rather than a cure?
• How long did Jean Armour live after Burns died?
• How did you ( the presenter) start off in your interest of Burns’ life and work?

Some opportunities for further development:

Research / discussion / writing / Activities

• What is an old clay Biggin?
• What is a ‘keystone’? ( Tam O’ Shanter)
• Why did Meg have to run for the keystone?
• Why was Bonnie Prince Charlie not on the throne?
• What were his followers called and why?
• Why did Highlanders have a bad time after the Battle of Culloden?
• Why did William Burness have to leave his home in the Highlands and come to the Lowlands?
• Where is Newfoundland?
• What is the name of the River in Dumfries?
• On a map of Scotland, plot named places, measure distances.
• What was Burns’ meaning by the lines ‘a man’s a man for a’ that’
• What was Burns’ meaning by the lines ‘the best laid schemes o’ mice and men gang aft agley’?

This truly was ‘A Curriculum for Excellence’ and the children learned more in 90 minutes than they would have done in a year.

I would thoroughly recommend that any Primary or Secondary school buy into this tremendous resource
A.Quinn HT St Helen's Primary

About the show itself

The show is primarily aimed at adults but there is a shorter school version too. The issue is that Burns wrote a great deal of 'adult' material which is not best suited to 10 years olds....so there has to be 2 versions. It is in full costume as can be seen here and uses Burns own songs and poems to tell his life story. I take a chronological tour from before his birth until after his death ....suggesting why he wrote some of what he did....reciting the poems and singing the songs. There are several points to this but in the main entertainment and education, which is what I have done all my days. There is an audio visual element with a Powerpoint running behind me on stage. This details various locations important to Burns, gives the words to some songs (audience participation is a must!) and illustrates some of the poems: all of which hopefully increase understanding and improve the experience of the audience.

Shows

The calendar at www.burns250.co.uk shows about a dozen bookings. Most for the show but a few for other Burns bits I do. I am also booked up to present a 'panel' at the Burns conference at Glasgow University in January, talking about using technology to teach about Burns. See here. I will try and tie some bits of show into that too. I wear lots of hats really....musician, entertainer, teacher, lecturer, Burnsian, and have tried to combine many of them into this. I want to show that young people can be attracted to classics - like Burns work - if we as teachers use their language - which today is technology. So I have a few visits to schools planned and hopefully more to come.