Looking for Gaelic texts in our homes - early years, primary and secondary
Published 01/06/2023.
Last updated 05/06/2024
In this activity, children and young people will be encouraged to think of Gaelic text that is in their home. The younger children will do some word activities from this, with the older children reviewing a text.
For children at nursery and P1
- Ask your child to find Gaelic texts around the home. This may be written text or equipment through which they may hear Gaelic being spoken or sung. Ideas of what they might find would be books, notes, greeting cards, CDs, television and radio. Beforehand it may be useful to place some of these texts in different parts of the home. You could also write some words on pieces of paper or card for this task.
- Talk to your child about how special it is to learn Gaelic. Discuss with them Bòrd na Gàidhlig’s internet channel and what they may watch from this.
- Discuss with them what they may watch on BBC Alba and listen to on Radio nan Gàidheal. Keep planning with them regular opportunities to use Gaelic.
- Ask your child to find an old magazine, newspaper or leaflet that you no longer need. Talk with your child about the magazine/leaflet they have found.
- If they enjoy cutting and sticking, they could tear out, or cut and make a picture from the magazine or leaflet.
- Older children might be interested in finding letters that look the same as one in their own name.
For children at P2/P3/P4
- Make your own Gaelic word box.
- On a piece of paper, write some Gaelic sentences. Cut up each word that is in individual sentences. Add this to a box or container to create a Gaelic word box.
- Mix up the words/pieces of paper in your Gaelic word box and make new sentences.
- Choose your funniest sentence and draw a picture to go with it.
For children at P5/P6/P7
- Ask your child to make a list of interesting words they found in texts around your home.
- They should create a poem using some of these interesting words. Remember, poems do not have to rhyme.
- Share the poem with someone at home, including if you have a buddy or friend who speaks Gaelic with you to help maintain your fluency.
For young people at S1/S2/S3
- Select a film or television show, online video or podcast that you found entertaining. You might revisit some of the films that have been created for the national competition, Film G.
- Think about the aspects of your chosen text that make it so enjoyable. Why would you recommend the text to someone else?
- Create a review of the text. Give the reasons why you found it entertaining. Please include evidence from the text. Mention as appropriate the storyline, characters, situation and/or setting. This can be a written task, a presentation to a family member/carer or recorded as a short film. Share and discuss your work with a family member/carer when it is completed. In this task, you will develop your skills of personal reflection and analysis.