Information for Parents and Teachers

Literacy and Gàidhlig
• I regularly select subject, purpose, format and resources to create texts of my choice
LIT 1-01a/LIT 2-01a
• I am exploring how pace, gesture, expression, emphasis and choice of words are used to engage others, and I can use what I learn
GAI 1-03a
• I can recognise how the features of spoken language can help in communication, and I can use what I learn.

• I can recognise different features of my own and others' spoken language.
GAI 2-03a
• As I listen or watch, I can identify and discuss the purpose, key words and main ideas of the text and use this information for a specific purpose.
LIT 1-04a
• As I listen or watch, I can identify and discuss the purpose, main ideas and supporting detail contained within the text, and use this information for different purposes.
LIT 2-04a
• I can select ideas and relevant information, organise these in a logical sequence and use words which will be interesting and/or useful for others.
LIT 1-06a
• I can select ideas and relevant information, organise these in an appropriate way for my purpose and use suitable vocabulary for my audience.
LIT 2-06a
• I can show my understanding of what I listen to or watch by responding to and asking different kinds of questions.
LIT 1-07a
• I can show my understanding of what I listen to or watch by responding to literal, inferential, evaluative and other types of questions, and by asking different kinds of questions of my own.
LIT 2-07a
• By considering the type of text I am creating, I can select ideas and relevant information, organise these in a logical sequence and use words which will be interesting and/or useful to others.
LIT 1-26a

Gaelic Learners
• I explore the patterns and sounds of language through songs and rhymes and show understanding and enjoyment by listening, joining in and responding
MLAN 2-01a
• I explore simple songs and rhymes and I enjoy learning with others as we talk and listen together.
MLAN 2-05a
• I have worked with others, using a variety of media including ICT where appropriate, and can contribute successfully to a presentation in Englis, supported by use of the language I am learning, on an aspect of life in a country where the language I am learning is spoken.
MLAN 2-06b
• I work on my own and with others to understand text using appropriate resources, demonstrating my understanding by matching written words to pictures and by reconstructing the text in a logical sequence, for example.
MLAN 2-08a
• I can choose and can read, on my own and with others, a variety of straightforward texts of different types, including non-fiction, short imaginative accounts, prose and poetry, which may have been adapted
MLAN 2-10a

Stories
• Òighrig Ùruisg (Mami Wata)
• Draoidh Paidh nan Siristean (Cherry Pie Genie)
• Calum Cathag (Jackdaw)
• A' Lorg na Grèine (Looking for the Sun)

Watch or read the story then try story sequencing, story changing and story creation activities.

Songs
The four songs are sung by friendly creatures:
• Ulaidhoillt's Slimy Song
• Iain Ialtag's Bat Ballad
• Doilidhtuhù's Owl Rap
• Rùbaidh Rabaid's Song

Listen to the songs then choose new words for the chorus and new clothes for the characters to wear when they're singing. This reinforces language using visual clues and provides an opportunity for learners to hear pronunciations.

Poems
There are four poems:
• Gille Beag Laghach (A Nice Little Boy)
• Latha Doilleir Dorcha (A Miserable Dark Day)
• Sabhs (Sauce)
• Sgoil nan Eun Beaga (The Little Birds' School)

Listen to what Ulaidhoillt, Iain Ialtag, Doilidhtuhù and Rùbaidh Rabaid think of the poems, users can then express their opinions using words and pictures. There is some challenging language in the poems and teachers are encouraged to use this as a teaching opportunity. All learners should be familiar with the language before attempting to respond to the poems or give opinions.

Audio and visual help
Click on the 'Roghainnean' button to:
• resize on-screen text and change text and background colours
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• make captions available for most video and audio content.

These preferences are not accessible from the Information for Parents and Teachers section.

Most content can also be navigated using the keyboard.

Stories

There are four animated stories in A' Choille. Click on the tree to go to the stories. Click on the red handles to see the choice of stories then click on the thumbs up icon to choose one.

Oighrig Ùruisg (Mami Wata)
This story is based on the traditional African legend of Mami Wata, the brave river spirit who rescues a village from a terrible monster. It contains rich descriptions and dialogue and is a good example of how to structure an imaginative story.

Draoidh Paidh nan Siristean (Cherry Pie Genie)
This is a modern story about a boy called Fionnlagh who imagines that a genie rises from his hot cherry pie and helps him out around the house. It is a story about a child's imagination and the important people in his life. It's an example of how children can create their own imaginative stories.

Calum Cathag (Jackdaw)
Find out what happens when Calum Cathag goes to live in the pigeon loft. The story deals with racism and gives children the opportunity to look at the world from a different standpoint. There are two different endings from which to choose.

A' Lorg na Grèine (Looking for the Sun)
Join Sgumban, Sgòd and their friends to find out what happens when the sun goes missing. This is a story about little creatures who live on the beach and looks at the world through their eyes. Looking for the Sun is an example of how children can create their own personal stories. There are two alternative endings from which to choose.

Story Activities

Watch a story(Coimhead)
Watch the story with or without accompanying text. Click on the book icon to see text alongside the pictures and audio.

Read a story(Leugh)
The text appears side by side with the animation. Click on the arrow to move on to the next page.

Sequence a story(Òrdaich)
Test listening and comprehension skills by placing pictures in the right sequence before completing sentences based on the story.

There are two levels:

Level 1
Click on the pictures from the story and place them on the right order.

Level 2
Complete 5 or 9 sentences so that they correspond with pictures from the story. The number of sentences to be completed depends on the success achieved in the previous level.

Work can be printed after completing the task.

Change a story(Atharraich)
Write a story about one of the characters in the original story. Create a title, by choosing a character and a location from the options offered, then start writing.

There are four templates from which to choose. They vary according to the length of text to be written.

Ulaidhoillt will help you by asking the following questions:
• Who is in your story?
• Where does your story happen?
• What happens in your story?
• How does your story end?

If more help is needed, click on the question mark icon to see the story Ulaidhoillt wrote.

After writing, pictures can be added to each page of the story. Backgrounds, characters and objects from the story or the paint brush can be used to create pictures. Various shapes can also be added. The finished story can be printed.

Create a story(Sgrìobh)
Write and illustrate a story about characters and objects from the story.

There are two levels:

Level 1
The page contains an area for text and a separate area for illustration. A collection of key words are available to help. Backgrounds, characters and objects from the story or the paint brush can be used to create pictures. Various shapes can also be added. The story completed can be printed.

Level 2
There is a large page for text and illustration. There are speech bubbles in this level in addition to the tools available in Level 1.

Songs

Ullaidhoillt, Iain Ialtag, Doilidhtuhù and Rùbaidh Rabaid can't wait to sing. Visit Òrain agus Rannan (Songs and Poems) and select Òrain (Songs) to meet them. Click on a character to hear their song.

Having choosen a character, there are three options.

Listen to a song
The chosen character sings their song. The song words can be seen in the box at the top of the screen.

Change a song
Choose new words for the song's chorus. Look at the options and click on the words to add to the chorus. Click on the door icon that appears at the end of the activity to return to the menu. Listen to the song to hear the new chorus.

Print the song words.

Dress the Characters
Choose new clothes for each character from the wardrobe. Click on the icons above the wardrobe to see the choice of items available and dress each character in turn. Use the icons on the bottom shelf to change the colours of the clothes. Click on the door icon that appears at the end of the activity to return to the menu.

Listen to the song to see the characters wearing their new outfits.

Choose for me
By selecting 'Dèan dhomh e' (Do it for me) the words and costumes change automatically.

The songs

Iain Ialtag's Bat Ballad
In this ballad, Iain Ialtag, the bat, describes his favourite things. The chorus gives a positive message that contrasts with his mournful singing. Users can choose which sad sounds to include in the chorus.

Doilidhtuhù's Owl Rap
Doilidhtuhù's rap creates a picture of Doilidhtuhù as the other characters sing about her and her favourite things. Create a chorus by choosing favourite descriptions of her.

Rùbaidh Rabaid's Song
This Bollywood style song is about Rùbaidh Rabaid and her busy life. Choose descriptions of her to create the chorus.

Ulaidhoillt's Slimey Song
Join in this crazy song about Ulaidhoillt, the horrible little monster, and his favourite yucky things. The song is full of funny words and noises. Choose which silly words to put in the chorus.

Poems

Users listen to the poems then, having heard the character's feedback, say what they think of them. Go to Òrain agus Rannan (Songs and Poems) then click on Rannan (Poems) to access the poems and related activities.

Ulaidhoillt, Iain Ialtag, Doilidhtuhù and Rùbaidh Rabaid were created to represent different emotions so they will all react differently to the poems. These reactions show children how to express their opinion.

Choose a poem from the list then click on the two characters whose opioions you'd like to hear. Listen to the poem before hearing what the characters think.

Click on one of the three spiders to choose to listen to another poem, paint the poem or choose different characters to listen to the poem with you.

Click on paint the poem, choose one of the three opinions that appear on screen and then use pictures and text to show what you think about the poem.

Users can print their work along with the words of the poem.

Gille Beag Laghach (A Nice Little Boy)
This is a poem written from the viewpoint of a boy who can't understand why he's so unpopular. It contains simple rhymes and effective repetition of words.

Ulaidhoillt will like this poem because he loves all sorts of naughtiness while Rùbaidh Rabaid will be very disapproving of the boy in the poem.

Latha Doilleir Dorcha (A Miserable Dark Day)
This poem describes a day when everything goes wrong. It contains simple alliteration.

Rùbaidh Rabaid will love this poem and she will be able to identify with it. Iain Ialtag will not like it because it reminds him of depressing days when nothing goes right.

Sabhs (Sauce)
A funny poem which has a simple rhyming pattern.

This poem was written especially for Ulaidhoillt who will love the yucky descriptions. Rùbaidh Rabaid will think that the poem is just too silly.

Sgoil nan Eun Beaga (The Little Birds' School)
This is a happy and lively poem which paints an attractive picture of the world of nature.

The poem was written specially for Doilidhtuhù, who will like the beautiful descriptions. Ulaidhoillt will dislike it because it is so happy and pretty.