Literature in Learning

Literature in Learning is a joint initiative involving most literature organisations in Scotland.

Find out more about LiL

LiL News and Events - October

PEOPLE BEHIND THE PAGES - ROBERT BURNS
As part of the People Behind the Pages exhibition, currently running at The Museum of Edinburgh, Edinburgh primary schools are being invited to participate in a ‘design your own book cover’ competition with prizes in three age groups – P1 & 2, P3 - 5, and P6 & 7 – being awarded at a ceremony at the exhibition in January.

Download the information sheet and entry form

NEWS FROM ITCHY COO

• The first training session of the Falkirk Schools Scots Coordinators Network met on 3rd September. The Falkirk Schools Literacy team has commissioned Itchy Coo to train teachers to deliver Scots Language training to staff across the authority's 8 school clusters.
• Itchy Coo's new sister website, Itchy Cool, will be go live this autumn. Itchy Cool will carry information about competitions and ideas for writing in Scots and will display young people's creative work.
• Rabbie's Rhymes, Itchy Coo's Burns book for infants and young readers, will be published in October.

Find out more from www.itchy-coo.com

EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL NEWS
The Festival's 2008 RBS Schools Programme hosted over 10,000 pupils from as far as Inverness, Troon and even Northumberland in an inspiring 4 days of events for all ages.
 
Everyone from Margaret Atwood to Charlie Higson are showcased in the online archive of author events, podcasts and interviews - which can also be used as part of classroom activities. Check out the content on offer at the EIBF Website.
 
The 2009 Schools Brochure will be available from Easter and you can sign up for your copy now at mailinglist@edbookfest.co.uk. The Schools Programme will run Monday 24 August to Tuesday 1 September 2009 (Gala Day).

EVENTS FROM SCOTTISH POETRY LIBRARY

National Poetry Day this year is on Thursday 9 October and the theme is ‘work’.
 
Poetry postcards - The Scottish Poetry Library has produced a set of eight poetry postcards for National Poetry Day, accompanied by teaching ideas on their website.
 
Poets at work – Gerry Cambridge and newly appointed poet in residence on the Glasgow Underground, John Rice - will be paired up with Ifor ap Glyn, the Welsh Children’s Laureate, and Moyra Donaldson from Northern Ireland, for workshops in workplaces and schools in the Glasgow during the week of National Poetry Day. Funded by Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Arts Council
 
Rab Wilson, the Scottish Poetry Library’s Poet Partner in Ayrshire will be delivering a workshop at ATH Mining in Cumnock on National Poetry Day.

Pregnant Pause
A poetry workshop for mothers to be.
10.30am – 12.30pm, Thursday 9 October, Scottish Poetry Library. £5/£3

For further details on all of the above go to Scottish Poetry Library’s Education pages.
 
Other schools events this autumn:

• Holyrood Palace, 8 Oct and 5 November
• Poetry and Parliament at the Scottish Parliament on 28 October and 25 November
• Ghosts of War at the National War Museum at Edinburgh Castle 5, 6, 10-13 November
   
  Places are still available for some of these dates. Contact Lorna Irvine on 0131 557 2876 or education@spl.org.uk. 
   

THE SCOTTISH INTERNATIONAL STORYTELLING FESTIVAL 24 October - 2 November
The 19th Scottish International Storytelling Festival's Northlands and Sagalands theme brings together a stellar line up of guest artists with the finest storytellers from Scotland's Northern reaches. Whether you're a professional storyteller, curious about oral storytelling traditions, or you're just looking for a unique night out, come and be part of it! Download the programme at www.scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk or call 0131 556 9579 to receive a printed copy.

TELL-A-STORY DAY Friday 31 October
Tell-a-Story Day is a national celebration of storytelling. All over Scotland on 31st October, people will be telling stories in schools, libraries, community centres, churches, homes, gardens, as well as some more unusual venues. Find out more about Tell-a-Story Day here.

Remember to contact the Scottish Storytelling Centre about your plans and you will receive posters to help promote your event. To see your event on the Scottish Storytelling Centre’s website, email Jill Bush on jill@scottishstorytellingcentre.com or ring her on 0131 652 3272 to receive a copy of the event registration form.

ASLS SCHOOLS CONFERENCE 4 October - Graham Hills Building, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow

The annual ASLS Schools Conference is a vital resource for teachers wishing to explore Scottish literature and language in the classroom. The conference will contribute at least 8 hours of CPD in areas of language and literature in the 5-14 programme, and in related aspects of Higher Still and the Advanced Higher.

The ASLS Schools Conference will explore:

• Robert Henryson in the classroom
• The poetry of Edwin Muir
• Contemporary Scottish short stories
• The Scottish Poetry Library
• Contemporary Scottish women poets
• Meet the writers: Jackie Kay and Liz Lochhead

Download an application form here    

More about LiL

We are collaborating to support learning professionals develop creative uses of language with children, as well as disseminate example of good practice. LiL exists for the benefit of teachers, librarians, writers, storytellers, poets, playwrights, education advisers, cultural co-ordinators, university staff and parents.

Literature in Learning began as a shared project between Scottish Storytelling Centre, the Scottish Poetry Library and Scottish Book Trust. In its first incarnation it focussed on promoting the development of innovative and sustainable projects that explore the creative use of language in classrooms, with teachers, writers, poets and storytellers working alongside children to enrich their experience over an extended period of time.

The initiative aimed to ensure professional development for the adults involved, and looks to celebrate outcomes as well as finding ways of sharing effective practice. Literature in Learning will be investigating the long-term impact of projects on the adults and children involved.

Final report from phase 1. - download.

The new phase of Literature in Learning aims to build on the work from the pilot project, incorporating many more of Scotland's literature organisations who will work together to grow their relationship with the learning sector in a meaningful and impactful way.

In this section of the website you will find:

• Links to all of the literature organisations who make up Literature in Learning - taking you directly to the relevant areas of their websites.
• Information about A Curriculum for Excellence
• Case studies on extended creative language projects
• Advice on how to run your own creative language project
• Resources from each of the LiL organisations (under development)