What The Pupils Will Learn
- Robert
Burns wrote many poems and lyrics for songs.
- Robert
Burns is celebrated as Scotland's National Poet.
- Many of the old Scottish words in Burns' time have disappeared from our everyday language.
Background
Information
a) The subjects of many of Burns' poems were taken from his own experiences of life, e.g. "To A Mountain Daisy" and "To A Mouse" were inspired by his work on the farm.
b) Ghostly poems were inspired, from a young age, by an old cousin called Betty Davidson.
c) His mother, Agnes, had a strong influence on his writing by her many tales and old folk songs.
d) Many other countries have had Burns' work translated into their own languages. He is popular in many countries.Development
Pre-Visit
a) Read and discuss some of Burns' poems and songs. When were they written? What motivated Burns to write them?
b) Make a wordbank of Old Scottish words - discuss the meanings, spellings and dialect.
c) Simplify the story of Tam o'Shanter for children and tell the sequence of events in a language which the children understand.
d) Use the mass media available - audiotapes, records and videos to acquaint the children with features about the life and times of Burns.
e) Use resources to read and research about Burns, e.g. Robert Burns by Judith Paterson, The Life of Robert Burns by James Veitch, Tam o'Shanter illustrated by Joseph D Shearer and Information Booklets available from the Burns National Heritage Park.
f) Make class/individual books about Robert Burns.
g) Prepare an interview for the guide at Burns Cottage.
The Visit
a) Look for Samples of original writing at the Museum.
b) Discuss handwriting and presentation.
c) Continue to find information for class/individual books about Burns - take notes. Listen to the background tape in the Museum.
d) Discuss artefacts related to writing, e.g. Carvings of Tam O'Shanter.
e) Take photographs and construct a quiz for the others on return to school.
f) Using a tape recorder, interview the guide.
g) Watch the film of "Tam o'Shanter".
Post Visit
a) Copy out a Burns poem or verse and illustrate.
b) Compare the handwriting style to that of Burns.
c) Make a cartoon strip with text about Tam o'Shanter, paying particular attention to sequencing.
d) Using Tam o'Shanter, children could write their own script, with teacher support for a puppet play. In reading for enjoyment, pupils would identify characters in poems and comment on their behaviour.
e) Imaginative writing about life in the 18th Century.
f) Writing poems.
g) Role-play situations could be created in order that pupils have the chance to explore characters, their feelings and moods.
Extension Work
a) Prepare a tape recording, for class use, with the information about Burns.
b) Pupils take responsibility for managing group discussion and reporting to other groups.
c) In studying some of the poems, identify the strong rhythm.
d) Discuss feelings and opinions on the life and works of Burns.
Related Burns Work
a) Discuss appropriate verses and poems by Burns.
b) Learn Scottish poetry, not necessarily Burns, e.g. JK Annand, Walter Wingate.
c) Make posters to advertise the Burns National Heritage Park for tourists.