Gaelic Creative Writing Workshops prove popular with pupils
GM pupils from Craighill Primary enjoy getting creative in one of the workshops
A series of Gaelic Creative Writing workshops have taken place in Gaelic Medium Schools and in Gaelic Medium classes in schools across the Highlands.
Iain Finlay Macleod, a Creative Writer and Director, ran a series of Gaelic writing workshops in schools from Bun- sgoil Ghàidhlig Port Rìgh in the West, to Craighill Primary, Tain in the East. The workshops were delivered by The Highland Council’s Gaelic Team and funded by Bòrd na Gàidhlig.
Over 200 pupils took part in the writing workshops where they had the opportunity to create original stories of their own. Some of the younger pupils did this through a combination of writing and drawing, creating small picture books of their stories. Older pupils worked in teams to develop their character, setting and plot.
Lesley Hayes, Teacher at Craighill Primary School said, “I enjoyed the creative writing workshops as they were engaging and fun, the young people enjoyed participating and creating their own stories. The workshops motivated the pupils to write their own stories”.
The following are a selection of comments which the young people submitted after the workshops had taken place.
“I enjoyed taking about my favorite book.”
“It was fun to be writing our own stories.”
“I enjoyed writing my own thoughts.”
“Iain was really funny!”
Iain Finlay said, “It’s been a great experience, working with young people throughout the Highlands. In each place I visited, the pupils created really interesting stories; it was impressive to see how easily they took to the process. It was also fantastic to see how fluent the pupils were in Gaelic, from a young age.”
Recently in Sleat Primary school there was a decidedly Christmassy feel to the pupils’ stories after they were given the task to create their own ‘Christmas Carol’.
Iain Finlay continued, “The elves didn’t come out of it very well, and Santa had some interesting adventures. I think that all the presents were delivered in time, which is the main point the children seemed to want to get across, and I also think they liked my Grinch impersonation.”
Bùithtean-obrach Sgrìobhadh Cruthachail Gàidhlig
Chaidh sreath de bhùithtean-obrach Sgrìobhadh Cruthachail Gàidhlig a chumail ann an sgoiltean agus clasaichean Foghlam tron Ghàidhlig thar na Gàidhealtachd.
B’ e Iain Fionnlagh MacLeòid, Sgrìobhadair Cruthachail agus Stiùiriche, a chùm an t-sreath de bhùithtean-obrach sgrìobhaidh ann an sgoiltean bho Bhun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Phort Rìgh san iar gu Bun-Sgoil Chnoc na Creige, Baile Dhubhthaich, san ear. Chaidh na bùithtean-obrach a chur air dòigh le Sgioba na Gàidhlig aig Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd agus chaidh am maoineachadh le Bòrd na Gàidhlig.
Ghabh còrr is 200 sgoilear com-pàirt anns na bùithtean-obrach sgrìobhaidh agus bha cothrom aca sgeulachdan ùra a chruthachadh dhaibh fhèin. Rinn cuid de na sgoilearan òga seo tro mheasgachadh de sgrìobhadh is dhealbhannan, a’ cruthachadh leabhraichean deilbh beaga de na sgeulachdan aca. Dh’obraich sgoilearan na bu shine ann an sgiobaidhean gus an caractar, an suidheachadh agus am plota aca a leasachadh.
Thuirt Lesley Hayes, tidsear aig Bun-Sgoil Chnoc na Creige, “Chòrd na bùithtean-obrach sgrìobhadh cruthachail rium oir bha iad inntinneach is spòrsail, agus chòrd e ris na daoine òga a bhith a’ gabhail com-pàirt annta agus a bhith a’ cruthachadh nan sgeulachdan aca fhèin. Thug na bùithtean-obrach spionnadh dhan chloinn na sgeulachdan aca fhèin a chruthachadh.”
Seo agaibh taghadh de na beachdan a chuir na daoine òga a-steach às dèidh dha na bùithtean-obrach a bhith air an cumail:
“Chòrd e rium a bhith a’ bruidhinn mun leabhar as fheàrr leam.”
“Bha fealla-dhà againn a’ sgrìobhadh nan sgeulachdan againn fhèin.”
“Chòrd e rium na smuaintean agam fhèin a sgrìobhadh.”
“Bha Iain cho èibhinn!”
Thuirt Iain Fionnlagh, “Tha e air a bhith math dha-rìribh a bhith ag obair còmhla ri clann air feadh na Gàidhealtachd. Anns gach àite air an do thadhail mi, chruthaich a’ chlann sgeulachdan a bha cho inntinneach; bha e math faicinn cho furasta ’s a ghabh iad ris a’ phròiseas. Bha e sgoinneil cuideachd faicinn cho fileanta ’s a bha a’ chlann sa Ghàidhlig, bho aois òg.”
Bho chionn ghoirid ann am Bun-Sgoil Shlèite, sgrìobh na sgoilearan sgeulachdan Nollaige agus Duan Nollaige dhaibh fhèin.
Lean Iain Fionnlagh air adhart, “Cha tàinig na sìthichean dubha a-mach às robh mhath, agus bha dàna-thursan inntinneach aig Santa. Tha mi a’ smaoineachadh gun deach na prèasantan a thoirt seachad ann an ùine ge-tà, agus b’ e sin a’ phuing a bu riatanaiche dhan chloinn. Cuideachd, tha mi a’ smaoineachadh gun do chòrd e riutha nuair a bha mi a’ magadh air Grinch.”
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