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Ditty Box

Ditty Box resources for Early Years, now downloadable here. These materials also appear on the 'Glow' network for schools.

Shetland Dialect Ditty Box Shetland Dialect Ditty Box The Dialect Ditty Box (2007) contains Shetland dialect resources for Early Years children. Following on from research carried out in 2005 and 2006, this resource pack was originally produced to help meet the demand for dialect material for under-fives. It was funded by the Schools Service and ‘Shetland ForWirds’. The pack was created by ‘Shetland ForWirds’ members Christian Tait, Laureen Johnson and Iris Sandison working together with Frances Tait, SIC Creative Links Graduate, and Noelle Henderson, Creative Links Officer. A series of workshops was held with primary teachers and pre-school staff, whose input was most valuable to the project.

Most of the content in this pack is new, though some items were included in the 1996 Early Years resource pack. All items in the  Box could be used purely for enjoyment, but all relate to common topics and are carefully matched to modern curriculum requirements, and backed up by supporting Activity Sheets and additional resources.

The material can be used to supplement or replace Standard English material as considered appropriate. The aim is to value the language children bring into nursery, playgroup and school, encourage children to feel at ease using the Shetland dialect if they wish, with confidence, and to encourage them to respect each other’s cultural and linguistic differences.

The Ditty Box was praised by HMIe as an example of good practice. Ditty Boxes are in all Shetland's nursery schools and larger playgroups, and in Shetland Library.

Contents

File Name Author Topic  
20Wirsit DrawersCatherine GibbClothes,
Me
Downloads
19Wir DugKathleen WilliamsonAnimals,
Crofting,
Farming,
Me and my Feelings
Downloads
21WadderFrances TaitWeatherDownloads
2Tree CrawsTraditionalNumberDownloads
18Squeak SqueakHeyddir JohnsonAnimals,
Crofting,
Farming,
Houses and Homes
Downloads
17Shiggly ShairLaureen JohnsonHouses and Homes,
Me
Downloads
16Shadows 1 & 2Laureen JohnsonDark/Light,
Weather
Downloads
15Sam’s PalIris SandisonAnimals,
Pets
Downloads
14Sam’s Guttery DayIris SandisonClothes,
Favourites,
Myself,
Weather
Downloads
13Row da Boats o MaelieTraditionalBoats,
Transport
Downloads
12Robbie RedbreestVagalandBirds,
Seasons,
Weather
Downloads
10Peter PatterTraditionalSea,
Seashore
Downloads
9Peerie CatRhoda BulterAnimals,
Pets
Downloads
2Number lineFrances TaitNumberDownloads
8Noo dan Moorit YoweKathleen WilliamsonAnimals,
Clothes,
Crofting
Downloads
7Mary O BurlandJean RamsayAnimals,
Crofting,
Farming
Downloads
6LostLaureen JohnsonFavourites,
Me,
My Family,
Toys
Downloads
5Keetie BairdyTraditionalAnimals,
Crofting,
Farming
Downloads
4Jeemie Tammie SpeederCatherine GibbMinibeasts,
Weather
Downloads
3HairChristian TaitMy Family,
Myself
Downloads
2FingersTraditionalHygiene,
Me,
My Body,
Number
Downloads
19EmotionsFrances TaitMe,
Me and my Feelings,
My Feelings
Downloads
23Ditty Box vocabulary and grammarDownloads
11Da Rabbit's LullabyVagalandAnimals,
Me,
Me and my Feelings,
Pets
Downloads
1Creepie CraaliesCatherine Gibb & Julie AndersonMinibeastsDownloads
22bodyFrances TaitMy BodyDownloads
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