- Home
- Learning
- First Level ( P2-4)
- Gaer Box
Gaer Box
Gaer Box classroom resources for P 2-4, now downloadable here. They are also to be found on the 'GLOW' network for schools.
Every Shetland primary school has a Gaer Box, as does the Shetland Library.
The Dialect Gaer Box (2008, updated 2011) contains Shetland dialect resources for P 2-4 teachers and pupils. This resource followed the successful launch of the Ditty Box (pre-school resource) in 2007. The Gaer Box was funded by the Schools Service and ‘Shetland ForWirds’, and created by Frances Tait (SIC, Dialect Assistant), working together with ‘Shetland ForWirds’ members Laureen Johnson, Iris Sandison, Christian Tait and teacher Jean Ramsay. A series of working meetings was held with other primary teachers, whose input was extremely valuable to the project.
The Gaer Box was originally aimed at P1-3, and updated in 2011, inaccordance with the Curriculum for Excellence. The new material was created by Schools Dialect Co-ordinator Bruce Eunson, working together with the Shetland ForWirds Education Group, and in consultation with teachers.
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 Gaer 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 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.
GAER BOX ACTIVITY SHEETS
Activity sheets in the Gaer Box are usually topic-based. Only 6 items have individual activity sheets.