“SCOTLAND THE BEAUTIFUL”
Equipment: a map of the British Isles, the Union Jack, the national emblem, the flag and the symbol of Scotland, books and guide-books on Edinburgh and Scotland, checked cloths (‘tartans’), kilts, a doll in a national costume, books by W.Scott, R.L.Stevenson, poems by R.Burns, children’s pictures, compositions “Why I Would Like to Visit Scotland”, advertisements “Welcome to Edinburgh”, a film strip “Castles of England and Scotland”, a cassette (“My Bonnie”, “My Heart’s in the Highlands”), written words “Scotland the Beautiful”, “the birthplace of valour, the country of worth”, cards containing the phrase “He who has not seen Scotland does not really know Great Britain” cut into pieces, a tea towel “Legends of Scotland”
Teacher: Hello, friends! Glad to meet you here at the holiday party “Scotland the Beautiful”!
Today we’re going to speak about this picturesque country, its history, culture and its proud people. (goes to the map). So, Scotland is the second largest part of the UK situated…
Pupils: to the north of England
T: washed by…
Ps: the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
T: Now we’ll see who knows more about this wonderful country. We have 2 teams. Tell us the names of your teams, please.
Both teams introduce themselves.
You’ll be asked a few questions. For each correct answer you’ll get a point. Good luck to you! … (the name of the pupil) will be my assistant (A) (a good pupil or a 8-9-former).
Questions to be asked:
- What is the national symbol of the country? (the thistle). Later we’ll listen to a legend about it
- Who is its patron saint? (St.Andrew, his day is November, 30)
- This is the Union Jack, the flag of the UK. What are the colours of the Scottish one? (white and blue, an X-shaped white cross on a blue background)
- What is the national emblem of Scotland? (the Unicorn, a myth animal)
- What parts is the country divided into? (Highlands and Lowlands)
- A bit of geography now. What Scotland’s rivers do you know? (the Clyde, the Tweed, the Tay)
- What are famous Scotland’s lakes, called Lochs? (Loch Lomond, Loch Ness), they say a huge animal Nessy lives there.
- What is the capital of the country? (Edinburgh)
- What is its poetic name? (the Athens of the North)
- What is an industrial centre of Scotland? (Glasgow is)
- Is it situated far from the capital? (No, it isn’t. 45 miles)
- Which of the two cities has a great past? (Edinburgh does)
T: Fantastic! You know practically everything. Now let’s listen to a legend about the thistle.
A Pupil tells a story of the Scottish thistle.
T: The Scots are special people. They wear kilts, have clans, play a kind of music which seems rather unusual to us, are proud of their military tattoo…
1-2 boys from each team wearing “kilts” introduce themselves
A: Let’s see how good you are at Scottish terms.
- What is a tartan? (coloured checks)
- A military tattoo? (a parade)
- A national musical instrument? ( a bagpipe, to listen to it if possible)
A Pupil tells a joke.
(A Scotsman is telling his friend about his visit to London.
“These Englishmen are such strange people. One of them knocked at the door of my room at 3 o’clock in the morning and screamed angrily.
“What did you do?” asks his friend.
“Absolutely nothing. Went on playing my bagpipe”).
- A national sport? (golf)
- Why do many names begin with Mac? (it means “the son of”)
- What Shakespeare’s play is devoted to Scotland? (“Macbeth”)
T: Scotland has a heroic history full of long fight for independence against England. Great Scottish leaders William Wallace “Braveheart” and Robert the Bruce were daring and fearless warriors whose aim was to free their country.
2 pupils recite in Russian a poem by R.Burns “The Glory of Scotland” (translated by S.Marshak).
A: The English sometimes call the Scots greedy, but they are not. Their native country has never been prosperous and they tried hard to earn their living. The Scottish soldiers were the best and served many European kings.
T., A: Scotland is proud of its famous people such as: (to show pictures if possible)
- James Watt, the inventor of a steam engine;
- David Livingstone, an explorer, the discoverer of the Victoria Falls in Africa, one of the greatest in the world;
- Alexander Bell, the inventor of the telephone, was born in Scotland;
- Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of penicillin – the first antibiotic;
- Allan Pinkerton, the world first detective;
- Mary Queen of Scots is known to you if you are fond of history. She claimed for the British throne and was imprisoned for 19 years and later executed by her cousin … (Pupils: Queen Elizabeth I).
- Mary’s son James VI became the king of England and Scotland in 1603 (James I Stuart);
- Queen Mother of Elizabeth II was also from Scotland;
- Prince Charles Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) wasn’t a great political figure but is still remembered as a man who fought against England but was defeated
Pupil: Is the song ‘My Bonnie’ about him?
T: It is. We are going to sing it at the end of our party. By the way, the word ‘bonnie’ is Scottish. Do you know any others?
Ps: Bonnie lass, wee, aye
T: Fine. I’m sure you would like to visit Scotland to see it with your own eyes. We have a short film strip about Edinburgh. (shows the film)
A: A lot of travel agencies invite you to Scotland (points at the advertisements). What are your own reasons to visit Edinburgh?
Pupils give their reasons.
(Accept all possible answers:
E.g.:
-“I’m fond of history and I’d like to know more about the history of Scotland;
- I’d like to see Holyrood House – the Queen’s residence in Scotland;
- I have never seen a military parade, I want to see the Edinburgh military tattoo;
- I look forward to seeing Edinburgh Castle, especially at night and take pictures of it; - I’d like to have a look at the Cannongate;
- I was touched by the story of Bobby – the most devoted dog in the world and I want to see his statue in the Old Town;
- I have always wanted to see the Scott Monument, I enjoy reading his novels;
- What about men wearing kilts? I can’t wait to see one.
- I’m sure I’ll buy some souvenirs for my friends in Princes Street” etc)
T: Edinburgh is a real literary capital. You’ve mentioned Sir Walter Scott who was the author of many historical novels. Do you know any?
Ps: “Ivanhoe”, “Quentin Durward”…
T: Right. And the Scottish national poet is …
Ps: Robert Burns. His birthday on January 25 is celebrated all over Scotland.
Pupils tell a few words about R.Burn’s life and work.
A: Robert Burns dreamed of a perfect world ruled by Peace and Liberty.
A Pupil recites the poem “The Golden Age”
(“The golden age will then revive”)
T: R.Burns loved his native Highlands. His poem “My Heart’s in the Highlands” is about this. We are having a reciting contest. Who will be the best?
A Contest: one person from each team.
A Pupil recites the translation of the poem (by Marshak)
A: Burns wrote wonderful lyrical poetry.
2 Pupils recite a poem “O my Love’s like a red, red rose” in English and Russian
T: We can’t forget one more famous writer R.L.Stevenson. He is the author of…
Ps: “The Treasure Island”, “Kidnapped”…
T: When you grow up you’ll read one more novel by Stevenson “A Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde”. It tells us about a man who had two personalities. He was a nice and kind doctor during the day but at night he became dangerous and wicked. This dark personality grew, became more and more terrible and destroyed the doctor. So never let wicked thoughts into your head or wicked deeds into your heart.
P: I know Stevenson was also a poet. He wrote poems for children
A Pupil recites the poem “At evening when the lamp is lit…”
T: R.L.Stevenson was born in Edinburgh but he died and was buried on the island in the Pacific Ocean. His poem “Requiem” was written on his grave.
Teacher recites the poem “Under the wide and starry sky…”
A: R.L.Stevenson wrote a wonderful poem about the history of Scotland. It’s called “Heather Ale”. It is about proud and courageous people who preferred death to dishonour and didn’t let the enemy know their national secret.
Assistant reads the poem in Russian.
(Some passages can be recited or read in English, e.g. the last one):
“But now in vain is the torture,
Fire shall never avail:
Here dies in my bosom
The secret of Heather Ale”
T: Edinburgh is also connected with the name of Sir Conan Doyle who was born, brought up and later studied medicine here. The city is proud of one more unusual monument – to a literary character Sherlock Holmes. (shows the picture of it)
T: Now you are given the last task for today. Each team gets a phrase cut into pieces. You should be the first to read it. (He who has never seen Scotland does not really know Great Britain).
The results. Rewards.
Singing to the music “My Bonnie”