Teaching notes and ideas – full version
Name of
resource:
EAL Nexus
Robert Burns
Age group(s)
Subject(s)
0 to 4, 5 to 7, 8 to 11
English, Literacy, History
Topic
Language Level
Speaking and listening skills,
vocabulary building, reading
Beginner, Intermediate
Description of resource
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A word mat containing vocabulary linked to Robert Burns and Scotland
A PowerPoint presentation of the story of Robert Burns
A set of flashcards containing vocabulary linked to Robert Burns and Scotland
A printable worksheet containing a cloze passage based on the life of Robert
Burns
Preparation needed
You will need:
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A word mat per child/small group
A set of flashcards (per pair – perhaps made into a matching game)
A smart board to display the PowerPoint presentation
A cloze passage worksheet per child
You will need to:
 Print and laminate the flashcards. Two copies of each may be used if a
matching game will be played.
 Present the PowerPoint slides on the story of Robert Burns’s life.
 Photocopy one copy of ‘Robert Burns Cloze’ worksheet per child,
Curriculum objectives
 To build key vocabulary related to Scotland and Robert Burns
 To recognise and use Scottish vocabulary
 To understand the background of Robert Burns and why he is a famous poet
 To work collaboratively in small groups or pairs
This project and its actions were made possible due to co-financing by the European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals
© British Council 2015
EAL Nexus
Language/Literacy objectives
Functions
Structures
Naming
 It is … , S/he is … , They are …
Retelling
 He was … , He did …
 He was born… , He worked …
Summarising
 He is famous because …
Vocabulary
Vocabulary naming Scottish items: Scotland, saltire, poetry, Robert Burns,
writer, Scottish dancing, bagpipes, whisky, haggis, kilt
Turn-taking vocabulary: you’re next, it’s your turn, etc.
This resource could be used:
 whole class
 as differentiation within class
 one to one or small group
Ideas for using the resource
What to do
 Before reviewing the PowerPoint presentation the word mat can be used to
introduce new vocabulary. This will prepare the children for the new words and
visuals they will use related to Robert Burns and Scotland. The learners can
then keep the word mat in front of them as an aid with the following activities.
 The matching games are useful visuals to help the learners become used to
the vocabulary. The games should be reproduced for small groups (2–4
learners). Allow time for exploratory talk when playing the games. The learners
should be encouraged to name the Scottish items when turning the cards over.
More able learners should match the pictures to the word cards.
 The PowerPoint presentation will allow the learners to carry out some
reading for meaning, in order to explore the topic of Robert Burns in some
depth. The presentation could be used with a whole class or smaller groups.
The presentation also uses key visuals to aid understanding of the story.
 The cloze passage is a DARTs activity using a modified text. The information
is presented in a gap-filling activity. This will allow the learners to review and
This project and its actions were made possible due to co-financing by the European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals
© British Council 2015
EAL Nexus
recall information they have covered in the PowerPoint. The learners could
complete this activity as an individual task or as a collaborative activity. This
would give them the opportunity to discuss the possible answers. Discussions
between learners could also take place using learners’ L1 abilities if those with
similar home languages are working together.
Other ideas for making the best use of this resource
 The word mat could be used as a writing tool to write a short passage about
Scotland.
 Learners could be asked to retell or rewrite the story of Robert Burns in their
own words.
 The matching cards could also be used as flashcards.
 The matching cards could also be used for snap games.
 Opportunity could be given to learners to speak about the activities in first
language.
Possible extension activities
 An opportunity to hold and look at real items linked to Scotland such as a kilt,
saltire, etc. would allow learners to extend their learning.
 A Robert Burns poem could be explored.
 The learners could research other famous Scots.
 Learners could discuss famous people from their home countries or symbols
which are linked to their home countries.
This project and its actions were made possible due to co-financing by the European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals
© British Council 2015