Expressive Arts

Read and/ or perform the stunning production of ‘The Beaches of St Valery’ using the original script by Stuart Hepburn. This powerful play recounts one man’s experiences of the Battle of St Valery in 1940. Originally produced by A Play, A Pie and A Pint at Òran Mór. Prepare to be spellbound! #StValery80 Playwright: Dr. […]

Originally produced by A Play, A Pie and A Pint at Oran Mor in Glasgow the critically acclaimed ‘The Beaches of St Valery’, is Stuart Hepburn’s powerful play recounting one man’s experiences during and after the Battle of St. Valery in June 1940, France. Watch the play or read the play script and answer the […]

On 12th June 1940, Jack Low was a 21 year-old Scottish soldier with the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders. He was also part of the 21,000-strong 51st Highland Division who that morning had been forced to surrender to the Germans at St. Valery-en-Caux in France. Marched and then put on cattle trucks to POW camps in […]

Davy Steele and the Battlefield Band’s haunting song ‘The Beaches of St. Valery’ is at once a hymn to soldiers and heartfelt tribute to Davy’s father and uncle who were involved in the last stand at St. Valery-en-Caux. Listen to this achingly moving song here. Questions are included to help young learners / home-schoolers reflect […]

Colouring in of poppy landscape.

Colouring in of medals.

Colouring in of a repeating remembrance cross pattern.

Colouring in of a repeating poppy pattern #3.

Colouring in of a repeating poppy pattern #2.  

Colouring in of a repeating pattern of symbols of remembrance.

Colouring in of a repeating pattern of medals.

Colouring in of a repeating poppy pattern.  

Colouring in of a box of poppies and collecting tin.

Colouring in scene of a park at remembrance time with lots of young people.

Colouring in scene of a poppy seller and young people buying poppies.

Colouring in scene of a poppy mural.

The Scottish Poppy Appeal TV Challenge. Learners are challenged to create a TV advert for this year’s Scottish Poppy Appeal. Teacher’s notes and Students’ notes are combined into one easy to download document available as a Word or PDF.

The Scots on the Western Front Debate Challenge. Learners are challenged to research Scots on the Western Front and discuss their contribution to the overall success of the British army on the Western Front.  Teacher’s notes and students’ notes are combined into one easy to download document which is available as a Word or PDF file.

Interview With A Veteran Challenge. Learners are challenged to interview a veteran in their local community and present their findings to their classmates, wider school community or group. Teacher’s notes and students’ notes are combined into one easy to download document which is available as a Word or PDF file.

Poppy Collage Challenge. Learners are challenged to create their own poppies and arrange them into a poppy collage to be displayed in their classroom or within their school. Teacher’s notes and students’ notes are combined into one easy to download document available as a Word or PDF file.

What are the Different Parts of a Poppy Challenge. Younger learners are challenged to explore and discover how a poppy is constructed. Teacher’s notes and students’ notes are combined into one easy to download document available as a Word or PDF file.

Visual Display of War Poems Challenge. Learners are challenged to discuss two war poems, ‘In Flanders’ Fields’ by John McCrae and ‘Dulce Est Decorum Est’ by Wilfred Owen, and then use their thoughts to create a visual display or pictorial representation of the poems that would inform an audience about war. Teacher’s notes and students’ notes […]

Poppy Seed Packet Design Challenge. Learners are challenged to design, make and sell packets of poppy seeds to raise money for Poppyscotland. Information about how to order free poppy seeds from the Poppyscotland Learning website is included in this challenge. Teacher’s notes and students’ notes are combined into one easy to download document available as a […]

The Inquisitive Mind of a Child Challenge. Learners are challenged to explore the feelings and emotions connected with remembrance using the poem ‘The Inquisitive Mind of a Child’. Teacher’s notes and students’ notes are combined into one easy to download document which is available as a Word or PDF file.

T-Shirt Design Challenge. Learners are challenged to explore their creativity and to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how images can effectively promote an organisation. Teacher’s notes and students’ notes are combined into one easy to download document which is available as a Word or PDF file.

Remembrance Cards Challenge. Learners are challenged to design and create remembrance cards for people to let family and friends know that they are in their thoughts. Teacher’s notes and students’ notes are combined into one easy to download document which is available as a Word or PDF file.

Peace Flag Design Challenge. Learners are challenged to design and create a new flag, representing peace, which could be flown at all remembrance parades throughout Scotland. Teacher’s notes and students’ notes are combined into one easy to download document which is available as a Word or PDF file.

Branding Design Challenge. Learners are challenged to design and create a new logo for the schools part of the Poppyscotland website which could be used by learners and practitioners from all over Scotland. Teacher’s notes and students’ notes are combined into one easy to download document which is available as a Word or PDF file.

Poppy Paper Recycling Challenge. Learners are challenged to dream up new and exciting ways of creatively re-using off cut poppy paper (which can be obtained from the Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory via Poppyscotland). Teacher’s notes and students’ notes are combined into one accessible document which is easily to downloadable as a Word or PDF file.

Poppyscotland Research Challenge. In the week before Remembrance Sunday learners are challenged to create a powerful, bright and interesting display somewhere in their school so students and visitors can get information about what the day means and what work Poppyscotland does with veterans today. Teacher’s notes and students’ notes are combined into one easy to […]

Scottish War Poets Challenge and ‘In Flanders’ Fields’ Challenge. Learners are challenged to read and research Scottish War poets and learn about the poem ‘In Flanders’ Fields’ by John McCrae. They are also challenged to use their research to create a biographical piece about one of the poets. Learners are also encouraged to use their imagination and knowledge […]

Poppy Product Challenge. Learners are challenged to design new products for Poppyscotland such as jewellery, wrapping paper, T-shirts, cards, event posters, bookmarks, calendars (showing local people and places) etc. Teacher’s notes and students’ notes are combined into one document for ease of access and download. Available in Word or PDF versions.

The Iraq War Play Challenge. Using the National Theatre of Scotland’s  ‘Black Watch’ play as a model, write and stage a play about soldiers from your local area who fought in either of the wars in Iraq. Teacher’s notes and student’s notes combined into one document for ease of download.

International Display Challenge. Learners are challenged to design and create a display which details how other countries around the World commemorate people who have fought and died in conflicts. Teacher’s notes and students’ notes are combined into one document for ease of download.

Earl Haig: Brilliant or Butcher Debate for Second & Third Level. Using the resources contained within this challenge write a speech (For & Against) for an upcoming debate on the founder of Poppyscotland: Earl Haig. Teacher’s notes and student’s notes contained within the one challenge document.

First World War Museum Challenge. Create a mobile exhibition of research and original pieces of work which can be presented within the establishment or local community e.g. library, museum. Teacher’s notes & student’s notes are contained within the one document.

Still Life Poppy Drawings Challenge. Learners are encouraged to use their skills in drawing (especially if they are working towards Second level Art and Design) to create a still life drawing of a poppy flower. Teacher’s notes and students’ notes are combined into one easy to download document available as a Word or PDF.