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Self-Management

‘Keep Going, Brenda’ is one of a set of five stimulating stories which embrace the Northern Ireland Thinking Skills & Personal Capabilities Framework. The story tells of Brenda, a young Brent Goose who manages to make the ‘Big Trip’ across the Atlantic Ocean despite her lack of confidence and self-belief. The story demonstrates how achieving a goal depends upon getting organised, being persistent, seeking out help and taking advice.

How the books should be used with children:

• readthebooktoorwiththechildren;• usethebeautifulillustrationstosupportthetext;• atkeypointsinthetextyouwillseea.Thisagoodpointtostopandtalk aboutwhatishappening;• usethepromptquestionsontheinnerbackpagetogiveyousomesuggestions;and• reinforcethekeywordsandphrasesthatareusedwithinthebook.

You could introduce and use some of the following words with the children relating to Self- Management

organiseplangoalsconfidencestep by stephelpadvicestrengthspersistdeterminationachievesuccess

Now read the story and have fun finding out if Brenda makes the ‘Big Trip’ and meets up with her mother and brothers again.

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Liz Weir is a professional story-teller and author who lives in the Glens of Antrim.

Corrina Askin is an art director, illustrator and animator from Co. Tyrone who is based in Belfast.

MoredetailsabouttheirworkcanbefoundontheWiseUpandThinklinkat;www.nicurriculum.org.uk/skills_and_capabilities/thinking_skills_and_personal_capabilities/index.asp

Acknowledgements

Tony Scullion (CCEA) would like to acknowledge and thank the following for their invaluable contribution to this series:

• CarolWeatherall,BelfastEducationandLibraryBoard

• LynneBianchi,CentreforScienceEducation,SheffieldHallamUniversity www.personalcapabilities.co.uk

• MarianHamill,CCEA,PersonalDevelopmentandMutualUnderstanding

DesignedandproducedbyCCEA|Multimedia

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“Ouch! Get off me! You’re squashing me!” The little goose hissed at her two brothers.

She was the smallest of the three. They had almost pushed her right out of the nest. Bits of moss and grass blew about in the air.

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Their mother flapped over to them before any more feathers flew.

“I don’t know what I am going to do with you three. I have never had such trouble with chicks. You’re too big to be in there anyway. Come on out, it’s time for another practice.”

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Their mother led them out to the edge of the little island. The water looked very cold.

“Now, listen carefully. It’s only a few more weeks before the big trip. We all have to go a long way before the winter comes.”

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Brenda had heard this lots of times. She had listened to the older geese talk about the Big Trip.

“Is it a holiday, Mummy?” She paid no attention to her brothers who were behind her, repeating everything she said in baby voices. Her mum was too busy cleaning her feathers to hear them.

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“No, dear. I’m sure I’ve told you already. It’s not a holiday. All of us Brent Geese have to cross the ocean every year to get to a warmer place. It’s important we leave Canada before it gets too cold. We call it migration.”

Brenda had no idea what that meant but she knew they had to keep at it.

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They waddled after their mother one behind the other. The boys pecked her tail feathers but her mum didn’t even notice. They were too sneaky to be caught.

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“There’s a lot to be organised before we all set off. We have to be ready.First we’ll practice take- offs and landings. You need to get really good at this.”

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This was the bit Brenda dreaded. Because Boris and Beeker were bigger than her, they were much stronger. Whenever it was her turn they always made fun of her.

“You first, Boris.”

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Brenda watched as he took off and landed perfectly. Next came Beeker. He was even better.

“Now Brenda, it’s your turn. Off you go.”

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Just as Brenda started to flap her wings a big gust of icy wind blasted her right up the beak. She was almost blown into the water. She flopped back down again.

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“Well, that wasn’t very good, was it? As usual. How are you ever going to be strong enough for the journey if you don’t eat all your food? That’s the first piece of advice mother goose gave me when I was a gosling. Eat plenty to build up your strength.”

The other two flapped their wings up and down behind their mum’s back to show how strong they were. Brenda said nothing. There was no point in mentioning how fed up she felt.

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Every day was the same. Practice, practice, practice. Eat, eat, eat. And for her it was her horrible brothers teasing, teasing, teasing.

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Brenda wasn’t sure she would ever be ready for the Big Trip. If only she had someone to help her. Someone who wouldn’t pick on her for being small.

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After a few more weeks it was time to go. All the geese got into a real flap. Brenda listened as the last pieces of advice were given out by the most senior goose of all.

“Let’s go over this one last time. Step by step. Important rules for the Big Trip, all eyes on the poster.

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Remember, chaps, when we get to Ireland there’ll be as much eel grass as we can eat. Good luck. Flight one, take off!”

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Good strong take-off.

Keep together.

Be extra careful when we land for a rest in Iceland. Look out for foxes and keep a keen eye out for hunters.

Keep well away from those big snooty Canada Geese. We’ll try to get a head start on them.

Careful with the landings. You’ll be tired so gently does it.

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Brenda watched as flight after flight of Brent Geese took off into the sky. They were almost the last to leave. She had never been more nervous in her life.

“Let’s go, children!” First, mum rose into the air, then Boris and Beeker.

Brenda tried to flap her wings but all of a sudden she felt more frightened than she’d ever been in her life.

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“I can’t do it! I know I just can’t do it!”

The others rose in the air without looking to see if she was following.

Brenda hid behind some long grass and tucked her head under a wing. She’d just stay here. It would be fine.

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Darkness was falling when she heard a noise in the bushes. It was a low growl.

“Help!” she honked. “Oh no! I’m all on my own!”

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There was no-one left to help her. Just in time she flew up into the air as a white Arctic fox leapt at her. She flapped her wings with fright and circled back to another bigger island. She was so shocked and exhausted that she fell into a doze that turned into a deep sleep.

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She woke with a start. She couldn’t stretch her wings. Something was caught round them.

“Here’s a wee one. She must have been left behind. We’re lucky to have found her.” The voice sounded kind. It was a human being. Another one was behind him.

The next thing she knew gentle hands were lifting her up and something was being put on her leg. What was it? Was it a trap? She turned her head to look.

“Don’t worry, pet. We’re not going to hurt you. This will help us keep an eye on you. We’ll know where you are the whole way to Ireland.”

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These men weren’t hunters. She remembered the old geese saying that last year some of the younger ones had these things put on their legs. What were they called?

“Switch on the transmitter now, John and we’ll be able to track her from here on.”

“That’s it ! A transmitter.” The next thing she knew, she was being thrown up into the air.

“Off you go, wee girl!”

“Wow! That’s the best take-off I’ve ever made!” Brenda felt great. She knew somebody was watching out for her. “I can do this! I can!” She honked as she circled high in the sky.

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One very tired wee Brent Goose landed on the tip of Western Iceland. She was cold and hungry. She tried to remember all that her mum has said. She could almost hear her voice saying “Eat!” She was starving! It had taken almost all her energy to make it this far. She put her head down and started to graze.

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“Clear off small fry! Take your dirty face away from here!”

Facing her were three big Canada Geese, their white faces gleaming in the bright sunlight. Brenda was proud of her lovely dark neck but they were so much bigger she knew it made sense to fly off to another patch of grass.

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After a night’s rest she felt much better but suddenly she noticed something sitting beside her. It was another dark coloured goose, a bit bigger than herself.

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“Hello, sleepyhead. I can tell this is your first Big Trip. Is there nobody with you?”His voice was gentle, not like her brothers. Brenda felt shy. She didn’t normally talk to strangers but there was no-one else to be friends with.

“Yes, I got left behind. I’m Brenda.”

“Pleased to meet you - Otto’s the name. You’re a strong wee bird to make it this far on your own. I see you’ve got a transmitter too.” Sure enough, there on his leg was a transmitter just like hers.

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“They’re great,” said Otto. “I’ve had one since last year. The humans can keep in touch with us along the way. We’ll be famous. People all over the world will know us. They don’t call us the Supergeese for nothing!”

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“Are we nearly there?”

“There’s still a long way to go. You must have been well organised to get this far on your own.”

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After a good day’s feeding in a safe place, Brenda had learnt a lot from Otto. She was really glad to have his help. As usual, she had plenty of questions.

“How do we know which way to go?” she asked.

“You see, Brenda, all Brent Geese have special powers to help get us to our journey’s end. We can use the sun and the stars to help us reach Ireland. Did your mum not tell you all this?”

Brenda shook her head. She felt sad. Would she ever see her mum and brothers again?

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Otto went on.

“Wait till you see the food in Ireland. It’s great. It’s called eel grass.”

“I’ve heard of that before. Why’s it called that?”

“Because it looks like little eels. It’s really tasty, full of protein. We’ll need it by the time we get there. We’ll lose a lot of weight on the way.”

“Where will we end up?”

3737“It’s a brilliant place called Strangford Lough. Geese come there from all over. ”

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“Strangford Lough,” Brenda whispered. Her Mum had talked about that place. She had to get there. Maybe Boris and Beeker would be there waiting for her. There was no time to lose.

Leading the way, Brenda made a beautiful take-off. She was heading over the ocean towards that magical land.

“Come on, Otto. Let’s keep going.”

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Discussion Prompts What was the Big Trip? How had Brenda’s mum and the senior goose prepared the younger ones for it?

How do you get organised if you’re preparing for a trip?

DoyouthinkBrendafeltconfident about going on the Big Trip? Why do you think she hadn’t told anybody about how she felt? What do you think she might have written in her diary that night, after her mother and brothers took off?

What things do you feel confident about doing? Why? Whatthingsmakeyoufeelnervousoranxious? How do you manage these feelings?

How had the humans helped Brenda? Brenda had made a tremendous effort and managed to make it to Iceland on her own. She had shown great determination. What do you think kept her going on that part of the journey?

Whathelpsyoutokeepgoingwhenthingsgetdifficult?

Otto was role model. What good advice did he give Brenda? What ‘special powers’ did she have? HowdoyouthinkBrendafeltaboutherselfassheapproachedStrangfordLough?

What strengths do you have? Listthethingsyouaregoodat?Howdoyouknowyouaregoodatthesethings? What does it feel like to be told that you are good at something? What is the person beside you good at? Howdoyoufeelwhenyouexperiencesuccess?

Everyone has a story to tell…

Many stories revolve around a character who tries to do something, but then meets an obstacle or problem. He or she struggles to overcome this, failing at first, but ultimately succeeding.

Tellorretellastoryaboutatimewhenyou(orsomeoneelse)werefacedwithadifficulttaskorproblem.Didyoumanagetoovercomeitandsucceed?What did you learn about yourself?

Note;encouragechildrentothinkaboutplanningandsequencingtheirstories.Theframebelowcouldbeusedtohelpthem.

Setting Characters Problem to overcome

Beginning Middle End

Findadditionalsupportandactivitiesfor‘KeepGoing,Brenda’at;http://www.nicurriculum.org.uk/skills_and_capabilities/thinking_skills_and_personal_capabilities/index.asp

Brenda, a young Brent Goose hasn’t got the strength and confidence of her brothers. She has to face her fears as she sets out alone on the ‘Big Trip’ from Canada to N. Ireland. Will she make it?

‘Keep Going, Brenda’ is one of a set of five stimulating stories which embrace the Northern Ireland Thinking Skills & Personal

Capabilities Framework.