Suddenly a StarA new five-episode audio production written and performed by Renata Allen and David GibbDownload the audio at storymuseum.org.uk/schools-groups/learning-resources

Songwriter David is forced to move home to live with his mum through lockdown. Listen to David and his mum reminisce about childhood

dreams and hopes, as they share a galaxy of traditional tales through music, song and

storytelling.

www.storymuseum.org.ukRegistered charity 1107809

Activity 1: Listen to Episode 3 with your class or child.

This episode contains two stories: Grandad’s Story and Find Your Feet. These two stories are about growing up, finding and holding on to your strengths, and seeing how others bring their love and help to the process. Grandad’s Story is based on Snip Snip, a traditional story from Eastern Europe, and details about its origin along with another audio retelling of it can be found in the Story Museum’s database of 1001 Stories: www.storymuseum.org.uk/1001-stories/the-blue-coat-or-snip-snip

Episode 3: Finding your feet

Activity 2: Discuss Grandad’s Story.

Use the following questions to help you discuss the story with your child or class.

KS1 questions KS2 questionsRecap the story. Use Resource 3A to look in detail at the lyrics of the song and extract the outline of the story. Or find the original story of Snip Snip using the link above.

Then discuss the following questions about the story with your child or class:

• Can you remember how the blanket changed each time?:

The blanket was made into a coat,

the coat was made into a waistcoat,

the waistcoat was made into a tie,

the tie was made into a handkerchief, and the handkerchief was made into a button.

• Why did the blanket become smaller each time?

• Do you have an object you have kept for a long time that has a special meaning for you? Why is the object special to you? Did someone give it to you?

Recap the story. Use Resource 3A to look in detail at the lyrics of the song and extract the outline of the story. Or find the original story of Snip Snip using the link above.

Then discuss the following questions about the story with your child or class:

• Can you remember how the blanket became a tie? Why did this happen?

• Describe the singer’s relationship with his Grandpa.

• Reflect on the words: ‘So close your eyes and think of something someone gave to you, Something that you’ll keep for all your days…’

• Do you have an object you have kept for a long time that has a special meaning for you? Why is the object special to you? Did someone give it to you?

• If the singer lost his button, do you think he would mind? What does he still have, even if he loses the button?

www.storymuseum.org.ukRegistered charity 1107809

Activity 3: Explore the story of Grandad’s Story

Use the following ideas to help you explore the story with your child or class.

KS1 ideas KS2 ideasTransformation

• Think of an object you have that is getting old. Perhaps you could find an old piece of clothing at home, and share it with the students in class or online.

• What could it be turned into? For example, the jumper could become a soft toy that you could cuddle every night.

• Share your ideas.

Transformation

• Think of an object you have that is getting old. Perhaps you could find an old piece of clothing at home, and share it with the students in class or online.

• What could it be turned into? Can you alter the item in different ways so it becomes smaller each time, as in the song?

• Research recycling places near to you – what can be donated? What happens to the donations? How are they recycled/reused?

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Activity 4: Get creative with Grandad’s Story

Use the following prompts to help you reflect further on the messages of the story.

KS1 ideas KS2 ideasMake a gift

Now you have a turn at being ‘Grandad.’

• Think of someone special to you, and make them a present – hopefully one that they will treasure forever.

• The present could be a drawing, a badge, a model, or a poem. Remember – it doesn’t have to look perfect. The point is that you are giving the present to that person because they are special to you.

• So give the person the present, and tell them why! It is sure to put a smile on their face!

Make a gift

Now you have a turn at being ‘Grandad.’

• Think of some one special to you, and make them a present – hopefully one that they will treasure forever.

• The present could be a drawing, a badge, a model, or a poem. Remember – it doesn’t have to look perfect. The point is that you are giving the present to that person because they are special to you.

• So give the person the present, and tell them why! It is sure to put a smile on their face!

Extension Activity: Read and share the story of Find My Feet, told through song (Resource 3B).

In this song, David talks about gifts he has been given that have helped him discover the things he loves to do. What do you love to do? What inspires you?

‘Finding my feet’ is an idiom. When you stand on your feet, you feel strong and believe in yourself. Something or some one might help you ‘find your feet.’

Who or what can help you find your own feet?

Grandad’s Story

My Granddaddy he once made me a blanket of my ownHe made it out of patches blue and green And every night I’d snuggle down And wrap it all around me And close my eyes and fall asleep and dream

But as the years went by and I grew big and tall My blanket looked much smaller everyday So my clever dear old grandpa He sewed it up into a coat That I could wear to keep the cold away

But as the years went on and I grew taller stillMy coat sleeves didn’t fit me anymoreSo my grandpa took my coat awayAnd came back with a waistcoat For many years, well, that was what I wore

But as the years danced by,the seams began to tearBut I couldn’t bring myself to throw it out So Grandpa went and made it Into a hat for me when I was travelling the land and out about

And then that hat became a tie, the tie became a handkerchief which turned into this button in my hand And though that precious blanket Which was made so many years ago - Is gone, I need you all to understand

The gift my Grandpa gave me when I was just a childI carry with me every single day The love with which he made it Is a love that lasts forever It’s a love I know will never fade away

So close your eyes and think of something someone gave to you Something that you’ll keep for all your days It doesn’t matter if it’s big or small The thing I want to tell you all That love you hold will never slip away

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Resource 3A, © David Gibb, 2020

Find My Feet

www.storymuseum.org.ukRegistered charity 1107809

Resource 3C, © David Gibb, 2020

When I was younger, I never knew what I was meant to doWhen I was younger, I couldn’t even tie my shoes.Every time I painted a picture, nobody knew what it was supposed to be,I always hung my coat on the wrong peg, when I arrived at nursery.

Then one Christmas day, things started going my way,I got a present from my Mum, she brought me my very own drum!

That’s how I found my feet,In the beat of a drum,That’s how I found my feet,It was all thanks to Mum!

When I was 12 years old, I never got my spellings right,I felt left out in the cold, my teacher said I wasn’t very bright.Everytime we had to write a story my writing was too hard to read,And when they picked the teams on the playground, nobody ever picked me.

Then one Christmas day, things started going my way,My friends all got mobile phones, But I got a guitar, all of my own!

That’s how I found my feet,In the strings of a guitar,That’s how I found my feet,It was all thanks to Ma!

And now I’ve got lots of friends,We’re in a band and we practise everyday,I hope that it never ends, And we’ll play till we’re old and grey

And when I think of a life without music,It seems like no life at all,And now I’ve found it I’m not going to lose it,Cos me and my Mum are having a ball!

Now I’ve found my feetIn the tune of a songAnd now I’ve found my feet,And it’s time to tap along