Keep Going Brenda

8/9/2019 Keep Going Brenda

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/keep-going-brenda 1/46



1

Sel-Management

‘Keep Going, Brenda’ is one o a set o ve stimulating stories which embrace the Northern

Ireland Thinking Skills & Personal Capabilities Framework. The story tells o Brenda, a

young Brent Goose who manages to make the ‘Big Trip’ across the Atlantic Ocean despite

her lack o condence and sel-belie. 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 o the ollowing words with the children relating to Sel-Management

organise

plan

goals

condence

step by step

help

advice

strengthspersist

determination

achieve

success

Now read the story and have un nding out i Brenda makes the ‘Big Trip’ and meets up

with her mother and brothers again.



2

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

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

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 ollowing or their invaluable contribution to this series:

• CarolWeatherall,BelfastEducationandLibraryBoard

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

• MarianHamill,CCEA,PersonalDevelopmentandMutualUnderstanding

DesignedandproducedbyCCEA|Multimedia





4

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

brothers.

She was the smallest of the three. Theyhad almost pushed her right out of thenest. Bits of moss and grass blew aboutin the air.



55



66

Their mother apped over to them before anymore feathers ew.

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

6



777



88

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 moreweeks before the big trip. We all have to go along way before the winter comes.”

8



99



10

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 noattention to her brothers who werebehind her, repeating everything shesaid in baby voices. Her mum was too

busy cleaning her feathers to hearthem.

10



1111

“No, dear. I’m sure I’ve told you

already. It’s not a holiday. All of usBrent Geese have to cross the oceanevery year to get to a warmer place.It’s important we leave Canada beforeit gets too cold. We call it migration.”

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



12

They waddled after their mother one behind theother. The boys pecked her tail feathers but hermum didn’t even notice. They were too sneaky to

be caught.

1212

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



1313

This was the bit Brenda dreaded. Because Borisand Beeker were bigger than her, they were muchstronger. Whenever it was her turn they always made

fun of her.

“You rst, Boris.”



14

Brenda watched as he took off and landedperfectly. Next came Beeker. He was evenbetter.

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

14

Just as Brenda started to ap her wings a biggust of icy wind blasted her right up the beak.

She was almost blown into the water. Sheopped back down again.



1515

“Well, that wasn’t very good, was it? Asusual. How are you ever going to be strongenough for the journey if you don’t eat all

your food? That’s the rst piece of advicemother goose gave me when I was a gosling.Eat plenty to build up your strength.”

The other two apped their wings up anddown behind their mum’s back to show howstrong they were. Brenda said nothing.There was no point in mentioning how fedup she felt.



16

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

1616



1717

Brenda wasn’t sure she would ever beready for the Big Trip. If only shehad someone to help her. Someonewho wouldn’t pick on her for being

small.



18

After a few more weeks it was time to go.All the geese got into a real ap. Brendalistened as the last pieces of advice weregiven out by the most senior goose of all.

“Let’s go over this one lasttime. Step by step.Important rules for theBig Trip, all eyes on theposter.

18

Remember, chaps,when we get toIreland there’llbe as much eelgrass as we caneat. Good luck.Flight one, takeoff!”



1919

Good strong take-off.

Keep together.

Be extra careful when we landfor a rest in Iceland. Look outfor foxes and keep a keen eyeout for hunters.

Keep well away fromthose big snooty CanadaGeese. We’ll try to get ahead start on them.

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



20

Brenda watched as ight after ight ofBrent Geese took off into the sky. Theywere almost the last to leave. She had

never been more nervous in her life.

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

Brenda tried to ap her wings but all of a

sudden she felt more frightened than she’dever been in her life.

20



2121

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

The others rose in the airwithout looking to see if she wasfollowing.

Brenda hid behind some long grass

and tucked her head under a wing.She’d just stay here. It would bene.



22

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

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

22



2323

There was no-one left to help her. Justin time she ew up into the air as a whiteArctic fox leapt at her. She apped herwings with fright and circled back to

another bigger island. She was so shockedand exhausted that she fell into a doze thatturned into a deep sleep.



24

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

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

The next thing she knew gentle hands werelifting her up and something was being puton her leg. What was it? Was it a trap? Sheturned 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 knowwhere you are the whole way to Ireland.”

24



2525

These men weren’t hunters. She rememberedthe old geese saying that last year some ofthe younger ones had these things put on theirlegs. What were they called?

“Switch on the transmitter now, John and we’llbe 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 evermade!” Brenda felt great. She knew somebody

was watching out for her. “I can do this! Ican!” She honked as she circled high in the sky.



2626

One very tired wee Brent Goose landed onthe tip of Western Iceland. She was coldand hungry. She tried to remember all thather mum has said. She could almost hear hervoice saying “Eat!” She was starving! It hadtaken almost all her energy to make it thisfar. She put her head down and started to

graze.



2727



28

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

Facing her were three big Canada Geese,their white faces gleaming in the brightsunlight. Brenda was proud of her lovelydark neck but they were so much biggershe knew it made sense to y off toanother patch of grass.

28



2929



30

After a night’s rest she felt much better butsuddenly she noticed something sitting besideher. It was another dark coloured goose, a bit

bigger than herself.

30



3131

“Hello, sleepyhead. I can tell this is yourrst Big Trip. Is there nobody with you?”His voice was gentle, not like her brothers.

Brenda felt shy. She didn’t normally talk tostrangers but there was no-one else to befriends with.

“Yes, I got left behind. I’m Brenda.”

“Pleased to meet you - Otto’s thename. You’re a strong wee birdto make it this far on your own. Isee you’ve got a transmitter too.”

Sure enough, there on his leg was atransmitter just like hers.



32

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

32



3333

“Are we nearly there?”

“There’s still a long way to go. You must havebeen well organised to get this far on yourown.”



3434



35

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

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

“You see, Brenda, all Brent Geese have specialpowers to help get us to our journey’s end.

We can use the sun and the stars to help usreach Ireland. Did your mum not tell you allthis?”

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

35



3636



37

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 calledthat?”

“Because it looks like little eels. It’s really

tasty, full of protein. We’ll need it bythe time we get there. We’ll lose a lot ofweight on the way.”

“Where will we end up?”

3737

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



38

“Strangford Lough,” Brenda whispered. HerMum had talked about that place. She had toget there. Maybe Boris and Beeker would bethere waiting for her. There was no time tolose.

Leading the way, Brenda made a beautiful take-

off. She was heading over the ocean towardsthat magical land.

“Come on, Otto. Let’s keep going.”

38



3939



40404040



41414141



424242



434343



44

Discussion Prompts

What was the Big Trip?

How had Brenda’s mum and the senior goose prepared the younger ones or it?

How do you get organised i you’re preparing or a trip?

DoyouthinkBrendafeltconfdent about going on the Big Trip?

Why do you think she hadn’t told anybody about how she elt?

What do you think she might have written in her diary that night, ater her mother and brothers took of?

What things do you eel condent about doing? Why?

Whatthingsmakeyoufeelnervousoranxious?How do you manage these eelings?

How had the humans helped Brenda?

Brenda had made a tremendous efort 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 o the journey?

Whathelpsyoutokeepgoingwhenthingsgetdicult?

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 eel 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, ailing at rst, but ultimately succeeding.

Tellorretellastoryaboutatimewhenyou(orsomeoneelse)werefacedwithadiculttaskorproblem.Didyoumanagetoovercomeitandsucceed?

What did you learn about yoursel?

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

confdence o her brothers. She has to ace her ears as she sets out

alone on the ‘Big Trip’ rom Canada to N. Ireland. Will she make it?

‘Keep Going, Brenda’ is one o a set o fve stimulating stories

which embrace the Northern Ireland Thinking Skills & Personal

Capabilities Framework.

Documents

Keep Going Brenda