Monthly Archives: April 2011

Apr 25 – Apr 29 Read-a-Louds

Posted on April 28, 2011 by | Leave a comment

The Kindergarteners this week will be reading the humorous story Llama Llama Mad At Mama by Anna Dewdney. This rhyming story is one of several stories about the young llama, a character that the K’s find fascinating.

Division 2 will be reading two companion books: The Quiet Book, and The Loud Book! both by Deborah Underwood. Each book describes either a quiet or loud kind of noise or activity. For example, “Making a wish quiet” or “Crackling campfire loud.” Students will then come up with 5 of their own kinds of quiet and 5 kinds of loud. Lot’s of fun!

All other classes will be reading the english translation of Dominique Demers’ new story Today, Maybe, originally published in French. It is a whimsical story about a young girl who knows that she is waiting for a friend, but doesn’t know who this may be or when he/she might come. The illustrations, by Gabrielle Grimard, are stunning and beautiful. The young girl learns that “true friendship is worth waiting for.”

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GuyKu Haiku Samples

Posted on April 28, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Divisions 2 and 10 did an excellent job writing haiku poems this month. Here are a few samples:

When the world whispers
“Give up,” Hope will tell you to
Try it one more time.

Cherry Blossoms
Falling gracefully
Soaring like a butterfly
Beautiful blossoms.

Hearing the loud waves 
Relaxing on the warm sand
Just my friends and I.

Shhh…says the oak tree
It whispers to the dark sky
The stars wink goodnight.

The stars in the sky,
Shine so very bright at night,
They must be alive…

I am a Canuck
Canucks win the Stanley Cup
This is now our year.

Vancouver Canucks
Are going to the next round
Nashville be prepared.

A sweet ride going
Down the street, driving so fast
Tires start to pop.

A peeking sunrise
Is glowing on the waters
In front of my eyes.

Skipping rocks fly top
Of the icy cold water
Going forever.

A tired red sun sets
Every night and the moon takes
Its place in the sky.

Dragons fly away
To their rocky cave in the
Evergreen forest.

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Apr 18 – Apr 22 Read-a-Louds

Posted on April 24, 2011 by | Leave a comment

This week the grade 7’s will be reading Making the Moose Out of Life by Nicholas Oldland. Moose, who is usually mild-mannered, is stranded on a deserted island and must overcome his fears about trying new things. Students will then draft a speech to present the Moose with an award for bravery.

Also this week, several classes will be reading Willow’s Whispers by Lana Button. Both Lana Button and illustrator Tania Howells are Canadian. Willow is a shy and quiet girl and needs to gain the confidence to have her voice heard.

Both stories this week deal with gaining confidence and becoming a stronger person.

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Apr 11 – Apr 15 Read-a-Louds

Posted on April 11, 2011 by | Leave a comment

With Earth Day coming up (April 22), this week we will read a story about recycling. Classes will be reading Michael Recycle Meets Litterbug Doug by Ellie Bethel. Litterbug Doug lives on the edge of town in his self-made garbage dump that is host to old TVs, tires, bottles and cans. Michael Recycle arrives on the scene and teaches Doug a thing or two about recycling. The grade 7s will then take 5 lessons from the text and create Earth Day bumper stickers.

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Reader’s Response

Posted on April 7, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Divisions 2 and 3 read Good Night, Commander by Ahmad Akbarpour this week and the students were asked to create a Word-List Poem based on the characteristics and feelings of the main character. The poems were powerful! Here are a few:

Imaginative
Brave
Unafraid
Sad
Angry
Proud
Commander 

Bravery
Playtime
Fake war
Big imagination
Young
Boy
Commander

Aware
Legless
Imaginative
Upset
Strong
Loving
Commander

Miserable
Disabled
Brave
Proud
Childish
Imaginative
Commander

Handicapped
Young
Imaginative
Avenging
Upset
Loved
Commander

Threatened
Tortured
Unlucky
Strong
Brave
Young
Commander

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April Library Happenings

Posted on April 4, 2011 by | Leave a comment

This month will be quite busy in the Library! Division 1 (gr.7) will be conducting research on famous French-Canadians.

Division 10 (gr.3/4) will be writing Haiku poems in honour of National Poetry Month; Ms. L. and Mr. S. will be collaborating on a project inspired by the book Guyku: a year of haiku for boys by Bob Raczka and Peter H. Reynolds. Of course, we have created “Galku” for our aspiring female haiku writers! Stay tuned for more details…

Division 14 (gr.2) will be learning how to research and take notes about a favourite animal. We’ll be using books and the laptops for conducting research.

Aboriginal Circle will be held in the Library on Monday, April 11th.

Thank you to students Emily, Joanna and Katherine, for decorating the Library for Easter. It looks fantastic!

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Apr 4 – Apr 8 Read-a-Louds

Posted on April 4, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Do boogers and slime catch your attention? Well then I have the perfect book for you! This week we’ll be reading Richard Was A Picker by Carolyn Beck. Richard picks his nose constantly, and one day, he gets his finger stuck! Richard turns into a giant booger-ball! How does he get himself out of this mess? You’ll have to wait and see!

For the grade 7’s this week, we will be reading Good Night, Commander by Ahmad Akbarpour, translated from Farsi. It is a sombre tale from Iran, set during the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988). It tells of an Iranian child dealing with the loss of his mother, and a new physical handicap; he lost his leg in the war, presumably due to a land mine. He acts out a battle scene in his bedroom with his toy soldiers, while showing the picture of his mother that he is brave and will avenge her death. It is a powerful story about innocent people caught in a war.

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Mar 28 – Apr 1 Read-a-Louds

Posted on April 4, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Kids and adults alike love stories by Robert Munsch! This week, all classes will be reading Moose!, the newest story by Munsch. During the reading, I will be asking for “audience participation” to make the story more fun. Check out Robert Munsch’s website for fun and games based on some of his better-known characters.

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Mar 14 – 18 Read-a-Louds

Posted on April 4, 2011 by | Leave a comment

This week we will be reading a folktale from Iran, called The Secret Message by Mina Javaherbin. The first day of Spring, March 21st, is also time for the Persian New Year, or No-Rooz/Nowruz. Persian people celebrate the New Year with food, family, and festivities. No-Rooz Mobarak! (Happy New Year!)

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