Since the Holiday Season is soon upon us, this week we will listen to a recorded story, The Night Before Christmas, originally written by Clement C. Moore in the 1820’s. Even though this classic poem/story is almost 200 years old, it is still iconic and loved by many children and adults alike.
This version is performed by the legendary group “Peter, Paul and Mary” – it includes a musical version of the poem, and a narrative version as well, all on CD. Happy Holidays to everyone!
Posted in Weekly Read-a-Louds
Tagged Christmas, classic literature, Holidays, poetry, recording, song
During this week, Primary classes will either be reading Stars by Mary Lyn Ray or will have guest readers from Division 3 (French Imm. grade 6/7). Guest readers from Division 3 will be reading their own creations – fractured fairy tales. Fractured fairy tales are based on traditional fairy tales, but they contain many differences: the plot, characters, setting or viewpoint can be different, among many other elements.
Stars, illustrated beautifully by Marla Frazee, “explores the wonder of stars, whether they are in the night sky, on a plant as a promise of fruit to come, or in one’s pocket for those days when one does not feel shiny.”
For info on Division 3’s fractured fairy tales, stay tuned…
Posted in Weekly Read-a-Louds
Tagged fairy tales, fractured fairy tales, new books, student authors, Weekly Storytime
While the Kindergarteners will be listening to Pete the Cat: Rocking In My School Shoes, the Grade 1 students will be reading a new story called Bear’s Loose Tooth by Karma Wilson. The Grade 2 and 3 students will be reviewing “How to choose the right book for me” through listening to the story Goldie Socks and the Three Libearians by Jackie Mims Hopkins. Goldie Socks finds a “Just Right Book” by using the Five-Finger-Rule: when selecting a book, turn to a page and begin reading to yourself – put a finger up every time you come across a word that you don’t know – if you end up with all 5 fingers up, the book is probably too hard for you – if no fingers go up, the book might be too easy for you – if 1 – 3 fingers go up, the book is probably just right.
Pete the Cat
This week the Kindergarteners will get a special treat when they visit the library: they will be listening to a recording of the story Pete the Cat: Rocking In My School Shoes by Eric Litman. You can also listen from home here.
Posted in Weekly Read-a-Louds
Tagged Kindergarten, recording, school story, song, Weekly Storytime
This year is the 50th anniversary of Roald Dahl’s beloved story, James and the Giant Peach. 
Visit the James and the Giant Peach website to “Follow that Peach” around the world. Or visit Roald Dahl’s website for more fun, games and activities. Tuesday, Sept. 13th is Roald Dahl Day to commemorate his birth. Check out fun stuff at this website.
The Library has many new books to start off the year! New books will be available for viewing near the end of next week (Sept. 12-16), and will be available for taking out the following week, after everyone has had a chance to browse. The Library officially opens on Monday, Sept. 19th, for classroom visits and activities. See you then!
This week, all primary students will be reading Rukhsana Khan’s Big Red Lollipop, a story about birthday parties and including family. The characters in the story came from Pakistan, and their mother is not familiar with North American birthday celebrations and customs, such as inviting classmates to a party. This book is based on a true story that happened when the author was younger. Big Red Lollipop is also an example of a “circular” story that ends in the same way that it started.
The intermediate classes will be listening to and discussing Janet Wilson’s nonfiction book, One Peace: True Stories of Young Activists. This book has been nominated for a Red Cedar Award.
Posted in Weekly Read-a-Louds
Tagged diversity, Middle East, raising awareness, tolerance, war
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.”
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.
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.
Posted in Weekly Read-a-Louds
Tagged character-building, self confidence, self esteem, tolerance
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