Category Archives: Weekly Read-a-Louds

Read-a-Louds Jan 3 – 6

Posted on January 9, 2012 by | Leave a comment

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

 

Welcome back after the Winter Break! This week we will be reading a couple of books. For K to 1, we will be reading Robert Munsch’s new book Give Me Back My Dad! This story is a result of an online poll that Scholastic held last Fall – students were given 3 different storylines, and the one with the most votes would be the story that Robert Munsch would write. This book contains the winning storyline, and true to Munsch’s writing style, is quite funny!

 

 

 

 

For grades 2 to 7 students (who visit the library for story-time), we will be reading a traditional French-Canadian folktale, The Flying Canoe, retold by Eric A. Kimmel.

This folktale has many versions, and has been altered since it was first published in the late 1800’s. The original publication had the story taking place on New Year’s Eve instead of Christmas Eve, and the main characters were loggers instead of voyageurs. The sinister element of the story has been toned down to make the story suitable for younger students; in the original story, it is El Diablo who visits the loggers and offers them a ride in the canoe back to their homes for New Year’s Eve. Grades 6 and 7 students will be comparing the original story to this newer version.

Leave a comment

Posted in Weekly Read-a-Louds

Tagged , , , , , ,

Read-a-Louds Dec 12 – 16

Posted on December 12, 2011 by | Leave a comment

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!

Leave a comment

Posted in Weekly Read-a-Louds

Tagged , , , , ,

Read-a-Louds Nov 28 – Dec 2

Posted on December 5, 2011 by | Leave a comment

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…

Leave a comment

Posted in Weekly Read-a-Louds

Tagged , , , ,

Read-a-Louds Nov 21-Nov 25 Cont’d

Posted on November 24, 2011 by | Leave a comment

 

  

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.

Leave a comment

Posted in Weekly Read-a-Louds

Tagged , , , , ,

Nov 21 – Nov 25 Read-a-Louds

Posted on November 24, 2011 by | Leave a comment

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.

Leave a comment

Posted in Weekly Read-a-Louds

Tagged , , , ,

May 2 – May 6 Read-a-Louds

Posted on May 4, 2011 by | Leave a comment

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.

Leave a comment

Posted in Weekly Read-a-Louds

Tagged , , , ,

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.”

Leave a comment

Posted in Weekly Read-a-Louds

Tagged ,

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.

Leave a comment

Posted in Weekly Read-a-Louds

Tagged , , ,

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.

Leave a comment

Posted in Weekly Read-a-Louds

Tagged , , ,

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.

Leave a comment

Posted in Weekly Read-a-Louds

Tagged , , ,