Author: araujoj

November 2nd is I Read Canadian Day! It has been officially proclaimed by the City of Burnaby and will be recognized throughout the country.

We will be reading Canadian books in the library and in our classrooms to celebrate.  Students are also invited to check Canadian books out from the library this week and every week.  There are so many to choose from!

Welcome back! I hope you all had a great summer.  This summer I spent a lot of time in the garden and have lately been enjoying some of my delicious tomatoes!

Another highlight this summer was our family trip to Mexico.  We watched baby sea turtles hatch on the beach and make their way to the ocean.

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And then the next night during dinner, a mama sea turtle came up to the beach and laid 97 eggs! It was awe inspiriing. In the morning we found her tracks in the sand.

And, of course, I did a lot of reading.  I found myself really enjoying mysteries this summer and some new graphic novels, too.

I’m looking forward to seeing you all next week and finding out what you did this summer.  What was your favourite read? What wishes do you have for reading and the library this year? What do you want to learn? What do you wonder about? The library and I are here for you.  Can’t wait to see what we  discover together and the stories we tell.

In April of 2022, divisions 3 and 4 began a project in the library that began with Earth Day.  We asked the students to create stories about how to take care of the earth using stop motion animation.  First we played with the app, Stop Motion Studio, and learned how to create stories using loose parts and stop motion. Then students created a story map with a partner around our Earth Day theme.  Next students created their stop motion animation movie.  After it was complete they imported it into iMovie and added some slides.  Finally we watched all their movies and the students provided feedback to one another as well as doing their own self assessment.  It was hard work, but fun! We hope you enjoy their movies.

It’s almost summer and that means it’s time for the Summer Reading Club at the public library near you.  Click here to learn more about Burnaby Public Library and here for the BC Summer Reading Club.

Check out the poster below for the exciting events happening this week at South Slope/BCSD!

Summer is here and it’s time for the Summer Reading Club at Burnaby Public Library and all libraries in BC.  I encourage all families to visit the library virtually or in person this summer.  Reading throughout the summer is important for all of us – students, teachers and parents.  It’s a great time to take a book outside and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine.  Happy reading everyone!

Read this summer and get a Summer Reading Club medal. Read anything, anywhere, in any language, any way you like to read.

Read on many days or choose your own goal. Being read to counts.

Friday, June 18 is the first day to join. It’s okay to start later in June or July. Pick up a free kit at any Burnaby Public Library location, or join online at bpl.bc.ca/summer-reading-club.

During the summer the library offers a fun and welcoming place to be. Ask about our take-away activities to do at home or outside.

Need reading ideas? Have questions? Let’s talk! Call 604-436-5400 or email eref@bpl.bc.ca<mailto:eref@bpl.bc.ca>.

The votes are in from South Slope and BCSD and the 2020 Canadian Picture Book of the Year is… The Barnabus Project by The Fan Brothers.

Why did we choose this book? Here are some of the students’ comments:

• “It helps people learn everything is possible and everyone is perfect in their own way”
• “It’s about being brave and knowing you can do it if you believe”
• “In it they are kind and help each other”
• “It was exciting becuase I didn’t know what would happen”
• “I like the funny monster with the big eye”
• “It goes to my heart”
• “It allows me to imagine I am in the story, like I’m watching a 3D movie”
• “It tells me everyone can be unique. I like people who are different”
• “I learned that everyone does not have to be the same”

The Barnabus Project was also recently awarded the Governor General’s Literary award for Young People’s Literature- Illustrated Books. 

Watch the story again read by the Fan brothers:

In second place was My Day with Gong Gong by Sennah Yee (Author), Elaine Chen (Illustrator).

• “It has Chinese words and I speak Chinese”
• “It reminds me of Grandma”
• “I remember my Papa and me who also do this”
• “It made me feel like I was in the book and it made me happy”

In third was The Paper Boat by Thao Lam.

• “It had a happy ending”
• “I like how the creator did their pictures with collage”
• “It makes me have a connection of South Korea and North Korea having a war”
• “I had a connection from my dad’s city and my mom’s city”

And tied for fourth was I talk like a River by Jordan Scott and Sidney Smith and The Most Amazing Bird by Michael Arvaarluk Kusugak, illustrated by Andrew Qappik.

Thank you to everyone for participating! Looking forward to choosing the 2021 Canadian Picture Book in the next school year.