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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.

Check out these great stop motion animation films created by grade 4/5 students from BCSD.  https://vimeo.com/showcase/8566345

How did we get here? We began by watching some amazing stop motion films and thinking about the stories they tell. Click here to view a collection that includes professional and student made films.

Then we asked ourselves questions like: What stories do we want to share?Who are our characters? Where are they? What is the setting? What is the problem?

Students had time to play and experiment before they created a storyboard for their final project.  They presented their storyboard ideas to the group for feedback and then they began making their movies.

Using loose parts and other materials from the Story Studio, students created their characters and sets.  They used the StopMo app on their iPads and then used iMovie to add titles, music and sound effects.

Join us February 17th as we celebrate I Read Canadian Day.  Our school has registered and we will be reading Canadian books in the library and in our classrooms.  We are also inviting everyone to wear red and white or their Canada gear for this special day.

What is I Read Canadian Day?

GOAL: The purpose of this event is to raise awareness of Canadian books and celebrate the richness, diversity and breadth of Canadian literature.

WHEN: February 17th, 2021.

ACTION: We challenge the nation to “Read Canadian” for 15 minutes and to share their experience at their library, in their school, with their families and friends, or on social media Young people are encouraged to read, or be read to, a Canadian book of their choice.

We’re excited for Literacy Week which starts tomorrow, January 25th! See you at our Zoom Assembly at 1pm!

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Well, it’s that time of year again! I love reading all the best books lists at the end of the year. It’s wonderful to see some of the books I have loved over the year and also find some new gems to add to the library.  If you’re looking to get some gifts for the holidays for the kids in your life or just looking for a great read, have a look at these fabulous lists.  If you are buying books, consider supporting local bookstores such as Kidsbooks.

First off, check out this great list by my colleague, Elaine Su:

If you’re looking for some great Canadian choices, try this list by the Globe and Mail:

School Library Journal and Kirkus Reviews also publish a comprehensive list with several categories to meet the needs of all kinds of readers:

Hope you found something great to put on your list for 2020! Happy reading and please contact me if you have any questions or comments.