Author: goods

Claude Monet was a French painter who mostly painted landscapes; scenes of the land and nature around him.  He lived in a house in Giverny, France that was surrounded by gardens and he, himself, enjoyed gardening.  Many of his paintings were inspired by his own gardens.

I love to look at art and Monet is one of my favourite artists.  Last year I had the wonderful opportunity to visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York where many of his paintings of water lilies are displayed.  I enjoy his artwork because the style of painting he used, Impressionism, makes the scene look dreamy and soft.  I am also interested in his paintings as so many of them show flowers.

You can explore the world of Monet with four options on my choice board below.  You can read and learn more about Claude Monet and his painting style using our schools’ World Book Kids and Tumblebooks online resources.  You can also take a tour through one of his paintings and watch an art lesson to paint your own version of it.  Click on the choice board to open it and start exploring!

I would love for you to share your paintings with me.  Please email me at stephanie.good@burnabyschools.ca.

It is Star Wars Day and here are some videos and activities to celebrate and enjoy!  My family and I are HUGE Star Wars fans and enjoy watching the movies together.  How did you celebrate?

One of my favourite things about the series is the incredible music that was created for the films.  It is so powerful and exciting.  I have included two videos of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra playing Star Wars themes.  Have a listen to Darth Vader’s song, The Imperial March.  Did you notice what the conductor was using to lead and direct the musicians?  And while at home just like us, some orchestra members celebrated today by playing the Cantina Band song and even included their dancing kids!  Special thanks to Ms. McQueen who shared this video with our staff.

Following the music, you can listen along as Daisy Ridley, who plays Rey, reads a Star Wars story.  And finally, a drawing lesson!

Rey reads a story about BB-8 during Star Wars Storytime.  Click here.

Learn to draw Baby Yoda and more Star Wars characters here!

Enjoy and…

 

Spring has sprung and it is time for another read aloud to celebrate the season!  Join me as I read Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring and we will go on a seasonal walk to watch the changing seasons in this delightful book by Kenard Pak.  Thank you to McMillan publishers for the opportunity to read this book to you.

Please email me or your teacher for the Read Aloud page password and enjoy the story!

This time of learning at home has seen so many authors and illustrators finding different ways to share their books, art, and creativity with the world.  J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, is supporting readers too.  She has created the Harry Potter at Home website where wizards and muggles can go and explore the world of Harry Potter.  And Amazon is offering a free audiobook (book recording) of The Philosopher’s Stone, the first book in the series, for free through Audible.  The book is available is six languages.

My daughter loves the Harry Potter series and has now begun to read it again while we are at home.  Your family might enjoy listening to Book One together while you are all at home.

So hop on the Hogwarts Express and take a ride to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter by clicking on each image below.  Wingardium Leviosa!

Hello Stoney Creek community!

My first read aloud video is now available on the “Read Aloud” page of this website.  Join me as I read The Feel Good Book by Todd Parr.  Thanks to Little Brown and Company publishers for allowing this recording during learning at home.

If you haven’t done so already, please email me or your teacher for the password to listen to me read.

During this time of being at home, there are many authors and illustrators who are connecting with readers online. They are reading their stories in videos, posting copies of their books to read, and even giving drawing lessons.

You can take drawing lessons from Mo Willems, Jarrett Lerner, and Jarrett J. Krosoczka!  Mo Willems is the author and illustrator of Elephant and Piggie and the Pigeon books, while Jarret Lerner writes and illustrates the EngiNerds series.  Jarrett J. Krosoczka is best known for his Lunch Lady and Stars Wars Jedi Academy graphic novels.

Click on the links below to get doodling!  You will also find a copy of Jarrett Lerner’s ebook Knights of the Kids Table.  Please feel free to share your drawings in the comment section or by emailing me.  Have fun!

 

Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems

Jarrett Lerner’s Activities page

Draw Every Day with JJK

Knight of the Kids’ Table by Jarrett Lerner – Read online!

Books can do so many things for us, including helping us to understand and handle a difficult situation.  There are many questions for all of us about coronavirus, and it is comforting to see that there are authors and illustrators who want to help people understand the virus and how to stay safe and healthy.  Here are two books from Candlewick Press that you can read by clicking on the pictures.  For all of you Princess in Black fans, join our superhero as she faces a coronavirus challenge!

Did you know that April is Poetry Month?  You can learn about and explore poetry with my choice board.  Click on the image to see it and to play with poetry!  I would love to hear from you with the poetry you have created.  You can share in the comment section or email me at stephanie.good@burnabyschools.ca.

Now I leave you with a little poem of my own:

Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
Read every day and
I’m thinking of you!

During my time as a classroom teacher, it was extremely important to offer my students breaks during our activities.  For example, after sitting and listening to a story, during a writing activity, or when changing from one activity to another.  As adults we recognize our own need to take breaks from a task, especially if we have been sitting for a long time.

As we continue to adapt to our new learning environment, children may need frequent breaks to reset and re-energize.  They may need calm or to rest their brain from a difficult task.  Sometimes they may need a few breaks during one activity.  Whatever the case may be, we can support them by providing a variety of activities and strategies to allow their brains and bodies to feel more settled.

This choice board offers several brain break options for children (and adults!) to try.  As adults, we can first help children identify why they may need a break, as described at the top of the board.  Following the choice board is a read aloud by author, Susan Verde.  Her book, I Am Peace, can be a way for children to take a break and learn strategies for relaxation.  It is my hope that these choices will support your child when learning at home, and when we are together again at school.

Please click on the image to access the choice board and the website links for brain break suggestions.

I hope this post finds you all well during what is an unprecedented and oftentimes, an uncertain and challenging time.  For me personally, I have found reading to be an incredibly helpful way to spend my time over Spring Break and beyond.  I have embraced the opportunity to read a variety of books.

And now, as we all navigate our current circumstances and continue learning in different ways, reading remains a constant and dependable activity in our lives.  As we see our daily activities limited and changed, reading is something that we continue to be able to do anywhere and at anytime.  Reading, in whatever form it takes, weathers any storm we may face.

With this in mind, and as we navigate our new learning environment, I hope the following resources will help support your child(ren) and your family with reading beyond our school walls.  Click on the image to visit the site.

Please contact me at stephanie.good@burnabyschools.ca if you need help.  Wishing you good health and Happy Reading!