Monthly Archives: October 2012

Oct. 22 – 26, 2012 Read-a-Louds

ISLMonth Logo

October is International School Library Month, and Monday, October 22nd is International School Library Day. The theme this year is: School Libraries: A Key to the Past, Present & Future

To celebrate, this week, Ms. Lehnert will be showing students in grades 2 – 7 the Academy Award winning animated short film The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore. Ms. Lehnert will show the story through the interactive iPad app. There will be 2 lunchtime screenings; grades 4-5 students on Tuesday, and grades 6-7 students on Thursday. Grades 2-3 students will be viewing the story during their regular library visit this week. “Inspired in equal measures, by Hurricane Katrina, Buster Keaton, The Wizard of Oz, and a love for books, “Morris Lessmore” is a story of people who devote their lives to books and books who return the favor.” This is a rich and heart-warming story that will delight all students. Please note: this story is suitable for grades 2 and up.

The Kindergarteners and grade 1’s this week will be reading the new Bear story from author Karma Wilson, Bear Says Thanks. Bear’s friends come over with tasty treats to eat, but Bear’s cupboard is bare. What can Bear offer to his friends?

Oct. 15 – 19, 2012 Read-a-Louds

This week we will continue with another circular story, The Napping House, by Audrey Wood, a Kindergarten classic. Everyone gets on the bed to have a nap, until a tiny insect has everyone jumping off the bed in quick succession!  

 Library Mouse: A Museum Adventure (Library Mouse #4)

The primary classes will be reading the new Library Mouse tale (no pun intended!). Library Mouse: A Museum Adventure, by Daniel Kirk, has Sam and his friend Sarah venturing into the museum. This story also talks about keeping a journal, and making it interesting with different things that you can put into it.

Oct. 8 – 12, 2012 Read-a-Louds

Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons By Eric Litwin Illustrated by James Dean

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! This week, the Kindergarteners are very excited to read the new Pete the Cat – Pete the Cat and His Groovy Buttons, by Eric Litwin. Ms. Lehnert played the free audio version of the book from the publisher’s website. You can also listen to the first 2 Pete the Cat books. Stay tuned for Pete the Cat Saves Christmas

Grade 1 – 3 will be reading a new book called The Day Louis Got Eaten, by John Fardell. This is a humorous story about a boy who gets eaten by a creature and then the creature gets eaten in turn – sort of like a circular story, or a story that ends almost the same way it began. The story is told partly in graphic novel format, and we will be discussing how to read graphic novels and which frame you read first.

The Day Louis Got Eaten

Sky Color by Peter H. Reynolds – Reader’s Response

Sky Color

This week, Divisions 2 and 3 will be reading the newest Peter H. Reynolds book, Sky Color. We will be doing a follow-up activity using visualization and “picture words”. Students will listen to the story (no pictures will be shown), and create pictures in their minds. Then, students will draw one of the pictures in their mind, and use picture words to describe the image. To complete the activity, students will answer 2 questions: “Why did you choose to draw this picture?” and “What is the message in the story and how can you apply it to your everyday life?”

Here is an excellent example from Division 2:

Why did you choose to draw this picture?
I chose to draw this picture because it was the image that stood out the most to me during the story. Also, because it was one of the most important scenes in the whole story. The third and last reason I drew this picture is because I thought that the message of the story was mostly revealed in this scene.

What is the message in this story and how can you apply it to your everyday life?
I think that the message is that everyone thinks differently. The sky doesn’t always have to be the colour blue. It can be any kind of colour you want it to be. The message applies to everyday life in a situation where at school, a classmate has an idea but everyone disagrees with it, when they should actually be open to new ideas and not what everyone else says.

Oct. 1 – 5, 2012 Read-a-Louds

This week we have 2 brand new books to read.

      Olivia and the Fairy Princesses

The Kindergarteners and Grade 1’s will be reading the new Llama Llama book, Llama Llama Time To Share, by Anna Dewdney. The beginning of the school year, when new friends are made, is a good time to review sharing. Llama Llama meets his new neighbour, Nelly Gnu, and she comes over for a visit. At first Llama Llama doesn’t want to share, but both characters learn a valuable lesson. Visit Llama Llama’s website for fun educational games and activities.

Grade 2’s and grade 3’s will be reading the latest installment of Olivia the Pig, in Olivia and the Fairy Princesses, by Ian Falconer. Olivia is a different pig, and she likes to stand out amongst the crowd. All the other girls want to be fairy princesses when they grow up, but not Olivia. This is a story about individuality. Visit Olivia’s website for more fun.