Category: Read Alouds

Posted on

DEAR and more in the library

October was a busy month! We were able to attend some virtual author presentations from the Vancouver Writer’s Festival in the library. Ashley Spires told us all about perserverance and her creative process.  She also read us her new book The Most Magnificent Thing.  Kenneth Oppell read from his new novel, Ghostlight, and shared some scary stories about Toronto.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In October we celebrated Drop Everything and Read Day and Canadian School Library Day on October 24th.  We wore our pajamas and the whole school read after lunch! It was a great way to celebrate literacy in our community.

We also had some book tastings in the library with Division 3 and 4 this month.  Students completed a five course genre menu and “tasted” a variety of books.  They noticed how calm and focussed they were.  They also noticed that they now want to try reading some new genres.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Divisions 1,2,13 and 14 wrote over 60 book reviews this month and posted them to the Destiny Catalogue. Check out reviews of books like Ender’s Game,  Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Song for a Whale and more on Destiny. Just click on the Reviews tab.

We enjoyed some great read alouds for Halloween this year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But I think the favourite was Oliver Jeffers, There is a Ghost in this House. Reading joy! Boo!

 

Happy Halloween everybody! See you in November!

Posted on

It’s May, already?!

Wow! Time is flying at South Slope/BCSD.  April was Poetry Month and we had so much fun reading, writing and sharing poems.  We celebrated with a fabulous assembly and Poem in Your Pocket Day.

And now…it’s May! This month in the library we are recognizing and learning about Asian Heritage Month.  There are book displays for students to choose both fiction and non fiction reads about Asian Heritage:

This week several classes also read Eyes that Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho and illustrated by Dung Ho and  My Day with Gong Gong by Sennah Yee and illustrated by Elaine Chen .  Students responded to these books with joy and connection. Watch Joanna Ho read her book by clicking on the cover. And have fun with illustrator Elaine Chen by clicking on My Day with Gong Gong.

Explore our collection of digital resources about Asian Heritage Month including choice boards for primary and intermediate students:

What else is happening in the library this month?

Divisions 15 and 16 are working on their Stop Motion Animation films.  They have been learning how to use the Stop Motion app and creating short films with loose parts from our Story Studio.  This week they presented their final storyboards to the group and received feedback.  Now they will begin to create their films.  Stay tuned for more!

This week we also began our Canadian Picture Book of the Year readings. Each week we will read and respond to a new book.  When we are done, students will vote for their favourite.  Here are the books we will be reading.  Stay tuned for the winner!

Microbits are also in the library.  Grade 6/7 students from South Slope and BCSD have been learning how to write code for these mini computers.  We’ve been having fun learning how to code games like Rock, Paper, Scissors and send messages to each other using the radio.

Stay tuned for updates here and on my Twitter feed @jenparaujo

Posted on

So much to be thankful for…

It’s hard to believe it’s Thanksgiving already.  I’m especially thankful that the library, with new safety protocols in place, is now open!  Students are visiting the library with their class once a week for story times, book exchanges and more.  Here is the current book exchange schedule:

Monday: Div 1, 2, 6

Tuesday: Div 3, 4, 5, 9

Wednesday: Div 13- 19

Thursday: Div. 7, 8, 20

During our storytimes we completed Peter Reynolds “creatrilogy” as we read “Ish” and “Sky Color”.  Classes also completed their response to our school wide read of “The Dot” with art and have created a gallery the whole school can enjoy.

Check our our gallery:

We also recognized Orange Shirt Day school wide with Project Heart and in the library:

 

Intermediate students have been learning how to use our Library Catalogue to find books and more.  There are Web Resources that students can access for school research or personal interest projects.  Students have also learned how to place books on hold and soon we will be adding student book reviews to the catalogue database.

As we begin the fall season, students have enjoyed one of my favourite books, “The Little Yellow Leaf“ by Carin Berger.  There are beautiful paper collage illustrations throughout this wonderful book about fall and finding courage with the help of a friend.

 

For Thanskgiving, some classes read “Bear says Thanks” by Karma Wilson.  Students responded by sharing many things they are thankful for including family, friends, food, books and being at school.  During these pandemic times it can often be difficult to feel thankful, but the students reminded me of all the many things we can still be thankful for.  For me, having students in the library again and helping them finding the books they want has made me very thankful.  Their joy, curiousity and enthusiasm fill me up.

I wish you and your family a very happy Thanksgiving!

Mrs. Araujo

 

 

 

 

Posted on

This week in the library…

This week the library, or rather the librarian (that’s me), will be visiting classrooms and reading “The Dot” by Peter Reynolds.  September 15th”ish”  is International Dot Day and we will be celebrating it by asking everyone to “Make your Mark” and “See where it takes you!” Everyone will create their own dot and we will display them in the hallway outside the gym.

Here are some of the Big Ideas we are exploring:

  • Language and story can be a source of creativity and joy.
  • Everyone has a unique story to share.
  • Exploring stories and other texts helps us understand ourselves and make connections to others and to the world.
  • Texts can be understood from different perspectives.

Core Competencies we are developing:

  • I can show a sense of accomplishment and joy.
  • I get new ideas or build on other people’s ideas.
  • I am kind to others.

Here are some videos of and about the book:

  • Watch “The Dot” on Tumblebooks . Click on the link on at the top right hand side of the blog under “Links”.  In TumbleSearch, type in “The Dot”.
  • Watch author and illustrator, Peter Reynolds the story behind the story and how this book helped launch International Dot Day – a worldwide celebration of creativity.
Posted on

Episode 9: You Hold Me Up

It has been been a challenge for us to be away from family, friends and school for the last several weeks.  However, the students, staff and families of South Slope/BCSD have made me feel so loved and supported in this difficult time.  I was thinking about the wonderful emails, comments on the blog and phone calls I’ve received.  The video meetings I’ve been a part of have been so fun and made me feel connected to you.  Thinking about this inspired me to choose You Hold Me Up, written by Monique Gray Smith and illustrated by Danielle Daniel, as this week’s read aloud.

We read this book at the beginning of the school year to learn more about reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and we responded to it by thinking of ways we can support and hold each other up in the school community.

I hope you enjoy this story which includes ASL interpretation.  Click on the book cover to watch the video.  Ask your teacher for the password.

Thank you to Orca Book Publishers and the Read Aloud Canadian Books Program for permission to record this video.

 

Watch the story again as the author reads the book to a group of children:

Posted on

Episode 7: Bear Came Along

This week’s book, Bear Came Along by Richard T. Morris and illustrated by LeUyen Pham, is quickly becoming one of my new favourites. I made many connections from the story to the difficult times we are going through right now.  Together, we can get down this “river” using all of our unique talents.  This book was also awarded a Caldecott Honor in January 2020.

Click on the book to view my read aloud of this book with ASL interpretation.  Ask your teacher for the password.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can also listen an interview with the illustrator LeUyen Pham:


And watch the story again with Bill from the publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Closed captioning is available.