Pink Day is February 29th. Come to the library to check out some great books about bullying and how to stop it. Remember to be a friend, not a bully.
We Give Books
“We Give Books is a new digital initiative that enables anyone with access to the Internet to put books in the hands of children who don’t have them, simply by reading online.
We Give Books combines the joy of reading with the power of helping others, providing a platform for caregivers and educators to inspire children to become lifelong readers and lifelong givers.
We Give Books also helps some of the world’s best, most inspiring, literacy organizations by spreading the word about their great work and by providing books to the young people these organizations support.” www.wegivebooks.org
Several classes at South Slope/ BCSD have or will be reading books from this site in the library. The images are excellent and classes have enjoyed being able to see the pictures in large format on the interactive whiteboard. Ask Divisions 6 and 7 about Blue Chicken by Deborah Freedman, a new book in the library that we read online last week. Division 9 read Henry and the Valentine Surprise by Nancy Carlson.
Click here to go to the site, read a book online and help others, too.
Martin Luther King Day
On Monday, January 16th it was Martin Luther King Day. Although this is celebrated in the US, it is also significant to Canadians and Canadian history.
Division 3 and 4 have been learning about the biography genre. One of the biographies introduced last week was Martin Luther King Jr. However, most students were unfamiliar with him and his accomplishments.
Today Division 3 heard Martin’s Big Words in the library. It is a picture book biography that gives important background information to the civil rights movement and Dr. King.
We also looked at The King Center site and watched a clip of Dr. King’s famous “I have a dream” speech. Click here to see the teachertube version.
Other great books related to this subject:
Come and see Mrs. Araujo in the library if you would like to check out these books on Martin Luther King Jr. or any other biographies.
Reading online with Tumblebooks
Last week Division 8 came into the computer lab for their library storytime. We listened and watched the very funny Let’s do Nothing by Tony Fucile on Tumblebooks.
Tumblebooks is an online resource that students can use to listen and watch great books online. There are many books to choose from including Robert Munsch titles read by Robert Munsch! Click here to visit BPL’s page, Hear a Story, and explore Tumblebooks and other fantastic online reading resources.
Want to know how to access these great books from our library home page? Check with students in Ms. Cole’s class or come and see Mrs. Araujo in the library.
Happy Reading!
100 Nights of Reading
It’s hard to believe, but we reached 100 nights of reading on January 3rd. Many of you have handed in your forms and picked up your new 150 nights form. Thank you!
If you haven’t, please hand in your forms as soon as possible to the library. There will be an assembly on Jan. 23rd to recognize those of you who have completed 100 nights of reading. We will also find out how far we have traveled in our quest to Read Around the World.
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
— Dr. Seuss, “I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!”
And the winner is…
Just before the winter break, Divisions 5,6,7,8 and 9 voted for the Canadian Picture Book of the year. (see earlier post Nov. 24th)
And the winner is…Spork! 
This book about a “spork” who is neither “spoonish” nor “forkish” won the hearts and minds of most of the students.
“I chose this book because the book tells you you should like yourself who ever you are.” Vanessa Div. 6
“I like the story and drawings. It started out plain and then it had more colour.” Reya Div. 6
“Spork is weird and the other kids ask me why do I have curly hair.” Enoch Div. 7
“I liked how it ended. It had a happy ending.” Ethan Div. 6
Check out more comments on all of the books on the display just outside the library doors.
Book Week 2012 Writing Contest for Kids & Teens
Book Week 2012 Writing Contest for Kids & Teens
The Canadian Children’s Book Centre is running a Writing Contest for Kids & Teens in celebration of TD Canadian Children’s Book Week 2012 (May 5 – 12, 2012).
The contest is open to students in Grades 4 to 12. One winner from each grade will receive a $250 gift certificate to the bookstore of his or her choice!
Deadline for entries is February 1, 2012.
Reading Club reaches 8250km!!!!!
Hello everyone,
Congratulations! As of Dec 1st 165 students and staff completed in their 50 nights of reading! We have travelled across Canada and are now just past Newfoundland over the Atlantic. Names are now posted on the bulletin board beside the lunch room.
Thank you for completing your forms and promoting the Reading Club. Remember it’s never too late to join. Come pick up your forms at the library any time.
Why do we remember?
Divisions 1 and 2 have created a wiki to help answer the question: Why do we remember?
Students interviewed family members, friends and teachers to get their perspectives on war and remembrance. Classroom activities included watching films on war, reading fiction and non fiction texts, discussions, participation in the Remembrance Day assembly and more. After their interviews students were asked to respond using a method of their choice (eg. poetry, visual art, essay, movie, slide show, etc).
Click here to see the wiki and read some of the incredible stories the students uncovered.
Mrs. Araujo’s new Favourite Book
Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick. That’s my new favourite book. Some of you may have heard me talk about this book. Ms. Ziola, Ms. Zuvic and Ms. Sian have all read it too.
Click here to visit the book’s website. Watch a video about the book and more.
Here’s a video from The Today Show with kids talking about the book with the author, Brian Selznick.
Come to the libary to check out this book. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please leave a comment here. Did you like one story better than the other? What do you think about the way deaf culture is represented? Would you recommend this book?