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!The CCBC's 2012 Writing Contest for Kids & Teens
Deadline for entries is February 1, 2012.

More information is available here.

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?
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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. 

Click for more information on this title

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?

Reading Club reaches 50 Nights Nov. 14th

It’s hard to believe, but we’ve almost completed 50 nights of reading. 

After November 14th you can drop off your yellow forms in the library and pick up your new orange form for 100 nights.

Students’ names will be posted on the bulletin board across from the library and beside the lunch room.  We will recognize the Reading Club as a group at the assembly on Nov. 28th.  There will also be a draw for some great books for some lucky readers!

Thank you to parents for helping your child develop a lifetime habit of reading.

How far do you think we’ve traveled? Remember that 50 nights = 50 km. Every student or staff member who completed a form would count as 50 km. Post your answer here and the closest estimate will win a prize at the assembly.  Please include your first name and division in your comment.

YRCA Books Released This Week!

The YRCA books will be available the week of Nov 14th to all students in grades 4-7.  I will talk to each class about these books this week.  There are some fantastic books this year.  Even some of the teachers (and our principal) are reading them. See how many you can read.  Before we vote, we will have some YRCA book club meetings in the library at lunch. Stay tuned for more details…and check the YRCA page for updates and links to book trailers and web sites for each book.

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Who can vote? – Anyone in grades four through seven who has read (or has heard read) at least two titles from the list.

When do we vote? – Between March 15 and April 15.

Where do we vote? – Mrs. Araujo will provide the ballots.

When are the winners announced? – In mid-April.

DEAR Day

Thank you to all of you who participated in our Drop Everything and Read Day! Everyone looked fabulous in their pajamas. To see more photos please come see the display in the hall outside the library doors.

DEAR day and Pajama Day Oct 24th

When do you like to read?  Many of us at South Slope/ BCSD like to read before we go to bed. So… we’re inviting everyone to wear their pajamas on Monday, Oct. 24th.  At 12:15 everyone will Drop Everything And Read until 12:35.

Looking forward to a cozy reading time!