Storytelling with Michael Kusugak

On January 17th, Inuit author and storyteller, Michael Kusugak, came to the South Slope/ BCSD library.  He did two sessions of storytelling for Divisions 5-11 from South Slope and Divisions 15-17, 19 from BCSD.  The students heard stories retold from his published books as well as some new stories.  We were all fascinated with his string stories, too.  Ask someone from one of the classes that were there to tell you all about it.

Eric Wilson visits South Slope

On January 12th Eric Wilson visited Divisions 1-4 at South Slope.  He got us all hooked on mysteries and writing.  The students were excellent listeners and  many of them received an autographed postcards for their quick thinking.   Come and check out Eric Wilson’s mysteries and others at the library!

A Parents’ Guide to Facebook

From: Curriculum ConnectionsSchool Library Journal

January 4, 2011. By Alicia Eames

A Parents’ Guide to Facebook, by Anne Collier and Larry Magid, the Co-Directors of ConnectSafely.org, is a 34-page resource available online as a printable PDF file. It begins with an introduction to Facebook’s features and uses, addressing topics such as “How do we parent Facebook users?” and “Digital footprints & good reputations,” along with sensible suggestions. For example, “…the No. 1 safety tip is ‘Talk with your child.'”

While Facebook is designed for users aged 13 and older, there’s nothing to stop younger children from side-stepping that guideline with a few simple, albeit dishonest, clicks of the mouse. The authors note, “A July 2010 survey found that 37% of U.S. 10-to-12-year olds were on Facebook, which means that every one of these children had to lie about their age to get on the service.”

Check out the link on the library home page under “Parents” to this PDF document.

Upcoming Author Visits

We are excited to annouce 3 upcoming author visits this term.

Canadian mystery author, Eric Wilson, will be coming January 12 to do a presentation for students in Divisions 1-4.  Check out his site for more information: ericwilson.com

On January 17th Michael Kusugak will come to share his stories with Divisions 5,6, and 7 from South Slope and Divisions 15 and 16 from BCSD.  Check out his site for more information: www.michaelkusugak.com

On February 22nd best-selling Canadian author Kari Lynn Winters will come to visit Divisions 8, 9, 10 and 11.  Her website is: www.kariwinters.com

Reading Club Reaches 100 Nights

January 4th officially marks 100 nights of reading!  Forms may be handed in to the library anytime after this date.  New forms for 150 nights will be available by Thursday, January 6th.  Please make sure your forms are handed in by January 21st in order to be recognized at the assembly on January 26th.

South Slope’s Canadian Picture Book of the Year

During November and December Divisions 6, 7, 8 and 9 read the 5 books nominated for the Marilyn Ballie Picture Book Award 2010.  The nominees were Me and You by Genevieve Cote, The Delicious Bug by Janet Perlman, You’re Mean Lily Jean by Frieda Wishinsky , Timmerman was here by Colleen Sydor and Our Corner Grocery Store by Joanne Swartz.  The students enjoyed all the books, but chose The Delicious Bug by Janet Perlman as their favourite.  Check these great books out at the library and you be the judge!

Holiday Books on Display

Looking for books about the holidays? Check out the display in the library of books, fiction and non-fiction, about Christmas, Hannukkah and Kwanzaa.

Celebration of Literacy Assembly Nov. 29th

Thank you to all the students who contributed to the Celebration of Literacy Assembly yesterday.  The book talks from Division 1 were fantastic and everyone learned a lot from the animal research projects of Division 2.  Thank you also to Division 9 students who shared their personal connections to the reading they are doing.  Finally congratulations to the 120 students who received their 50 nights of reading certificates.  Keep on reading!

Reading Club Forms Due

Please bring your 50 nights of reading club forms to the library by Tuesday if you want to receive a certificate and be recognized at the assembly on November 29th.  All forms received after Tuesday will still be accepted, but names will be read at our next assembly for 100 nights.

Snow

Wow! Snow! I hope you all got a chance to play in the snow today.  When you’re in the library next week check out some of our great books on snow like Perfect Snow by Barbara Reid, Snow is my favorite and my best by Lauren Child or, one of my favourites, Stella, queen of the snow by Marie Louise Gay.