Author: goods

I have created a choice board to listen to stories that celebrate people being able to be who they are, to wear what they choose, and to love who they love.

https://www.canva.com/design/DAD92eFdUS8/view

 

Sometimes when we think about making art, we think of using materials like paper, paints, felts, and crayons.  But what about using materials found in nature?  Let’s on an outdoor art adventure in this week’s read aloud, Anywhere Artist.  After listening to me read the book, head outside and see what you can create using your imagination and the materials you find.

To help inspire you, here are some examples of the mandala art created by artist, James Brunt.  He uses materials such as rocks, leaves, and sticks to create circular works of art.

Lately he has been using materials he finds around his house to create art when he has to stay at home, like us.  He used his mom’s button collection for this work of art!

 

 

 

 

And here he used screws.

 

 

When Fall comes, how about some leaf animal art?

What is The Ickabog, you say?  Well, it is a new book by J.K. Rowling, author of Harry Potter!  While we are spending much of our time around home, she decided to dust off a fairytale that she had written specially for her own children.  On her website, she says that she went up to her attic to find the story, which she had placed up there several years earlier.  She spoke with her children about the parts they enjoyed the most and other ideas that they thought should be put back in.  J.K. Rowling is regularly posting chapters of The Ickabog on her website and will continue to do so until the book ends.  There are currently five chapters available.  This is an exciting way to experience her writing from home.  Click on the image to begin reading!

 

“A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P…”

This is a song nearly all of us know very well and some authors use the alphabet as a way to create non-fiction books about a topic or subject.  Today we are going on a journey in the book, Alis the Aviator, written by Canadian author, Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail, to learn about many different types of planes.  The main character, Alis, is named after Dr. Alis Kennedy, one of the first Indigenous female pilots in Canada.  Not only is there much to learn about the history of flight, you can also learn about the art of cut paper with the book’s illustrator, Kalpna Patel.

As I learned about this book, I began to think about the alphabet photography art that I have in my home and have seen in different places.  The idea of this found art is to find items that look like letters of the alphabet.  I was inspired to try this by taking pictures of items around my home, in my backyard, and around my neighbourhood.  Here are some of the letters I discovered.  Which letters can you see?  Try exploring around your home and outside to see which letter shapes you can find, and take photographs of them.  Now we know our ABCs in a whole new way!

I’m always hoping to find something for everyone when it comes to reading.  If you are in Grades 4 to 7, then this virtual library display is for you!  There are new books which include novels and graphic novels available in ebook or audiobook options.  There’s even a video from Epic Squad author, Ted Staunton.  His book, Bounced, is a mystery novel and he has tips on how you can write mysteries too.  You may remember Mr. Staunton from his visit to our school last October, along with his co-authors, Kevin Sylvester and Richard Scrimger. Two of the books are creepy and perhaps scary, so please don’t let younger brothers and sisters listen to or read them. They can visit the virtual library with picture books on display.

So come on in, pick a book, relax, and enjoy!

 

Our fourth read aloud is to honour Asian Heritage month which takes place in May.  Hop on over to my Read Aloud page to watch and listen to me read Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao by Kat Zhang and illustrated by Canadian artist, Charlene Chua.

In this story, a young girl named Amy is determined to make the perfect bao just like her family members.  A story of family traditions and trying hard to reach a goal, you’ll be sure to find a connection in this book.  Can you think of a time where you had to try hard to achieve something?  Or a time when you didn’t give up on a task even though it was frustrating?  And finally, do you have a family recipe or cooking tradition that you enjoy?

Learn how to make the perfect bao just like Amy by watching a cooking video here.

Watch and listen to the book’s author, Kat Zhang, read her book here.

Happy Reading and Happy Cooking!

 

Q’inti the Hummingbird is an Indigenous story traditionally told by the Quechan People of Peru.  Haida artist, Michael Nicoll Yahgulnanaas, created art for a book titled, The Little Hummingbird.  The Vancouver  Opera performs for audiences in theatres and also in schools.  They would usually visits schools to share their performance of The Flight of the Hummingbird, but cannot do so right now when theatres and schools are closed.  However, you can still watch their performance tomorrow, May 19th, on Youtube from the comfort of your own home!

All tell the story of a hummingbird who tirelessly works to protect her forest home and her animal friends from a wildfire.  Not every animal, however, believes that such a small creature can help with such a large problem.  What do you think people can learn from the story of the little hummingbird?

Use the choice board below to experience and explore the story of the little hummingbird in a variety of ways.

While we cannot have visits in person in our school library right now, you can still come and visit the Stoney Creek Community School Virtual Library!  Come on in and choose from seven different picture books to watch and listen to, with many of them being read by the authors themselves.  Happy Reading!

While spending so much time at home, I have become more of a birdwatcher.  There have been a variety of birds flying around our garden and perching in the trees around our house.  On a recent walk with my dog I was delighted to spot these fine, feathered friends!  There’s no doubting the kind of bird they are, but you’ll have to look very closely to find them in the photo.  I didn’t want to disturb the birds while they were out for their walk, so I had to take the picture from far away and it is tricky to find some of them.

As a connection to my reading of Birds by Kevin Henkes on my Read Aloud page, I have created a choice board for you to give birdwatching a try and to find out what kinds of birds are common around our school and neighbourhood.  There are also some bonus activities such as learning to draw a bird and watching a beautiful ballet performance.  Click on any of the boxes on choice board to begin.  Bye, bye for now, birdies!

I find birds to be a calming, enchanting part of Spring and all year round.  As you can tell, Spring is full of wonders and joys for me.  I delight in the bird songs and sightings all around my home!  The other day I spotted a small, brown and white speckled bird with a dark pink chest.  What could it be?  I am going to research by looking at bird guides.  There is so much to be curious about in Springtime!

This week’s read aloud is the book, Birds, by Kevin Henkes.  Which birds around your home do you spot and do you know their names?  I will be posting a choice board this week for you to explore and discover the many kinds of birds that live in our area.  I hope you enjoy this read aloud and your birding adventures!  Please visit the Read Aloud page to listen and read along.  Until next time, birdwatchers!