Category: Uncategorized

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!

 

 

Claude Monet was a French painter who mostly painted landscapes; scenes of the land and nature around him.  He lived in a house in Giverny, France that was surrounded by gardens and he, himself, enjoyed gardening.  Many of his paintings were inspired by his own gardens.

I love to look at art and Monet is one of my favourite artists.  Last year I had the wonderful opportunity to visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York where many of his paintings of water lilies are displayed.  I enjoy his artwork because the style of painting he used, Impressionism, makes the scene look dreamy and soft.  I am also interested in his paintings as so many of them show flowers.

You can explore the world of Monet with four options on my choice board below.  You can read and learn more about Claude Monet and his painting style using our schools’ World Book Kids and Tumblebooks online resources.  You can also take a tour through one of his paintings and watch an art lesson to paint your own version of it.  Click on the choice board to open it and start exploring!

I would love for you to share your paintings with me.  Please email me at stephanie.good@burnabyschools.ca.

It is Star Wars Day and here are some videos and activities to celebrate and enjoy!  My family and I are HUGE Star Wars fans and enjoy watching the movies together.  How did you celebrate?

One of my favourite things about the series is the incredible music that was created for the films.  It is so powerful and exciting.  I have included two videos of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra playing Star Wars themes.  Have a listen to Darth Vader’s song, The Imperial March.  Did you notice what the conductor was using to lead and direct the musicians?  And while at home just like us, some orchestra members celebrated today by playing the Cantina Band song and even included their dancing kids!  Special thanks to Ms. McQueen who shared this video with our staff.

Following the music, you can listen along as Daisy Ridley, who plays Rey, reads a Star Wars story.  And finally, a drawing lesson!

Rey reads a story about BB-8 during Star Wars Storytime.  Click here.

Learn to draw Baby Yoda and more Star Wars characters here!

Enjoy and…

 

Spring has sprung and it is time for another read aloud to celebrate the season!  Join me as I read Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring and we will go on a seasonal walk to watch the changing seasons in this delightful book by Kenard Pak.  Thank you to McMillan publishers for the opportunity to read this book to you.

Please email me or your teacher for the Read Aloud page password and enjoy the story!

This time of learning at home has seen so many authors and illustrators finding different ways to share their books, art, and creativity with the world.  J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, is supporting readers too.  She has created the Harry Potter at Home website where wizards and muggles can go and explore the world of Harry Potter.  And Amazon is offering a free audiobook (book recording) of The Philosopher’s Stone, the first book in the series, for free through Audible.  The book is available is six languages.

My daughter loves the Harry Potter series and has now begun to read it again while we are at home.  Your family might enjoy listening to Book One together while you are all at home.

So hop on the Hogwarts Express and take a ride to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter by clicking on each image below.  Wingardium Leviosa!

Hello Stoney Creek community!

My first read aloud video is now available on the “Read Aloud” page of this website.  Join me as I read The Feel Good Book by Todd Parr.  Thanks to Little Brown and Company publishers for allowing this recording during learning at home.

If you haven’t done so already, please email me or your teacher for the password to listen to me read.

During this time of being at home, there are many authors and illustrators who are connecting with readers online. They are reading their stories in videos, posting copies of their books to read, and even giving drawing lessons.

You can take drawing lessons from Mo Willems, Jarrett Lerner, and Jarrett J. Krosoczka!  Mo Willems is the author and illustrator of Elephant and Piggie and the Pigeon books, while Jarret Lerner writes and illustrates the EngiNerds series.  Jarrett J. Krosoczka is best known for his Lunch Lady and Stars Wars Jedi Academy graphic novels.

Click on the links below to get doodling!  You will also find a copy of Jarrett Lerner’s ebook Knights of the Kids Table.  Please feel free to share your drawings in the comment section or by emailing me.  Have fun!

 

Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems

Jarrett Lerner’s Activities page

Draw Every Day with JJK

Knight of the Kids’ Table by Jarrett Lerner – Read online!