The book parade last term was a wonderful celebration of reading. The students had great fun and I am pleased to report that many of the shortlisted books have been steadily borrowed since they hit the shelves.
The Whisperer by Fiona McIntosh has been immensely popular and students are reporting to me that their parents have enjoyed reading this great adventure as well. A number of the teachers have borrowed this book and all have really enjoyed it. Although it did not win in its category it has been a winner at Cromer.
The other popular title in our library is Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney. I purchased ten copies of the first four titles in this series and many little eyes were lighting up as I unpacked them from their boxes. Now the shelf where the forty books were housed is empty!
LIBRARY PROGRAMS IN TERM FOUR
In each grade we are continuing with our author studies. I am still the travelling librarian visiting classes on a fortnightly rotating basis. Smart Notebooks have been created for each author study. My wonderful new toy, a Lumens visual presenter enables me to project the book that we are reading onto the interactive whiteboard so that all children can clearly see the text. This has been very advantageous in delivering quality lessons.
Kindergarten
The Kindergarten students are studying the work of Pat Hutchins. She is a talented author and illustrator who has written many books for children the most famous of which is Rosie’s Walk. Many of the students have Pat Hutchins books in their home libraries.
Year One
In Year One we are studying the work of Stephen Michael King who is also a talented author and illustrator. Last year his book Leaf was an honour book in the Children’s Book Council awards and was most popular with all grades. We have enjoyed revisiting this text and exploring some of his other works.
Year Two
The students in Year Two are studying the work of John Burningham. He is a multi-award winning author whose work entertains and provides a basis for detailed discussion of many issues.
Year Three
The amazing work of Jeannie Baker is the focus of study for Year Three. She is a talented artist who creates richly textured collages to create the pages of her books which are extremely thought provoking. We have begun our study with Baker’s newest book Mirror which illustrates and compares a day in the life of two families in Morocco and Sydney and highlights the basic similarities. This is an astounding piece of work.
Year Four
In the wake of the immense popularity of Captain Congo and the Crocodile King by Ruth Starke which was shortlisted by the Children’s Book Council in 2009, the students in Year 4 have begun a study of other works by this popular Australian author. We began with the book Thorpey followed with a shared reading of Captain Congo and the Maharaja’s Monkey. Our study will continue with an examination of the book Noodle Pie which takes us to Vietnam.
Years Five and Six
Four very different novels will be studied this term. The first is Escape by Sea by L. S Lawrence and is a work of historical fiction which takes us to ancient Rome and Carthage and the Punic Wars. The Burrumbi Kids by Leonie Norrington gives us an insight into community life in the Northern Territory. The Flea Thing by Brian Falkener (a popular presenter at this year’s Sydney Writer’s Festival) is the story of a thirteen year old boy who has a special talent which gains him a place in the Auckland Warriors NRL team. Finally Grimsdon by Deborah Abela is the story of children who survive the flooding of their town due to global warming. I have greatly enjoyed studying these novels and look forward to presenting them and receiving the feedback of the students.
Look out for lots of new books that will be displayed in the library when the new building is completed and the library is fully functional again!
Monday, November 1, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Exciting Term Three!
Author Visits
On July 20th the students in grades Kindergarten to Year 2 had the wonderful experience of an author visit from Aleesah Darlison. She introduced us to her new book Puggle’s Problem. It is the beautifully illustrated story of the efforts of a puggle (a new born echidna) to grow his spines. I am sure that the students who purchased the book have greatly enjoyed reading it. Aleesah’s talk included a very interesting PowerPoint display detailing the writing and publishing process with links to film clips of live puggles.
On June 15th grades Three to Six were treated to a visit from the author Belinda Murrell. The box in the library which holds her works has been empty ever since her informative and interesting talk.
The students all really enjoy interacting with authors and the visits of these two very accomplished women was a great introduction to Book Week.
Term Three
This is the most exciting time of the year for librarians. The shortlists for Children’s’ Book of the Year in the various categories has been announced and we are busy studying them as we prepare for Book Week.
The theme of Book Week this year is Across The Story Bridge. I have made a Smart Notebook for the students highlighting the books that took the staff of Cromer over the story bridge. The books that switched them on to reading and made them realise what a wonderful pass time it is. The overwhelming favourite for most of the staff was Enid Blyton. Her work is still a popular choice in the library today.
Each stage in the school will study one of the categories in the shortlist. Smart Notebooks have been made for each category. We will be analysing the Websites of the authors and illustrators, viewing film clips related to issues presented in the texts, engaging in activities in response to each book studied and discussing the manner in which familiar stories are linked to the new texts that we are experiencing. Hence we will be building bridges between stories.
Using the Intel Education Visual Ranking Tool each class will rank the books according to their preferences. This tool allows the students to compare their rankings with those of other classes. We will also be using the program Wallwisher.com to share comments on the books studied.
The Book Parade
We are all looking forward to the book parade on August 26th. We are all waiting with great anticipation to find out which books will win in each category. Get those costumes ready!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Author Visits
On June 15th Belinda Murrell will visit our school to talk to grades 3-6. Her Website can be accessed at the following address:
http://www.belindamurrell.com.au/
On July 20th Aleesah Darlison will talk to grades K-2. Her Website can be accessed at the following address:
http://www.aleesahdarlison.com/
The students really enjoy meeting authors in person and learning about their writing journey. These sessions are always very worthwhile.
The Term Two Library Program
The library program is well underway for Term Two. As in Term One, the lessons are being delivered in the classroom while our new building is under construction. All students can borrow before or after school each day. The library is opened for the students to use the computers at second half lunch on Monday and Wednesday. They may borrow during second half lunch on Thursday.
Kindergarten Library Lessons
The Kindergarten classes are studying the work of Bruce Whatley. He is a very talented author and illustrator and the students are really enjoying his books.
A Smart Notebook has been created which outlines the lesson plans, provides activities related to the texts to be studied and contains links to relevant Websites that will assist to deepen the students’ understanding of the content of the texts studied.
Year One
The Year One students are participating in a study of the work of Bob Graham, a multi award winning Australian author illustrator.
With the use of a Smart Notebook the students will analyse a range of texts by Graham followed by discussion questions and related responses to the stories read.
Year Two
The Year Two students are studying the work of Margaret Wild. A pathfinder has been created which can be accessed at the following address:
http://margaretwild.wikispaces.com/
This pathfinder details the books that we will read, related Websites and responses to the texts.
Year Three
The Year Three students are reading books by Colin Thompson. He is also an author illustrator.
A Smart Notebook has been created which will guide us through a variety of his works . They all deliver such positive messages as peace with ourselves, each other and the environment.
The students will complete a range of activities which are designed to consolidate their understanding of the message contained in each book.
Year Four
Using the pathfinder that can be accessed at the address below, Year Four are enjoying the entertaining work of Margaret Clark. With a great deal of humour she writes about issues that are of interest to children such as bullying, being afraid and caring for pets.
A Smart Notebook has also been created to guide discussion and the writing of book reviews. The course is also guided by a pathfinder which can be accessed at the link below.
http://margaretclark.wikispaces.com/
Year Five
The Year Five classes are undertaking a study of the work of Libby Gleeson. The study includes a wide range of texts from her vast body of work including picture books and junior and senior novels. Most of her work is reality fiction in which she explores the challenges and obstacles of her characters in their journey through life and the consequences that arise from decisions made along the way.
A Smart Notebook has been designed to guide each lesson and the pathfinder at the address below provides a synopsis of some of the books we will study and links to related Web Sites.
http://author-study.wikispaces.com/
Year Six
The Year Six classes will be studying the book Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. The lessons will be undertaken using a Smart Notebook in which we analyse the characters, plot, setting, themes, structure and linguistic devices in this gripping novel.
A hotlist has been created with links to the websites that will guide our study. It can be accessed at the address below.
http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/listhatchetd.html
On June 15th Belinda Murrell will visit our school to talk to grades 3-6. Her Website can be accessed at the following address:
http://www.belindamurrell.com.au/
On July 20th Aleesah Darlison will talk to grades K-2. Her Website can be accessed at the following address:
http://www.aleesahdarlison.com/
The students really enjoy meeting authors in person and learning about their writing journey. These sessions are always very worthwhile.
The Term Two Library Program
The library program is well underway for Term Two. As in Term One, the lessons are being delivered in the classroom while our new building is under construction. All students can borrow before or after school each day. The library is opened for the students to use the computers at second half lunch on Monday and Wednesday. They may borrow during second half lunch on Thursday.
Kindergarten Library Lessons
The Kindergarten classes are studying the work of Bruce Whatley. He is a very talented author and illustrator and the students are really enjoying his books.
A Smart Notebook has been created which outlines the lesson plans, provides activities related to the texts to be studied and contains links to relevant Websites that will assist to deepen the students’ understanding of the content of the texts studied.
Year One
The Year One students are participating in a study of the work of Bob Graham, a multi award winning Australian author illustrator.
With the use of a Smart Notebook the students will analyse a range of texts by Graham followed by discussion questions and related responses to the stories read.
Year Two
The Year Two students are studying the work of Margaret Wild. A pathfinder has been created which can be accessed at the following address:
http://margaretwild.wikispaces.com/
This pathfinder details the books that we will read, related Websites and responses to the texts.
Year Three
The Year Three students are reading books by Colin Thompson. He is also an author illustrator.
A Smart Notebook has been created which will guide us through a variety of his works . They all deliver such positive messages as peace with ourselves, each other and the environment.
The students will complete a range of activities which are designed to consolidate their understanding of the message contained in each book.
Year Four
Using the pathfinder that can be accessed at the address below, Year Four are enjoying the entertaining work of Margaret Clark. With a great deal of humour she writes about issues that are of interest to children such as bullying, being afraid and caring for pets.
A Smart Notebook has also been created to guide discussion and the writing of book reviews. The course is also guided by a pathfinder which can be accessed at the link below.
http://margaretclark.wikispaces.com/
Year Five
The Year Five classes are undertaking a study of the work of Libby Gleeson. The study includes a wide range of texts from her vast body of work including picture books and junior and senior novels. Most of her work is reality fiction in which she explores the challenges and obstacles of her characters in their journey through life and the consequences that arise from decisions made along the way.
A Smart Notebook has been designed to guide each lesson and the pathfinder at the address below provides a synopsis of some of the books we will study and links to related Web Sites.
http://author-study.wikispaces.com/
Year Six
The Year Six classes will be studying the book Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. The lessons will be undertaken using a Smart Notebook in which we analyse the characters, plot, setting, themes, structure and linguistic devices in this gripping novel.
A hotlist has been created with links to the websites that will guide our study. It can be accessed at the address below.
http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/listhatchetd.html
Sunday, February 14, 2010
With the renovations about to begin, life for us is all about adapting, overcoming and improvising. We are doing very well!
This year library lessons will be conducted as team teaching sessions in the classroom. These lessons are based on a two weekly cycle with each grade involved in an author study.
A very warm and cosy library ‘nook’ has been created near the big television and many of the popular titles have been relocated to this area for ease of borrowing. I am delighted to see parents sitting and reading to their children in the ‘nook’ before and after school.
While music lessons are being conducted in the library the borrowing times are as follows:
• Any morning before school except for Thursday when we have a staff meeting.
• Any afternoon after school except for Monday when we have TPL meetings.
• Monday, Wednesday and Thursday during second half lunch.
The team teaching programs are outlined below.
Kindergarten
The Kindergarten classes are studying the work of the author Pamela Allen. Using the wiki, which can be found at the address below, the students will gain information about the author, enjoy some examples of her work, discuss other books that they have read and follow links to Web Sites which provide deeper experiences with topics and issues in the books. They will study and respond to the texts in interesting ways.
Kindergarten classes have begun reading for the Premier’s Reading Challenge and are working their way through a bag of PRC books that has been supplied from the library.
http://pamelaallen.wikispaces.com/
Year One
Using the wiki at the address below, the Year One students are involved in a study of the work of Babette Cole. Her Web Site is quite fascinating and allows the students to see and hear her reading some of her most entertaining books whilst providing information about the author herself. She has issued us a challenge to write an Easter story so we will be hard at work on that.
Year One is also busy reading for the Premier’s Reading Challenge with their own bag of PRC library books.
http://babettecole.wikispaces.com/
Year Two
The Year Two students are learning all about the author Mem Fox. Using the wiki at the address below, we are enjoying her wonderful books, learning about her life and her journey as an author and enjoying listening to her read some of her most famous works. We are also undertaking writing tasks modelled on her stories.
The year two grade has been given a Premier’s Reading Challenge bag from the library which the students are enjoying with their teachers.
http://authorstudymemfox.wikispaces.com/
Year Three
The Year Three students have entered the very fascinating and complex world of Anthony Browne. We are looking in detail at the text and illustrations in his books. We are using both the wiki, which can be accessed at the address below, and a Smart Notebook which has been created to facilitate discussion and meaningful responses to the books studied.
http://abrowne.wikispaces.com/
Year 4
In Year 4 we have embarked on a study of the work of Roald Dahl. Using the hotlist at the address below and a Smart Notebook, we will explore various aspects of his work and embark on some writing activities inspired by themes and issues in his novels. Roald Dahl books are extremely popular in our library and his work is most entertaining for us all.
http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/listroalddad.html
Year 5
The students in Year Five are busy practising their narrative writing skills. Using a wiki and a Smart Notebook that have been created to provide discussion, modelling and writing tasks, the students will examine various sub-genres of the Narrative style . They will then undertake writing tasks inspired by these sub-genres. Each session will focus on a particular author whose work is an excellent example of the sub-genre studied.
http://thenarrative.wikispaces.com/
Year Six
The students of year six are studying the themes and issues that are evident in the works of Morris Gleitzman. Using a wiki and a Smart Notebook, the students are practising the skill of examining a text to identify the author’s purpose and finding evidence to prove their interpretation. Morris Gleitzman is renowned for writing about serious issues using characters that are always optimistic. His work is underpinned with humour. Gleitzman is another popular author in our library.
http://gleitzman.wikispaces.com/
The Premier’s Reading Challenge
From the March 1st the students can begin recording their Premier’s Reading Challenge books on the PRC Web Site. Whilst we have a wonderful collection of books on the PRC shelf, I encourage all students to visit Warringah Library where the choices are very broad. Visit the address below for a taste of what you can borrow:
http://www.wls.nsw.gov.au/readingchallenge.htm
This year library lessons will be conducted as team teaching sessions in the classroom. These lessons are based on a two weekly cycle with each grade involved in an author study.
A very warm and cosy library ‘nook’ has been created near the big television and many of the popular titles have been relocated to this area for ease of borrowing. I am delighted to see parents sitting and reading to their children in the ‘nook’ before and after school.
While music lessons are being conducted in the library the borrowing times are as follows:
• Any morning before school except for Thursday when we have a staff meeting.
• Any afternoon after school except for Monday when we have TPL meetings.
• Monday, Wednesday and Thursday during second half lunch.
The team teaching programs are outlined below.
Kindergarten
The Kindergarten classes are studying the work of the author Pamela Allen. Using the wiki, which can be found at the address below, the students will gain information about the author, enjoy some examples of her work, discuss other books that they have read and follow links to Web Sites which provide deeper experiences with topics and issues in the books. They will study and respond to the texts in interesting ways.
Kindergarten classes have begun reading for the Premier’s Reading Challenge and are working their way through a bag of PRC books that has been supplied from the library.
http://pamelaallen.wikispaces.com/
Year One
Using the wiki at the address below, the Year One students are involved in a study of the work of Babette Cole. Her Web Site is quite fascinating and allows the students to see and hear her reading some of her most entertaining books whilst providing information about the author herself. She has issued us a challenge to write an Easter story so we will be hard at work on that.
Year One is also busy reading for the Premier’s Reading Challenge with their own bag of PRC library books.
http://babettecole.wikispaces.com/
Year Two
The Year Two students are learning all about the author Mem Fox. Using the wiki at the address below, we are enjoying her wonderful books, learning about her life and her journey as an author and enjoying listening to her read some of her most famous works. We are also undertaking writing tasks modelled on her stories.
The year two grade has been given a Premier’s Reading Challenge bag from the library which the students are enjoying with their teachers.
http://authorstudymemfox.wikispaces.com/
Year Three
The Year Three students have entered the very fascinating and complex world of Anthony Browne. We are looking in detail at the text and illustrations in his books. We are using both the wiki, which can be accessed at the address below, and a Smart Notebook which has been created to facilitate discussion and meaningful responses to the books studied.
http://abrowne.wikispaces.com/
Year 4
In Year 4 we have embarked on a study of the work of Roald Dahl. Using the hotlist at the address below and a Smart Notebook, we will explore various aspects of his work and embark on some writing activities inspired by themes and issues in his novels. Roald Dahl books are extremely popular in our library and his work is most entertaining for us all.
http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/listroalddad.html
Year 5
The students in Year Five are busy practising their narrative writing skills. Using a wiki and a Smart Notebook that have been created to provide discussion, modelling and writing tasks, the students will examine various sub-genres of the Narrative style . They will then undertake writing tasks inspired by these sub-genres. Each session will focus on a particular author whose work is an excellent example of the sub-genre studied.
http://thenarrative.wikispaces.com/
Year Six
The students of year six are studying the themes and issues that are evident in the works of Morris Gleitzman. Using a wiki and a Smart Notebook, the students are practising the skill of examining a text to identify the author’s purpose and finding evidence to prove their interpretation. Morris Gleitzman is renowned for writing about serious issues using characters that are always optimistic. His work is underpinned with humour. Gleitzman is another popular author in our library.
http://gleitzman.wikispaces.com/
The Premier’s Reading Challenge
From the March 1st the students can begin recording their Premier’s Reading Challenge books on the PRC Web Site. Whilst we have a wonderful collection of books on the PRC shelf, I encourage all students to visit Warringah Library where the choices are very broad. Visit the address below for a taste of what you can borrow:
http://www.wls.nsw.gov.au/readingchallenge.htm
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