READING ADVENTURES IN TERM TWO

It is very exciting to see so many students using the library before school and at lunch time. I have counted as many as one hundred and fifty students enjoying the library during second half lunch. Students are busy participating in many activities such as:

• Reading in small groups

• Browsing, borrowing and returning books

• Completing puzzles

• Working on the computers

• Completing homework tasks

• Playing board games

• Creating puppet plays

• Playing chess

• Working on the Panaboard

In our library lessons the reading adventures continue.

KINDERGARTEN

This term the kindergarten students will participate in a study of the work of Julia Donaldson. Her most famous book is the very much loved classic The Gruffalo. In our series of lessons we will study The Gruffalo and a number of Donaldson’s other works. The students will participate in a variety of interactive activities using the Panaboard.

YEAR ONE

The students in Year One will participate in a study of the work of the gifted author/illustrator Stephen Michael King. His book Leaf, which was short listed in 2009, is extremely popular with students in all grades. The students will study this book and a number of King’s other works. They will respond to the text by participating in a variety of interactive activities using the Panaboard.

YEAR TWO

We are continuing to encourage the Year Two students to explore the world of junior chapter books. This term we will be reading a variety of stories in the Wacky Families series by Jackie French. These humorous tales are proving to be very popular. During each library lesson, we will focus on one book in the series. We will examine the characters and themes in the text and will read some key chapters. We anticipate that the children will enthusiastically borrow these books after our series of lessons.

YEAR THREE

The students in Year Three are journeying into the Dreamtime this term. We will study the significance of the Dreaming , oral tradition and the role of the Storyteller in Aboriginal culture. Each week we will read an Aboriginal legend and examine the lessons that each story is designed to teach. Our studies will be supported with the online stories and activities that can be found on the Web site Dust Echoes.

YEAR FOUR

Our studies in Year Four will focus on the work of author/illustrator Colin Thompson. In a Colin Thompson book the reader will typically find the following:

• Happy endings

• Win-win situations

• Nonviolent resolution

• Imaginative and creative images

• Challenging of stereotypes

• Faith and hope

• Peace with the environment.

Colin Thompson’s books are often humorous, always engaging and typically leave the reader with a positive and inspiring message. His complex illustrations can keep the reader enchanted for hours.

YEARS FIVE AND SIX

I have selected five excellent novels to study this term. Three of them have been extremely popular with senior students in the last few years. One is newly published and the other is an Australian classic. They are:

• Let The Balloon Go, by Ivan Southall. This is the story of a twelve year old boy suffering from cerebral palsy and his efforts to convince his over protective mother to allow him some independence. The book was first published in 1968 and was donated to Cromer library in 1981. The students will be asked to decide if it still has a place in our collection.

• The Whisperer ,by Fiona McIntosh is a rollicking adventure with many twists and turns and a mystery that keeps the reader enthralled to the end. This book was short listed in 2010 and has been immensely popular in the library.



• Escape By Sea, by L. S. Lawrence. Lawrence’s historical novels are detailed, descriptive, poetic and filled with action. This novel takes us back to the time of the Punic Wars.



• Grimsdon, by Deborah Abela. This book leads us to examine some environmental issues. A city has flooded as a result of global warming. Some children have been left behind and have a challenging quest to survive.



• Sydney Harbour Bridge. This book from the My Australian Story series examines the erection of the Sydney Harbour Bridge through the eyes of two children. Through their diaries, they tell of the political and personal tensions affecting the middle and lower class citizens of Sydney during the building of the bridge.



We are in for a busy term.!!

NATIONAL YEAR OF READING

Please click on the link below to find out more about the National Year Of Reading and how you and your child can participate.

http://www.love2read.org.au/about-us.cfm



Keep Reading and enjoying the adventures that books can provide!