On May 23^rd Cromer School joined in with the celebration of National Simultaneous Storytime. This is an important national campaign which aims to encourage more young Australians to read and enjoy books. At 11am thousands of children throughout Australia stopped to read The Wrong Book by Nick Bland. The library was decorated with balloons to celebrate the occasion. It was so heart-warming to see groups of students gathered in the library the next day to enjoy and discuss the book for a second time.

The Term Two Program

This term the library program has been designed to support studies that are taking place in class. Inquiry units have been devised which require research using books, on line activities, film clips and interactive games. Click on the links to access the hotlists for each unit.

Kindergarten

In class, the students are studying the Science unit Weather In My World. To support this unit our library studies are focusing on the following topics:

·         What Is Weather?

·         Rain

·         Wind and Storms

·         Snow, Ice, Frost and Fog

·         The Seasons

Year One

In support of the unit Schoolyard Safari, which is a study of mini beasts, the topics for library research are:

·         In The Garden

·         Wiggly Worms

·         Scary Spiders

·         Ants

·         Classification and Habitats

Year Two

Year Two students are studying Wet and Dry Environments. The library research program will cover the topics:

·         Ponds and Lakes

·         Deserts

·         Rainforests

·         Rivers and Streams

·         The Poles

Year Three

To support the class unit Light Fantastic, the library research program will focus on the following topics:

·         What Is Light?

·         What Makes A Shadow?

·         Reflection

·         Refraction

·         Lasers and Optics

Year Four

In class Year Four will be completing their studies of National Parks before beginning a new unit People and their Beliefs. The Library research topics will be:

·         Bunya Mountains National Park

·         Norfolk Island

·         What Is Christianity

·         The Sikh Religion

·         Islam

Year Five

The class unit is Marvellous Microorganisms and our library research unit will focus on:

·         Exploring Microorganisms

·         Bacteria and Disease

·         Edward Jenner

·         Louis Pasteur

·         Microscopic Detective Mysteries

Year Six

The students in Year Six are studying Antarctica and, to support this unit, our library research will cover the following:

·         Macquarie Island

·         Sir Douglas Mawson

·         South with Scott

·         Sir Earnest Shackleton

·         Modern Exploration

The Premier’s Reading Challenge

All students are encouraged to participate in the Premier’s Reading Challenge and there is a wide range of books to choose from on our specially designated shelves.

The MS Readathon

This year we will be supporting the MS Readathon which is due to begin in August.

Happy reading!

Welcome To 2013

ABC Splash provides hundreds of video clips and activities which are designed for students in Kindergarten to 10. The broad subject areas of English, Maths, Science and History are covered and all activities are aligned with the National Curriculum.

http://splash.abc.net.au/

Many of the activities in ABC Splash have formed the basis of our library investigations this term.

Kindergarten

We have been discussing fiction and non-fiction texts. Covering such topics as Dragons, Pets, Dinosaurs and Performances, we have read a variety of fiction and non-fiction books and participated in online activities. One favourite was Design A Talking Dinosaur.

 
Year 1

In Year One our learning experiences have been varied. The students have practised their skills of visual literacy, story mapping, writing creatively and research using a variety of sources.  All of these experiences have been supported with various fiction and non-fiction texts and online activities. One favourite was the Story Map Tool.

Year 2

The Year Two program has included report writing, writing creatively, recount writing, using visual literacy skills and research using a variety of sources. Both fiction and non-fiction texts have been read and skill development has been supported with online activities. One favourite has been Wonderful Words, Creative Stories: Beach.

Stage 2

In Stage Two we have used our visual literacy skills to design a virtual website, practised digital storytelling and researched using the SAFE principle:

Source: Does the evidence come from a reliable source?

Attitude: Is there a strong bias?

Facts:  Are we seeing facts or assertions?

Emotions: Does the evidence express strong emotions?

The tasks were supported by studying fiction and non-fiction texts and participating in online activities. One favourite activity was The Riddle of the Black Panther.

Stage 3

In Stage Three, the students have practised the following skills:

·         Research using a variety of sources of information.

·         Finding evidence and compiling information.

·         Writing information reports on a virtual website.

·         Evaluating information using the SAFE principle.

One favourite activity was Visit Us: Tourist Information Website

As usual, the library is a busy, happy place to read, discover and learn.

 

 

READING ONLINE IN TERM FOUR

The students of today are entering into a world where reading is changing. Many of the students, whilst they still love the look, smell and feel of a book, are enjoying the printed word using interactive digital devices. The following clip is an indication of the exciting world of interactive reading that the students of today can look forward to.

Our Choice by Al Gore



This term all of the classes will participate in online reading activities.

KINDERGARTEN

In this course of study the students will explore stories from Africa at the website Tinga Tinga Tales.

They will view the story of Harry The Dirty Dog at the web site Storyline Online and participate in the related interactive activities.

The interactive stories that can be found in Zip Tales on the Warringah Library website will be used during this course of study.

The students will respond to all of these reading experiences with a variety of interactive tasks. A Smart Notebook will be jointly compiled by each class in response to the stories read.

YEAR ONE

The unit of study for Year One will begin with reading the story of  Roy: Tale Of A Singing Zebra and participation in the interactive activities related to this tale.

We will read a variety of Clifford stories and participate in the related activities. The students will create a dog tale  in response to the stories.

The eStories at Zip Tales on the Warringah Library website contains many stories with accompanying interactive tasks. Our unit of study will culminate with the creation of a story using the program Kerpoof.


YEAR TWO

The students will begin their study with an introduction to the nature of graphic novels. They will then access the Graphic Classics at Zip Tales and explore a number of traditional tales that are presented in digital graphic novel form. A variety of interactive activities have been designed to respond to each tale. The students will jointly construct their own tale using We Tell Stories.

Kerpoof will also be used to create graphic stories.

YEARS THREE AND FOUR


The unit of study will begin with an examination of the nature of myths. A number of myths will be read in play format. Profile Publisher will be used to create character profiles of the main characters.

At Zip Tales the students will explore The Legend Of King Arthur and participate in associated visual literacy tasks. They will then create a Text2 Mind Map.

The students will read The Adventures Of Tin Tin in the Congo. They will then participate in the interactive activities related to The Adventures Of Tin Tin At Sea.

Flip Book will be used to collaboratively plan a Tin Tin adventure.

At Zip Tales, the students will read The Secret Journey  in the Children in History series. They will use the Digital Documentaries section to research the background information. The results of this research will be recorded on a worksheet.

YEARS FIVE AND SIX

This course of study will begin by researching the work of online graphic novelist Scott McCloud. The process of story boarding will be examined and we will research the process by which Scott McCloud produces his work. The students will read Hearts and Minds and will use Kerpoof to create their own online story.
 The students will research Archimedes and will read the online story Eureka! The Story of Archimedes and the Golden Crown. They will explore the manner in which this story has been adapted by Pamella Allen by reading Mr Archimedes' Bath and will then create their own adaptation.
At the Zip Tales link on the Warringah Library website, the students will research the history of comics and will read The Happy Prince. The website contains a number of worksheets that will be completed in response to the story.
At the Graphic Classics link on the same website, the students will research Marvelous Myths and Legends. They will read King Arthur and will complete the visual literacy task related to this story.
A Text2 Mind Map will be completed to record the research results.

STOCK TAKE

The annual stock take will begin in week nine. All students will be asked to return their books by this time. A raffle will be held and students who have no outstanding loans will be eligible for a ticket.
Have a wonderful term and keep reading!

CHAMPIONS READ IN TERM THREE

LEIGH HOBBS VISITS CROMER

Last term, as part of our celebration of the National Year Of Reading, we invited author/illustrator Leigh Hobbs to visit our school. He presented a selection of his books and demonstrated his illustrating techniques. He then encouraged us to create characters of our own. The presentation was most enjoyable for all students and his books have been constantly borrowed since his visit.

THE LIBRARY PROGRAM FOR TERM THREE
Web 2.0 tools are internet tools that allow us to collaborate and share information on line. A simple explanation can be found at the link below:

Web 2.0 For Newbies


This Term we will be studying the books on the Children’s Book Council Short Lists and will be responding to them using a variety of Web 2.0 tools.  The Book Week theme for this year is Champions Read.

BOOK OF THE YEAR FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD

Kindergarten and Year One will be studying the six books listed in the category of Book Of The Year For Early Childhood. The titles are: The Runaway Hug by Nick Bland, No Bears by Meg McKinlay, The Last Viking by Norman Jorgensen, Rudie Nudie by Emma Quay, Come Down Cat by Sonya Hartnett and That’s Not A Daffodil by Elizabeth Honey.

WEB 2.0

During the course of this study the students will view book trailers on YouTube and create Wordles from vocabulary found in the texts. Using the Intel Online Visual Ranking Tool, the students will share their opinions of the stories and rank the books according to preference.

PICTURE BOOK OF THE YEAR

Years Two, Three and Four will study the six books in the category of Picture Book Of The Year. The titles are: Dream Of The Thylacine by Margaret Wild, Look! A Book by Libby Gleeson, For All Creatures by Rebecca Cool, A Bus Called Heaven by Bob Graham, No Bears by Meg McKinlay and Flood by Jackie French.

WEB 2.0

While undertaking this study the students will view YouTube book trailers and clips related to issues treated in the texts. Projects will be created using Flipbook, information will be presented using Prezi, stories will be created using Kerpoof and the Online Visual Ranking tool will be used to rank the books and share opinions of the stories.

BOOK OF THE YEAR FOR YOUNGER READERS

The students in Stage Three will study the six shortlisted books in the category Book Of The Year For Younger Readers. The titles are: Crow Country by Kate Constable, Brotherband:The Outcasts by John Flanagan, Nanberry: Black Brother White by Jackie French, The Truth About Verity Sparks by Susan Green, Bungawitta by Emily Rodda and The Golden Door by Emily Rodda.

WEB 2.0

During the course of this study the students will view YouTube book trailers and film clips related to the texts. Character profiles will be created using Profile Publisher. Ideas will be organised using Text 2 Mind Map and responses to the texts will be created using Pixton. The students will use the Intel Online Visual Ranking Tool to assess and rank the texts.



BOOK PARADE

The highlight of Term Three is the annual Book Parade which will take place on Thursday August 16th. Get those costumes ready!

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!

Term Four Is Already Upon Us! Where Has The Year Gone?

It is hard to believe that we are approaching the end of 2011. It has been an exciting year in the library. We have seen the regular arrival of many new books and Mrs Jarrett has been kept busy accessioning and preparing them for borrowing.

Wonderful Mothers

I would like to extend my thanks to the mothers who regularly took big bags of books home to be covered. It is through your hard work and dedication that the library has continued to be a place where new reading material is constantly on display.

Outstanding Library Monitors

My wonderful library monitors have been the backbone of the library this year. I congratulate Tayla, Taryn, Hannah, Volkan, Jack, Alex, Nathan, Ryan, Tom, Rentaro, Brendan, Emily and Oliver on the manner in which you have undertaken your duties in the library with enthusiasm and dedication. What am I going to do without you?

Totally Amazing

I have had very encouraging feedback from the students on the Totally Amazing performance which showcased the shortlisted books for 2011. These wonderful performers really made the books that the children had been studying in library lessons come to life. There was entertaining singing and dancing weaving the books into an engaging story in which the children could participate with the actors. This was a marvellous celebration of reading.

The Book Parade and Book Fair

We always enjoy the book parade and this year was no exception. The book parade is a highlight of the year at Cromer and our marvellous staff really get into the spirit with their amazing costumes. What child would fail to enjoy reading after watching so many storybook characters come to life?

We have had two book fairs this year and both have been extremely successful. The commission from the sale of the books has really helped to stock the library shelves with a great number of new titles. We will only have one book fair next year. This will begin on March 20th.

The Library Program.

The students will be receiving library lessons until the end of week eight. All borrowing will cease at the end of week six. During weeks seven and eight I will be asking for the return of all borrowed items so that the stocktake can begin in week nine. All students who have no outstanding loans by week nine will receive a ticket in the library raffle.

Books that were considered for the shortlist as book of the year are called Notable Books. I have chosen a number of Notable books and new picture books for inclusion in the library program this term.

Kindergarten and Year One will explore the simple things that make us happy in A Rat In A Stripy Sock by Francis Watts. They will enjoy the symbols of love in our lives that are evident in What Is This Thing Called Love? By David Cali. We will all enjoy reading Hazel Edwards’ latest book Hooray! There’s A Hippopotamus On Our Roof Having A Birthday Party and Leo The Littlest Seahorse by Margaret Wild will lead us under the sea to find out all about the life of these unique creatures.


Year Two students will begin their study with Bruce Whatley’s latest book Hunting For Dragons. This is an exciting tale which explores the power of the imagination. We will then read The Vegetable Ark by Kim Kane, an author with whom the children are quite familiar. How Frogmouth Found A Home by Ambelin Kwaymullina is a wonderful Aboriginal legend which will lead us into the Dreamtime and Cowzat by Bruce Atherton gives as a humorous and unique account of how the game of cricket may really have been invented.

The Students in Stage Two will begin their studies with a trip to Vietnam using the book The Red Bridge by Kylie Dunstan. We will venture into life in Victorian England as we study Queen Victoria’s Underpants by Jackie French. The Great Expedition by Peter Carnavas will take us on the expedition with Burke and Wills and the wonderful book by Boori Monty Prior, Shake A Leg will demonstrate the power of dance in breaking down cultural barriers.

In Stage Three the students will journey to Macquarie Island using the detailed history provided in One Small Island by Alison Lester. Jackie French's Queen Victoria's Underpants has also been chosen for Stage Three to enjoy. The Road to Goonong by David Cox will provide the students with an experience of life during the Great Depression and will highlight the inginuity and resourcefulness of people living on the land at this time. Brian Flakner is a popular author in our library and his latest book Nothwood will be the final focus in our studies for this term.

Smart Notebooks have been created for the study of all of the above texts. Lessons include interactive activities on the Panaboard, exploration of websites to research the themes in each of the books, viewing of books related to the texts that are being studied, virtual tours using YouTube and assorted activities in response to the texts. We are going to be busy! Have a wonderful fourth term and really enjoy your Christmas break.

TOTALLY AMAZING TERM THREE

Term three is always our favourite time of year in the library. The children's Book Council Short list has been announced and we are enjoying studying all the books to decide which should get our vote for book of the year in each category. We are also looking forward to some wonderful events.

TOTALLY AMAZING

The Book Week Theme for this year is One World Many Stories. On the 17th of August the performance group Echelon Productions will enterain us with their production of Totally Amazing. The performers will take us on a journey to explore the Book Week theme and watch a number of the shortlisted books come to life. International writer, composer and teacher, Craig Christie has created this musical.

As Year 5 will be away at camp, the group has agreed to return on the 9th of September for a special performance for these students. No one will miss out!

BOOK FAIR

From the 23rd ofAugust until the 26th of August the library will be hosting a Scholastic Book Fair. There will be a large display of books on offer for purchasing or donating to the library. Remember that every purchase helps our book collection to grow.

BOOK PARADE

The book parade will take place on Thursday the 25th of August from 9:15 until 10:45 am. Get those costumes ready!

THE LIBRARY PROGRAM

Three of the categories in the CBCA Short list will be studied this term. Kindergarten and Year One will examine the Early Childhood Short List. Years Two, Three and Four will study the Picture Book of The Year category. Stage Three students will study the Younger Readers Short List. This is a rather broad category of novels for primary school aged readers.

A Smart Notebook has been created to guide each unit of study. The students will read the texts, participate in a number of interactive activities in response to their reading and access websites which inform them about the authors and illustrators. Each class will use the Intel Online Visual Ranking Tool to vote for the book that they believe should be the winner. This tool allows the students to comment on the books and compare their voting with those of other classes in a visual diagram.

OUR NEW MAP OF THE WORLD

In keeping with the theme One World Many Stories we have a wonderful, very large, felt floor map of the world in the library. To accompany this map there is a large collection of felt animals, landmarks, and labels identifying continents, countries, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, rivers, lakes and seas. The Atlases have been dusted off for use!! The students are having a great deal of fun researching and exploring the world.

It is going to be a busy term and, as usual, we are having a great deal of fun in the library.