Reading and Learning in Term Two

The Premier’s Reading Challenge

The Premier’s Reading Challenge began on March 6^th and will close on Friday August 27^th. The challenge is best explained in the following words from the PRC website:

The Challenge aims to encourage a love of reading for leisure and pleasure in students, and to enable them to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read, to read more and to read more widely.

The Premier's Reading Challenge (PRC) is available for all NSW students in Kindergarten to Year 9, in government, independent, Catholic and home schools.

National Simultaneous Storytime

The students of Cromer School will participate in National Simultaneous Storytime on Wednesday May 24th.  This event aims to encourage more young Australians to read and enjoy books. The Australian Library and Information Association tells us that:

Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. By facilitating National Simultaneous Storytime, we aim to:

•promote the value of reading and literacy;

•promote the value and fun of books;

•promote an Australian writer and publisher;

•promote storytime activities in public libraries and communities around the country;

•provide opportunities to involve parents, grandparents, the media and others to participate in and enjoy the occasion.

•NSS receives positive media coverage, generates a great deal of community interest and is held annually as part of Library and Information Week.

This year the story that will be read is The Cow Tripped Over the Moon by Tony Wilson and Laura Wood.

The library program has been designed as follows:

K/6J

The students will continue with the unit of study that was begun in term one.

They will continue to read together each week using the digital books in World Book Online Early World of Learning and will follow links to the related film clips, pictures and activities incorporated in the program.

Each reading task will be supported with a related fiction or non-fiction text which will be jointly read using the interactive whiteboard.

The students will then complete each lesson with a worksheet related to the theme studied in the lesson.

 

Kindergarten

The students will undertake an author study of the work of Bruce Whatley. He is a popular author, illustrator and artist. He uses a variety of illustration medium including oil paints, gouache, pen and ink and watercolour. Bruce's style is humorous and imaginative with his aim to entertain and surprise the reader.

This study has been requested by the kindergarten teachers to complement their studies of picture books by Jackie French with whom Whatley often collaborates to produce award winning picture books.

Year One

I love to present the work of Colin McNaughton to stage one readers. His work is a wonderful vehicle for introducing young readers to visual literacy.  Visual images are becoming increasingly more important in the modern world. Most information is presented with a combination of words and images.

 It is essential that students develop the ability to decode, interpret, question, challenge and evaluate texts that contain visual images as well as or instead of words.

In the study of visual literacy students use visual images to help them read and understand texts. Visual information can support reading and help the reader to make meaning of the text .  The humorous and entertaining work of Colin McNaughton is a great place to start such a study.

 

Year Two

The students will study the work of Stephen Michael King. He is a popular author, illustrator and artist who uses a variety of artistic medium such as oil paints, pen and ink and watercolour to create amazing illustrations.

His style is humorous and imaginative. He is an author in his own right but has also collaborated with some of our best known authors to produce outstanding fiction for young readers.

 

Stage Two (Years Three and Four)

The students in stage two will enter the fascinating world of author/illustrator Anthony Browne. His high quality picture books which contain elegant art, visual jokes and deeper meaning are a source of entertainment and food for thought for all ages. I really enjoy seeing the excitement of the students as they delve deeper into each illustration and discover all the hidden symbols.

Browne’s work is entertaining and engaging. The combination of text and deeply meaningful illustrations encourage comprehension and high level communication.

Stage Three (Years Five and Six)

The students are continuing with the study of poetry that they began in term one. We have completed books of poems which can be displayed in the library. The students have been very engaged with this project and they understand that the writing of poetry requires thought and skill. It is a wonderful vehicle for capturing a moment or reflecting on an event. 

The students are now undertaking a project-based learning task in which they will design a breakfast cereal and write a lyrical poem to advertise it.  During this process the students will:

• Undertake research on food using books in the library and World Book Online
• Brainstorm what their invented cereal will contain based on knowledge gained about food and nutrition.
• Design a poster to advertise the cereal considering the target market.
• Write a lyrical poem to advertise the product.
• Present the advertisement to the class.

 

Happy reading and learning in term two!

 

Launching Into 2017

We have had an exciting start to term one in the library.  A large number of students have volunteered to be library monitors and it is wonderful to see such interest in keeping the library running smoothly. I am thrilled to be working with this new group of dedicated monitors.

The library program is well underway and is outlined as follows:

K/6J

The students will read together each week using the digital books in World Book Online Early World of Learning and will follow links to the related film clips, pictures and activities incorporated in the program

Each reading task will be supported with a related fiction or non-fiction text which will be jointly read using the interactive whiteboard.

The students will then complete each lesson with a worksheet related to the theme studied in the lesson.

Author Studies:

Author studies enable teachers to share quality literature with their students. As the students share the excitement of exposure to engaging literature the skills of comprehension and communication emerge. The students gain a deeper attachment to books and critical thinking skills, reading skills and writing skills develop and improve.

Kindergarten

The students will undertake an author study of the work of Pamela Allen. She is an award winning author who has enchanted children for over thirty years. Her books are full of the music of language and are designed to be read aloud and shared.

Year One

The students will undertake an author study of the work of Eric Carle.

Eric Carle is an international bestselling and award-winning author and illustrator of more than seventy books for very young children including his most well-known title The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Year Two

A unit of work has been designed to introduce the students to junior chapter books with a view to encouraging them to borrow from the vast and varied assortment in the library collection.

Developing a love of reading as a recreational activity would be the most important goal of this program.

Making time for exposure to high quality literature enables students to become enthusiastic readers. They are given the opportunity to travel to interesting places, understand other cultures, explore a range emotions and new experiences and broaden their horizons.

Stage Two (Years 3 and 4)

The students will undertake a study of the narrative structure. Narrative structure is the structural framework that underlies the order and manner in which a story is presented to readers, listeners and viewers. The two elements of the narrative structure are the plot and the setting.

The students will read the original Grimm brothers’ version of the story of Hansel and Gretel. They will then read the Anthony Browne version noting similarities and differences in the retelling. Particular attention will be paid to character, setting, plot, point of view and illustrations.

The students will then undertake a study of a digital retelling and analyse such elements as music, sound effects, characterisation, intended audience, salience and cinematic techniques.

Stage Three (Years 5 and 6)

Poetry is an important branch of literature. Poetry provides a gateway to becoming literate as students are given the opportunity to delight and engage while increasing their skills of critical analysis.

 Poems use a variety of techniques -- metaphor, imagery, rhyme and meter -- to convey meaning. As students identify these techniques and analyse the manner in which they function in a poem their analytical and critical skills improve.

Providing students wth the opportunity to write poetry gives them the opportunity to express themselves creatively.

This unit of study is designed in two formats. There is a digital  lesson which can be undertaken in pairs and a formal class lesson. This series of lessons will be undertaken in rotating groups.

 

 

Reading Adventures in Term Three

Finally it is here! The most exciting time on the library calendar when we learn what books have been selected on Children’s Book Council short lists and prepare for our favourite event, the annual Cromer school book parade. Excitement is building in the library already.

MS Readathon

Fifty-five Cromer students have been participating in the MS Readathon and have, so far, raised  $2878 for this worthy cause. I am so proud of this effort and the contribution that Cromer students are making towards the search for a cure.

Premier’s Reading Challenge

The Premier’s Reading Challenge closes on August 19^th. Many students have signed up but all reading logs need to be completed by this date.

Book Week

The Book Week theme this year is Australia Story Country. We live in a country that has many stories to tell.

In the library we celebrate the work of our wonderful Australian authors and illustrators who continue to enrich our lives with amazing novels, picture books and information books. This includes the work of our wonderful indigenous story tellers who help us to understand and appreciate their rich history and culture. We continue to celebrate the fact that we all have a story to tell and Cromer students are wonderful story writers.

Visiting Presenters

As part of our book week celebrations two presenters will be visiting the school this August. Steven Herrick is Australia’s most popular poet for young people. His books for children and young adults have received critical acclaim both here and overseas. He will perform for Years 5 and 6 on Wednesday August 17^th.

Sam Derchie is a storyteller from Ghana. He encourages participation from the students by involving them in the singing of traditional folk songs which have been selected to reinforce themes in the stories that he tells. He will perform for students from Kindergarten to Year 4 on Tuesday August 30^th.

Lunch With the Stars

On Tuesday August 30^th I will be taking eight of the library monitors to Lunch with the Stars. This is an annual event held by the Children’s Book Council in the Great Hall at St Patrick’s Manly.

The event is a literary lunch where eight students and the teacher librarian from each participating school will sit at a table with an author for lunch and interesting presentations. We look forward to this event every year and value the opportunity to shake hands with many of our favourite authors.

The Library Program

In term three the students study the books that have been shortlisted or nominated as notable in a number of categories by the Children's Book Council . During the course of their studies the students research the authors and illustrators, examine the texts, discuss the themes and issues presented in the texts, and participate in visual literacy and online activities. The books to be studied are listed below.

K/6J

Bogtrotter by Margaret Wilde and Judith Rossell

Big As You by Sara Acton

Piranhas Don’t Eat Bananas by Aaron Blabey

My Dog Bigsy by  Alison Lester

The Cow Tripped Over the Moon by Laura Wood and Troy Wilson

Ollie and the Wind by Ronojoy Ghosh

Why I Love Footy  by Michael Wagner and Tom Jellett

Mr Huff  by Anna Walker

Perfect by Danny Parker and Freya Blackwood

Pig the Fibber by Aaron Blabey

The students will also participate in joint oral reading activities using Sunshine Books Online and related digital activities.

Kindergarten

Mr Huff  by Anna Walker

Piranhas Don’t Eat Bananas by Aaron Blabey

Perfect by Danny Parker and Freya Blackwood

My Dog Bigsy by    Alison Lester

The Cow Tripped Over the Moon by Laura Wood and Troy Wilson

Ollie and the Wind by Ronojoy Ghosh

Big As You by Sara Acton

Why I Love Footy  by Michael Wagner and Ton Jellett

Pig the Fibber by Aaron Blabey

Bogtrotter by Margaret Wilde and Judith Rossell

 

Stage One

The Cleo Stories by Libby Gleeson and Freya Blackwood

Piranhas Don’t Eat Bananas by Aaron Blabey

Ollie and the Wind by Ronojoy Ghosh

Perfect by Danny Parker and Freya Blackwood

Mr Huff  by Anna Walker

The Cow Tripped Over the Moon by Laura Wood and Troy Wilson

My Dog Bigsy by    Alison Lester

Green Tree Frogs  by Sandra Kendell

Adelaide’s Secret World by Elise Hurst

How the Sun Got to Coco’s House by Bog Graham

Stage Two

Suri’s Wall by Lucy Estela and Matt Ottley

Ride, Ricardo Ride! By Phil Cummins and Shane Devries

One step at a Time by Jane Jolly and Sally Heinrich

And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda by Eric Bogle and Bruce Whatley

Flight Nadia Wheatley and Armin Greder

My Dead Bunny by Sigi Cole and James Foley

My Gallipoli  by Ruth Starke and Robert Hannaford

The White Mouse: the story of Nancy Wake by Peter Gouldthorpe

Bob the Railway Dog by Corinne Fenton and Andrew McLean

Platypus by Sue Whiting and Mark Jackson

Stage Three

Soon by Morris Gleitzman

Star of Deltora: Shadows of the Master by Emily Rodda

Sister Heart by Sally Morgan

Molly and Pim and the Thousands of Stars by    Martine Murray

Run, Pip Run by J C Jones

Lennie the Legend by Stephanie Owen Reeder

The White Mouse: the story of Nancy Wake by Peter Gouldthorpe

Phasmid; Saving the Lord Howe Island Stick Insect  by Rohna Cleave and Coral Tulloch

My Dead Bunny by Sigi Cole and James Foley

 

These are all wonderful books and we should have a great deal of fun studying them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Term Two 2016

National Simultaneous Storytime

The students of Cromer School will participate in National Simultaneous Storytime on Wednesday May 25th.  This event aims to encourage more young Australians to read and enjoy books. The Australian Library and Information Association tells us that:

Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. By facilitating National Simultaneous Storytime, we aim to:

• promote the value of reading and literacy;
• promote the value and fun of books;
• promote an Australian writer and publisher;
• promote storytime activities in public libraries and communities around the country;
• provide opportunities to involve parents, grandparents, the media and others to participate in and enjoy the occasion.
• NSS receives positive media coverage, generates a great deal of community interest and is held annually as part of Library and Information Week.

This year the story that will be read is I Got this Hat  by Jol and Kate Temple. Follow the link above for all the details (All purple text in this post represents a link to more information).

                                                         

 

The Premier’s Reading Challenge

One hundred and forty Cromer students have signed up for the Premier’s Reading Challenge this year. I am so pleased to see the enthusiasm of these young readers for borrowing and enjoying quality literature. It is not too late to begin. We have many books in the library that are on the PRC list.

The Library Program

K/6J

Sunshine Books Online underpins the course of study designed for K/6J. The students will read texts together, engage in related digital activities and complete worksheets related to the texts studied.

Kindergarten

The students in Kindergarten will study the work of author illustrator Bruce Whatley. His work is highly regarded both in Australia and internationally. Whatley has created over 60 picture books and has won many awards. The students always enjoy his humorous stories and vibrant illustrations.

Year One

The students in Year One will undertake a Colin McNaughton author study. The work of this author is a wonderful means by which the students can be introduced to the study of visual literacy.

Visual Literacy involves the skill of interpreting still and moving images, graphs, tables, maps and other graphic representations. It incorporates the understanding and evaluation of the manner in which images and language work together to present ideas.

 

Year Two

John Burningham is an author /illustrator. He has been writing children’s books since the 1960s and his work provides insights into many themes and issues confronting us in modern life. His work has appeal for both children and adults. The students should enjoy studying the wide range of Burningham’s works that have been chosen for this course of study.

Stage Two

The students in stage two will study the work of author/illustrator Colin Thompson. In his work the following themes can be found:

• Happy endings
• Everyone wins
• Non-violent resolution
• Imaginative and creative stories
• Challenging stereotypes
• Faith and hope
• Peace with the environment

The students will also be introduced to Colin Thompson’s amusing series The Floods.

Stage Three

The course of study for Stage Three is based on the ABC television program Bushwhacked. The course of study aims to assist the students to:

• Develop a coherent, dynamic and evolving body of knowledge about the English language and how it works;
• Learn to interpret, appreciate and evaluate film and multimodal texts.
• Apply their English skills and knowledge to read, view, speak, listen to and write a growing repertoire of texts.
• Develop a sense of wonder, curiosity and respect about places, people, cultures and environments throughout the world.
• Gain deep geographical knowledge of their own locality, Australia, the Asia region and the world.
• Acquire the ability to think geographically, using geographical concepts.
• Develop the capacity to be competent, critical and creative users of geographical inquiry methods and skills.
• Become responsible and active citizens who can contribute to the development of an environmentally and economically sustainable and socially just world.

 

It is shaping up to be an interesting and exciting term. Happy reading and researching!

Reading Adventures in 2016

At the start of this brand new year the students at Cromer School are certainly enjoying the library. There are lots of interesting areas to relax and enjoy the many new books that have been purchased in the past year. We have created many more labelled boxes which make it much easier for both the students and teachers to find texts by favourite authors or that provide information on specific subjects.

The students enjoy visiting the library each Monday, Tuesday and Friday morning before school and at lunch time on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Each class attends library lessons for a weekly forty minute lesson. Please endure that your child has a library bag (preferably waterproof) on their designated library day.

This year we welcome Ms Kimberley Lee to the library as library teacher each Friday.

The Premier’s Reading Challenge

The Challenge aims to encourage a love of reading for leisure and pleasure in students, and to enable them to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read, to read more and to read more widely. (NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge Website)

The challenge will open on the 7^th of March and all students are encouraged to participate.

The Library Program

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 related interactive activities using the Panaboard.

Years One and Two

I would like to extend the reading experience of the students by introducing them to the wonderful reading adventures that can be found in junior chapter books. There is a very large collection of junior chapter books in our library and throughout the term we will read a variety of texts from a number of different series that are on offer in the library.  A different set of books has been selected for each grade.

Stage Two (Years 3 and 4)

The students in stage Two will undertake a unit of study that is designed to help with the development of their research skills. We will be using World Book Online as well as film clips and books to research the following topics:

Environmental Pollution

The Human Body

Space Exploration

Feasts and Festivals

At the end of each research unit individual classes will create a challenge using the interactive tools in Smart Notebook. These challenges will be completed by the other classes in Stage Two.

Stage Three (Years 5 and 6)

Visual Literacy involves the skill of interpreting still and moving images, graphs, tables, maps and other graphic representations. It incorporates the understanding and evaluation of the manner in which images and language work together to present ideas.

The students will participate in a visual literacy program which explores the techniques used in the development of multimodal texts. Using the program The Text Files, the students will examine the techniques used in the production of plays, television advertisements, billboards, computer adventure games and comics.

The year is off to a great start and I am looking forward to our reading adventures in 2016.

Books Light Up OUr World In Term Three

Term Three is always our most exciting term as we study the books that have been short listed by the Children’s Book Council of Australia and vote for the texts that we think should be the winners. We also prepare for the major event of the year, the annual book parade. This is always a wonderful celebration of books and reading.

All children are encouraged to participate in the Premier’s Reading Challenge and the MS Readathon. We have been learning about Multiple Sclerosis in our library lessons and have heard the stories of some people who suffer from the disease and have been helped by the MS Society.

As we have a number of teachers and students who have relatives who suffer from MS, we encourage the Cromer community to support this worthy cause.

Our book fair will not take place during book week this year. We look forward to having a wonderful book fair in the hall from the 27^th of October during grandparents’ week.

The Short List

The students study books that have been short listed in a number of categories. The studies involve researching the authors and illustrators, studying the texts, participating in visual literacy activities and participating in online activities that enrich our understanding of themes and issues presented in the books.

The short listed books are:

Book of the Year for Early Childhood

These books will be studied by the students in  K/6B  and Kindergarten

Pig the Pug by Aaron Blabey

Scary Night by Lesley Gibbes and Stephen Michael King

Go to Sleep Jessie by Libby Gleeson and Freya Blackwood

A House of Her Own by Jenny Hughes and Jonathan Bentley

Snail and Turtle are Friends by Stephen Michael King

Noni the Pony by Alison Lester

Picture Book of the Year

These books will be studied by Year Four

Rivertime by Trace Bella

My Two Blankets by Irena Kobald and Freya Blackwood

One Minute’s Silence by David Metzenthen and Michael Camilleri

The Stone Lion by Margaret Wild and Ritva Voutila

Fire by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley

The Eve Pownall Award for Information Books

These books will be studied by Year Three

The A-Z of Convicts in Van Diemen’s Land by Simon Barnard

Mary’s Australia by Pamela Freeman

Emu by Claire Saxby and Graham Byrne

Tea and Sugar Christmas by Jane Jolly and Robert Ingpen

The Crighton Award for New Illustrators

A selection of these books will also be studied by Year Three

Rivertime by Trace Bella

Kick With My Left Foot by Paul Seden and Karen Briggs

One Minute’s Silence by David Metzenthen and Michael Camilleri

Little Dog and the Christmas Wish by Corinne Fenton  Robin Cowcher

Meet Douglas Mawson by Mike Dumbleton and Snip Green

The Lost Girl by Ambelin Kwaymullina and Leanne Tobin

Book of the Year for Younger Readers

These books will be studied by Years Five and Six

Two Wolves by Tristan Banks

The Simple Things by Bill Condon

Figgy in the World by Tamsin Janu

Bleak Boy and Hunter Stand Out in the Rain by Stephen Herrick

Withering-By-Sea: A Stella Montgomery Intrigue by Judith Rossell

Years One and Two and 3/4/5M will study a selection of texts from the above categories.

Start planning those costumes for the book parade and keep reading!

 

 

Fun In The Library In Term Two

The Term Two library program is well underway with many varied literary and research activities for all grades.

Kindergarten

 The library program has been designed to link  with the course of study on weather that is being undertaken in class. We will be looking at eBooks using World Book Online, researching information in factual texts and film clips and learning a range of songs and poems.

K/6B

Sunshine Books Online underpins the course of study designed for K/6B. The students will read texts together, engage in related digital activities and complete worksheets related to the texts studied.

Year One

The students in Year One will undertake a Colin McNaughton author study. They will use their visual literacy skills to analyse the story behind the text in his entertaining books.

Year Two

The students in Year Two will be undertaking a study of fractured fairy tales. In each lesson we will read the original tale and then a fractured version written through the eyes of one of the characters in the story. We will watch film clips of the fairy tales analysing similarities and differences and the elements that make them humorous. The students will plan their own fractured fairy tales to share with the class.

Year Three

Year Three will be journeying into the Dreaming to explore a number of traditional stories both online and in texts.

 

3/4/5 M

 The students in 3/4/5 M will be studying the conversion of story to film based on the work of Paul Jennings and the Round the Twist series. They will analyse such elements as:

• Plot structure and changes that are made due to production demands
• The use of montage
• Point of view
• Satire
• Fantasy and Realism
• Irony and Parody
• Stereotyping
• Conflict and Resoultion

Year Four

The work of Roald Dahl is the focus of the Year Four unit of study. Many of the students have enjoyed his work which is a popular choice for borrowing. Our unit of study will explore the influences on Dahl’s work, his childhood experiences and his journey as an author. We will focus on what we can learn as writers from our research into the life and work of this great author.

Year Five

The unit of study for Year Five is designed to link with their studies of electricity in the classroom. With the use of film clips, e-books and information facts will be gathered and presented in a Smart Notebook using multimedia tools.

Year Six

In Year Six we will be studying classics in graphic novel form. We will use our skills of visual literacy to analyse the graphic presentations and film clips. Books to be studied are:

·         Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.

·         The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson

·         War of the Worlds by H G Wells

·         20 000 Leagues Under the Sea  by Jules Vernehe Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

National Simultaneous Storytime

The students of Cromer School will again participate in National Simultaneous Storytime on Wednesday May 27^th.  This event aims to encourage more young Australians to read and enjoy books. The Australian Library and Information Association tells us that:

 Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country.

By facilitating National Simultaneous Storytime we aim to;

·         promote the value of reading and literacy;

·         promote the value and fun of books;

·         promote an Australian writer and publisher;

·         promote storytime activities in public libraries and communities around the country;

·         provide opportunities to involve parents, grandparents, the media and others to participate in and enjoy the occasion.

Premier’s Reading Challenge

All students are encouraged to participate in the Premier’s Reading Challenge. There are many books on