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!
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
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.
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.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
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.
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.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
TERM TWO NEWS
There is great excitement in the library. We have received our commission from the book fair in the form of brand new books. The students can’t wait for them to be accessioned so that they can borrow them. I would like to extend my thanks to all the parents and students who supported the book fair. You have really helped our library!
During the book fair, the author Jacqueline Harvey visited the school and spoke to Years Three to Six about her journey as an author and her Alice-Miranda series of books. These books have been immensely popular with the Cromer students.
LIBRARY PROGRAMS
Smart Notebooks have been created to guide the author studies for each grade. All online resources that are to be used this term can be found at the following link:
http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/listauthorsd1.html
Kindergarten
This term the Kindergarten students will study the work of the author/illustrator Nick Bland. He has created such entertaining stories as The Wrong Book and The Very Cranky Bear. Students of all ages enjoy these stories.
Year One
The students in Year One will be looking at the work of Hazel Edwards. The students are enjoying visiting her website where they can enjoy her book reading sessions. One of her newest works is The Flight of the Bumble Bee which is part of the new Music Box series. Students are introduced to classic pieces of music through literature.
Year Two
The students in Year Two are exploring what it means to be an illustrator by studying the work of Freya Blackwood. She has illustrated for a number of popular authors. We will be analysing the manner in which her illustrations enhance the mood of the story and will undertake our own illustrating tasks.
Year Three
Jackie French is a prolific Australian author whose stories have wonderful appeal for all ages. The students will be introduced to the wide range of titles that are available in our library and will undertake a detailed study of a selection of her works.
Year Four
The work of the academy award winning Australian author/illustrator Shaun Tan is the focus of our unit of study for Year Four. This unit is a study of visual literacy.
Years Five and Six
In this unit the students will be looking at the works of a variety of authors and genres:
Eoin Colfer’s complex adventure story Artemis Fowl.
Kathy Kacers moving story of a holocaust surviver Hiding Edith.
Oliver Phommavanh’s very amusing tale of the experiences of young Thai-Australian boy who is beginning high school in the book Thai-Riffic!
Richard Newsome’s adventure story The Billionaire’s Curse.
We are looking forward to a happy and productive term. It is an absolute joy to watch the children in the library at lunch time as they enjoy the many activities that are available to them. We are all having great fun!
During the book fair, the author Jacqueline Harvey visited the school and spoke to Years Three to Six about her journey as an author and her Alice-Miranda series of books. These books have been immensely popular with the Cromer students.
LIBRARY PROGRAMS
Smart Notebooks have been created to guide the author studies for each grade. All online resources that are to be used this term can be found at the following link:
http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/listauthorsd1.html
Kindergarten
This term the Kindergarten students will study the work of the author/illustrator Nick Bland. He has created such entertaining stories as The Wrong Book and The Very Cranky Bear. Students of all ages enjoy these stories.
Year One
The students in Year One will be looking at the work of Hazel Edwards. The students are enjoying visiting her website where they can enjoy her book reading sessions. One of her newest works is The Flight of the Bumble Bee which is part of the new Music Box series. Students are introduced to classic pieces of music through literature.
Year Two
The students in Year Two are exploring what it means to be an illustrator by studying the work of Freya Blackwood. She has illustrated for a number of popular authors. We will be analysing the manner in which her illustrations enhance the mood of the story and will undertake our own illustrating tasks.
Year Three
Jackie French is a prolific Australian author whose stories have wonderful appeal for all ages. The students will be introduced to the wide range of titles that are available in our library and will undertake a detailed study of a selection of her works.
Year Four
The work of the academy award winning Australian author/illustrator Shaun Tan is the focus of our unit of study for Year Four. This unit is a study of visual literacy.
Years Five and Six
In this unit the students will be looking at the works of a variety of authors and genres:
Eoin Colfer’s complex adventure story Artemis Fowl.
Kathy Kacers moving story of a holocaust surviver Hiding Edith.
Oliver Phommavanh’s very amusing tale of the experiences of young Thai-Australian boy who is beginning high school in the book Thai-Riffic!
Richard Newsome’s adventure story The Billionaire’s Curse.
We are looking forward to a happy and productive term. It is an absolute joy to watch the children in the library at lunch time as they enjoy the many activities that are available to them. We are all having great fun!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
WE'RE BACK!!
It is the start of a brand new year and it is business as usual in the library. We have some wonderful spaces to read and enjoy books and plenty of additions to the collection. Popular books have been placed in labelled boxes and many, many students are enjoying the library at lunch time. The library is humming.
Author Visit and Mini Book Fair
On March 16th the author Jacqueline Harvey will visit the school to talk to Years Three to Six. She has written the Alice -Miranda books. Her Website can be viewed at the following link:
http://www.jacquelineharvey.com.au/alice-miranda
Students will have the opportunity to purchase copies of the Alice-Miranda books for $16. There will also be a wide choice of books to purchase at the mini book fair that will be held during the week of March 15th to 18th.
LIBRARY LESSONS
The students are again visiting the library for their lessons which are held on a fortnightly rotating basis. They may return and borrow at this time and also before and after school every day and at lunch time on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Kindergarten
Using the wiki at the address below, the students in Kindergarten will undertake a study of the work of author/illustrator Pamella Allen. The wiki showcases the books that we have in the library and provides links to Websites related to the themes of the books.
http://pamelaallen.wikispaces.com/
The students will also undertake the Premier’s Reading Challenge. We need to read thirty books! This will be done in class and in library lessons.
YEAR ONE
The Year One students will be studying the fascinating work of Babette Cole. A Wiki has been created which features the books that we will be studying. There are Websites to visit and activities to be undertaken. It can be accessed at the link below.
http://babettecole.wikispaces.com/
The students will also be undertaking the Premier’s Reading Challenge . We will be sharing thirty books for this purpose.
YEAR TWO
The Year Two students are learning about the author Mem Fox. The Wiki at the address below showcases books that we will be studying, provides links to related Websites and details activities related to the books studied.
http://authorstudymemfox.wikispaces.com/
YEAR THREE
The fascinating work of Anthony Browne is the focus of study for Year Three this term. To aid our study we will be using the Wiki at the address below.
http://abrowne.wikispaces.com/
A Smart Notebook has also been created for each book in order to facilitate meaningful discussion and responses to the stories.
YEAR FOUR
The ever popular Roald Dahl is the author that Year Four are studying this term. A Smart Notebook has been created which guides the students through the themes and issues in some Roald Dahl novels. The students will have the opportunity to undertake writing tasks inspired by the work of this entertaining author. Websites that will be used in this study can be found at the link below.
http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/listroalddad.html
YEAR FIVE
The students in Year Five are participating in a unit of study on Persuasive Writing. Using the hotlist below ,they will learn how to plan their writing, analyse examples and perfect their work.
http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/listpersuasid.html
YEAR SIX
The students in Year Six are studying the themes and issues in the work of some of Morris Gleitzman’s novels. Using the wiki and a Smart Notebook, the students will analyse the author’s purpose and find evidence to support their interpretation of the text.
http://gleitzman.wikispaces.com/
THE PREMIER’S READING CHALLENGE
From March 1st the students can begin entering their reading logs for the Premier’s Reading Challenge. Students from Years Three to Six are to read twenty books. The challenge needs to be completed by August 25th. Start reading!
Author Visit and Mini Book Fair
On March 16th the author Jacqueline Harvey will visit the school to talk to Years Three to Six. She has written the Alice -Miranda books. Her Website can be viewed at the following link:
http://www.jacquelineharvey.com.au/alice-miranda
Students will have the opportunity to purchase copies of the Alice-Miranda books for $16. There will also be a wide choice of books to purchase at the mini book fair that will be held during the week of March 15th to 18th.
LIBRARY LESSONS
The students are again visiting the library for their lessons which are held on a fortnightly rotating basis. They may return and borrow at this time and also before and after school every day and at lunch time on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Kindergarten
Using the wiki at the address below, the students in Kindergarten will undertake a study of the work of author/illustrator Pamella Allen. The wiki showcases the books that we have in the library and provides links to Websites related to the themes of the books.
http://pamelaallen.wikispaces.com/
The students will also undertake the Premier’s Reading Challenge. We need to read thirty books! This will be done in class and in library lessons.
YEAR ONE
The Year One students will be studying the fascinating work of Babette Cole. A Wiki has been created which features the books that we will be studying. There are Websites to visit and activities to be undertaken. It can be accessed at the link below.
http://babettecole.wikispaces.com/
The students will also be undertaking the Premier’s Reading Challenge . We will be sharing thirty books for this purpose.
YEAR TWO
The Year Two students are learning about the author Mem Fox. The Wiki at the address below showcases books that we will be studying, provides links to related Websites and details activities related to the books studied.
http://authorstudymemfox.wikispaces.com/
YEAR THREE
The fascinating work of Anthony Browne is the focus of study for Year Three this term. To aid our study we will be using the Wiki at the address below.
http://abrowne.wikispaces.com/
A Smart Notebook has also been created for each book in order to facilitate meaningful discussion and responses to the stories.
YEAR FOUR
The ever popular Roald Dahl is the author that Year Four are studying this term. A Smart Notebook has been created which guides the students through the themes and issues in some Roald Dahl novels. The students will have the opportunity to undertake writing tasks inspired by the work of this entertaining author. Websites that will be used in this study can be found at the link below.
http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/listroalddad.html
YEAR FIVE
The students in Year Five are participating in a unit of study on Persuasive Writing. Using the hotlist below ,they will learn how to plan their writing, analyse examples and perfect their work.
http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/listpersuasid.html
YEAR SIX
The students in Year Six are studying the themes and issues in the work of some of Morris Gleitzman’s novels. Using the wiki and a Smart Notebook, the students will analyse the author’s purpose and find evidence to support their interpretation of the text.
http://gleitzman.wikispaces.com/
THE PREMIER’S READING CHALLENGE
From March 1st the students can begin entering their reading logs for the Premier’s Reading Challenge. Students from Years Three to Six are to read twenty books. The challenge needs to be completed by August 25th. Start reading!
Monday, November 1, 2010
READING WITH ENTHUSIASM IN TERM FOUR
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!
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!
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!
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