Signing Off

 

It is with very mixed feelings that I announce my retirement. I have had twenty-two wonderful years at Cromer Public School, sixteen of them have been in the library.

I have loved teaching the Cromer students and taking them on journies of discovery into all the wonderful new literature that fabulous Australian authors and illustrators have produced and will continue to do so for years to come.

In my fiftieth year of teaching, I believe it is time to slow down and turn my focus to enjoying my five grandchildren, supporting them in their schooling and sharing my love of literature with them. I will deeply miss working in the library and wish every Cromer student exciting and happy reading adventures with their new librarian.

Much love always

Debbie Haddrick

Changes in the Library Term 1 2025

 Welcome to Term 1 in the library. This term I am on sick leave and the library is in the very capable hands of Ms Kara Remmington. I am sure that the students at Cromer will have many exciting reading journeys this term.

Happy reading!!

Reading, Learning, Investigating and Presenting in Term Four

 

Book Fair 2024

Every year we look forward to the annual book fair. This year it will take place on Monday October 28^th. This is a great opportunity to do some early Christmas shopping and help the school library at the same time.

The Term Four Library Program

Early Stage One

In this unit the students will study the work of Julia Donaldson.  She is one of England’s most celebrated children’s authors and has sold more than 100 million books worldwide and been translated into around 100 languages. From 2011 until 2013 she was England’s children’s laureate. In her stories, Julia Donaldson has the ability to weave moral lessons and themes of friendship, bravery, and kindness into her stories.

The rhythm and songlike quality of the words make her books a joy to read. The colourful illustrations by Axel Scheffler complement the words perfectly. Importantly, the repetition in many of her stories encourages the development of word recognition and phonological awareness.

Stage One

The Stage One teachers have requested a library unit of study which focuses on visual literacy and persuasive writing.

In weeks one to six a collection of texts has been chosen which enhance the ability to interpret, comprehend, appreciate, use, and create visual media.

In weeks seven to ten a collection of texts has been chosen in which the writer attempts to convince or persuade the audience to adopt a particular point of view. Using fiction and non-fiction texts, the students will be encouraged to identify the main points of view to gain a deeper understanding of what they are reading.

Stage Two

In weeks 1 -3 of term 3 we will complete the literature studies that were planned for term 2.

The library unit in weeks 4-10 is aligned with the Stage Two history unit researching the First Fleet.

Investigations will include:

• The British perspective- life in Britain before 1788.
• The transportation of adults and children.
• Conditions on transport ships and in the colony.
• The Aboriginal perspective.
• The colonisation of Australia.

Stage Three

The library unit is aligned with the Stage Three geography unit investigating the unique characteristics of countries within the Asia region.

In library studies, each student will research one designated Asian country. They will then demonstrate their learning in a presentation for their class.

The Library in Weeks Six to Ten

I will be taking leave from week six until the end of the year. Miss Remmington will be very capably taking my place.

 

We Read, Learn, Investigate and Create in the Lyle Skippen Library

 

Every year, at our book parade, we honour the memory of Lyle Skippen with the arrival of our mascot, Skippen the Library Dog.

Lyle was a navigator with defensive night fighters, flying planes known as Mosquitos over London during World War 2.

During the war he was injured when his plane crashed damaging his ankle and leaving him with a permanent limp.

After the war he taught in many schools both in Sydney and country towns. In 1961 he became the first principal of Cromer Public School which was then called Dee Why West School.

Mr Skippen was a very kind man who was loved by parents, and students. The community was very sad when he was asked to move to another school which needed his guidance.

He died very peacefully at the age of fifty-four sitting up in bed reading a book with his glasses on the end of his nose. When he died the whole of Cromer school cried.

Some Sights at the Book Parade.

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Reading Is Magic in Term 3

 

The Book Week theme, this year is Reading is Magic. During Book week, we celebrate our wonderful Australian authors and illustrators.

The value and advantages of reading are promoted during book week as school and public libraries use the occasion to highlight the importance and joy of reading.

With our 2024 Children's Book Week theme; Reading is Magic, we're celebrating reading stories and their amazing power to transport minds. We are encouraging kids to be curious about the wonders in our world. It is a positive and affirming message for our young people. The magic of reading also lies in its power of enticement; a good story provokes conversations. Talking about the stories with others connects the reader with other readers. Wrapped around all of this are the "tricks" and skills of our amazing writers and illustrators, as they use all their powers of language and illustration to engage the reader in this world they are building. (Children’s Book Council of Australia.)

Books to be Studied in Term 3 are taken from the CBCA Notable and Short Lists.

Early Stage One:

Hope is the Thing by Eric Wagner

Easy Peasy by Ky Garvey

Who’s Afraid of the Light? By Anna McGregor

The Swaddledok by josh Szeps

How to Hatch a Dragon by NickBland

Dad, Get Off Your Phone! By

Bowerbird Blues I by Aura Parker

Where Will the Sleepy Sheep Sleep?  By David Metzenthen

Trees! by Victor Steffensen

Stage One

The Concrete Garden by Bob Graham

Bowerbird Blues by Aura Parker

Raised by Moths by Charlie Archbold

Etta ns the Shadow Taboo by Jeremy Field

Dad, Get Off Your Phone! By Craig Sheather

Mini and Milo and the Teeny Tiny Voice by Venita Dimos

Trees by Victor Steffensen

The Garden of Broken Things by Freya Blackwood

 

Stage Two

Midnight by Peter Cheong

Where History Happened by Mark Greenwood

Timeless by Kelly Carnby

When You’re a Boy by Blake Nuto

Votes for Women by Mark Wilson

Caroline by Mark Wilson

Gargoyle by Zana Fraillon

 

Stage Three

The students will study the shortlisted novel Scar Town by Tristan Bancks.

Tristan Bancks is a very popular Australian author. His books have won and been shortlisted for many awards. His novel Two Wolves is an absolute favourite in our library.

Bancks has a stated mission to re-engage readers and take them away from screens. He trusts his targeted readership to cope with slightly scary plots that do, however, resolve themselves in a positive way. This book does just that. The child characters in the book (who are aged 12 and 13), face dangers and challenges that test them both physically and emotionally as well as testing their loyalty to each other.( CBCA Reading Time 2024.)

 

Premier’s Reading Challenge

The challenge will close on Friday August 23^rd.

Adventures in Term Two

 

National Simultaneous Storytime

 

We are looking forward to participating in National Simultaneous Storytime on Wednesday the 22^nd of May. This year the chosen text is Bowerbird Blues by Aura Parker.

Bowerbird Blues stars a beautiful bowerbird on the search for (you guessed it) BLUE!  It’s a moving story of longing and connection, that unfolds as the bowerbird’s search sends him soaring across the sea, sky and city. He swoops and snatches vibrant treasures for his collection, and soon his bower – a mix of natural and unnatural objects – attracts something greater and more fulfilling than he could ever have imagined (ALIA 2024).

The Australian Library and Information Association reports that, in 2023 more than two million children read the same book on the same day. “NSS throws an international spotlight on the important work that libraries do every day” said ALIA Acting CEO Trish Hepworth

She further states:

“When we read together it helps language development, learning and literacy, all while building community. It’s also a lot of fun.”

As we celebrate National Simultaneous Storytime, we will look back on many of the texts that we have enjoyed in previous years. The whole experience is a true celebration of reading.

The Term Two Library Program

 

Early Stage One

The work of Colin McNaughton 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.

In this study the 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.

Stage One

 The library lesson series for Stage One has been designed to support the stage one geography unit that is being covered in class lessons.

The library unit will be  literature-based on the theme of sustainability. Both fiction and non-fiction texts will be studied

The main objective is to investigate the reasons why some places are special to people, and how they can be looked after.

The unit will seamlessly integrate with the library unit in term one which dealt with Indigenous sacred places.

Stage Two

In 2022 the Stage 2 teachers requested that the library program be linked to the Science unit which they were studying. They also requested that the students learn to evaluate websites and use accurate search words when researching information.

 

Again, this year, in the Stage 2 Science program, the students will be making cars and testing their designs.  Therefore, the library research topic is about cars.

All the research questions and necessary links are in a Stile lesson. However, the students will record their answers in individual workbooks.

Stage 3

In the first half of this term, the students will be completing their Information Fluency investigation researching the question, why are the characteristics of materials important when designing and producing?

The students have completed their workbooks and are now busily researching and writing their speeches which will conclude the unit.

A literature study is planned for the rest of the term.

The Premier’s Reading Challenge

The challenge will conclude on Friday August 23^rd and many students are happily reading selections of the many examples of quality literature that is available in our library.

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to the Library in 2024!

  

It is exciting to be back in the library this term with all Cromer students enthusiastically borrowing and participating in the library lessons.

I encourage all students to borrow regularly from the library collection which houses over 11,000 fiction and 4,000 non-fiction texts. I am sure there is something to interest everyone!

Premier’s Reading Challenge

I would like to encourage all our Cromer students to participate in the Premier’s Reading Challenge. It will open on Monday February 26^th and close on August 21^st. We have an extensive range of PRC books in the library.

Follow the link above to learn all about Sami Bayly, who created the PRC poster.

 

The Library Program Term One

Kindergarten

It is important that our kindergarten students learn to love the library and experience the joy of exploring new worlds in books. We encourage them to explore all areas of the library and make personal discoveries of genres that interest them.

We begin our library studies learning the difference between fiction and non-fiction books. The pictures, words and elements of both genres and the reason for reading them will be examined.

Teaching the difference between fiction and nonfiction requires students to understand the difference between real and make-believe. Large-group and small-group activities will give the students practice in identifying the different types of books.

 

Stage One (Years One and Two)

In term one the library program will be linked to the history unit that is to be studied in class. It asks the question: How Are People Connected to Places?

In support of this unit of study we will be deeply diving into five texts which illustrate the importance of connection to country for Indigenous people.. The texts are:

Open Your Heart to Country by Jasmine Seymour.

Ceremony by Adam Goodes and Ellie Liang

Baby Business by Jasmine Seymour

Somebody’s Land by Adam Goodes and Ellie Liang.

Each text contains illustrations which appeal to the very young, while sharing a deeper message for older readers. They invite the reader to reflect on the importance of place to, not only Indigenous people, but everyone.

 

 

Stage Two (Years Three and Four)

The stage two staff has asked me to focus on experiencing and understanding various forms of poetry in our library lessons with a particular emphasis on the skills of inferring, summarising and making connections.

Poetry is a form of expression. Writing it enables us to express our feelings and thoughts on a subject and reading it encourages us to connect and find meaning in our experiences.

 Poetry can have a positive impact on the social and emotional learning of children. It may offer them a new way of thinking about issues and events in their lives.

The aim of this unit is to explore the many devices used in poetry and to provide the students with the opportunity to express themselves in a variety of poetic forms.

 

Stage Three (Years Five and Six)

The library unit is aligned with the Science and Technology Unit which asks the question: Why are the characteristics of materials important when designing and producing?

Investigations will include:

Comprehension tasks, an investigation task entitled Escape the Science Lab which sets the students on an adventure exploring the properties of matter, and a research assignment investigating materials used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People as hunter, gatherers.

The unit will culminate with a research task of a particular product and its properties, origins and uses.

 

Author Visit

New author, Fiona Evans, visited Cromer on Monday 27/11 to read her first children’s book to some year one students in the library.

The students loved The Magic Mermaid Shell which Goode Books describes as:

The tale of a young mermaid princess, who can count on her friends to help save the kingdom from a dragon and a mischievous witch. A sweet story about friends helping out in times of need, aimed at preschool and kindergarten children ages 3-6. ... Google Books

The students had many questions to ask Fiona after the reading and launched with gusto into the two activities that she presented in response to the text.

In my experience, children love to meet authors. Their interest in reading is truly spiked when they have the opportunity to interact with an author in the flesh.

 An Inspiring New Author

I am thrilled to announce that three copies of Orlando’s Garden by local author and friend Stephanie Paulson have been added to our library.

This beautifully illustrated picture book demonstrates how Steph has created a magnificent balcony garden with her son Orlando, young baby Leonardo and a new arrival on the way.

The reader embarks on an adventure with Orlando in learning the beauty of nature, the joy of planting and growing and the importance of sustainability.

The final pages of the book provide detailed gardening activities for kids and some questions for research and reflection.

We are reminded that a successful garden can be created in the smallest of spaces and the adventure continues with Steph’s small space gardening inspiration on Instagram.

Term Four in Our Library

 

It was with great excitement that we welcomed the Scholastic Book Fair into our school for the first time in three years. The quality of books on offer did not disappoint and I know that our grandparents enjoyed purchasing books for their grandchildren on their special day. The book fair is always a wonderful opportunity to expose our students to a wide range of quality literature.

 

Kindergarten

The students will study a range of picture books from our collection. Picture books are not only fun and delightful to read, but they are also a crucial tool for developing a child’s literacy and language skills in the early years and beyond.

 

Stage One

The students are undertaking an author study of the work of Colin Thompson.

They are enjoying identifying the following elements which are features of the work of the author:

Happy endings

Everyone winning

Nonviolent resolution

Imaginative and creative

Challenging stereotypes

Faith and hope

Peace with the environment

 

Stage Two

A unit of work has been designed to support the geography studies being undertaken in the classroom. We are addressing the question:

How do people's perceptions about places influence their views about the protection of places?

The question will be answered by investigating landmarks, national parks and sacred sites in Australia.

All work will be completed in Stile.

 

Stage Three

The first weeks of term have been dedicated to completing the study of the novel How to be prime Minister and Survive Grade 5 by Carla Fitzgerald.

In subsequent weeks the students will study episodes of the ACTF series Double Trouble.

This is s a story of different cultures, white and Aboriginal Australians and life in the city and in the bush.

Traditional ways of life and modern-day thinking are compared and examined. The story is an opportunity to explore Aboriginal culture without it being a tourist oddity. The major theme explores being exposed to a new and very different culture and having to cope.

Other themes to be studied in this course include Identity, relationships, family, twins, belonging, ancestry, stereotype, adolescence, growth and development, genre, humour and satire, expectations and decision making.

During this unit the students will undertake a visual literacy study of cinematic techniques used to create mood and tell a story while also analysing the underlying themes mentioned above.

Read, Grow, Inspire in Term Three

 The Presentation from Dr Cameron Stelzer

The presentation from Dr Cameron really ignited a spark in the students at Cromer. We enjoyed learning about what inspired him to write his books, how a book is produced and drawing techniques that he uses. The pictures of the Dr Cameron book stands below show how popular the books are. This is what we love to see, empty shelves because books are so popular.  

The Stands Before Dr Cameron's Visit

The Stands After Dr Cameron's Visit

Book Week

Every year schools and public libraries across Australia celebrate Book Week.  At this time, we celebrate Australian books and their authors and illustrators. In our library we participate in activities relating to the theme to highlight the importance of reading. The theme this year is Read, Grow, Inspire. In our library in Term 3 we will grow and be inspired as we study the books that have been placed on the Children’s Book Council of Australia Notable List and Shortlist.

The CBCA Awards were first established in 1946 and they are the longest running book awards in Australia. The books on the Notable list this year showcase the huge talent of our authors and illustrators and contain a wide range of themes, characters and stories. It is stated on the CBCA website that the awards aim to:

•  Promote quality literature for young Australians;
•  Support and encourage a wide range of Australian writers and illustrators of children’s books and;
•  Celebrate contributions to Australian children’s literature.

We have a large collection from this year’s notable list in our library and term three will see all of the students at Cromer embarking on some exciting reading adventures.

 

Visiting Author

This year we are excited about the impending visit of Dr Cameron Stelzer to our school. He is a performer, presenter and award-winning author/illustrator. We have a large collection of his books in our library, and they have been enthusiastically borrowed. Note the pictures of our book stand below.

     Sights at the 2023 Book parade

The Lbrary is a Busy Place in Term Two

 

Term two has begun with much interest and excitement in the new books, learning programs and activities in the library. We have enthusiastic students enjoying the library during first half lunch on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. We also have a large number of volunteers to be library monitors.

National Simultaneous Storytime

We are all looking forward to National Simultaneous Storytime on Wednesday May 24^th. The book that we will enjoy this year is Speedy Sloth by Rebecca Young and Heath McKenzie.

 

                        

ALIA explains the event as follows:

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). 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. Now in its 23nd successful year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children's book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6.

Event Information

NSS receives positive media coverage and generates a great deal of community interest. 2022 was our biggest and most successful NSS to date with over 2.18 million participants at over 59, 000 locations! (Australian Library and Information Association 2023).

 The Term Two Library Program

Kindergarten

The students will undertake an author study of the work of Nick Bland. Author studies allow students to dive deeply into an author’s body of work. The students can critically evaluate the author’s themes and characters.

Nick Bland is one of our foremost Australian authors for children. His work which is loaded with engaging rhythm and rhyme and colourful illustrations which support the texts results in a sense of adventure and enjoyment for all readers. This term the students in early stage one will study ten books by Nick Bland. It is expected that, as the students are exposed to such language features as rhyme, repetition, alliteration and personification supported by high quality illustrations they will be entertained and inspired to write creatively.

 

Stage One

The students in Stage One will be introduced to chapter books in this course of study. The books will be presented on the interactive whiteboard for group reading. Discussion sessions will take place after the reading of each chapter and the students will then respond to the text with a related activity.

The students will be encouraged to investigate the many chapter books in the library collection and borrow texts at their individual reading levels.

 

Information Fluency

Information fluency is the ability to critically think while engaging with, creating and utilising information and technology, regardless of the information platform or medium. 

Texts provide the means for communication. Students need to access, understand, analyse and evaluate information, make meaning, express thoughts and emotions, present ideas and opinions, interact with others and participate in activities at school and in their lives beyond school. Success in any learning endeavour depends on being able to make meaning from information.  (Information Fluency Framework. NSW Det)

 

Stage Two

The students will participate in research tasks using programs of study created in Stile. They will begin with a research project on the topic of ANZAC Day. Subsequent research projects will be in line with classroom learning.

 

Stage Three

The students will undertake a research project about World War 2 which is designed to build upon their background knowledge directly related to the novel Sydney Under Attack   by Sophie Masson which they studied in Term One.

It's Great to be Back in Term One 2023

 

This year we welcome Mrs Pip Fitzgerald to the library. She will be taking classes every Wednesday and Thursday.

 I am pleased to announce that students can, again, come to the library at lunch time. The library will be open every Tuesday and Wednesday at first half lunch.

From week eight until the end of this term, Mrs Fitzgerald will be ably assisted by Miss Remmington who will be taking my place while I am on leave.

Premier’s Reading Challenge

The Premier’s Reading Challenge opens on February 27^th and closes on Friday August 18^th. The students in years K-2 have already embarked on their reading journey. We are hoping that many students in years 3-6 also take up the challenge.

The Library Program in Term One

Kindergarten

We begin the year in kindergarten by studying the difference between fiction and nonfiction books. The pictures, words and elements of both genres and the reason for reading them will be examined.

Teaching the difference between fiction and nonfiction requires students to understand the difference between real and make-believe. Large-group and small-group activities will give the students practice in identifying the different types of books.

Each week examples of both genres will be presented dealing with a particular theme. Interactive digital activities related to the theme will also be included in the program.

This unit will serve as an introduction to the library. The students will study a range of books by various authors and illustrators. The parts of a book will be examined in detail.  The students will understand the components of the collection and where books are housed in the library. They will understand the role of the author and illustrator and will share books for enjoyment.

Stages One and Two

The NSW English Curriculum defines visual literacy as:

The ability to decode, interpret, create, question, challenge and evaluate texts that communicate with visual images as well as, or rather than, words. Visually literate people can read the intended meaning in a visual text such as an advertisement or a film shot, interpret the purpose and intended meaning, and evaluate the form, structure and features of the text. They can also use images in a creative and appropriate way to express meaning.

In these units, students will develop their understanding of how stories can be communicated using images- both still images and moving images.

Through an in-depth study of wordless picture books and picture books with text, they will explore how visual narratives are constructed. They will engage in interpretation of the settings, events, characters and themes expressed in these texts. They will also learn some of the visual codes and conventions used by illustrators to communicate their stories and engage with their audience.

Stage Three

The students in stage three will study the book Sydney Under Attack by Sophie Masson.

The text will immerse the readers in an action-packed story in a background of historical events. Historical fiction teaches us more than just facts. It takes us into the lives of people at a certain time and provides a more human and in-depth look at their experiences.

The text follows the adventures of a twelve-year-old boy as he deals with the aftermath of the 1942 attacks on Sydney during World War II.

2022 marked the 80th anniversary of the attacks and, through the experiences of a few characters in the text, we are reminded of the way everyone, both at home and overseas were affected by the events at this time.

It is a well-crafted novel, taking a real-life event, and putting fictional figures into what would have been a scary and uncertain time for many people. It makes the history and story accessible for younger readers and has a reassurance in it that lets them know that by the end of the novel, everything will be okay, and that there is always hope, and always a sense that people can get through trying times and be reunited with their family. It doesn’t go into the end of the war but allows the reader to imagine a time where everyone is united and coming together and shows that good things can come out of tragedy. (The Book Muse: Australian Literature Lover’s Blog 2022)

 

 

 

Dreaming With Our eyes Open in Terms Three and Four

 

In term three we celebrate Book Week. It is one of the biggest events in our school library calendar.

The Book Week program provides the theme, resources, ideas and texts to motivate students to focus on books and reading. It highlights the value of reading, school libraries, children’s literature and Australian literature. We, at Cromer, celebrate that and more in our term three literature program which is so rich that it will extend into term four so that we can delve deeply into the amazing texts and enjoy responding to them in a variety of ways.

The Children's Book Council of Australia, Book Week, has been celebrated since 1945. The slogan for this year is Dreaming with Eyes Open. This beautiful theme affords us the opportunity to reflect on our indigenous culture and also open our eyes to the world around us and have the bravery to dream.

A Local Author

An exciting edition to our library collection is the work of first time author, local resident and friend Janice Wilson. Below is my review of the book which many of our students in upper primary have borrowed and enjoyed.

This time-slip adventure will lead the teenage reader into a dystopian world where nothing in nature is as it should be. The reader embarks on a rollicking adventure with Lewis and Corky where they encounter terrifying creatures and nail-biting adventures at every turn of the page. Showcased is Mrs Wilson’s passion for the planet which leads us all to question our own environmental behaviour and commitment to preserving our world as we know it. Vortex 184 leaves the reader wanting more and, judging by the revelations of the final chapter, we have not seen the last of Lewis and Corky.

Author Visits

On Tuesday August 2^nd the students in years 3-6 enjoyed a presentation from Oliver Phommavahn.

 Oliver loves to make people laugh, whether it’s on the page writing humour for kids or on stage as a stand-up comedian. He also shares his passion for writing with kids, using his experience as a primary school teacher. Oliver has performed at various comedy and writers festivals around Australia and Asia. (Oliver Phommavahn biography 2022)

 

On Tuesday August 23^rd Lucas Proudfoot presented to the students in Kindergarten, years one and two.

Lucas Proudfoot is a member of the Tweed Coast Aboriginal and Islander community. He has a background in professional surfing, cultural dance and is an award-winning songwriter and musician. Lucas has been an Australian Indigenous Education Ambassador and is currently a role model for Books in Homes Australia. (The Proud Foots 2017)

 

Sights at The Book Parade

Our annual book parade took place on Thursday August 25^th.  A diverse range of characters were represented!

Reading and Learning in the Library in Term Two

 

National Simultaneous Storytime

On May 25^th our school participated in National Simultaneous Storytime. This event is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA).  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.

In promoting this event ALIA 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 libraries and communities around the country,

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

This year we all enjoyed the book Family Tree by Josh Pyke and Ronojoy Ghosh.

The Library Program

Kindergarten:

Bruce Whately is an internationally recognised award-winning author/illustrator. He has written and /or illustrated over 80 picture books for children.

His aim is to entertain and surprise the reader with illustration styles that vary considerably depending on the text and the age group of his audience.

The students in Kindergarten have been engaged with and responsive to the texts that they have been studying this term.

Stage One:

The students have been studying the work of John Burningham in library lessons with Mrs Farr.

He was an English multi award winning author and illustrator of picture books for young children. His obituary in 2011 stated that:

The evolution of the art of picture book-making, of composing a graphic sequence of pictures and words in interdependent harmony, owes much to Burningham, who along with Maurice Sendak was one of the greatest masters of the medium.

Information Fluency

Information fluency is the ability to critically think while engaging with, creating and utilising information and technology, regardless of the information platform or medium. 

Texts provide the means for communication. Students need to access, understand, analyse and evaluate information, make meaning, express thoughts and emotions, present ideas and opinions, interact with others and participate in activities at school and in their lives beyond school. Success in any learning endeavour depends on being able to make meaning from information.  (Information Fluency Framework. NSW Det)

The students in stage two and three have been participating in information fluency programs this term.

 

Stage Two

The students have been learning about the importance of the fundamental skill of breaking down a question into key words to research information. They have also learnt to analyse websites using the following framework:

·        Currency: Is the information up to date?

·        Relevance: Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?

·        Authority: Who is the author and are they qualified to write about the topic?

·        Accuracy: Is the information reliable (trustworthy) and supported by evidence (well researched using scientific methods)?

·        Purpose: Why does the information exist and is there any bias (is it trying to persuade you to believe something)?

Stage Three

The students have been undertaking webquests using World Book Online.

Participating in webquests has the following benefits

1. They pose clear, open-ended questions that require them to apply the skills of skimming and scanning that they have been learning in class.
2. Tasks are explained in a step by step process so that the students understand what is required.
3. The students are responsible for their own learning and construct a deeper understanding of the content.
4. The learning is self-paced and engaging.

The Premier’s Reading Challenge

Many of our students are participating in the challenge which closes on August 19^th.

 

Happy reading!