Morning Meetings- New Resources

Thanks to Karl, we have many new resources to help you with ideas for your Morning Meetings. These new books are in the Blue Room in the Primary Library.  Many are on display on the top of the bookshelves, so please stop by and have a look.

For more information, here is a link to a resource list called Morning Meetings on the library catalog.

Is there a book about...?

Teachers often ask for book recommendations to read to their classes to help with social and emotional concerns. The end of the school tends to bring about friendship issues that may not have problems earlier in the year.

Here are some links to resource lists on our library catalog that you might want to use in your Morning Meetings. Have a look and see if any of these titles might address your concerns.

Bullying, Teasing, and Getting Along

Adoption

Divorce

Different Kinds of Families 

Moving Away

Unfortunately, situations arise when we need to help students with grief and loss. Sometimes, a great picture book can open the door to difficult conversations and help students realize that they are not alone.

Here's a link to a resource list called Grief and Loss on the library catalog that includes books about loss of pets as well as grandparents. There are also books about the general concept of death.

How Green Are You?

It's almost Earth Day. The Lorax and The Wump World are two of my favorite books to use this time fo year but, we've created a display in the library of other fiction and nonfiction books that you might want to use with your classes.  Stop by the library to check out a book for Earth Day. Also, have a look at the resources below.

  

                                       

   Image courtesy of Michelle at http://qreateandtrack.com/2011/04/22/happy-earth-day/

Red Dot Voting

Voting will take place from March 6-13.

As the Red Dots are a "children's choice" award, only students may vote.

Students may vote for ONE book in each category (Early Years, Younger Readers, Older Readers).  

There is no minimum number of books that must be read.  

Simply one vote per student per category.

Votes are collected for one week.

Infant classes will vote for the Early Years category in the library during regular library check out time. A voting table will be set up in the yellow, round room. Students will be given one bean to vote for their favorite book.  Miss Kalimah will have the beans.

Junior classes will vote online via this google form. Our voting code is UWCRED2.

Important Dates:

Voting: March 6-13

Winners announced: March 16

Readers' Cup Activity: Session 4

Readers' Cup: May (exact date TBD)

Mother Language Story Telling during Book Week

So many books, so many languages...story time in mother languages. 

Following another successful Mother Language Day, we'd like to establish a tradition of parents reading stories to native/fluent speakers in the Junior School during Book Week.

We are looking for parent volunteers to share stories in mother languages. If you're interested, please bring your children's favourite picture book and novel to read to children in Grades 2-5 in the Primary Library at lunch time. This would be a half hour commitment on a day of your choice - 25 February–1 March, 11.45am-12.15pm.

Please click here to sign up. For more information, contact Sharon Tymms.

Reading Rocks! Book Week February 25 - March 1

Below is info about the week. 

Feel free to do more in your class or grade.

Our theme for the week is:

Reading Rocks!

Print the posters here.

New to UWC? Or just can't remember anything from last year? 

Here's a link to General Info and other ideas.

Daily Events:

Math Monday- Kick off the week by using a picture book to help teach a math lesson. Need ideas? Ask Tilson! or check out the selection of books in the math resource room or stop by the library.

Poem in your Pocket Tuesday- everyone comes to school prepared to share a poem -- either in their pocket to be read or in their head to be recited. Don't forget to ask students to share their poems!

Rock Your Reading Shoes Wednesday- This day is inspired by "Pete the Cat: Rocking in my School Shoes", a Red Dot book. Students can wear shoes other than their school shoes today. For example: Converse or high tops like Pete's, slippers, trainers, sandals, rain boots, or any fun shoes. (If your class has PE, remind kids to bring in appropriate shoes.) Make sure to read the book and watch the video.  

Thinking Thursday- focus on nonfiction. Jan Latta, an Australian author/photographer will present to K2-Gr 5.

Dress Up Friday- Come to school dressed as a favorite book character. Click here for costume ideas. Infant/Junior assembly at 8:30.

Click here for a timetable of special events during the week.

Week Long Events:

Book Nooks- Be on the look out for special reading areas with bean bags and pillows around campus for reading books before school and throughout Morning Break and Lunch Break. Thanks in advance to Grade 3 for organizing this!

Bookmark Competition- Each class will be given blank bookmarks to decorate to celebrate our theme, Reading Rocks! There will be a winner in each grade. Copies of the winning bookmarks will be available in the library a couple of weeks later. Bookmarks are due to the library by Friday March 1. For more info, click here.

Guest Readers- Sign up with your available times on the google doc. A guest reader will contact you.

Red Dot Award- Voting will be March 6-13 so encourage students to read these books so they will be able to vote for their favorite.  

Want more ideas? Pair a book with a cooking activity, invite a parent in as a  guest reader, extra DropEvereythingAndRead time outside your regular reading time, etc...Click here for even more ideas.

Season's Readings! What to read over the holiday

A few people have asked for recommendations of what to read during the holidays. Here are some lists with many titles to choose from.

Common Sense Media has a bunch of lists. Most of which you can search by age range.

Check out this MentorMob playlist for links to a variety of lists. This is my first time using MentorMob to put together resources. Let me know what you think.

Create your own Playlist on MentorMob!

Season's Readings!

Image courtesy of santathing, http://www.librarything.com/blogs/librarything/2007/12/santathing-about-to-close/