Elf on the Shelf

Our Grade 2 students here at Florence Meares have been having a ton of fun with the Elf on the Shelf just before our Winter Break next week.  He has been all over the school and today he popped up in the Library.

He decided to go for a balloon ride.

He asked Yoda about the Force.

He even escaped one of our more dangerous stuffies.  Mr. Snake!

After reading "A Very Hockey Christmas" by Gilles Tibo to Ms. Fink and Mrs. Dietrich's class, we reviewed our magazine sign out procedures (a great option for our friends who have forgotten to return their Library book).  When investigating our magazine rack's hidden compartment, we spotted something . . . 

We looked closer  . . . 

It was the Elf on the Shelf!  The kids went wild with excitement. I think the Elf was excited as well as he accidentally pooped Smarties on the shelf.

Thanks Ms. Fink for all the fun this morning.  I know our Grade 2 students will be excited to find out where the Elf on the Shelf ends up next!

Santa Claus and the Three Bears

The holiday season is just around the corner and here at the FMLibrary we have been having a wonderful time enjoying many different seasonal books.  Thanks to our annual Scholastic Book Fair we have a wonderful addition to our collection:  "Santa Claus and the Three Bears" by Mari Modugno.  This story is a different interpretation of Goldilocks and Three Bears, a story which is very familiar to our Kindergarten students.  Just like Goldilocks, Santa tastes porridge, sits in chairs, and falls asleep.  The Three Bears sure are surprised to find Santa sleeping in Baby Bear's bed when they come home. Any story with Santa this time of year is a big hit and our Kindergarten students love "Santa Claus and the Three Bears".

The Dumpster Diver

October 21-27 is Waste Reduction Week in Canada and what better way to celebrate than with a great book.  In "The Dumpster Diver" by Janet S. Wong and illustrated by David Roberts we are introduced to Steve who uses his creativity and ingenuity to apply the 3 Rs:  Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Along with friends in the neighbourhood, Steve takes to diving into local dumpsters and Reuses found items in amazing ways. When Steve hurts himself, the neighbourhood rallies and comes to Steve's aid.  "The Dumpster Diver" teaches us the importance of community, helping those in need and will have readers of all ages looking at trash in new and inspiring ways.  As Steve says,  "Junk is Good".

WELCOME BACK :-)

It has been wonderful getting back into our school routine this September.  We have many new friends here at Florence Meares including our Junior Kindergarten friends who are brand new to Florence Meares and brand new to the FM Library.

Our Primary students have learned all about how the Library works including using our "Magic Rulers", which help to keep all the books organized in the Library.  A huge thank you to our parents and guardians who are ensuring that Library books are coming back to the Library on a weekly basis.  Not sure of your child's Library time?  Have a look at the FM Library calendar for your child's Library day.  Our Kindergarten to Grade 4 students enjoy a weekly Library book exchange time with our Gr. 1-3 students signing out one book at a time and our Gr. 4 students signing out 2 books at a time.

It was fantastic to have our Gr. 5-8 students visit the Library for their Library Orientation session.  Competition was heated during our Library Orientation Jeopardy games.  I recently read an interesting study that showed reading for pleasure helps students do well in school.  The message I wanted to leave with all the students, especially our very busy Gr. 7 and 8 students who have rotary subjects, was to read for pleasure this year.  Reading for pleasure helps you in school.

Students have access to a number of exciting online resources this year that can be accessed through our HDSB Elementary Internet Tools page.  An exciting addition this year is Britannica Online and I encourage parents and students to use this excellent resource both at school and at home.

If you have any questions don't hesitate to send me an email and I look forward to an exciting year of discovery and learning:-)

2013 FM LIbrary Summer Reading Top Ten :-)

We had another fantastic year in the FM Library this year.  A huge thank you goes out to all of our volunteers this year:  Mrs. Featherstone, Mrs. Jarvis, Mrs. Varasso, Mrs. Dawe, Mrs. Mowder, Mrs. Kelly, Mrs. Hammill and Mrs. Soliman.  Both students and teachers have greatly appreciated all your help throughout the year.  Thank you so much!!

As we prepare for summer we hope you continue to work on your reading skills.  Be sure to get your FM Library barcode from Mr. Cann before you leave for the summer, if you don't already have it.  Many exciting websites require your FM Library barcode for home access. Here are my top ten ideas for keeping those skills up over the summer:

10. Check out the Find A Book section of the FM Library website.  There are lots of hidden gems including Storyline Online.

9. Enjoy Bookflix and other web based OSAPAC titles like Bitstrips For Schools.

8. Have story time with a younger brother or sister.

7. Visit Novelist for suggested new reads.

6. Read a book from Ms. Fink's Hot Reads.

5. Download an ebook or audiobook.

4. Visit the local library where you are spending your vacation.  You might find a hidden gem like we did in Bayfield, Ontario last summer.

3. Missing the FM Library puppets?  Put on a puppet show of your own for your family and friends with your favourite stuffies.  This will be great practice for your oral expression and drama skills.

2.  Check out Garage Sales or Used Book Stores for inexpensive books that you can add to your collection.

1.  Participate in the Burlington Public Library's Summer Reading Program.  The program starts on June 28th.

On the behalf of the FM Library, I want to wish everyone a fun, safe and reading filled summer.

See everyone in September :-)

Mr. Cann

THE LIBRARY IS IMPORTANT . . .

Recently, Mrs. Fink read "The Import Book" by Margaret Wise Brown.

With vivid illustrations and thoughtful text, this book looks at everyday things such as spoons, daisys, rain and grass and why they are important to us.

After the students listened to "The Important Book" Mrs. Fink had the student write about what was important to them.  Connor, in Grade One, shared "The important thing about reading . . ." and I just had to share.

I think Libraries are important too Connor.

Thank you so much for sharing with us.  Roald Dahl is a super author and I think it is fantastic how much you love reading.

"Little Copper Pennies" author Susan Harris Visits FM Via Skype!

With the Royal Canadian Mint ceasing distribution of the Canadian penny in February this year, student interest in the Canadian penny has spiked here at Florence Meares. 

A few months ago, courtesy of  Halton District School Board Library Services, the FM Library received a copy of "Little Copper Pennies for Kids" by Susan Harris and illustrated by Mark Sexton.  

Mrs. Withers and Mrs. Shantz Kindergarten class were very interested in this book and wanted to learn more about the penny and the author who wrote this interesting book.

On Wednesday, May 29th, after several emails and a trial run with Skype, Mrs. Withers and Mrs. Shantz class held a Skype session with Susan Harris, author of "Little Copper Pennies.

Even though Mrs. Harris was all the way in Melville, Saskatchewan, Canada, it was like she was in the next room.  

The students had many questions for Mrs. Harris, some of which included:

Why did you write about a penny? 

-Mrs. Harris thought "If a penny could speak what would it say?"

Did you use glue and staples to make the book?

-she used a publisher who has big machines to help make the book.

How many books have you written?

-4

Did you meet the illustrator?

-yes -his name is Mark Sexton

Do you have a favourite author?

-Enid Blyton and Robert Munsch

We we all truly amazed at Mrs. Harris' vast knowledge of the history of the Canadian penny and she had many examples of different versions of the penny over the years.

Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule Mrs. Harris.  You have given students and teachers here at Florence Meares and unforgettable experience!

To learn more about Susan Harris and her books visit http://www.susanharris.ca/

REBECCA BENDER VISITS FM!

Tuesday, February 26th was a very special day at Florence Meares Public School.  That day, we had a visit from author/illustrator Rebecca Bender.

Rebecca writes and illustrates her own books and here at Florence Meares our students were spellbound as Rebecca shared her artistic talents with all of our students in Grades 1 to 4.  The ease with which Rebecca created images and animal characters from scratch was astounding.

After a visit with our Grade 1 to 4 students, Rebecca had a chance to visit our Kindergarten students and read her 2012 Ontario Library Association Blue Spruce winning story "Giraffe and Bird".  Our Kindergarten students loved hearing from a real live author and were amazed at Rebecca's illustration skills.

Thank you so much for your visit Rebecca and for sharing your many talents with us.  Good luck with "Don't Laugh at Giraffe" and the 2013 Blue Spruce Award.