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.

SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR 2012

We are very excited to have our annual Scholastic Book Fair next week from Monday, November 19th to Friday, November 23rd.  The Book Fair is a wonderful opportunity to support your Library and Literacy.

On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday Grade 1 to 8 classes will be visiting the Book Fair to create a wish list.  Students can bring either cash or cheque (made out to Florence Meares Pubic School) on Thursday, November 22nd and purchase their items during the day.

Our Kindergarten students will not be visiting the Book Fair as a class to create a wish list as this can be overwhelming for them.  However, parents are welcome to bring their children at any time during the days of the Book Fair for viewing and purchasing.

If you wish to accompany your child for purchasing, or to come in to purchase yourself, we will be open Monday 1:30 p.m to 4:00 p.m., Tuesday & Wednesday 8:40 a.m. until 4 p.m., Thursday 8:40 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.

Of course there is no obligation to purchase.  Thank you so much for supporting our Book Fair!

What Can I Do With My Library Barcode?

Students in Halton are fortunate to have access to a multitude of online resources, many of which can be accessed at home.  This week Library barcodes were distributed to all of the students at Florence Meares.  The big question of the week was "What Can I Do With My Library Barcode?".  The answer is, access awesome online resources at home.  Some of the fantastic resources students can access at home include:

-BookFlix
-HDSB audiobooks and ebooks
-Grolier Online (search 8 constantly updated encyclopedias)
-Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia
-Kids Search (popular kids magazine database)
-Searchasaurus (kids online encyclopedia)
-Primary Search
-Canadian Reference Centre
-Canadian Student Research Centre
-Career Cruising
-History Reference Centre
-Science Reference Centre
-Literary Reference Centre
-Universalis (French encyclopedia)

Many of the above resources can be accessed through Elementary Internet Tools and the Information Databases page on the Halton District School Board Library Website.  Try one of the above resources today and see what you've been missing.

If you have any question, please send Mr. C an email.

WELCOME BACK!!

We have had a wonderful first month back to school in the FM Library.  The books have been flying off the shelves.  It has been exciting to welcome all of our new Full Day Kindergarten students to the Library.  Our Grade JK to 4 students have weekly scheduled book exchange times. You can see your child's Library Book Exchange time listed on the FM Library Calendar.  Please ensure your child returns their library book on a weekly basis to ensure they can sign out a new book every week.  We have been going over a number of important Library routines including:

-the magic ruler (helps to keep books organized in the Library)
-the magic line
-the circulation desk & book drops
-parts of the Library
-how to care for our books

Library visits are an exciting time and we look forward to lots of books coming and going from our Library this school year.

Our Grade 5 to 8 students enjoyed a friendly game of Jeopardy on our SMART Board while learning about the parts of the Library and what G.A.P.S. is (Halton's Research Model).  Our Grade 5 to 8 students may visit the Library, to exchange their books, during periods 1 or 2 or during 1st Break.

Homework Club for Grade 6, 7, and 8 students has started once again.  During 1st Break, students come to the Library for a quiet place to finish their assignments.  Our 4 Library computers will be available to complete homework and assignments.  Mr. Cann will be available for help on Tuesdays, Mrs. Eggers will be available on Wednesdays and Ms. Cullen will be available on Thursdays.

Please send me an email if you have any questions.