November 2014 FM Library Update

Lots has been happening in the FMLibrary so far this school year.

Grade K to 4 classes have been visiting the Library on a weekly basis and have been enjoying a variety of seasonal stories.  For a quick reminder of  FM Library Book Exchange days be sure to check out the FM Library calendar.

Our Homework Club is in full swing again for our Grade 6 to 8 students and happens on Tuesdays @ 1st Break (thanks Mrs. Klimkowski) and Wednesdays @ 1st Break (with Mr. Cann).  Come on down to the Library for a relaxed place to complete your homework in a supportive atmosphere.

We are looking forward to our annual Scholastic Book Fair this coming Monday, November 17th.  The Book Fair will be open the evening of Thursday, November 20th and the morning of Friday, November 21st for students to come down and browse/purchase with their parents.  Check the @FMLibrary Twitter feed for the latest information.

We plan on continuing many FM Library programs this year:  Read and Relax, Forest of Reading Clubs, Battle of the Books and more!

FM SUMMER READING TOP TEN 2014

FM SUMMER READING TOP TEN 2014

We have had an awesome year here in the FM Library.  Thousands of books were signed out every month and it was amazing to see all of the students here @florencemeares enjoying reading.  A HUGE thank you goes out to all of the amazing volunteers here @FMLibrary:  Mrs. Solomon, Mrs. Jarvis, Mrs. Varasso, Mrs. Bancroft, Mrs. Chorpitta, Mrs. Mowder, Mrs. Johnstone, Mrs. Hammill and all of our other volunteers.  Your hard work makes the FM Library the special place it is!

Don't forget to READ during the summer!  Whether you love picture books, manga, comics, chapter books, magazines, newspapers, or whatever, keep practising those reading skills over the summer.  Guaranteed, if you read during the summer your reading will be off to the races when you come back to school in September.

Here is the FM Library Summer Reading Top Ten for 2014!

10. Check out Britannica Online and PebbleGo for fun facts and interesting information about your favourite animals.

9. Visit the website of a favourite author.  Their websites can be filled with hidden golden nuggets of great online content (hint Robert Munsch).

8. Like to read but short on funds?  Check out Garage Sales and Thrift Stores for inexpensive books that are just like new.

7. Have no money but like to read?  Visit the BPL for free books that you can borrow.  BPL will let you borrow a stack of books for free!  Just remember to return them on time or you'll be charged $$ for overdues.

6. Participate in the BPL Summer Reading program.

5. Check out an audiobook and listen to your favourites as you enjoy the outdoors.  The Overdrive app is free and works great.

4.  Mr. Ferguson suggests reading "Oh The Places You'll Go!" for a picture book and "Hunger Games" for a chapter book.  Also, check out Ms. Fink's Hot Reads.

3. Going on vacation?  Visit the local Library.  One of my favourites is here :)

2. Have a portable device like an Android or iOS tablet?  They are perfect for online books.  Tumblebooks, Bookflix, and Mr. C's Find A Book are perfect for your portable devices and great for bedtime stories.

1. Make family time Reading Time.  Read to your brother, sister, mom, dad, grandma or grandpa.  No only will you keep your reading sharp, but you will also be working on your oral speaking and presentation skills.

Have a wonderful fun, safe, and restful summer and we'll see everyone back @FMLibrary in September:)

PIP AND POSY THE SNOWY DAY

We have been having an outstanding winter this year with lots cold weather and lots of snow.  This week we have been enjoying "Pip and Posy the Snowy Day" by Axel Scheffler.  Pip and Posy celebrates winter fun and getting along with others.  After a disagreement about what their snowman should look like, Pip and Posy need a reminder about how to get along with friends.  Our Kindergarten friends know exactly how to solve their problems (i.e. use your words, ask an adult for help).  In the end Pip and Posy are the best of friends.   This book is perfect for primary students and as always, Axel Scheffler's illustrations are outstanding. 

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:-)