WORDLE!!

Want your students to create something different to show their learning? Why not get them to use Wordle. Wordle is a free word art generating site on the Internet. It allows students to create word art for any subject area. Have a look at the website below for 43 ways to use Wordle in your classroom.


http://docs.google.com/present/view?id=dhn2vcv5_157dpbsg9c5



You and your students can access wordle at http://www.wordle.net/. Check out an example of a wordle using words from this blog.

Have fun!

Remembrance Day

The TDSB has some great weblinks and resources for Remembrance Day. Check them out at the following link:

http://www.tdsb.on.ca/_site/ViewItem.asp?siteid=15&menuid=21865&pageid=19044

Also be sure to check out the displays in the library for resources on Remembrance Day. We have fiction, non-fiction and video resources.

Great Resource!

We now have access to a fantastic Canadian resource - the National Film Board. The TDSB has purchased a subscription to the vast bank of NFB films. On this site you can access documentaries, animations, dramas, trailers and more, from both past and present. The NFB website can be accessed through the library website using the link below:

http://www.tdsb.on.ca/libraries/links.asp?schoolno=1585

Just go to "Online Media" and click on the NFB link. Check it out! Share what you find with the rest of the staff by leaving a comment on this blog.

Looking for Storytellers!

That's right staff. we are having our 6th Annual Scary Stories in the Library on Wednesday, October 28th! Do you have a scary, hair raising, spine tingling story you would like to share with our students? Let us know if you would be willing to share your story and give our students a fright of their lives. Watch for a memo in your mailboxes next week!

Spring Book Fair

Hello Everyone,

As you may know, we have decided to go with a Scholastic Spring Book Fair from May 6th to the 15th. Our theme is "Catch the Reading Wave" with the beach in mind. We would like to decorate the library in the beach theme and we are asking for your help. If you have anything at home that fits into this theme and are willing to lend it to us for that week, please let us know by Friday, April 17th. Here is a list of things to give you an idea fo what we are looking for:

1) umbrellas
2) patio lights
3) inflatable water toys (i.e. beach balls, floating mattress, etc.)
4) flutter boards
5) sand pails and shovels
6) colourful beach towels
7) shells
8) picnic basket
9) plastic mugs, cups, etc.
10) paddling pool
11) foldable chairs
12) old flip flops
13) sun hats
14) sunglasses
15) surf board
14) beach bag
15) tiki hut
16) small patio set
17) sand

Whatever else you can come up with. Thanks so much!

MS Read-a-Thon

Hello Everyone,

This week we kick off our MS Read-a-Thon. Our reading month will begin with assemblies on Wednesday afternoon. After the assembly, reading packages will be placed in Advisory teacher mailboxes. Please distribute the envelops and encourage you students to read. To get your students excited about the Read-a-thon here are a couple of ideas:

1) Set a class reading goal. Reading minutes should be tracked. You can create a class chart and create a chart to track each student. An example of a Reading Thermometer has been placed in your package.

2) Check out the great resources online at www.msreadathon.com.

3) Participate in the school challenge! At the end of the reading period, the library will be asking teachers to submit their class's reading minutes. There will be a PIZZA LUNCH for the class with the most reading minutes and a prize for the top three students in the school.

Pledge envelopes will be handed into Ms. Friesen. Listen to the announcements for final dates. Happy Reading!!

Earth Hour

Earth Hour is coming! On Saturday, March 28th at 8:30pm, millions of people will be turning off their lights for 1 hour in an effort to help reduce their carbon footprint. You and your class can be a part of the solution. Valley Park has been registered as an Earth Hour participant. Here are some resources and suggestions to help promote Earth Hour with your class.

http://wwf.ca/earthhour/ - Earth Hour Canada

http://earthhour.org/ - International Earth Hour

http://earthhour.smh.com.au/cities/toronto/ - Earth Hour Toronto

Books

"Reducing Your Carbon Footprint at School" by Jeanne Nagle (640 NAG)

"Building a Green Community" by Ellen Rodger (333.72 ROD)

"How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint" by Amanda Bishop (640 BIS)


"True Green Kids - 100 Things You Can Do To Save the Planet" by Kim McKay and Jenny Bonnin (333.72 MCK)

"An Inconvenient Truth" by Al Gore (363.73874 GOR)

"The Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming" by Laurie David and Cambria Gordon (363.73874 DAV)



Check out the Display in the library for more books!



Videos


An Inconvenient Truth (video section of the library)

Planet Earth (see Ms. Friesen)











Websites

Have students calculate their carbon footprints

http://www.zerofootprintkids.com/kids_home.aspx
http://www.carbonfootprint.com/

Learn about different typs of energy sources

http://http//fplenergy.apogee.net/kids/default.aspx

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=kids.kids_index

Great information on Global Warming

http://globalwarmingkids.net/index.html

National Geographic Site - learn about the "Behind the Scence" of some everyday products we consume
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/human-footprint/consumption-interactive.html

GREAT NEWS!

We have received $9,142 from the Ministry of Education. This money will be used to purchase resources for our library. We need your suggestions! A memo has been placed in your mailbox. Please give us your ideas of resources or curriculum areas we need to consider. Ms. Galli and I will be going on our shopping spree on March 5th. Please return your suggestions to me by Friday, February 27th. Thanks for all your suggestions!

African Heritage Month

February is African Heritage Month. Check out the displays we have in the library on the Professional Reading table and around the library. Here are also some links to resources on the Internet.

http://www.tdsb.on.ca/_site/ViewItem.asp?siteid=15&menuid=570&pageid=452
http://fcis.oise.utoronto.ca/~gpieters/blklinks.html
http://www.edselect.com/black_history_month.htm


Share this short video with your students on the history of Africville, a black community in Nova Scotia that was demolished in the 1960's. It is now a historical site in Canada. Also take out Last Days in Africville by Dorothy Perkins. You can find it in the paperback fiction section under PB F PER.




More information on Africville, such as television and radio clips, can be found in the CBC archives at http://archives.cbc.ca/society/racism/topics/96/.

Smartboard Part 2

Hello Everyone,
Just a reminder to you that we will be having our second Smartboard session on February 18th in the library from 3:30 to 5:00. Bring your mugs! Coffee, tea and treats will be available. Also remember, we are offering a chance to 'play' on the Smartboards during both lunches in the Library on February 10th.

Missing DVD

Hello Everyone,

We are missing a DVD! We are looking for Disc 1 from Canada A People's History Vol. 8. If anyone has found this DVD, please return it to the library as soon as possible. Thanks so much!

Our 21st Century Students

Much of the literature and research being done in education is centred around the 21st century learner and how we as teachers can prepare our students for a global information and technological environment. Questions focusing on how to educate our students to meet the demand for high levels of literacy in the technological workplace, how to prepare our students to think for themselves, make decisions, and become lifelong learners are shaping curriculum and how we teach. Here is a video for some food for thought and perhaps begin some dialogue on how we can meet these challenges on a daily basis in our classrooms.