Pages

Saturday 30 November 2013

Inventing in the Library Continued....

Hello Earl Beatty,

This week and next we have and will continue working on our Google submissions. The Thursday folder will contain a permission slip with information about the contest and information about what we need from parents to enter.

To help students differentiate between good and not so great inventions, we have been looking at some very interesting inventions in the "Klutz Book of Inventions". While all students agree, the inventions in this book may be useful, but they definitely are not desirable or practical. Some examples are a pogo stick toilet plunger, or a to-go orange juicer! 

The focus this coming week in the library will be to allow students an opportunity to plan and create. The library will also be drawing names for the first ever Library games party happening this week! 
Have a great December!

Tuesday 19 November 2013

Inventing in the Library


This week our Library is working with students on an opportunity presented through Google Canada.
They are hosting a contest for students across Canada to design a Google Doodle. According to Google, Google Doodles are:

"the fun, surprising, and sometimes spontaneous changes that are made to the Google logo to celebrate holidays, anniversaries, and the lives of famous artists, pioneers, and scientists"

Click HERE to see some examples of Google Doodles

The theme this year is "If I could invent anything,I would invent..."

Students are going to explore the idea of an invention in the Library through fiction and non-fiction texts. Once students have their idea they will create their very own Google Doodle on a template provided. Students are encouraged to explore ideas at home and plan ahead.

Click on the link HERE to see details of the contest, and prizes.

In the Library we will discuss what makes a good invention

- does it solve a problem?
- does it make life easier or fun?
- is it practical?
- is it something that people will want to use?

As an example to these leading questions we will discuss basic inventions (zipper, wheelchair, eyeglasses, television, car, basketball)

To start off discussions we will read 2 stories which have the main characters using their imagination to create:



If you would like to follow up with Not a Box by Antoinette Portis, students will really enjoy, Not a Stick by the same author!

Happy Inventing!


Monday 11 November 2013

Lost and Found - Looking at Empathy



This week in the Library, primary students are being introduced to the concept of empathy. Below this entry is a letter to parents to help focus and guide discussions on Empathy at home


Last week we read a story called "A Bear in War" in recognition of Remembrance Day.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6136672-a-bear-in-war


This week we are reading "Lost and Found" by Oliver Jeffers. After reading this story we discuss what empathy is and then connect it back to last weeks story to discuss what we think Aileen may have been feeling.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/301141.Lost_and_Found?from_search=true

Oliver Jeffers is a great author and has many other titles that you can read with your child at home. We have a few in our collection at Earl Beatty. The story Lost and Found also is available as a video.

Enjoy the week, and don't forget to Just Read it!






Sunday 3 November 2013

Thank a Soldier

With Remembrance Day fast approaching, our Library will be observing Veteran's Week through media and text. We will also be building class letters showing our appreciation to soldiers currently in active duty. Donations for Veterans are being collected in the Office and in the Library. Please show your support to a very important cause. Check out a helpful link that addresses Remembrance Day: http://tvoparents.tvo.org/blog/tvoparents-blog/thank-soldier