Pages

Thursday 24 April 2014

Co in Operation

Hello Beatty Members!

As we have been mentioning in our posts the Library is undergoing some physical changes, the books are being reorganized, shelves and furniture are moving around and it is all being done with some friendly cooperation! We cannot wait to reveal the changes on our blog soon. Our Biblio-techies, parent volunteers, and custodial staff have all been working hard to get our space updated to meet the needs and demands of our students. We couldn't have done any of this without our wonderful team!

April is the month where the TDSB focuses on the character trait of cooperation, and we have been reading some great books! Our first book on our reading list is from a favourite author Oliver Jeffers. "The Way Back Home" was the first story we read and it was a great opportunity to realize that even though we can do things on our own, often times working with others to accomplish a goal can be more effective and rewarding. Here is an excerpt from goodreads.com:

When a boy discovers a single-propeller airplane in his closet, he does what any young adventurer would do: He flies it into outer space! Millions of miles from Earth, the plane begins to sputter and quake, its fuel tank on empty. The boy executes a daring landing on the moon . . . but there’s no telling what kind of slimy, slithering, tentacled, fangtoothed monsters lurk in the darkness! (Plus, it’s dark and lonely out there.) Coincidentally, engine trouble has stranded a young Martian on the other side of the moon, and he’s just as frightened and alone. Martian, Earthling—it’s all the same when you’re in need of a friend.


We followed this story with a very old and classic story by Aesop, a fable of a Lion and Mouse. We read a version from an anthology and followed it by looking at a wordless picture book that was just added to our collection by Jeremy Pickney. The beautiful illustrations really brought the fable alive. We had some fantastic conversations about how even the littlest person can make a big difference.



We have 2 more books on our reading list, but we will leave those for our next post. In the meantime, posted below is a resource for parents to help continue the discussion on cooperation at home.

Keep Reading !

Wednesday 16 April 2014

Honesty Really is the Best Policy!

Hi Everyone!

Sorry for the delayed posts. We have been really busy updating our space and purchasing new materials. We spent a lot of time talking about Honesty in March, and had some really good discussions about when it IS OKAY to tell a little lie.... like when we get a gift we REALLY don't like, or when we are trying to surprise someone. Otherwise, it really is not a good idea to tell a lie. We read 2 other books that highlighted what happens when you do not tell the truth, and how sometimes when 2 people are telling a story their VERSIONS do not end up being the same.

The first story we read was the Principal's New Clothes by Stephanie Calmenson. Here is an excerpt from goodreads:


Mr. Bundy, the principal of P.S. 88, is the sharpest dresser in school. In fact, he's the sharpest dresser in the whole town! But when two tricksters come to town and design a suit of magic cloth for Mr. Bundy, everyone is in for a big surprise!

This story is a modified version of the Emperor's New Clothes. The story shows that sometimes honesty really is the best policy!



The next book we read is a personal favourite. The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka:

For those who think they know the story of the Three Little Pigs and the Big, Bad Wolf, here it is as they've never heard it before. In this highly acclaimed collaboration between Scieszka and Smith, Alexander T. Wolf tells his side of the incident. Was it premeditated swineacide or simply an accident? Readers can decide for themselves in this laugh-aloud tale that's sure to tickle the funny bone.



Our new focus for April is Cooperation. Look for a post this week to see what we have been reading. Keep Reading!