Six Nations Remembrance Day Writing Contest

Six Nations Public Library Remembrance Day Writing Contest (Open to all ages)

Students should create a poem or prose no longer than 1 page.
This may be hand written or typed.
Students are encouraged to decorate their page with art or graphics.

Rules:
* Have a Remembrance Day or Veterans theme
* 1 page in length (maximum)
* 1/2 inch margins (minimum)
* Author name, school and grade should be lightly written on the reverse in pencil.

All Finalists will be posted at the Six Nations Public Library

The top winners will receive a Book Gift Certificate

All entries must be ready for pick up in the afternoon of Mon., Nov. 5th or you can drop them off at the library.

Teaching Effective Interrupting

GAG Technique

Get the person's attention.
Apologize for interrupting.
Give the reason for interrupting.

Interrupting appropriately is an important life skill that often needs to be explicitly taught to children.

Book Week is November 17-24th

The Magic of Books

Visit http://www.bookweek.ca/ to find out more information about how you can celebrate the magic of books in your school or library. Your class or school can celebrate with a kit for $14.95. Download the form at www.bookweek.ca/bookweekkit.htm Also, the Imperial Oil Foundation is having a writing contest for grades 2-6. More information and contest details can be found at www.bookweek.ca/writingcontest.html . Writing contest entries must be received no later than December 15, 2007.

In addition, I did apply for an author visit for the schools that showed an interest. Thank you for your continued support, assistance and flexibility during this process.

Special Thanks to Vanessa at Jamieson

Putting it all Together

Putting It All Together is hosting an event in Hamilton on Nov. 20th for parents and caregivers. It is FREE! This would be great to share with parents via school newsletter or post on parent information boards located at your school. Visit http://www.puttingitalltogether.ca/ and click on event schedule for more information. If you scroll down to Parent and Caregiver Community you will find information about Susan Bennett-Armistead and her presentation entitled, Beyond Bedtime Stories: Ideas for families to weave literacy into the everyday lives of young children.
Special Thanks to Dar at J.C. Hill

Raptors Free Reading Program - READ TO ACHIEVE

Check it out!

The Toronto Raptors offer two excellent programs for your school to get involved in this year. TeamUp for Literacy (Oct.-Mar.) for grades 1-12 encourages schools to start student literacy initiatives. Reading Time-Out (Oct.-Mar.) for grades 1-8 is a great idea for a class to begin a read-a-thon. Sign up by Oct. 5th www.nba.com/raptors/community/read_achieve.html
Special Thanks to Judy at ECG

Mem Fox

Internationally acclaimed children's author and literacy expert, Mem Fox is coming to Brantford.

Date: Mon., Oct 22, 2007.

Event: Mem Fox - Hosted by the Family Literacy Committee of Brant - "Which Reading Road Shall We Travel"

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Tickets: $8.00 - general seating
Sanderson Centre Box Office 519-758-8090 or visit www.sandersoncentre.ca

BOOK CLUB FOR PRIMARY & JUNIOR/INTERMEDIATE TEACHERS

If you are interested in being involved in a district-wide book club with the following texts please contact Candy Browatzke by e-mail (browatzkec@inac-ainc.gc.ca) or phone 519-445-4227ASAP. The first 10 primary and junior/intermediate teachers to respond will have priority. At this time, I don't have a schedule, because I would like to have suggestions from the book club members. I am assuming we would meet once a month (a.m./p.m.) and rotate our meeting locations. Literacy Work Stations is recommended for primary teachers and Practice with Purpose is recommended for junior/intermediate teachers at a cost of $31.95.

Summer Reading Loss: Worse Than We Think

"A summer loss of three months accumulates over the elementary grade summers to become a gap of 18 months by the end of sixth grade. By middle school, summer reading loss plus an initial achievement lag at the beginning of first grade, produces a cumulative lag of two or more years in reading achievement, even when effective instruction during the school years is available." (Donna Gorden, Bureau of Education & Research, 2006)

What Can We Do?

• Send home summer reading lists, books and tips for parents.
• Encourage library visits and programs.
• READ, READ, READ!

Recommended web sites with fun reading activities:

1. Kidsreads is the best place on the web for kids to find info about their favourite books, series and authors. They also have trivia games, word scrambles and awesome contests.
2. www.gigglepoety.com - This site is full of funny poems kids will love to read. Others links include places where you can write your own poems and read ones written by other kids.
3. Storybooks Online - Choose from a selection of a dozen stories, young, middle-aged and older children might like to read right from your computer screen.
4. KidsDomain: Summer Fun
5. Stories Online - Follow the news written for children.

"The single summer activity that is most strongly and consistently related to summer learning is reading". (Anne McGill Franzen & Richard Allington) For example, to maintain their reading skills a Gr. 2 student should read 4 chapter books during the summer.