W E L C O M E B A C K
The
goal of the Richard McBride Library is to promote students’ love of learning
through literacy.
The
Library is a quiet, calm place where students can thoughtfully choose and enjoy
their books. The routines are easy to follow which helps students feel
successful and confident. Students are expected to follow the Library Manners
and to treat others as well as books and supplies with respect.
Library
Manners
|
Quiet hands
Quiet feed
Library voices
Stay on task
Follow directions
|
S E P T E M B E R
Last
September, when I arrived back from summer holidays, the Library was still in
the middle of renovations and all the books were in boxes. It took the better part of the school year to put
everything in order. This year has been much easier and we are off to a great
start!
The
students have fallen back into familiar Library routines. It is such a pleasure to see how much they
have grown and matured from one grade to the next! Our new Kindergarten students are at home in
the Library now and enjoy choosing their own books. Mrs. Edgar, our Library clerk, is busy
processing new books and getting them on the shelves. Our Monitors provide an essential service,
shelving books, organizing supplies and keeping the Library neat and tidy.
T E R R Y
F O X
After a few review lessons, we launched into our
Terry Fox Unit. The students were keen
to learn more about this Canadian hero and their respectful and empathetic attitudes
towards this serious subject were much appreciated.
Terry Fox was born in Winnipeg in 1958 and his
family eventually settled in Port Coquitlam.
From an early age, Terry was a determined, tenacious boy who loved
sports. When he was 18, Terry was
diagnosed with bone cancer and his right leg was amputated above the knee.
Terry was inspired to run across Canada to raise
money for cancer research. He began his
Marathon of Hope in St. John's on April 12, 1980. Terry ran 26 miles a day for 143 days but was
forced to quit when the cancer returned.
Terry passed away on June 28, 1981 at the Royal Columbian Hospital, in
New Westminster.
I remember hearing about Terry’s Marathon of
Hope of the radio and watching his progress across the country on TV. I was 18 when he died and now I have a 21
year old son. I can’t image what his
family went through and my heart goes out to all of you who have been effected by
cancer. Terry Fox
A
T Y P I C A L L I B R A R Y C L A S S
This
year, there are thirty and fifty minute library blocks. When a class arrives
for Library, they check the white board for instructions. Generally they begin
by gathering their Library books. The SMARTboard Book Generator gives the grade
one to five students three options for their “have to take out” book which encourages
student to explore beyond their usual choices of reading materials.
Students
are required to check out at least one book.
This policy assures that students are up and about exploring the library
during book exchange, that they are noticing new displays and new books and
that they are learning the responsibilities of caring for and returning their
Library books.
After
the students have gathered their books, there is usually a theme-based lesson,
activity or presentation. During a fifty
minute period this lasts about a half an hour and may include seatwork or a
written work. Students then finish
gathering their books and check them out table by table using their Library
cards. If a student has any overdue
books, they are unable to take out any books and choose a magazine to take
home.
The
students tidy up and are dismissed to their teacher.
S C H O L A S T I C
B O O K F A I R
Scholastic
Book Fairs are now the primary source of funding for our school Library. The profits from our book fairs allow us to
continue to build and renew our collections and provide funds for library
supplies and materials. Please support
our Scholastic Book Fair!
Monday
Oct. 21
Lunch:
Grade 5 only
After
school: 3:00 – 4:00
Wednesday
Oct. 23
Lunch
– Grade 1 & 2 only
After
school: 2:00 – 5:30
Thursday
Oct. 24
Lunch
- Grade 3 & 4 only
After
school: 2:00 – 4:00
Students will have a chance to preview the
Book Fair during their Library class.
Because the Fair is held in a classroom and space is limited, we are
discouraging “window shopping” during the above times. We would like to limit admittance to shoppers
only. We take cash, cheques, credit and
debit cards.
If you wish to volunteer at the Book Fair and
receive 50% off your purchase, please show up at one of the times listed
above. There is no sign up or shift
assignments. Parent volunteers must
be present for their children to receive the discount.
O N M Y N I G H T T A B L E
This summer I re-read
an all-time favourite of mine, A Spot of
Bother by Mark Haddon (you may be familiar with his The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time). Very different from his first novel, Haddon’s
A Spot of Bother follows 57 year-old George
and his family as he begins his retirement. I found it laugh-out-loud funny and
thought-provoking!
I also enjoyed
very much The Unlikely Pilgrimage of
Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce. This
touching novel chronicles 65 year-old Harold’s unplanned walk across England to
reach his dying friend. This simple
story warmed my heart and I am giving to Mom for Christmas.
Also read and
recommended:
The Hundred Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window
and Disappeared by Swedish author
Jonas Johnson (a birthday gift for Dad).
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
S C H O L A S T I C B O O K F A I R
The younger grades learned about the significance of the poppy. In 1919, King George V of England created Remembrance Day to commemorate those who served and died during the Great War. The red poppy, inspired by Colonel John McCrae's iconic poem,"In Flanders Fields", became the symbol of remembrance. Poppies bloomed across the war-torn battlefields of Europe and their crimson petals represented the blood spilled during World War I. 
This November, grades three to five have focused on the roles of animals during war. From elephants to mice, animals have served in the military throughout history. Horses, dogs and pigeons played essential roles in the World Wars and animals continue to be employed in the modern military. 
