Soon it will be Christmas Day...

O P E R A T I O N   C H R I S T M A S   C H I L D                                              

Dear Richard McBride Elementary

This year in our collection centre we have collected 2621 shoeboxes!

Just in the Vancouver / Burnaby / New West / North Vancouver area we have collected 10176 shoeboxes, and they are all on the way to the National Processing Centre to distribute.

On behalf of the Bby/New West Collection Centre, we sincerely thank everyone for your contribution, and, imagine 10176 happy faces all smiling to you right now!

Regards

Valerie Lai

2011 Bby/New West Shoebox Collection Centre Coordinator

 D E C K  T H E   H A L L S                                      

Thanks to our monitors, it's beginning to look at lot like Christmas in the Library!  The tree is lit and the display case is full of holiday baubles, decorations and memorabilia.

The Chrismas books have been available for a few weeks now and are very popular.  My childhood favourite is The Mole Family's Christmas by Brian Hoban.

This superb Christmas picture book tells the story of Delver mole, a young mole who lives underground and knows nothing of Christmas. One day he hears about it from a mouse, and wonders if this "fat man in a red suit" will bring him his dearest wish - a telescope so that he can see the stars. (Being very nearsighted as most moles are, he has never seen them.) Risking the peril of facing the local owl, Delver and his family build an above-ground chimney and leave a letter for Santa. They then fall asleep waiting on Christmas eve in the open, and are about to be snatched up by the owl when, in a curious and believable way, the owl finds some Christmas spirit and is duly rewarded by Santa, who also brings the telescope for Delever. The illustrations are memorable and the story is a complete charmer.

  R E I N D E E R                                                                                                                                         

How much do you know about the magical unglets that pull Santa's sleigh?  Our students are well on their way to becoming experts on reindeer.

Can you answer these questions?

Can reindeer swim?

Do female reindeer have antlers?

Do reindeer live in Canada?

Where did we first learn the names of Santa's reindeer?

Can you name all the reindeer?

When you leave a snack for Santa, don't forget his reindeer as well!  Their prefered meal is lichen but carrots will do in a pinch!

  D EC E M B E R   P R I D E S                                                                                      

Last Friday, our school participated in our annual Christmas Cracker Prides. 

After a powerpoint presentation on the history of Christmas crackers and a demontration of how to make them, using our new document camera.  The students went to work in their Prides.

Once again, I was so impressed with the students' behaviour and the great effort they put into making the crackers.  The brightly coloured crackers contain candy, a joke and a snapper.

We are proud to be sending over 400 beautiful crackers to a community dinner in New Westminster.  Thanks to our students, the guests will have some extra fun at their Christmas dinner.

Have a look at the world's largest Christmas cracker!
ttp://www.absolutelycrackers.com/hist_biggest.html

So many books, so little time...

This has been a very busy month in the Library...

 B O O K    F A I R                                                                                                  

Thanks to Ms. Rickard and our parent and teacher volunteers, the Book Fair was a tremendous success.  Many thanks to all of our families for their support.  Ms. Edgar is busy getting the new Scholastic books ready for the library.  We will use some of the Scholastic book credit to buy more easy chapter books and  to replace worn-out favourites.

 B A T S   O F F!                                         

We finished up our bat unit with a new appreciation for these incredible flying mammals.  Our focus was on the little brown bat, the most common and urban of the 19 species of Canadian bats.

Did you know that a little brown bat will eat 1/2 its weight in mosquitoes in one night?  All the mothers will appreciate that female bats give birth upside down and will envy bats to learn that their pups are fully grown and independent in just five weeks. 

 R E M E M B R A N C E   D A Y                                                                         

I was very impressed with the matured attitude adopted by the students during our Remembrance Day unit. We used a variety of sources including vintage film footage to learn about Canada's involvement in war, from the Boer War to the conflict in Afghanistan.  One of our dads brought some very interesting WWII memorabilia, including a gas mask, that really enhanced our learning experience.

The gym was beautifully decorated with students' artwork for our Remembrance Day Assembly.  Our staff, students, parents and special guests, including the Legion Honour Guard, watched a powerpoint presentation narrated by Division 1 students.  We learned how Canadians and their children supported and contributed to the war effort.  This was followed by the video, A Pittance of Time, and the Hi-Notes choir who sang beautifully.  The ceremony concluded with God Save the Queen, (a perennial favourite of mine).

 B O X E S   F O R   K A T J E                                                                               

On Friday, November 18, our classes gathered in the gym for Prides.  Unfortunately, we were unable to finish our activities due to technical difficulties but it was good to get together!  We watched the video Boxes for Katje during library classes.  Based on a true story, this book tells of a young girl in post-WWII Holland who receives a box from a family in America. 

This book inspired us to participate in Operation Shoebox, a programme that sends Christmas gifts to needy children all over the world.  Each division was given 2 shoebox to fill with small toys, school supplies and toiletries. Once again, the student and families of McBride responded generously!  We collected forty boxes to send to children who will now a Christmas present to open. 

 C H R I S T M A S    C R A C K E R S                                                       

We will be getting together in our Prides on Friday, December 9 to make 400 Christmas crackers.  These festive crackers will help brighten a community Christmas dinner held in New Westminster.  Thank you to all our wonderful students who generously donated their Hallowe'en candy for the crackers.

  L I N K                                                                                                                   

Here is some fun for the family!

http://us.akinator.com/

BOOK FAIR

 TRICK OR READ                                                                                                

Thanks to our new Vice Principal, Ms. Rickard,

we are having a book fair this fall!!

The Scholastic Book Fair will be held on

Wednesday, Oct. 26

9:00 - 4:00

Friday, Oct. 28

3:00 - 8:30

In the Media Services Room across from the portables

READ ALL ABOUT IT!

 THIS WEEK IN THE LIBRARY                                                                         

This week, we  will continue with our bat unit with a focus on the little brown bat.  Students are practicing their research skills while learning about this misunderstood mammal.  I am impressed with how quickly they have picked up the bat vocabulary!

Little brown bats are the most common bats in Canada.  They have adapted well to living in urban areas and often take advantage of bat houses. These amazing creatures can eat up to 1000 mosquitoes in one night but weigh about the same as two dimes and a nickel!

 OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS                                                                                     

This month, our featured authors are birthday boys, David Shannon and James Marshall.  David Shannon is well-known for his David books, based on his childhood.  James Marshall, a prolific author and illustrator, wrote the Miss Nelson books as well as my favourites, George and Martha.  These books are on display and available for check out.  Have a look at the library bulletin board for more information about these beloved children's authors.

 HALLOWE'EN                                                                                                    

The Library is ready for Hallowe'en!  The display case is full of spooky items and there is a colony of bats roosting on the ceiling. Along with the display of bat books, there is a wide selection of Hallowe'en books for students to check out. Look out for the purple spider...

 KINDERGARTENS                                                                                            

I am so proud of our K students; they are doing a great job of following the check out routines!  Princesses and Star Wars are favourite books. 

Just a reminder that Mondays are Kindergarten book exchange days.  Please return your child's library books on Friday to make Monday's check out easier!

 JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH                                                                    

This is the 50th anniversary of Roald Dahl's novel, James and the Giant Peach.  Written in 1961, this beloved children's classic remains a childhood favourite.  I read the book in grade four and can remember reading it under the covers with a flashlight.

In 1996, an award winning movie version of James and the Giant Peach was released. The movie, a combination of live action and stop motion, is not only entertaining but provides its audience with well-crafted lessons in friendship, tenacity and courage.

James and the Giant Peach, like all of  Dahl's children's books, is an excellent read-aloud for all ages!

 TERRY FOX RUN                                                                                              

                               We ended out unit on Terry Fox with an assembly and school run fund raiser.

On Wednesday, our grade five volunteers did a beautiful job of presenting during McBride's Terry Fox Assembly. The  McBride students listened attentively to the story of Terry's Marathon of Hope prepared by Ms. Jennings.  The entire school then participated enthiastically in our annual Terry Fox run and fundraiser. Unlike Terry Fox who ran in the rain, snow, wind and blazing sun, we had perfect weather.

Thank you to all our parent volunteers!  We are still collecting student donations.



 C A N S T R U C T I O N                                                                                   

This week  in the Library, the students are learning about Canstruction to help promote McBride's Food Bank Drive.  We are collecting non-perishable food items for the two weeks prior to our Canstruction Prides Activity.  Our first Prides assembly, on Friday, Oct. 14 will focus on creating "Thankful" messages using the food items.

Have a look at these videos (our projects will be two-dimensional!):
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRNmz_sO6wA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xu3drX_wwGA

Welcome Back!

 H A P P Y  S E P T E M B E R                                                                               

I am happy to be back to school, back into routines and back in heels!  It is wonderful to see all the familiar McBride faces and to welcome our new students and staff members.

Last week, all classes had Library and the Kindergartens had a quick visit.  We reviewed Library Manners and behaviour expectations. While in the Library, students are expected to have Quiet Hands, Quiet Feet, use Library Voices, Follow Directions and Stay on Task.

This week, Grades 1 to 5 will use their new Library cards to check out books and our K's will have a 15 minute lesson on book care.
 

 T E R R Y  F O X                                                                           

The McBride Terry Fox Assembly is Wednesday, September 28 at 1:15, followed by the Run at 1:45.

In preparation, the students will be learning about Terry's life and his Marathon of Hope. I will be showing an ESPN video and powerpoint presentation.  Our selection of Terry Fox books are on display and available for check out in October.

Watch this with a Kleenex in your hand...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjgTlCTluPA

 C H E C K  T H I S  O U T                              

Students will be checking out books this week with their new Library cards. They will now be able to scan their cards as well as their books. 

Library books can be borrowed for one week and may be renewed (with the exception of very popular books).  Please return Library books the day before your child's Library block so they can be checked in. 

Grade Ones may borrow two books and are encouraged to choose at least one book at their reading level.  Grades Two to Five can check out up to 3 books, with at least one at their reading level.

Please note: Students with overdue books may not check out books until their items are returned.  Please watch for overdue notices by the end of the month.


 K I N D E R G A R T E N                                                                      


This week the K's visited the Library for a story, Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar and a book talk. Next week, I will go over book check out routines and the K's will check out books the following week.

Kindergarten Library day is Monday. K's may borrow one book and are encouraged to choose an early primary book.  Your child's Library book must be returned before they can check out a new one. Students are welcome to renew their books but must bring them back to the Library to do so.

By the end of this term, Kindergarten students should, to the best of their ability:

•be aware of the layout of the library.
•know the location of early readers and picture books.
•follow book check out and return  procedures.
•be familiar with basic library terminology such as title, author, illustrator, spine and spine label.
•select books appropriate to interest.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpISHA8Fs4w

 H A P P Y  B I R T H D A Y                           

Each month, the hall Library bulletin board will feature authors' birthdays.  Our September birthday boys are Roald Dahl, Jon Scieszka and H. A. Rey.

Check out their bios and photos to learn who flew for the RAF in WWII, who escaped the Nazi invasion of Paris and who graduated from a military academy.    Books by these authors are on display for student to check out.  

JUNE BLOG CONTEST!!

C O N T E S T                                                                                                          

On a piece of paper, write your name and division and answer this question:

How many books are in the Library? Yes, you can get an adult to help you!

Hint: between 7,000 and 9,000.

Put your entry in the Library Contest jar and the winner will be announced at the final assembly.

 M A Y  D A Y                                                                                                         

It was a great day for the 141st May Day (except for a few sprinkles). Our folk and Maypole dancers performed beautifully and it was wonderful to see them all dressed up, proudly representing Richard McBride.  Our relay team was ready to run but unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate and the relays were cancelled for safety reasons. 

Division 5 won a runner-up prize in the May Day Free  Lunch Contest and will be enjoying delicious Tim Horton donuts! Congratulations!

Medal Bearer Jadie and Royal Knight Niko, looking very smart in their regalia, thoroughly enjoyed their special day. 

Later in the day, our May Queen representatives, along with their families, attended the May Day Banquet at Roma Hall in Queensbourough.  Royal Knight, Niko greeted and welcomed guest at the front door and then gave a moving speech that highlighted his family's connections to New Westminster.  Jadie charmed the audience with her speech, naming her dad as her biggest inspiration.  The evening finished with the traditional Lancers' dance and Jadie whirled and twirled through the complicated dances with a huge smile on her face!

Mommies and Daddies took home some very tired teddy bears...

 

 T H I S  W E E K                                                                                                    

We are getting ready for next year!  The students are making their own Library cards with their pictures and barcode. 

Beginning in September, the students will scan their own Library cards and check out their books with my supervision. The students are excited to take on this responsibility!

  G O   C A N U C K S   G O                                                                                  

Hockey books are on display in the Library and are very popular! 

McBride has Canuck Fever and students are encouraged to wear their Canucks' gear and colours on games days. 

 Y E A R   E N D                                                                                                      

We have inventory on June 23 & 24.  That means that all the books must be back on their shelves and ready to be scanned by June 22.  This is a big job!

The last day for students to check out books is June 9.  All books must be returned by June 17.  Please have a good look for all those overdue books!!  Lost books must be paid for by June 17.  If money is a concern, please contact me.  Money is refunded for lost books that are returned.

 T H A N K   Y O U                                                                                                 

It is hard to believe that it is June already and my first year at Richard McBride is quickly coming to a end...

It was a difficult decision for me to leave Herbert Spencer after five years, but my first week here proved that I had made the right choice!  I have had an incredible time getting to know the McBride students and their families.  (I think that I have learned all the students' names...).

Thank you to all of you for making me feel so welcome and a part of the McBride community.  I love my time in the Library and plan to stay for a very long time!

  A H O Y,   M A T I ES ! !                                                                                     

The Library has been overrun by pirates!  The last two weeks we have been learning about pirates.  The students used their mapping skills to do an excellent job of their treasure maps.  I was also very impressed with the guided drawings they did of their peg-legged buckaneers!

There are some great How-to-Draw websites.  Make sure you have your parents' permission before you look for them! Check out this link to learn how to draw a pirate: http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-draw-a-cartoon-pirate

 MAY DAY                                                                                      

 

The big event this month is May Day!  All of the classes are learning about this unique New Westminster tradition as well the history of the Royal City.

This year, there is a May Day contest for grades one to five to win a free lunch for their class.  Have a look at the May Day blog to learn more about New Westminster and the contest:

http://rcswan.blogspot.com/

YEAR END                                                                                                            

The last day to check out books is Thursday, June 9th.  We are doing inventory at the end of June and need to have all the books back on the shelves by then. 

Please make sure that all overdue books are returned and all lost books are paid for.

 THE ROYAL WEDDING                                                                                      

How many of you got up (or stayed up) to watch the Royal Wedding? 

 I watched the ceremony in my pyjamas and tiara while drinking tea and munching on scones.  Luckily, my day off is Friday, which left me time to help with the McBride staff Royal Wedding Fish and Chip Lunch in the library.  Even our Superintendent, Dr. Woudzia was able to join us as we watched the wedding on the SMARTboard and had our Cockney King's lunch. 

All of the "Royal" books are now quite popular! 

And so are the hockey books - Go Canucks Go!

READ ALL ABOUT IT!

 T H I S   W E E K                                                                            

This week, we have been looking at the various novel series in the Library.  There are over 60 series in a variety of reading and interest levels.  Genres include science fiction, fantasy, humourous, historical and realistic fiction. 

Graphic novels continue to be the students' favourite and our priority is to add to this collection. 

As a child, I read all of the Little House on the Prairie and Anne of Green Gable books.  Another series I devoured was Betsy and Starr by Caroline Heywood.  Do any of you remember those?

http://www.scholastic.com/animorphs/index.htm

 N E W   B O O K S  !                                                                                             

Students continue to check out the large selection of new fiction and non-fiction books.  The new Dragon Ball Z graphic novels by Akira Yoriyama and Gerard Jones are the most popular picks.

Dragon Ball introduces a young monkey-tailed boy named Goku, whose quiet life changes when he meets a girl named Bulma who is on a quest to collect seven "Dragon Balls." Interest level: K- 3   Reading level: Gr. 2 - 4

  L M I T                                                                                                                     

This Spring, some of our grade four students have shown an interest in becoming Library monitors.  The Library Monitors In Training (LMITS) are working with the grade five monitors and the Librarian to learn to shelve books and keep the Library tidy and organized. 

We appreciate the service of these dedicated grade fours!

 L I N D S A Y   L I B R A R Y                                                                                  

What's on my night table?  I have just started Any Human Heart by Scottish author, William Boyd.  Far more my cup of tea than Wicked...

Every life is both ordinary and extraordinary and Logan Mountstuart's - stretching across the twentieth century - is a rich tapestry of both. As a writer who finds inspiration from Virgina Woolf in London and Hemmingway in Paris, as a spy recruited by Ian Flemming and betrayed in the war, and as an art dealer in the sixties in New York, Logan mixes with the men and women who shaped his times. - Back cover

I also recently purchased two other books which I have yet to read:

Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons (recommended by a English  woman I met on vacation)

In Gibbons's classic tale, a resourceful young heroine finds herself in the gloomy, overwrought world of a Hardy or Bronte novel and proceeds to organize everyone out of their romantic tragedies into the pleasures of normal life. Flora Poste, orphaned at 19, chooses to live with relatives at Cold Comfort Farm in Sussex, the dour Starkadder family, are tyrannized by Flora's mysterious aunt. - Amazon

I Captured the Castle by Dodie Smith (one of my book club picks)

Seventeen-year-old Cassandra Mortmain wants to become a writer. Trouble is, she's the daughter of a once-famous author with a severe case of writer's block. Her family is barely scraping by in a crumbling English castle they leased when times were good. Now there's very little furniture, hardly any food, and just a few pages of notebook paper left to write on. Bravely making the best of things, Cassandra gets hold of a journal and begins her literary apprenticeship by refusing to face the facts. - Amazon


 C  O  N  T  E  S  T  ! !                                                                    

What did your parents like to read when they were your age? 

Write down one of your parent's favourite books, along with your name and division . Put your entry in the glass jar on the Library desk.

Good Luck!

 COMMENTS   OR   QUESTIONS?                                           

Email me at ldelair@sd40.bc.ca  Happy Reading!