RECOMMENDED READ – PICTURE BOOKS
Category Archives: Library
READER FEATURE – iRe@d at SALC The Light Between the Oceans
RECOMMENDED READING – THE LIGHT BETWEEN THE OCEANS
ANZAC DAY
At this time of year, we reflect upon the sacrifices made by the diggers for our freedom. I personally love the many picture books that have been produced in the past few years that allow us to teach about ANZAC DAY with deeper meaning for younger students.
As a young adult I was introduced to Fly Away Peter by David Malouf. It is one that still invokes powerful memories for me. I suspect that this week’s READER FEATURE will be similar.
This week’s READER FEATURE has been written from the perspective of a returned solider.
iRe@d – READER FEATURE this week – The Light Between the Oceans by M. L. Stedman
The main character in this Australian novel is Tom Sherbourne, a returned solider who takes a job as a lighthouse keeper in WA.
The Light Between the Oceans was a Good Reads Choice 2012 Winner.
It also seems to be popular with Book Clubs and was reviewed by The First Tuesday Book Club.
This READER FEATURE is recommended by Lisa Roper (teacher).
“A decorated, but world weary war hero returns to Australia at the end of the First World War. All he hopes for is a quiet existence as far from the traumas of war as possible. A job as a light house keeper seems ideal, and he is satisfied – almost at peace.
And then life becomes more complicated. At first for the better, with a loving wife, and eventually a child on the way. But challenges, and difficult questions on what is right and wrong follow.
This book is evocative of the era and the place – a lighthouse off the coast of Western Australia. The pace moves along deceptively well, and the style is smooth. The reader’s connection with the characters is patiently and well developed, and the reader is swept up into the emotional ambiguity of the circumstances.” Review by Miles Roper.
iRE@D @ SALC – READER FEATURE
The Jackie French series Animal Rescue is currently being reviewed by this week’s reviewer.
Have you read this series?
New resources (weekly)
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Introduction To The FlipMany educators are beginning to become aware of the growing teaching method referred to as “Flipping The Classroom”. Simply put… the teacher provides videos for homework, while traditional home work is done in class under teacher supervision. Unfortunately this might be just too simplistic of a definition. Possible this is why using the words “simply put” may not be the best practice in explaining anything.Higher Level Thinking Skills… Two Way Interaction…. Formative Learning… 21st Century Skillsaction based authenticconnected and collaborativeinnovative high level engagingexperience basedproject based inquiry basedself actualizing
LOVE TO READ COUNTDOWN -THE READING HOUR
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The Reading Hour countdown
The Reading think tank – reading ideas
READING CHALLENGE
Coming soon (August 2013
Source
Screenshot from The Reading Hour website
http://thereadinghour.org.au/
DIGITAL LEARNING DAY CHALLENGE: How are you changing your teaching and learning?
Digital Learning Day is coming soon- 6th February 2013.
See the Digital learning facebook page.
Digital learning is also known as e-learning. One example of e-learning is flipped classrooms. This can take a variety of formats. Please ask me if you would like support with this.
Currently, I am a participant in a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) E-Learning and Digital Culture. It is a coursera course – online courses run by various universities around the world (and it is free!).
This is the twitter feed.
ARE YOU GOING TO TAKE THE E-LEARNING CHALLENGE?
Great reading: Flip your classroom
See the website below for some resources to help you. “The Alliance develops toolkits to provide digital learning resources and ideas for teachers in specific subject areas. The tools and resources in these toolkits are not the totality of good information available; instead, they are designed to provide guidance on how technology and digital learning can enhance the educational experience and outcomes for all students. We continue to add to this collection and welcome any ideas, tools, models, or resources. Learn & Explore with these incredible toolkits!”
Source http://www.digitallearningday.org/take-action/ Other resources
See more about flipping the classroom at
Another valuable resource for Australian educators is The National Digital Learning Resources Network (Education Services Australia) http://www.ndlrn.edu.au/default.asp
Take the challenge, improve your learning, reach your students and have FUN!
FEATURE BOOK
FLOTSAM by DAVID WEISNER
This beautiful picture book has stunning images that will fascinate the reader. A story about a boy,the ocean without any words.
Caldecott medal winner.
Scan the QR code below to learn more about this book and author.
Information for teachers.
Themes:
Open-minded. Creativity.
Beaches. Imagination. Other worlds. Photography. Voyages and travels. Imagination.
***Library Challenge***
Define: What is flotsam?
Navigation: Locate some books also by this author in our library.
See the library staff for your reward :).
Visual Literacy, iPhone app, iPad resources, and Glean
Literacy and Visual Literacy in particular are key areas in the Australian Curriculum and General Capabilities.
Recently I presented about some ways to incorporate Visual Literacy with an iPad at the recent Apps Galore joint Mini-Conference (BCE and Lutheran Education).
These resources can be found here.
iPhone App for the session
Visual Literacy resources (JSSALC wikispaces)
Additionally, the Glean website has some excellent resources to support the development of literacy skills in its various forms.
Glean Learning Tools are free information literacy, data literacy and math teaching tools produced by Public Learning Media, Inc.
See http://www.glean.org/information-literacy
National Year of Reading 2012
ONE BOOK ONE COUNTRY
The National Year of Reading is about promoting reading in all its many forms and expressions but also to validate the act of reading – whether you read a book, a phone screen or a sign.
Alison Lester’s “Are we there yet?” has been chosen for the National Year of Reading’s, one book, one country – a story for everyone around Australia to read to promote reading. The story is based on the reflections of her children on their adventurous and sometimes funny expedition around Australia. This story will be shared with classes. You are welcome to borrow it for home too. Please see Ms Heeley for a parent library card.
“Are we there yet?” short story competition is being held in Qld from 20 April – 1 June.
Image source
2011 National Year of Reading Alison Lester’s book Are We There Yet?
as viewed on National Year of Reading website.
<http://www.love2read.org.au/awty.cfm>
The story of Cinderella – perspective
Consider the story of Cinderella. Add some interactive-ness, then put on DeBono’s thinking hats and you will have a recipe for expressing ourselves from the perspective of Year 1.
This is the interactive version the story of Cinderella we used to set the scene.
These are some shots of us working, thinking and collaborating.
Yr 1 Express Ourselves – Cinderella on PhotoPeach