Monday 6 October 2014

October



October...

With the cooler weather and shorter days upon us, we tend to spend more time indoors than out. And although it's important  to keep our bodies active, it's also important to keep our minds active as well. What better way to ensure a sharp mind than by reading!!!

For some, reading can be a challenge while others look forward to time spent with an armful of good books from the library.  For those reluctant readers, try reading books with the same theme. I've found that when I read a certain type of book to the students, they will ask me the following week if I'm going to read another book of the same author, plot, series etc.  The magic number is usually 3.

Try three books in a row, perhaps one each night before bed if it's a picture book, or three chapter books from the same author or genre, for the older kids.  Remember those Nancy Drew or Babysitter Club books from your childhood? I couldn't get to the library fast enough to keep up with my reading.

Just remember that not all children are avid readers. Some are more reluctant or less confident. It's important to help them choose books that are at their level and that will capture their attention. For emerging or beginner readers, use the 5 finger rule; have them read to you while counting the words they can't read on the fingers of one hand. If they get to 5 fairly quickly, then the book is not right for them. It's important to help them with the words they struggle with but you should also help them choose another book that they are comfortable with.

Each student is coming home with a book from our Learning Commons here at St.Anthony but you can always supplement that with a quick trip to the Ottawa Public Library or perhaps you would prefer to browse their collection on-line and simply put your books on hold so you can pick them up later.  Remember, it's completely free!!
biblioottawalibrary.ca. 

Here are a few suggestions for a Halloween theme which are available in our Learning Commons:



Other great themes this month are:

ThanksgivingBook Cover Image. Title: A Turkey for Thanksgiving, Author: by Eve Bunting

Autumn

And if you prefer an eBook for your IOS device go to:
www.http://library.ocsb.ca

  • Select St. Anthony from the list.
  • Enter your child's username (6 digit student number preceeded by the letter "s".
  • Select Follettshelf, which is our eBook library and select your eBook.
  • We have over 1900 titles to choose from.
  • Open the book and preview it or "checkout" on your device for two weeks. 
  • The book can be found by clicking on the little "backpack"at the top right hand side of the screen. 
  • There is no need to return the eBook as it will simply disappear after 2 weeks.