Apps and websites, Events, Family Literacy, Growing Readers Tips

Britannica School, Reading Review Challenge, and Growing Readers Tip

Did you know that we have a school subscription to Britannica School? It is an amazing resource! Check it out here at https://school.eb.com/levels. The username and password are both hhcs. Encyclopedia Britannica Logo

Britannica School can be an amazing homework helper! It has different reading levels available for each article, so that you can tier the information to the level that your student is at. It has a read-aloud feature and can translate to other languages as well! You can use Britannica ImageQuest to find rights-cleared images that can be used for reports. Britannica is a safe way for our kids to search the internet for what they need and is fun to use! It has at-a-glance collections of information on various topics, a Canada At a Glance section, early elementary fundamentals for grades K-2, news stories of the day, an online atlas, and a compare countries tool. Check out this article here for a guided tour for parents. britannicaeducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Britannica-School-Guided-Tour-For-Parents.pdf

GROWING READERS TIP: (From GrowingBookbyBook.com)

 

Helping your child feel like reading is one of their special super powers early on is important. Noticing aloud when your child does things such as selects a book, talks about a story, enjoys a read-aloud, notices things in a book, talks about a story, enjoys a read-aloud, notices things in a book, or perhaps even reads, helps your child feel like he/she is living a readerly life. 

 

Try these prompts this week as you notice your child living a readerly life.

 

“You have a real superpower for ____________.”

“You did ___________________, which is something that strong readers do.”

 

TAKE AWAY: I can help my child discover their inner reading superpower. 

Events, Family Literacy, Growing Readers Tips, Storywalk

New Storywalk, Growing Readers tip, and Book Character Potato Contest

The new Storywalk is up! Check out “I Hear You, Forest” by Kallie George out in our school wetlands and forest. Follow the signs in order, read the story, and do the activities at each stop. Check out my previous Storywalk posts to learn more. This could be a great after school activity with your kids!

I’m looking forward to receiving the Book Character potatoes from the students this week! Use the search bar on the blog to check out previous posts about this contest from 2 years ago!

GROWING READERS TIP- DO YOU LIKE TO HAVE FUN?

 

We all like to have fun. We often remember content associated with times of having fun and being playful. That holds true for learning too. Weaving learning through play is one of the most powerful means of helping kids learn. 

 

Take away: Learning happens through play. 

Digital Literacy, Events, Family Literacy, Media Literacy

Digital Citizenship and Screen-Free Week, Christian Book Fair

Hope to see you at the book fair! Your children will have class time to check out the books- ask your child’s teacher if they are shopping on the Thursday or the Monday.

Be sure to encourage your child throughout the week if they are participating in Screen-Free Week! We are so excited to have some of our students taking on this challenge! What a great opportunity.

As all of our teachers are doing digital citizenship lessons this week in class for Digital Citizenship Week, I encourage you to check out the information and resources below.

What does media balance look like for you and your family?  Let’s have these important conversations both at home and at school to help our children learn responsibility and respect.  Here’s some advice from Common Sense Media:

 

  • Create screen-free times and zones.
  • Try parental controls.
  • Establish clear family rules.
  • Watch and play together.
  • Help kids identify healthy behaviours.

Managing Media with Children Ages 3-8

 

What is Digital Citizenship and Why is it Important?

Digital citizenship is using digital resources effectively and responsibly. Digital citizenship encompasses areas such as media balance, giving credit for others’ work, finding reliable internet sources, being kind online, being aware of our digital trail, using safety and privacy online,, and using media smarts to make responsible choices as consumers.

 

Our HHCS mission statement says:

 

“We confess that the goal of education is to nurture children to grow in a sure knowledge of Jesus Christ as the Lord of life.  We equip children with the skills necessary to develop their gifts and talents to their full potential.  We challenge them to serve God according to his Word and teach them to discern their role in responsible service.”

 

This mission statement is applied to every area of life at HHCS, including digital citizenship.  We want our children to be responsible digital citizens in the same way we want them to be responsible citizens of the world in general. Our children can serve God and develop their gifts and talents through digital activities as well as other activities in life.  They will need guidance to do this. By having home and school working together as partners, we can be proactive rather than reactive in guiding students how to be their best selves in all areas of life.

If the Tech Planners that we sent home didn’t make it to you, here are the digital versions:

Tech Planner age 2-8

Tech Planner age 9-12

Tech Planner age 13+

“Digital citizenship should be a community effort.  

The impact will be more powerful when students have multiple trusted adults they can discuss issues with, 

and when they’re hearing the same messages reinforced from both home and school.” – Kathleen A. Morris

 

Digital Literacy, Events, Family Literacy, Media Literacy, Scholastic Book Club, Special Days/Weeks/Months

Screen-Free and Digital Citizenship Week Coming Up, and October Scholastic Flyers

Picture of English October Teacher Newsletter

October- English Digi-Flyer

Picture of French October Teacher Newsletter

October- French Digi-Flyer

My Class Code
RC391237
Shipping is free to your home for orders over $40!
The week of October 16, HHCS for the first time is going to participate in Screen-Free Week and Digital Citizenship Week! We are planning lessons every day on topics of media balance, online bullying and how to deal with it, reliable information, giving credit for images and information, and online safety. We are excited to dedicate an entire week to these important topics. Please keep an eye out for family resource sheets that will be coming home. We are also challenging HHCS students, staff, and families to take the Scree-Free Week challenge! We are going to see how many of us can take a break from entertainment screens for a whole week. All classes received a visit from myself or from our school social worker this past week to introduce the challenge and hand out pledge cards. Ask your grades K-4 children about ‘The Couch Potato’ book! Here is a video read aloud of it, as well as other books related to digital citizenship.
Books about safe use of technology
https://childhood101.com/picture-books-digital-citizenship/
Book Cover
Book Cover
Family Literacy, Growing Readers Tips

Books for September, Terry Fox, and Finding Pockets of Time to Read

Here are some picture books that I recommend for September!

HHCS Terry Fox Walk: Fri. Sept. 22nd

Each student is asked to bring in a Toonie for Terry (or more if desired!)  Parents and community members are welcome to join us as we walk through the neighbourhood beginning at 2:40. Meet in our playground behind the portables between the Laneway and Soccer post.   

A donation page has also been set up for HHCS. All funds collected will be forwarded to the Terry Fox Foundation for cancer research and support – https://schools.terryfox.ca/HaltonHillsChristianSchoolGeorgetown

Learn a bit more about Terry with this Canadian Heritage Minute!

As we begin a new school year, please read this article from Growing Book by Book- Finding Pockets of Time to Read.

Finding time to read with kids

Helping Families Find Pockets of Time to Read With Kids

 

Family Literacy, Growing Readers Tips

HHCS Summer Reading Program, and Public Library Resources for Summer

I can’t believe there are only 2 weeks left of school this year! This will be my last blog post for the year and I wanted to highlight our school Summer Reading program. Make a copy of this slideshow here with your child’s name in it- eg. “Bobby’s 2023 Summer Reading.” Summer Reading 2023

In the slideshow you will find some photo challenges, eg. “take a picture of yourself reading at a park.” If your child completes at least 9 of the 12 reading challenges, he/she will receive an HHCS Seal at the end of year Awards Assembly. What counts as reading? Reading individually, reading with a family member, reading books, reading articles- you decide! When the challenge is completed, email it to me, Mrs. Baillargeon, at l.baillargeon@hh-cs.org.

GROWING READERS TIP- GET AND USE A LIBRARY CARD

A library card is free and you can use thousands and thousands of resources in and out of the public library at no cost to you. Your child can get his/her own library card too. It’s a great way to teach a child about responsibility and to help him/her discover a whole new world in books. 

20+ Engaging Summer Reading Ideas

Check out this amazing resource from Growing Book by Book for more ideas to keep your kids engaged in reading this summer!

Halton Hills Public Library Logo

Here is a link to a list of fun things going on at the Halton Hills Public Library this summer!

https://calendar.hhpl.ca/default/Month?StartDate=07/01/2023

Link to special collections– you can borrow more than books at the library- check out all these options!

https://www.hhpl.ca/en/borrow/special-collections.aspx

https://www.hhpl.ca/en/news/sensory-collection-turns-one.aspx

You can even book a librarian to help you learn how to use things in the creativity centre!

https://www.hhpl.ca/en/visit/creativity-centre.aspx

And finally, the Summer Reading Club!

https://hhpl.beanstack.org/reader365

https://www.tdsummerreadingclub.ca/about_the_club

 

Family Literacy, Growing Readers Tips, HHCS Reads

HHCS Staff Loves Books!

Some of the Halton Hills Christian School staff shared with me what their favourite books for children and young people are. Enjoy this sneak peek into our teachers’ reading lives!

Mrs. Amaral loves Subway Mouse – written and illustrated by Barbara Reid!

Mrs. Sypkes likes The Spiderwick Chronicles- we have this series in our school library!

Ms. Jones says that The Book with No Pictures is hilarious!

Ms. Takaki says- “I would say “Fish in a Tree” is a favourite story because I like “underdog stories”. These stories are about characters who don’t see the gifts and talents that they have and they don’t see themselves in the same light as others. These characters also think that they don’t have a lot to offer in this world – but they do. Ally is a student who struggles at school, has a tendency to day dream and sometimes gets teased. She has struggled enough that she begins to think that she might be dumb.  Along the way she learns what true friends are and how learning differently doesn’t mean you aren’t smart.

Everyone needs to know that they have worth and that they have value.  Kindness matters. For anyone who is a fan of “Wonder”, I think that you will enjoy this book as well.”

Mrs. Bocchinfuso finds this book for kids helpful!

Mrs. Tapley loved Amelia Bedelia when she was a little girl!

Ms. Dykstra especially likes this book by Eric Walters.  He has written over 100 books!

 

Ms. Mantel is reading Number the Stars with her students right now and really enjoys it!

Ms. Westendorp says- “A book series that I read in grades 7-8 that I really enjoyed was the Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz – the first one “Stormbreaker” really interested me and I read the entire series to follow.”

 

Mrs. Olazabal loves Elephant and Piggie!

Mrs. Sithamparapelli says- “When I was really young, my parents told me that I always asked them to read Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown.”

Mrs. Baillargeon (that’s me!) has loved the Anne of Green Gables series and all books by L.M. Montgomery since she was a little girl.  Did you know that the author lived in nearby Norval for part of her life?

 

Mrs. Vetro loves the English and French versions of Le Petit Prince/The Little Prince!

 

Mr. VanDonkersgoed loves this sweet book by Robert Munsch!

 

LITERACY TIPS FOR THIS MONTH FROM GROWING BOOK BY BOOK:

“Kids are more motivated to read if they can choose the books they want to read or have read to them.  Building a personal home library is important and can be done in an economical way.  Kids need reading material to practice reading.  If your kids love a particular book, look for other books by the same author.  It’s ok if kids want to hear or read the same books over and over again.  Books are like friends.  We want to spend lots of time with them.  Book club flyers offer high interest in low cost books.”

Growing Book by Book

Events, Family Literacy

Summer Reading Program and New Books to Read this Summer

Summer Reading Activities 2022

Wow, it’s the last week of school!  The HHCS Summer Reading program will be coming home in your child’s report card envelope.  There are 3 main options outlined for your child to choose from, either completing a total of 24 hours of reading over the summer, reading books from around the world, or reading in various locations and documenting it in pictures!  Students who complete the challenge will receive an HHCS seal next June at the Awards Assembly.  Have fun with it! Students may return the summer reading forms to me in the library in September or may give it to their homeroom teacher. Please feel free to email me if you have any questions, at l.baillargeon@hh-cs.org.

Here are some book lists to help if your child wants to do the read around the world challenge!

Books Set on Every Continent & A Printable Reading Activity

africa

Here are some new books for kids that have either been released recently or will be soon, to get your kids excited for reading this summer.

Home

Hattie Harmony: Worry Detective by Elizabeth Olsen and Robbie Arnett

penguinrandomhouse.com

The Bad Guys in Open Wide and Say Arrrgh! (The Bad Guys #15)

amazon.ca

Ali Cross: The Secret Detective (Ali Cross, 3)

Spy School Project X

The Pigeon Will Ride the Roller Coaster!

Jessi's Secret Language (The Baby-sitters Club Graphic Novel #12): A Graphix Book (Adapted edition) (The Baby-Sitters Club...

Mummies in the Morning Graphic Novel (Magic Tree House (R))

Key Player (Front Desk #4)

The Princess in Black and the Mermaid Princess

Learn to Read Box

The Super Cup Face-Off (Geronimo Stilton #81)

Brave Every Day

Have a wonderful summer, everyone!!

happy stroll in meadow

 

 

 

Building Belonging- diversity, Events, Family Literacy, Special Days/Weeks/Months

Black History Month

Recently Mrs. Kroezen, Grade 6B, and I hosted a school assembly on the theme of Black History Month.  This year we decided to go with a Canadian Focus.  Black History is Canadian history! As a school we celebrated the many achievements and contributions of Black Canadians who have done so much for our country. Enjoy some of these Black History month stories below.

Read about the role of Canada as a safe place for slaves to escape to and watch a Heritage Minute about The Underground Railroad:

https://www.cbc.ca/kidscbc2/the-feed/canada-code-name-heaven

The role of Harriet Tubman:

The amazing story of John Ware:

Enjoy the music of Oscar Peterson:

She’s on our $10 bill- Viola Desmond!

He’s the real McCoy- inventor Elijah McCoy!

Hockey fans- it’s Willie O’Ree!

Keep working on your reading for The Reading Olympics Challenge!  Remember that each book you read can only be applied to one category for the Olympics.

Apps and websites, Family Literacy, Social-Emotional, Special Days/Weeks/Months

Bell Let’s Talk Day/Social-Emotional Books, and World Read Aloud Day

Bell Let’s Talk Day was last week, so in honour of that, this week I have posted their website, as well as a slideshow I put together of social-emotional issues, including mental health.  Have a look below- you can see the preview in the post- just click on where it says Slideshow and it will take you to the full screen where you can hit your keyboard arrows to navigate through.  It has social-emotional books featured by topic as well as by favourite authors who have entire collections of books with social-emotional themes. Hope it’s helpful!

 

https://letstalk.bell.ca/en/

 

 

This week on February 2, it is World Read Aloud Day!  This day is created by Lit World and sponsored by Scholastic.  Check out some of the online events and activities for your family below.

https://www.litworld.org/virtualreadalouds

https://www.litworld.org/booklists

https://kids.scholastic.com/kid/homebase/

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7 Ways to Celebrate Reading Aloud Together on World Read Aloud Day