Book Review: 20,000 Leagues under the sea: Jules Verne

A brilliant book with cannibals, submarines, and war all layered on a perfect science fiction book. A brief synopsis includes that a huge sea monster (which is a submarine)  attacks ships then Prof. Aronnax joins a mission to kill the monster then he nearly drowns and finds himself inside Nautilis a secret submarine owned by Captain Nemo. A mysterious tale. 

Adam - Year 6

New Read Aloud Sessions

If I think about the books that made an impact on me as I was growing up, so many were read aloud. My Dad read us "Danny the Champion of the World" and "Winnie-The-Pooh". Teachers read books like "Charlotte's Web" and as I got older they read more challenging books like "To Kill a Mockingbird". They all taught me about different personalities and perspectives and helped to develop empathy. 

As an adult I read books to my children at home, like "The Enchanted Wood", "James & the Giant Peach" and"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and we had some wonderful moments together sharing books. 

Many of our first favourite stories are often from books that were read aloud to us. 

Our teachers at WPS do a wonderful job of reading aloud to classes. "Wonder", "Holes", "A Wrinkle in Time" and other carefully selected books are enjoyed by our students.

Inspired by Colby Sharp's post* about Read Aloud books I am going to start a designated time to read carefully picked chapter books aloud. I have read many picture books over the years, but need a special time to read chapter books. I'll start out with Mondays at 12h45 (15 minutes before the library opens for lunch) and see how that works out. Next Monday is the Queen's Birthday, so we will start on Monday 11th June. I will start reading "Fish in a Tree" by Lynda Mullaly Hunt. Looking forward to it!

*Colby Sharp: (https://nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/2018/05/24/poll-last-read-aloud-of-the-school-year/)

Our Super Sausage Sizzlers dressed up too

Mad Hatter, Cat in the Hat, Pippi Longstocking & Mrs Wishy-Washy

You look amazing!

Book Character Dress Up Day

What fun we had this morning! We danced and paraded our costumes in the hall, as book characters or book readers. Thank-you to everyone for dressing up or for enjoying the costumes and the day. I was amazed at how we could dance and laugh and have some fun and then quieten down,  no sooner had Liz asked. Here are some pics of the happy occasion that celebrates books, reading and the wonderful diversity of characters in stories. Thank-you to the parents who created amazing costumes (see Leaf Man down below for example). Also a big thanks to Liz and Marijke for being the MCs, and to all the teachers and sound engineers.

"Billie" from Trainsurfer

Check out this awesome bespoke costume - "Leaf Man"

Can you spot Fly Guy?

I wonder if Harry put a spell on the library monitor? 

Get Caught Reading in May

May is Get Caught Reading month. I've been snapping away. See who I spotted ...

Keep an eye on the blog to see if you got "caught reading" this month!

James Russell's visit

James Russell visited our school last week. He had the children and teachers in stitches of laughter with entertaining stories about his childhood. We were also captivated by his readings from the Dragon Brothers Trilogy (his picture books) and the new Dragon Defenders chapter books series. I can't wait to read Book 1 of the Dragon Defenders, but I may have to get in a waiting list of reserves at school.

James also demonstrated the augmented reality app. He was the first author in New Zealand to introduce augmented reality to his books, through an application called AR Reads. There was a buzz in the library at lunch time with children asking to borrow my phone to look at the maps through the app. We will be uploading the app the library iPads soon. Ultimately the end goal is to create excitement and enthusiasm around books and reading!

Thank-you James and all the best at the Auckland Writer's Festival.

Lunchtime in the Library

 The library is a popular place at lunchtime. Lego club on Tuesdays and Thursdays is open to all WPS children. The rule is "Play & Pack Away". Sometimes it helps to know that one's creation is being photographed and put on the blog before dismantling it and packing it away :)

Children love to come in to read books, listen to CD books, play Lego and the librarians help out at the issue desk, shelve books and help visitors to find books, make reserves, etc. We're all very grateful for our lovely library!

James Russell is visiting us on Thursday!