Te Reo Singalong books

Hi everyone,

Today I'm sharing a gem:

"Te Reo Singalong books author, Sharon Holt, has created a site for children and teachers to use during the next 4 weeks. Each weekday will feature one Te Reo Singalong book, with a video introducing the book, a video of me doing the book with the song, and a video with an activity. A new book will feature each day, and the previous books will remain there for viewing. Please share with teachers and children you know. Here’s the link: https://tereosingalong.my.intuto.com/…/showpubliccour…/75924"

I've copied this info from The Te Reo Singalong Books Facebook page.

These are the Sharon Holt books we have in the school library:

http://library.woodlandspark.school.nz/#!resources/searchresult

Ka kite ano
Kate

Authors and celebrities reading aloud and more

Hi everyone,

Hope you're keeping safe and happy in your family bubble.

I've been scouting for some fun resources for you. Jaqueline Wilson's website is such fun. Check it out here:

https://www.jacquelinewilson.co.uk/

We have plenty of Jaqueline Wilson books in the school library. Why not have a browse of our school catalogue, and make a list of books you would like to read when you come back to school? These are our Jaqueline Wilson books: http://library.woodlandspark.school.nz/#!resources/searchresult

Does anyone remember the book "I am love"? Or "The dot." We have a few books by Peter H. Reynolds in the school library: http://library.woodlandspark.school.nz/#!resources/searchresult If you go to Peter's Facebook page or Instagram, you can watch some entertaining videos of him reading his books aloud.

https://www.facebook.com/PeterHamiltonReynolds/videos/630469957774688/

Many of you may know this one already... Storyline Online is where celebrities read children's books aloud. Lots of fun.

https://www.youtube.com/user/StorylineOnline/videos

Did you know that "Audiobooks can help improve your comprehension and vocabulary." Parents, this article is for your info:

https://www.chirpbooks.com/blog/are-audiobooks-good-for-the-brain

That's all for today folks.

A few goodies tonight

Hi everyone,

Hope you're all keeping well.

First of all, have any of you young writers started doing Kate Darbishire's course? Do drop me a line at library@woodlandspark.school.nz to let me know how you're getting on.

I've got a couple of good finds for you tonight.

Here is another exciting opportunity for young writers:

https://fabostory.wordpress.com/

Join wacky children's writers every two weeks for a new story starter. The next Fabo story begins on 30 March. Check it out! It's a free writing-contest for kids aged 13 and under. I know you, talented young writers out there would love to give this a go!

The next resource is from the creative and fabulous Fifi Colston. Check out Fifi's blog:

https://fificolston.blogspot.com/p/fifis-resources.html?fbclid=IwAR3xBeuhme4y4IGKB5aZ2uSi_9G6ZzdAfzARx97-fy31202E0fy-4HJKlQ0

Fifi's blog is full of 'useful, crafty, wearable arty things', and new 'pandemic resources' - like a drawing and writing exercise to get your creative juices flowing.

Also, here is a challenge for you - if any of you would like to write a book review for this blog, please email it to library@woodlandspark.school.nz

Thanks.

Kate Darbishire's writing course for kids

Hi everyone,

Kate Darbishire's book Speechless is a peach. I had the pleasure of doing a beta read swap with Kate. She read my Trainsurfer and Saving Thandi and I read Speechless and another book that she was working on. We gave each other tips. Kate's insights about plot holes, point of view, character, etc - were extremely helpful.

So, I'm excited to see that Kate is offering a free writing course. I imagine this would be good for the seniors:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kQaXowcvo4&fbclid=IwAR2hnfxdP52alKZTIQs27dYLveGjAHZwmmVjUpUn3mitpCXyL-HEBeSJeWM

Here is a blurb about Speechless, from Goodreads:

She can’t walk. She can’t even talk. But she has so much to tell you… Eleven-year-old Harriet has Cerebral Palsy. At her new Secondary School, she is bullied and ridiculed every day and she doesn’t know how to make friends. Charlotte tries – but how do you talk to someone who won’t talk back? When Harriet’s mum is rushed into hospital, her Grandmother, Gloria has far more important things to worry about than Harriet. Like whether her nail polish matches her outfit. Jake, Harriet’s brother, starts skipping school and acting weird. Harriet can see he’s in danger but what can she do? Harriet is plucky and resilient but is she brave enough to face up to her challenges? Whether you are ten or one hundred and ten, Speechless is a brutally frank, debut novel to read in one sitting and pass on to your friends. Its powerful message will stay with you long after you turn the final page. Perfect for fans of RJ Palacio’s Wonder and Sharon M. Draper’s Out of My Mind.

Kate Darbishire has a daughter with Cerebral Palsy and has worked in Special Needs Schools for nearly ten years.

I'm looking forward to watching her videos too! 

PS - Parents, I hope you will vet everything that I post on this blog to see if it is appropriate for your child, based on their age and your parenting style. Thanks.

Kit Lit Authors & DC Kids Camp

Hi everyone,

Here are some new links:

https://bookriot.com/2020/03/16/kidlit-authors-stepping-up-during-the-covid-19-crisis-and-quarantine/

and - who loves Superheroes? Here is a link to DC Kids Camp:

https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=DC-launches-DC-Kids-camp-with-videos-and-activities-from-minh-l%C3%AA-gene-luen-yang-shannon-hale-coronavirus

This is a shout out to all our superheroes! Our leaders, health workers, essential service workers - in supermarkets, pharmacies, etc. Thank you!

Authors Read Aloud - chapters & performances

Hi everyone,

Here are some more Read Alouds by authors. Some of these are more appropriate for intermediate children, so parents, please select carefully. I would recommend Dav Pilkey, Lemony Snicket, Eric Carle, Kazu Kibuishi, R.J. Palacio, Oliver Jeffers and the Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNi-3pvLrGM&list=PLEA3D5C281A1511A3&index=4&t=0s

I would love to have some local NZ authors Read Alouds on this blog. Please get in touch if you find some fabulous NZ links.

Kia Ora

David Walliams daily audio story!

Listen to audio stories by David Walliams free for 30 days!

Here is the link:

https://www.worldofdavidwalliams.com/elevenses/

Thanks, Karen E!

Resources from Wellington City Libraries

Hi everyone,

I was sad to say goodbye to the lovely children and staff of Woodlands Park as we prepare to enter Alert Level 4 in New Zealand.

With libraries closed, hopefully these resources will come in handy. If you have a smart TV, you may be able to cast the stories to your telly. How about a daily storytime to cheer spirits?

Check out the Wellington City Libraries website for some children's books read aloud and links to other useful resources.

http://www.wcl.govt.nz/kids/downloads.html

Stay well.

I'll keep on keeping an eye out. If you find something fabulous you'd like to me to share, please email library@woodlandspark.school.nz

A big list of Read Alouds & activities

Hi there,

Here is today's list of authors who are doing online Read Alouds and activities.

https://www.weareteachers.com/virtual-author-activities/?fbclid=IwAR3k9hWDMDF6qSTBHzd0wLO6em04yqG_4ma3scgzJdZoHe8vOUTj5Vadl8I

Enjoy :)

Oliver Jeffers Stay at Home Storytime

Hi again,

Thank you to a parent for sending me this fabulous resource.

Oliver Jeffers is running a "Stay at home storytime" on his website. 

Check it out here: https://www.oliverjeffers.com/books#/abookaday/ 

Our books are popular at Woodlands Park - this is what we have in our library:

http://library.woodlandspark.school.nz/#!resources/searchresult

New look blog

Hi everyone, Please bear with me as I update the blog. I have given it a new look which I think is more in keeping with the school colours. I hoped to be able to globally change the default text colour to black, to read better against the white page, however, that doesn't seem to be working, so I am changing each post individually. I'll start with the new posts first, to make them available for you. Later today I will be sharing some more fabulous resources. Any techy folk out there who know how to globally change the colour of the font, please email me at library@woodlandspark.school.nz Cheers, Kate

Mo Willems (bestselling author) is teaching kids drawing on YouTube

Who doesn't love the Mo Willems Elephant & Piggie books, and Don't let the Pigeon ride the bus, etc! They're such fun to read aloud to classes. Mo Willems is running free online lunch doodle sessions for kids. Check it out here:


https://www.boredpanda.com/free-online-lunch-doodles-sessions-for-kids-mo-willems/?fbclid=IwAR3DIoifUql2beMjYT5w6IvxGtOB4l_1sVHyXreXqggb26dvWQMAY0XrWX4&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=organic

And check out the Mo Willems books we have in our school library:

http://library.woodlandspark.school.nz/#!resources/searchresult

As of Friday last week, children are now allowed to check out ten books and can keep them for the holidays.

Happy doodling and reading, guys.

Kate DiCamillo writing prompts and inspiration

Hi everyone,

This is for all you aspiring writers: Kate DiCamillo

"From Candlewick: Hello everyone, we are thinking of all you wonderful readers and writers ... Here is a message from her to her fans and we hope to continue with these #WritewithKate posts weekly, with a different writing prompt or inspiration. Please share this video with your children and students - just 2 pages a day. It's a great start!"

https://youtu.be/yA1CTuZ27Bs

I personally am a huge fan of Kate DiCamillo's books. We have many of them in the school library, including the Mercy Watson series, The Tale of Desperaux, Raymie Nightingale, etc!

Check them out here: http://192.168.17.133:2000/#!resources/searchresult

100+ FREE VIDEO READ ALOUDS

Hi Woodlands Park children and whanau, and any other parents and children around the world who discover this blog...

I hope to use this blog to find resources to encourage a love of reading, whether at home or at school. 

I will keep an eye out for Read Alouds by authors and librarians, Writing lessons and whatever other resources I come across pertaining to books, reading and writing. Watch this space and feel free to share with others.

Here is the first one:
100+ FREE VIDEO READ ALOUDS

https://www.indypl.org/blog/for-parents/free-video-read-alouds?fbclid=IwAR3XhXLr7ld0Zm2U-_IdNWHYbK2bb5n9Q6YMhxgUFGhLAPCRaT1SPOYzH50

From what I can see, they are mostly picture books. Enjoy! Feel free to share other resources in the comments.