Storylines Digital Tour

On the Wednesday of the Storylines Digital Tour, many classes attended Ned Barraud's sessions. I don't work on a Wednesday, so I missed out, but I enjoyed chatting to Mrs E's class about it on Thursday. They were bubbling over with excitement. They were so pleased that Woodlands Park School got a special shout out. The children enjoyed seeing Ned Barraud demonstrating how he photoshops his illustrations. We have a number of Ned's fabulous books in our library, and many of them tie in well with the junior's inquiry this term - What's in your back yard?

One little boy told his teacher that he wants to illustrate books like Ned when he's big!

On Thursday afternoon I joined Room 6. We listened in to Pauline Smith's presentation. Congratulations on your award, Pauline! We were all really interested in learning more about this regrettable side of New Zealand history. Thank you for researching and writing about the dawn raids.

The children wrote their questions down for our super-typer (See pic) and she typed up the questions. Thank you for answering so many of our questions.

I took a big pile of New Zealand Story books to Room 6 and many children issued copies and made reserves for Dawn Raid. Getting children interested in history. Result!

Thanks so much, Storylines for a successful tour!

Storylines Digital Story Tour

I sat in on Sharon Holt's session for New Entrants - Year 3 children this morning, offered to our school as part of the first Storylines Digital Story Tour. Sharon was engaging, humorous, friendly and informative. It was perfectly pitched for that age group. We loved the signing native birds and the exercise on how to make up your own jokes.

In the afternoon, I joined the session catering for Y4-6 children. Sharon's stories behind her stories kept us captivated. We were really encouraged not to give up on our dreams, even when the going gets tough.  Two Woodlands Park School questions were answered, which really made us feel like we were talking to Sharon in person. We gave a loud paki paki at the end.

Thank you so much to Storylines and to Sharon Holt for inspiring young readers and writers!

NZ Book Awards for Children & YA

As soon as the 2020 award winners for the NZ Book Awards for Children & YA were announced, I went shopping! Most have arrived, a few are on their way. I've been cataloguing and covering them and am pleased that I can start T3 with a fabulous display of these beautiful local books!

For the first two weeks, you won't be able to borrow them, just so that everyone can get a chance to have a look at them - but teachers are encouraged to read them to classes during your visits, and children - do have a read during visits and lunchtimes. Enjoy!