Last day of term reflections

To the Woodlands Park School tamariki

Thank you for engaging with your teachers and with me during the lockdown. On this last day of term, I want to briefly reflect on that.

What I have learnt, over the two years of intermittent lockdowns is that it is preferable to Zoom with children and classes than to record readings. In 2020 I recorded an entire chapter book in chapters and posted it to Seesaw during the first lockdown. There was some engagement, but the reach was limited. 

In the second lockdown, I organised a few Zoom Storytimes where anyone from school could join. One of them turned to custard when the tsunami warning siren went off in the middle of it!

This time, I offered to pop into class Zoom meetings to read picture books to classes. This has been my favourite way of interacting by far, and I hope to be able to do that again if we hit another lockdown, down the line. 

I have loved seeing all of you, and your teachers—and reading to you in your class groups. I visited 11 classes; some of them twice, and read a number of stories. I got to hear your thoughts and opinions on the stories, and to see your pets/siblings/favourite toys/funky Zoom glasses/backgrounds, etc.

These are some of the books I read:

I also pulled out my daughter's Hairy Maclary & Friends—Scotland, please note, Lynley Dodd is a kiwi author :)—and read a few favourites.

We met as a Book Club - late in the lockdown, and wished we'd done it sooner. There was a great turnout, and I think we all enjoyed hearing about what one another is reading. I was so impressed to hear your summaries and thoughts on your current reads. And it was heartwarming just to see you all again.

I tried to update the blog almost daily, with resources for you, and I hope you found that helpful. Here is one of my working companions:

I also really enjoyed sharing your pics of 'reading in interesting places', and I look forward to doing the lucky draw next term. Thank you for engaging in this way - sharing our collective LOVE of BOOKS and READING! 

Remember, if you've run out of books at home, you can read eBooks and listen to Audiobooks on the Libby app if you have a library card.

I hope you have a happy and safe holiday, and I'm looking forward to seeing you in person.

Mental health awareness week

Kia Ora,

It is mental health awareness week. MĀ TE KŌRERO, KA ORA - A little chat goes a long way. Through conversation comes wellbeing. Whether you need to talk to someone - or you can think of someone who would appreciate a call - do pick up the phone and have a chat. 

Last year we ran an inquiry around Hauora and Te Whare Tapa Wha. Here is a reflection on Te Whare Tapa Wha:

Taha hinengaro is your emotional and mental wellbeing. I hope you are being kind to yourselves.

Tahi whanau is your social wellbeing. Have you phoned your grandparent/s or an elderly relative who is home alone today? Just a quick cheery "hi, how are ya?". Getting on with whanau in a shared bubble can be challenging - but family can also be a great source of love and company.

Tahi tinana is your physical wellbeing. I bet you're better at exercising than I am! A daily walk is lovely though. And I've been doing some online Pilates and hopping on the exercise bike now and then :)

Taha wairua is your spiritual wellbeing, "the values and beliefs that determine the way people live, the search for meaning and purpose in life, and personal identity and self-awareness (For some individuals and communities, spiritual wellbeing is linked to a particular religion; for others, it is not.)" 

Take care, whanau.

Ka kite ano

Kate

Toitoi - opportunities for young writers and illustrators!

Kia Ora Woodlands Park School,

We subscribe to Toitoi, a quarterly publication that publishes Kiwi tamariki's writing and art. I received an email from them today with heaps of exciting things with you.

Collaboration with the School Journal

"We are delighted to announce a collaboration with the School Journal! This is an amazing chance for Toitoi writers to have a piece of work published in the world’s longest-running serial publication for children, alongside established and celebrated writers from Aotearoa New Zealand.

We are now inviting submissions on the theme of ‘Tūpuna’, to be published in one of the three May 2022 School Journals:‍

- Level 2 (students in years 3-4)

- Level 3 (students in years 5-6)

- Level 4 (students in years 7-8)

Email your writing to schooljournalsubmit@toitoi.nz by October 29, 2021 and include your name, age, school and a parent or teacher's name and contact details. Please note your year level in the subject line of your email. We can't wait to hear from you."

Submission guidelines

WPS tamariki - I challenge you to give it a go! (A ‘Tūpuna’ is a grandparent or ancestor.)

Another Writing Opportunity

"The Michael King Writers Centre have announced an exciting new opportunity for young writers (aged 16-21) to showcase their talent with three writing awards that offer cash prizes and a writing mentorship with a Penguin Random House New Zealand author for the overall winner! 

Enter online here by October 15

Digital Archives

Toitoi have also released digital archives. To read other children's work, and view their art, etc - click on these icons below:

I hope you enjoy your weekend.

Ka kite anō

Kate

Flower scavenger hunt & kererū count

Did anyone try the flower scavenger hunt and bingo hunt outdoors, to look for flowers?

 

I took my kuri for a walk and found:

A red flower: 

 

A flower with three colours in it:

A flower as big as my hand:

A flower that looks like a bird:

An orange flower:

A flower with pollen on it:

I also spotted some spring-themed wall art and a fairy portal:

 

Then a kererū visited me and I recorded in the Great Kererū Count. 

Hope you have a happy day

Kate

A Kea Kids News reporter interviews NZCYA book awards finalists & winners

Have a peak at this Kea Kids News story: "Kea Kids News spoke to the storytellers behind New Zealand Disasters, You're Joking: Become an Expert Joke-Teller, as well as winner in the Picture Book Award and Best First Book categories, Kōwhai and the Giants author Kate Parker." - Stuff

Stuff.co.nz

Read the story and watch the video here: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/kea-kids-news/300402820/kea-kids-news-disasters-monsters-and-jokes-at-the-kids-book-awards

Outdoor activities

Kia Ora,

It's a beautiful spring day today, a nice day to get outdoors. 

Here's a flower scavenger hunt and bingo - borrowed from Greening Taupo. I'm going to have a lookout for some of these flowers when I take my kuri for a hīkoi today.

And you might like to participate in the Great Kererū Count. I have been adding the kererū that visits our nikau almost daily, to the count:

There are also some fun activities on the DOC website for Conservation Week (which was has passed, but never mind, you can still do the activities.)

I've added all of these to the Wakelet under Outdoor Activities.

It's great to see that children are continuing to read in interesting places. Thanks for your pics!

Chat soon

Kate

Suzy Cato reads Elastic Island: Rainbow Cove

Kia Ora Woodlands Park School,

Have you seen the Elastic Island series in the school library? Here they are:

https://nz.accessit.online/WDL00/#!resources/searchresult

Well, I'm excited to share this with you...

Suzy Cato is reading Rainbow Cove by Karen McMillan on Facebook, Youtube & Instagram lives. You can replay the lives to catch up. She is up to chapter 5. 

Suzy chatted to the author, Karen McMillan to ask which book in the series she should read, and the author suggested Rainbow Cove because "the scene is already set... and each book stands alone".

So Suzy has started with book 3, Elastic Island: Rainbow Cove. Here's a link:

https://www.facebook.com/SuzyCatoNZ/videos/548413792937610/

It's fabulous!

Also, if you'd like to listen to the chapter book, The Mapmakers' Race by Eirlys Hunter - I recorded a reading of the whole chapter book last year, and the chapters are on Seesaw. Please ask your teacher if you need access to a chapter, or you could email me and I can send you the links.

Kia pai to ra

FREE digital version of He mīharo te manu for Te Wiki o te Reo Māori 2021

Kia Ora,

Here is a digital version of He mīharo te manu FREE to be used during Te Wiki o te Reo Māori 2021.

Enjoy!

Hei konei rā

Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori - Māori Language Week

Tēnā tātou katoa. Nau mai. Haere mai.

Did you celebrate a Māori Language Moment today? Send me your pics (with parental permission) if you'd like me to post them on the blog.

I've been watching the Speak Māori for Kids TV programmes and learning about all the different vowel and consonant sounds. I wanted to start at the very beginning so I don't miss anything. I'm also learning some phrases.

I've added a couple more resources to the wakelet under the Te Reo collection. I'll mention them here too. So there's a list of "100 Māori words every New Zealander should know" on the NZ History website. It includes audio pronunciations. 

If you like activity books - here's a free Te reo Māori activity book from Te Papa.

Hei konā mai

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori - Māori Language Week

13-19 September 2021

Next week is Te Wiki o te Reo Māori - Māori Language Week. There are numerous te Reo resources on the library wakelet. I'm enjoying learning te Reo on the children's TV programme. It's fun.

Māori Language Moment

You could join in the Māori Language Moment at 12pm on Tuesday 14 September check it out here: https://www.reomaori.co.nz/

We have a broad range of Māori books in the library - which you might like to issue when we get back. Have a browse of the catalogue to see what we have at school:

https://nz.accessit.online/WDL00/#!resources/searchresult

Ka kite anō 

Free book for a week...

Help, I've run out of books!

Don't worry - I have just the book for you...

New Zealand award winning author, Bren MacDibble (How to Bee, The Dog Runner and Across the Risen Sea) has offered Across the Risen Sea, free for a week, as part of the COP26 Virtual Book Showcase:

You can read it here:

https://ocean.exacteditions.com/issues/95823/spread/1

Now if you don't finish it in a week, just write down the page number you were on, and come and see me when we're back at school. I have a copy in the library you can borrow (or reserve if it's out).

This is what Bren MacDibble has to say on Twitter about her book being showcased as part of COP26:

"I'm proud that a book of mine is being showcased in the lead up to the UN Climate Change Con in Glasgow. I mean, it's really something to be selected. My wild perspectives of climate changed futures is part of a larger and vitally important discussion. The UN!"

I am personally a fan of MacDibble's books and have written reviews for the first two books. Here is my review on How to Bee 

and here's my review on The Dog Runner

Here's a quick review I wrote about Across the Risen Sea on my Goodreads:

"This story has it all for readers who love adventure. Crazy pirates, crocs, sharks, sailing about on a catamaran on the risen sea... a futuristic Valley of the Sun and a people who live gently on this earth. There is mystery and friendship, great character arcs, and community. The story is told in the youthful unschooled voice of Neoma, which added authenticity and made it slightly more challenging to read. The challenge pays off, as we really feel connected to her and her fishing folk world. My favourite of the three recent books written by Macdibble. I’ll be recommending this to our y5/6 teachers as a read aloud."

I hope you enjoy reading the free copy of Across the Risen Sea.

And please send me your book reviews for the Book Review Challenge.

Competitions

Who likes winning prizes? And even if you don't win - it's fun to be creative and give it a go, right.

Here are a couple of competitions that I've previously shared,  and some that were kindly shared with me by Laura, the librarian at Kaurilands School. Thanks, Laura!

FABO Story - They give you the start of the story. You finish it. Your story has to be up to 500 words. Closes Friday 17th September.

https://fabostory.wordpress.com/ 

Poetry Box September challenge: writing poems in lockdown. Closes Tuesday 28th September.

I posted about this previously. Details here: https://woodlandsparklibrary.blogspot.com/2021/08/national-poetry-day-is-this-friday.html

Dorothy Butler Children's Book Shop

Dorothy Butler Haiku Competition

Haiku must include one of these six words: book, read, page, story, pukapuka, word – and the last word of the first book you pull from your bookshelf. Once you’ve written your poem, send it to them on Facebook/Insta or shop@dorothybutler.co.nz 

A Haiku has 5 syllables in line 1, 7 syllables in line 2 and 5 syllables in line 3. Competition open whilst in Level 4

"Our favourite Haiku submitted during lockdown will win a $50 book voucher!"

https://woodlandsparklibrary.blogspot.com/search?q=haiku

Dorothy Butler Sticker Lockdown Video Review Challenge 2021 - Deadline extended!

Now open until Tuesday14th Sept

Do you have a book at home from Dorothy Butler - create a Lockdown Review video. Find out more here.

Dorothy Butler:  Big Bear needs a home

I'm looking for a new home. I'm old and a bit worn but all in one piece and VERY soft and cuddly! 

I've been in the same bubble since before lockdown and I come with a book all about bears looking out of windows (There's a Bear in the Window by June Pitman Hayes). 

Is there anyone you know who needs a BIG cuddle and can fit me into their lives? If so, can you send an email to shop@dorothybutler.co.nz by Friday 17th September with BIG BEAR in the subject line.

Upstart Magazine

Lots of competitions to enter on the Upstart Magazine: win books, games, science kits & more. Competitions are ongoing.

https://www.upstartmag.co.nz/competitions/category/Magazine+competition

NatGeo Magazine 

Lots of books to win. Competitions are ongoing.

https://www.natgeokids.com/nz/category/play-and-win/competitions/

Department of Conservation Kids Outside Competition

Show us or tell us how your family took a moment for nature this Conservation Week and go in the draw to win a prize. Closes Sunday 12th September.

https://www.doc.govt.nz/news/events/competitions/kids-outside-competition/

DOC - Digital Treasure Hunt Competition

Find and answer the 10 questions hidden on the nature section of their website. Closes Thursday 9th September. Ooh, that's today - so get in quick!

https://www.doc.govt.nz/news/events/competitions/digital-treasure-hunt-competition/

Auckland Light Rail - Picturing our future

Imagine what your neighbourhood or city will look like in the future with modern, frequent and environmentally friendly light rail to get around, and send us a drawing of it. 

Closes Tuesday 30th September.

https://www.lightrail.co.nz/competition/

Tongan Language Week

Mālō e Lelei! 

Auckland Museum has brought together stories and activities for Uike Kātoanga‘i ‘o e Lea Faka-Tonga, Tongan Language Week. 

Have a look here. 

Science resources in Tongan language

NZ Science Learning is excited to release its Tongan language resources.

Ko e ha ‘a e feliuliuaki ‘a e ‘ea? 

https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/3040-ko-e-ha-a-e-feliuliuaki-a-e-ea

Ko e feliuliuaki ‘a e ‘ea – ko e talanoa fakakolo

https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/3041-ko-e-feliuliuaki-a-e-ea-ko-e-talanoa-fakakoloa

Reading in interesting places

 

Find a nook, find a chair, you can read, anywhere...

 

Free Ebooks and Audiobooks!

Did you know you can read free ebooks and audiobooks through our local library? If you or your caregiver have an Auckland Library card,  you just need to:

1. Download the Libby app

2. Sign in with your library card to Auckland Libraries

3. Search for children's books (Juvenile fiction)

4. Borrow books that are available and put holds on books that are not yet available

5. Start reading / listening

Pro tip: You can apply preferences if you want to search for books that are - available now, or if you only want to search for Ebooks or Audiobooks, etc.

I hopped on and had a peak and one of my favourite children's books is available now - be quick!

Anne of Green Gables and Little Women are also available.

Here are a few other books that were available when I looked:

Read my review here.

Popular at WPS!

Also available when I looked:

 The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Mercy Watson and so much more!

Happy reading / listening!

Reading in interesting places

Morena tamariki ma,

Thank you for sending me your pics for the Reading in Interesting Places Competition. When we are back at school I will check in with teachers to make sure I get all the names of people who entered. 

You don't need to be published on the blog to be entered. You just need to have sent in your pic to me or your teacher. 

Once I have all the names, I'll do a lucky draw and there will be a winner from each school whanau (Kowhai, Pohutukawa and Harakeke)

Next challenge

The next challenge is for you to write me a book review. I posted about this earlier on. Here's a reminder:

Book Review Challenge