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.

Anne Kayes - author visit

I'm excited to let you know that the award-winning author, Anne Kayes is visiting our school during the middle school hui on Thursday, 5 March. Seniors have been invited to attend this too.

Anne won the 2016 Storylines Tom Fitzgibbon Award for her debut, "Tui Street Tales".

Here is a review:

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11834284

Anne has offered to do an exciting and dramatic reading from both 'Tui Street Tales' and her second book, 'Tui Street Heroes'. 

On Monday 9 March, Anne will be returning to our school to do a book signing. This will be at morning tea (10.30 - 11am) in the school library.

Look out for order forms at the end of next week, if you would like to order books to purchase from Anne at the signing.

Below is a review of Anne's second book, 'Tui Street Heroes':

Book review - Tui Street Heroes by Anne Kayes | RNZ Louise Ward of Wardini Books reviews Tūī Street Heroes by Anne Kayes, which is published by Wildling Books. www.rnz.co.nz

I can't wait to meet Anne and listen to her reading stories to our students! 

Pop up Visits from Auckland Libraries

Debra, the Children's Librarian from Titirangi Community Library, visited us today at lunchtime. Thank you so much Debra for bringing us the Cubelets. It was great fun incorporating the modular robotics into our lunchtime Lego Club.

I was amazed that the children figured them out instantly. Within minutes, we had creations that twirled, made sounds, flashed lights and wheeled around - guided by hand sensors. 

Thank you so much Debra! We look forward to seeing you again for a Scratch coding session next term.

NZ Book Awards finalists

What a wonderful array of books! These are all finalists of the New Zealand Book Awards for Children & Young Adults. 

Available for issue this time next week, when everyone has had a chance to browse.

Drawing Club

On Fridays, we have a drawing club in the library at lunchtime (1-1.30pm). We have a range of "how to draw" books. Children love drawing a wide range of pictures, either using the books, or simply drawing from their imaginations.

This is a pic of the team of Drawing Club helpers. If you need help with drawing or need paper or something to draw with, please ask Kate, or one of these enthusiastic helpers.

Last week we designed bookmarks for the Dorothy Butler Children's Bookshop bookmark competition.

I posted the entries on Friday. Good luck everyone.

Minecraft club

Thank-you to Max for initiating Minecraft Club. We meet on Mondays at lunchtime, from 1-1.30pm. The group discuss Minecraft, read Minecraft reference books, draw characters, make building blocks and one week we were treated to a guided tour of Max's Minecraft world on the projector, thanks to Max's Dad.
a Keep it going, team!