DECEMBER 2023 LIBRARY NEWSLETTER

~Indigenous land acknowledgement~

Éy swáyel

Strathcona Elementary School's library and those who use it are proud to live, work, play and read on the Stó:lō unceded traditional territory of the Pilalt, Sema:th and Ts’elxwéyeqw tribes.

This year, my journey towards reconciliation involves broadening my own knowledge and understanding of the Halq'emeylem language, incorporating local Stó:lō stories into library time, introducing traditional language to students, and elevating the visibility and accessibility of indigenous books in the collection.

~ celebration spotlight: KWANZAA ~

Kwanzaa is a holiday that celebrates African-American culture and heritage. It was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor of Africana studies, as a way for African-Americans to connect with their roots and celebrate their unique identity.

Kwanzaa lasts for seven days, from December 26th to January 1st. Each day is dedicated to one of seven principles called the Nguzo Saba, which are values like unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.

During Kwanzaa, families often come together to light candles on a special candleholder called a kinara. They also exchange gifts, share traditional meals, and participate in activities that promote unity and cultural awareness.

It's a joyful time for reflection, community, and celebration of African-American heritage. Even though Kwanzaa originated in the United States, people from various backgrounds and cultures can join in the festivities to embrace these universal values.

~FICTION MAY NOT BE FOR EVERYONE:

A CASE FOR READING NONFICTION~

In the past, teachers may have believed that nonfiction was boring and uninteresting to children, and in elementary classrooms, reading fiction was prioritized at nonfiction‟s expense.

Today, we carry a vast array of amazing and engaging nonfiction books including browsable nonfiction like Ripley's Believe it or Not and the Guinness World Records series, action nonfiction like Show Me Cool Magic: a guide to creating and performing your own show, traditional nonfiction like animal fact books, narrative nonfiction like Joan Proctor Dragon Doctor, and expository nonfiction like A Hundred Billion Stars.

REASONS TO READ NONFICTION:

Gain inspiration from learning about another's life experiences
Can be read non-sequentially
Usually short chunks of texts
Glossary can help comprehension
Visuals strengthen understanding

~ New BOOKS ~

A small sample of new books added to the collection this month. See the full collection here.

Wings of Fire

Graphic - Book 6

by Tui Sutherland

Glow: The Wild Wonders of Bioluminescence

by Jennifer Smith

History of Mermaids

by Sarah Laskow

Sam Wu Is Not Afraid of the Dark

by Katie Tsang

~ BOOK CARE: MARKING ~

This video serves as a cheerful reminder to ensure the proper care of books borrowed from the school library.

It is crucial to store and transport these books within a protective 'second skin,' such as a book bag (available for purchase at the library for just $1) or a similar water-resistant bag.

~ THE SCHOOL LIBRARY IS FOR GROWN UPS TOO ~

Besides serving as an invaluable resource for students, the school library extends its welcoming doors to adults as well. Should you intend to frequent the library, I can facilitate the creation of an account for you, much like the process at a public library. This school library offers an excellent selection of chapter books suitable for family read-aloud sessions, as well as a diverse assortment of picture books perfect for nightly bedtime stories with your children.

~ Podcast Spotlight ~

5 Minute Mysteries with Kiddy Casey

Welcome to 5-Minute Mysteries, a podcast that explores every kind of mystery there is – from the wonders of everyday science to captivating complexities of history, fantastical myths, and otherworldly oddities! Join The Mysterious Minds Agency’s finest detective, Kiddy Casey, as she investigates fascinating mysteries and myths!

View other podcast recommendations here

~ Book Review ~

Omar Rising written and illustrated by Aisha Saeed

Type: Chapter Book

Grades: 3+

Pages: 224

Published: 2022

Upon receiving a scholarship to the esteemed Ghalib Academy, Omar's life takes a significant turn. This opportunity, a rarity for the son of a servant, promises a chance at a brighter future, with his entire village rallying behind him. Eager to immerse himself in classes, soccer, and astronomy club, Omar's enthusiasm is shattered when he discovers that first-year scholarship recipients are barred from joining clubs or teams. Instead, they are obligated to contribute through chores. To compound matters, the school intentionally sets stringent grading criteria, making success nearly unattainable for scholarship students. Facing these daunting odds, Omar is heartbroken, yet the inherent injustice fuels his determination to tackle an even more improbable challenge: reforming a system that seems designed against him.

~ COOL TOOLS & GAMES ~

NORAD Santa Tracker

Hour of Code

~ BOOK DONATIONS ~

The school library will gladly take any children's books you would like to donate only if they are in excellent used condition.

Feeling philanthropic? The school library would love to receive any hardcover book on this list.

The Book Man our very own family run, locally owned used bookstore in Historic Downtown Chilliwack would be more than happy to help you purchase books on this list. You can find their contact information here.

If the Book Man cannot find a copy then you can find it on the school library's Amazon Wish List

~ POSITIVITY - INSPIRATION - JOY ~

What constitutes a life worthy of being remembered? In this award-winning 2010 Thought Café video about kindness, the late New York Times best-selling author Amy Krouse Rosenthal asks, “How do you want to be remembered?”

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