LIBRARY NEWSLETTER - November 2024
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 tribe.
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 library collection.
teacher-librarianship PHILOSoPHY
My educational philosophy is deeply rooted in the Constructivist Learning Theory, believing that students build knowledge through experiences and reflection. I also attempt to foster a growth mindset and nurture curiosity when I am designing library programming. I prioritize hands-on learning experiences, allowing children to explore, discover, and construct their own understanding.
I embrace a “freedom to read” attitude, encouraging students to explore a diverse range of books that ignite their passion for reading, rather than limiting choice based on reading ability. This approach helps cultivate a genuine love for reading and lifelong learning.
Our library is a place where students can discover books that reflect their own experiences and open windows to new perspectives. Strathcona's school library is committed to offering a collection representing diverse perspectives, that includes voices from all backgrounds, cultures, and life experiences, ensuring that every student can find something that resonates with them. This exposure nurtures empathy, understanding, and a global outlook.
Finally, I envision our Library Learning Commons as a vibrant hub of creativity, play, storytelling, and innovation - a space where students feel empowered to explore ideas, collaborate with peers, and develop critical thinking skills. By providing a rich, diverse, and inclusive environment, I aim to inspire learners to become confident, independent thinkers who are well-equipped to navigate an ever-changing world.
LITERACY TALK
Literacy Talk is a section dedicated to literacy development, offering tips, research,
and strategies to enhance a variety of literacy skills.
10 Things to Raise a Reader.pdfLIBRARY VOLUNTEER
The school library has an amazing volunteer, Stephanie, but we are looking for one more to help in the mornings or afternoons. All library volunteers must have a criminal record check on file at the school before volunteering. If you think you might like to volunteer feel free to stop by the library or reach out via email at christopher_lister@sd33.bc.ca
NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHTS
This section highlights important events, social justice moments, and cultural celebrations,
ensuring they are recognized and appreciated.
DIWALI
Happy Diwali
On Wednesday, November 13th the school will be participating in various Diwali celebrations and activities.
Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a major Hindu festival celebrated with vibrant lights, decorations, and fireworks. It symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Families celebrate by lighting oil lamps, sharing sweets, and spending time together.
SOCKVEMBER
Grade 4 and 5 students in the school are leading a
service-learning project called Sockvember this month.
This school-wide initiative invites students in k-5 to donate new socks and essential toiletries to support our local homeless population during the cold winter months. Donations can be dropped off in the wooden bin just inside the library. At the end of the month, the items will be donated to Ruth and Naomi’s who will use their outreach teams to get the products in the hands of those who need them.
Thank you, in advance, for helping the school learn the importance of caring for vulnerable members of our community.
Items:
Socks, toothbrushes, toothpaste, underwear, wipes, disposable menstrual products, body wash, lotion, shampoo, deodorant, etc...
REMEMBRANCE DAY
Downtown Procession & Ceremony
Veterans Memorial Park
(45820 Spadina Avenue).
Sardis Procession & Ceremony
All Sappers Memorial Park
(5571 Vedder Road).
SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR Update
Thank you once again for supporting the Scholastic Book Fair.
We were able to raise over $700 to purchase new books for the library.
Family Trivia Night update
We held our first Family Trivia Night on Tuesday, October 22nd. Families worked together to answer questions about movies, books, soundtracks, and general knowledge.
Thanks to our generous sponsors: Mt. Cheam Fuels, Cottonwood 4 Cinemas, Fresh Slice Pizza Cottonwood Mall, Bastion Games, Minter Gardens, Chilliwack Cultural Centre, and Burden Propane, we were able to offer delicious food and exciting prizes.
Stay tuned for details about our 3rd annual Family Puzzle Night in December's newsletter.
LIBRARY INFORMATION
EDUCATIONAL PEDAGOGY PERSPECTIVES
The Educational Pedagogical Perspectives section of the newsletter offers a diverse range of viewpoints on education, schools, and learning. It will offer insights from experts in the field, including teachers, researchers, and policymakers. The section aims to foster a deeper understanding of the complex issues surrounding education and to encourage critical thinking about the future of learning.
This month, I'd like to share a podcast from the Screen Deep podcast titled, Early Childhood Development and Screen Use with Dimitri Christakis, MD, MPH.
On this inaugural episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry interviews Dimitri Christakis, MD, MPH, about his decades of experience investigating the impact of screens in early childhood, from baby videos to tablet apps.
In this episode you will learn:
How brains develop in early childhood and what the research says on media use for infants under 18 months
Why introducing “learning” technology in early childhood may negatively affect cognitive and language development
The importance of “joint attention” in infant development - and why caregiver interaction is crucial during this time
How engaging apps make it more difficult to command young children’s attention
New BOOKS
A small sample of new books added to the collection this month. See the full collection here.
Unico
by Samuel Sattin (Author), Osamu Tezuka (Creator), Gurihiru (Illustrator)
by Jory John
by Simon Mugford
COMMUNITY LITERACY EVENTS
Below is a list of local November literacy events.
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 create an account for you, much like the process at a public library. Our library has an excellent selection of chapter books suitable for family read-alouds, as well as a diverse assortment of picture books perfect for nightly bedtime stories with your children.
When does my child visit the library?
KIDS Podcast Spotlight
Lights Out Bedtime Stories for Children
This podcast is episodic readings of classic children's books, making it somewhere between a podcast and an audiobook. It covers a variety of books from shorter, single-episode tales for younger kids to longer-form, multi-episode readings. The nice thing about this one is there's something for just about everyone. My only complaint is that some of these are very short, most of them are under 5 minutes. All episodes are ad-free, but you will need a Spotify account to listen.
View other podcast recommendations here
FAMILY READ ALOUD SELECTION
A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall
(written by Jasmine Warga)
Type: Chapter Book
Grades: grade 3+
Pages: 224
Published: 2024
Discover the Magic of Cherry Hall!
Dive into A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall by Jasmine Warga, a delightful middle-grade mystery filled with friendship, art, and a touch of the supernatural. Follow Rami and Veda as they unravel the mystery of a missing painting and a ghostly girl, all while navigating the halls of a quirky museum. With a turtle named Agatha adding to the charm, this heartwarming tale is perfect for young readers who love a good adventure. Don’t miss out on this enchanting story!
TOOL/APP OF THE MONTH
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 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
The positivity podcast
Grade 5 students are currently working on Season 3 of The Positivity Podcast. In anticipation of the new season please feel free to check out our first 2 seasons wherever you get your podcasts.
POSITIVITY - INSPIRATION - JOY - INQUIRY - INFORMATION
There’s an oft-repeated question, a conversational game of sorts, that asks, “If you could go back in time and change one thing in the history of the world, what would you change?” We sometimes forget that one thing can be done right now to positively impact the future.
In an epic migration across the Australian territory of Christmas Island, cued by the year-end monsoon season, 50 million red crabs make their way from the jungle to the coast every year. There they each release around 100,000 eggs that can only develop in the high tide.