LIBRARY NEWSLETTER - FEBRUARY 2025
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.
TipsForReadingWithYourChild.pdfFEBRUARY SPOTLIGHTS
This section highlights important events, social justice moments, and cultural celebrations, ensuring they are recognized and appreciated.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
In February, our library celebrates Black History Month - a time dedicated to honouring the rich contributions, achievements, and experiences of Black Canadians throughout history. Students will explore inspiring stories through books, activities, and discussions that highlight Black leaders, artists, scientists, and changemakers who have shaped our nation.
This celebration helps build understanding, empathy, and appreciation for the diverse perspectives that make our community stronger. Throughout the month, your children will engage with age-appropriate materials that bring these important stories to life.
Links:
BC Black History Awareness Society - https://bcblackhistory.ca/
How did Black History Month come to be? - https://www.cbc.ca/kids/articles/all-about-black-history-month
FREEDOM TO READ WEEK
Celebrate Freedom to Read Week: February 23 –March 1, 2025
Despite having strong traditions of free expression and free inquiry, Canada also has a long-standing tradition of censorship. Historically, books and magazines have often been quietly removed from libraries and classrooms. Freedom to Read Week was founded in 1984 to challenge the covert nature of censorship, creating a broader awareness of these ongoing challenges to Canadian writing. It also encourages Canadians to actively defend their right to publish, read and write freely and to widen their understanding of the negative effects of censorship, not just on readers but on writers and publishers as well. Over the years, Freedom to Read Week has become a regular feature of the annual programming of schools, libraries and literary groups across Canada. From student video contests to large public readings of challenged materials, participants have found creative and inspiring ways to show how important freedom of expression is to them.
GRADE 5 3D Printer Club UPDATE
3D Printer Club is thriving. Students have designed and printed their first project, a keychain, and are now working on a second project: a concentric ring fidget toy.
They are using Tinkercad to create their designs.
GARDE 5 PODCAST Club UPDATE
🎙️ Calling All Future Podcasters! 🎙️
Love spreading positivity? Ready to share your voice with the school and our wider community? The Library Podcast Club needs YOU! We're looking for 1-3 Grade 5 students to join our team and help create Season 3 of our school's amazing Positivity Podcast.
You'll learn how to:
Plan and record episodes
Interview interesting people
Edit audio like a pro
Join us in the library to learn more about becoming part of our podcast crew!
Meets in the library afterschool on Tuesdays from 2:20-3:10
Here's a link to our previous work: https://sites.libsyn.com/536387/site
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Thank you, Star FM 98.3!
Our Podcast Club is thrilled to announce some exciting new equipment for Season 3, thanks to the generosity of local radio station Star FM 98.3. The station has kindly donated a professional microphone and two headsets that will help our young podcasters create even better content. This wonderful gift shows how our community supports young voices and creative storytelling. Our student podcasters can't wait to put this equipment to good use as they develop and record their upcoming episodes. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Star FM 98.3 team for investing in our students' creative journey.
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, Language Development, Learning, and Play in Early Childhood with Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, PhD.
On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry is joined by renowned child development researcher Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, PhD, to discuss children’s language development, learning, and play in the digital age.
In this episode you will learn:
How babies and young children develop language.
Why the quality and quantity of caregiver interactions shape a child’s early language journey.
How media use – by children and parents alike - can affect learning and development.
Why play is an important aspect of successful learning - and how best to incorporate it.
How to evaluate and choose learning apps that benefit young children.
The “6 C’s” of critical learning children need to thrive in the digital age.
New BOOKS
A small sample of new books added to the collection this month. See the full collection here.
by William Grill
by Jennifer Latham
by Christopher Denise
by Susan Lubner (Author) Blythe Russo (Illustrator)
COMMUNITY LITERACY EVENTS
Below is a list of local upcoming literacy events.
CITY-WIDE READING CHALLENGE
https://chilliwacklearning.com/2025-city-wide-reading-challenge/
SARDIS FVRL LITERACY EVENT
https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/events/6797bf858fc0a3280017b060
More details here
ONE SCHOOL ONE BOOK
Exciting News: One School, One Book is Coming in January!
We are thrilled to announce that our school will be participating in the One School, One Book program starting this month! This wonderful initiative aims to foster a love of reading and build a strong sense of community within our school.
What is One School, One Book?
For our new families, One School, One Book is a literacy program where the entire school community reads the same book at the same time. Here’s how it works:
Book Selection: A single book is chosen for all students, from kindergarten through fifth grade.
Family Involvement: Each family receives a copy of the book to read at home with their families.
Reading Schedule: We will provide a reading schedule so everyone can follow along together.
Engaging Activities: Throughout the program, we will have various activities and discussions to enhance the reading experience.
This program not only promotes literacy but also encourages family involvement and strengthens our school community. We can't wait to embark on this reading adventure with you!
Stay tuned for more details and happy reading!
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?
FAMILY READ ALOUD SELECTION
The Worries - Shara and the Really Big Sleepover
(written and illustrated by Jion Sheibani)
Type: Chapter Book
Grades: grade 1+
Pages: 150
Published: 2022
Everyone feels worried sometimes. But what if your worries came to life and started following you around?
Shara takes her role as a big sister VERY seriously. So when her mum goes on holiday for a few days, she starts to worry. About her mum, about her little brother Keita, about school, about staying with her granddad for the first time... it's a lot!
Just before mum is due to leave, a set of funny, furry friends arrive to try and help. The Worries are back, only this time a new worry arrives to keep everything in perfect shape: Reece Sponsable.
Bossy, demanding, and a little on edge, Reece totally takes over Shara's life. Because it's up to Shara to make sure EVERYONE is okay... right?
The Truth Pixie meets Inside Out in this hilarious, highly illustrated new series, perfect for helping children gently work through their worries and concentrate on having fun.
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.
Here's a link to our previous work: https://sites.libsyn.com/536387/site
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.
Galápagos Marine Iguanas: Rare underwater footage of Earth’s only ocean-foraging lizard
In the crystal-clear waters of the Galápagos Islands, an extraordinary reptile demonstrates remarkable adaptations that allow it to harvest its food from the sea floor. The marine iguana—the world’s only ocean-foraging lizard—feeds on underwater seaweed on a single breath, diving to graze on seaweed growing in nutrient-rich waters brought by the Cromwell Current.
This stunning BBC Earth footage captures one of these prehistoric-looking creatures on its remarkable underwater feeding expedition, a race against time and temperature in the cold Pacific waters.