Celebrating Poetry Month

Celebrating Poetry Month April 2017

Currently, the fourth graders have been busy inquiring into different types of poems.  In their most recent library lesson, they looked for poems that have touched their hearts, made them giggle or even gave them a scare, to share with each other.  Some girls decided to add their creative flare when they shared.

"I didn't know they wrote poems about potatoes!  What else is there?

"I found a poem about my birthday month!"

                 

             Searching for the most interesting poem to share.

                  

Demonstrating creativity when presenting their poems.

Guest Readers

It is so exciting to have had new faces along to read and tell stories to our students.

Firstly Mr Brittain made a surprise a visit to several KG classes so that he could read one of his favourite books: The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak. A great time was had by all as Mr Brittain had to keep reading the story over and over. The surprise and joy on their faces is very evident.

Yesterday, a kamishibai performer came to tell a Christmas story to Grades One, Two and Three. Storytelling is a wonderful tradition that engages students as they listen to and interpret the meaning of meaning.

Reading to children is very important, in all the languages they know, as it helps them to develop many of the skills that will support them as they develop their own reading and writing skills. 

It's Sakura Season ... but it's winter?

The Sakura Medal program brings together students from the international schools across Japan each year to vote for their favourite books. Each year, librarians from various international schools meet and select 10-20 books in each of the Sakura Medal categories. Only students are eligible to vote for this prestigious award, but they need to read the minimum number of books to vote.

                                         

Our aim is not only to encourage students to read a variety of high quality books but to give a real life opportunity to set a meaningful goal.  The program will run from November to April. Students will decide how many books they realistically hope to read. This forms the basis of their Sakura reading goal.  An important part of goal setting is to think about how to achieve a goal. Students are required to write down two things that they can do to achieve this goal. They had some good ideas:

"Try not to buy new books." --Student in 4B

"I will stop by the library every morning before class and look for Sakura Medal books." --Student in 4A

Equally important is considering what 'road blocks' might get in the way of success. Students had many idea:

"I forget to take the books home to read."

" I don't check out Sakura books."

"I don't have time with all my other homework."

"Other people have the books I want to read."

Both homeroom teacher and parents must sign the goal setting sheet. Please look out for this over the next few days. Forms are already being returned. Once the form has been returned they will be able to start the exciting process of checking out the books and reading them to achieve their goal.

Here are some of the girls in Grade 4 setting their goals for this year. They have reflected on last years experience and are setting realistic and achievable goals.