Author Visit, Thu. June 7th - Chris McMahen!

Author Chris McMahen comes to Parkview, Thu., June 7th for the last two blocks.  Thus, Ms Milton and Anderson's classes are the lucky audience of this informative, funny, and interactive presenter.  For other lover's of Mr. McMahen's work, see Ms. Murrells or your classroom teacher to see if we can arrange an extra seat for you.
 
Mr. McMahen's Books
For those of you that haven't tried out Mr. McMahen's new book Box of Shocks or his other titles Klutzhood, and Tabloidology, start reading! Parkview library has the first two titles while the Okanagan Regional library will have Tabloidology. 

Background Information
An esteemed teacher-librarian at Highland Park Elementary, Armstrong, BC, Chris writes the following in his blog profile: "When not wandering about, hopelessly lost, I live in British Columbia’s Spallumcheen Valley, only a short bike ride away from the small city of Armstrong. I am proud to be the self-proclaimed holder of the title, “Worst Ex-recreational Hockey Player in Canada.” I used my many years of on-ice futility as primary research for my 2007 novel Klutzhood (http://www.orcabook.com). I have also spun a lifelong fascination with tabloid newspapers into a novel for young readers–Tabloidology (http://www.orcabook.com). My first novel, published in 1996, was the cult classic Buddy Concrackle’s Amazing Adventure (Coteau Books), although I’m not exactly sure which cult thinks it’s a classic. Published in the Fall of 2011 is my fourth novel, Box of Shocks. When I’m not huddled over a keyboard or pad of paper writing, I can often be found in one of many places. I may be cycling the back roads or trails of the Spallumcheen Valley, lost somewhere on a ski trail, or in an elementary school in Armstrong where I work as a teacher-librarian and classroom teacher."

Happy reading & learning!  Ms. M.

What will you be reading this summer?

Ahhh, tis time to get prepared for summer reading!  The Parkview library sadly closes soon for inventory, so be prepared with options.  First of all stay connected to school happenings and especially the library ... virtually!  That's right visit the Parkview home page and especially the Parkview Library Blog.  Specifically check out the "Help I Need a Book Suggestion" link area and the "Author Spotlights."  There are more themes that I hope interest you such as crafts, young writers' sites, and social justice (working together to make the world a better place).  Make this blog a "go to" spot for you by passing along suggestions, themes, great authors, interesting web sites, etc. and I'll post them to the blog.  My email address is also listed in the profile section.  Sign up for library blog post alerts to stay Parkview library informed!  

Further, the Okanagan Regional Library (ORL) has interesting and powerful information for you through their web site, and also, of course, by visiting their libraries.  Search the ORL's "enhanced catalog" and be wowed by its options! For example, create your own virtual library shelf and check out other's.  Happy reading and learning, Ms. M, smurrell@sd83.bc.ca

Edmodo

Edmodo is a web based "Learning Commons" where students and teachers can join together virtually for their learning, and even evaluation of projects.  One day software like this may lead to a paperless classroom ... if desire.  Post-secondary institutions have been using software like this for some time (i.e Black Board Learning). Edmodo is similar to Facebook, so users "get it" quickly.  It's easy to set up (no private information needed), and very safe.  Students need to be invited to groups created by myself (teacher-librarian) or participating teachers; thus, no outsiders can enter these learning groups. 

Any posts are public to that particular group.  For example, I created groups for both division 1 and 2 today; posts to each of these groups stay just in the specified division.  Thus, Div. 1 students cannot post to Div. 2 students for the groups created today.  Students are requesting for such a group to be created, but they need to understand and accept that Edmodo is a learning tool and not being offered to them for social networking. 

Myself, their teachers, and Ms. Chafe are all members of these groups and monitoring the activity. 

Div. 1 & 2 students see if you can figure out how to send me your Kidspiration files you created last week through Edmodo.  Kaitlyn and Tyler already know how to and kindly have offered to teach others.  May the force be with you!  Happy Learning, Ms. M.

April 15th, 100 Years After the Sinking of the Titanic

Yes, April 15th marks 100 years since the maiden voyage and sinking of the luxury liner, the Titanic.  For historical pictures as well as other Titanic news items see today's online Globe and Mail

And for a local connection and story to the Titanic, see this Salmon Arm Observer article.

There are 26 listings on Nettrekker from the Discovery Channel, to Postal Workers on the Titanic, to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution which assists you in looking at the Titanic 25 years after its first discovery in the ocean depths!  To see the other nettrekker suggested web links use Parkview School's nettrekker user name and password to log in (inside cover of your agenda).  Wondrous reading to you all.  Ms. M.

Red Cedar Book Voting Happening Soon

April 23rd-May 5th is when BC students vote for their top fiction and/or non-fiction picks from the Red Cedar nominee list for 2011-12.  Thus, soon our Parkview participants from Ms. Milton's class will be finished with the twenty plus books and begin sharing them with the rest of the students for some great reads.  Check out the bookshelf for titles.  Thank you to Ms. Milton's class for participating!

Okanagan Science Centre

Draven and his uncle enjoyed the same planetarium show, space exhibit, and science centre magic as my family and I, Easter Weekend.  It was great to see you there Draven!

"Space Inventions" - a team-style guessing game about which inventions were made possible by space program technology happens Sat., April 21st.  Check it out!  Link for the Science Centre to the right under "Upcoming Events."

Work Before Play!

Gage reminded us of the above old expression today, and it was our theme during Intermediate library classes.  We discussed how there is approximately 12 weeks left of school (!) and that even though Spring has sprung and energy is in the air, we must do our jobs first (learn, learn, learn) and then reward ourselves with play.  One easy inexpensive way is through string games.  Try out the YouTube links for teacup, Jacob's ladder and more.  Remember to be mindful of the every changing side-bar options on YouTube.  Often what was appropriate one day can be innapropriate another.  Happy Easter!