Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Book Club Grade 6 & 7's

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins   We have just started a book club at Randerson with the Grade 6,7's choosing the first title Hunger Games.  Any grade 6 or 7 student interested in taking part is welcome. The book must be read by Friday, January 27th.  We will meet in the library at long recess and I will bring snacks and juice.  Be sure to have some questions ready and be prepared to discuss your views of the book. 

If you need a copy before the winter break please see me soon so we can ensure everyone gets a copy before our discussion. 

Throughout the year we will have a book club for different age groupings.  Stop by the library and chat if you would like to suggest a title. 

Thanks to Ms. World's Gr. 6/7's for suggesting this title.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Some great winter reads!!!

With winter now upon us what better than to sink into a comfy chair, cozy up to a warm blanket and read, read, read
This snowy weekend I did just that. 
Here are two books I loved and hope you do too!

Cabin Fever by Jeff Kinney: The latest Diary of a Wimpy Kid is hilarious from cover to cover.  Be sure to read the front page Dear Reader (on scholastic versions only) explaining how Jeff came to write this book caught between two storms which included an extended stay in Vancouver, BC. 

Cabin Fever starts just before Christmas when Greg is trying to be on his best behaviour so Santa will be good to him.  Of course things go array when Greg and Rowley inadvertently damage school property.  The excitement continues through a nasty blizzard, police chase and Manny taking control of the house.  This laugh out loud installment does not disappoint.  Get caught up in Cabin Fever over the holidays.  The library has 3 copies :)  
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick:  This is my second time reading this wonderful graphic novel. With the movie just around the corner and a new book by Brian called Wonderstruck just released, I thought it was a great time to re-read one of my favourites.  The Invention of Hugo Cabret follows the life of young Hugo who looses his parents, then his uncle whom he was living with.  Hugo lives in an abandoned apartment above the Paris train station in the 1930's.  He is a clockkeeper ensuring all the clocks in the station run exactly on time.  Hugo is fascinated by automation and mechanics.  Finding himself at the wrong end of a shoplifting adventure, Hugo begins to unravel the mystery of his father and embarks on uncovering secrets of the past. 

Told in black and white, as in the style of a 1930's movie, Selznick blends fiction with history as he weaves through the life of renowned French filmaker Georges Méliès.  Like all graphic novels you must 'read' the pictures as well as the text to progress the story.  Don't let the size of the book turn you off....it is a quick read with wonderful illustrations by Selznick and photographs of black and white films from history.  The Inventions of Hugo Cabret has been one of the best youth books I've read in the last few years.  Let me know what you think. 



Sunday, November 13, 2011

Randerson Remembers


Wreaths made and presented by each class








What does Peace feel like...?

        We Remember With our Buddies            



Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Grade 3 book reviews Mrs. MacDonald's class

Ten Little Mummies
by Philip Yates Illustraded by G. Brian Karas

  • This book was really funny because of the mummies.
  • I liked the story because it was a pattern, taking away one each time and all coming back at
  • I like this book because it was neat
  • I like this book because it was very cool and the art was nice! 
  • I like this book because it is funny.
  • I loved this book because it was FUNNY
  • I LOVE THIS BOOK  BECAUSE IT WAS CREATIVE!
Ready for Anything by Keiko Kasza

  • I liked because it was about friendship.
  • I liked it because it was a good teaching tool about not being afraid.
  • i  liked  this  book  because its  cool     
  • I thought this book was too babyish for us.

Grade 1's Review Marshall Armstrong is New to Our School

       Today Mrs. Rhodes Grade One class looked at three books new to our library. Scoot by Catherine Falwell, Ready for Anything by Keiko Kasza, and Marshall Armstrong is New to Our School by David Mackintosh.  

       After using our Strong Reading Tools including looking at the cover and discussing what we know for sure, what we might predict and what we would like to know from the story, we voted on which book to take a closer look at.  That is the book we read, discussed and reviewed today.

Photo taken on i-phone by Gr. 1 students
Grade One Review:
Students discussed what Marshall Armstrong might be feeling at his new school?
Scared
Nervous
Shy

"If a new person comes to school we should be their friends." 
"We should share our toys"   
"We should show them how things work at our school (routines)."
"I would play with him at recess because that would make him feel better."

My favourite part of the story was.....
  • when they slide down the pole in Marshall's house...all the way to the bottom floor
  • I liked when they took a nap because I would like a nap after playing so hard then I would have lots of energy to play some more
  • I would like to try organic birthday cake. It sound yummy
  • I liked it when the new girl came to school and it all started again said
Students took a picture of the dedication in the front of the book. 
 We talked about what a dedication is and could be and we talked about Mrs. Royle retiring.  We had lots of warm memories of Mrs. Royle being our school secretary when we were in kindergarten.

14 students gave it ...

4 student gave it...

1 student gave it...

Thank you Grade One's for reviewing this book :)


Mrs. Uhlmann's grade two class book review

Mrs. Uhlmann's Grade 2 class talks about our favourite part of the books we read today.

Ten Little Mummies
by Philip Yates Illustraded by G. Brian Karas



  • I liked this book because the mummies got in trouble by painting the Sphinx.
  • I liked the part when they said "I hope its more fun tomorrow.
  • I liked the part when the sun was too hot for the mummy and he got sun stroke and had to leave.
  • I liked when the falcon came and took one of the mummies.
  • I liked it when the mummy got unravelled.
  • I liked when the mummy rode on the hippopotumus.
  • I liked it when the mummies surprised the lonely mummy in the tomb.
We took pictures of our favourite pages.
                            

Duck at the door
by Jackie Urbanovic

  • I like it when duck was hogging the remote.
  • I like when duck came back to Irene's house and brought his whole flock.
  • I liked when all the ducks flew into the house. 
  • I liked when all the ducks came in.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Operation Christmas Child @ Randerson Ridge

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
RANDERSON RIDGE SCHOOL    
        Our class will support the shoebox initiative, which provides gifts to needy children in developing countries.  It is heartening to know that many members of the Nanaimo community have already supported this project in the past.  We intend to take an afternoon to make and wrap as many shoeboxes as we can, so donations of gifts and wrapping paper will need to be collected over the next few weeks. If you wish to make one box at home please note the following:

          What is the shoebox campaign about?  - bringing joy to the lives of needy and hurting children throughout the world.  This year our shoeboxes go to Haiti  (earthquake devastated).

          Where do I get a shoebox? – Mr. McKinlay has some ‘Operation Christmas Child’ shoeboxes, ready to be assembled, otherwise find your own box and wrap it with Christmas paper.

          What goes into the shoebox? – a variety of gifts, suitable for a specific age group, and for a boy or a girl.  Small toys, school supplies, hygiene items, and small items, such as hard candy, sunglasses, ball caps, socks, t-shirts, hair clips, small picture books, etc. (see brochure).

Do not include food items other than hard candy, any used items, anything that could melt, freeze, leak, break, or scare or harm a child.

          For whom should I buy gifts? – decide whether you wish to buy gifts for a girl or a boy, then decide on one of the following age groups:

2-4 years, 5-9 years, 10-14 years (choose the label from your colourful brochure, or attach a photocopied label, which will be made available by your child’s teacher).

          What else should go into the shoebox?If possible, please include a cheque for $7.00, in the envelope provided (or your own and payable to Samaritan’s Purse), or $7.00, which helps to pay for shipping and other costs.  In addition, you may wish to include a note and a photo of yourself.

          Cover your shoebox with a rubber band, and bring to your classroom teacher.


            PLEASE NOTE:  The deadline, for all shoeboxes to be at school, is NOVEMBER 24TH.

                              Thanks very much for your support.
                                                       
                                                D.McKinlay