I read Feed over the break. It was a quick and easy read, but I am still digesting it. It is a thought-provoking and profound novel, written for Young Adults but definitely worth a read by “Old Adults” too. How much does our constant stated of “connectedness” really help us? How much does it hurt us? Read Feed, by M.T. Anderson, and you will want to think about those questions.
Month: March 2014
How was your Spring Break?
How was your Spring Break? Go anywhere? Do anything special? Most importantly, did you read any good books? Let us know! Share in the comments below.
St. Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day is coming up next week.
As it often happens, this year we will be out on March Break when the 17th comes around. But you don’t have to wait until then to celebrate St. Paddy!! Come down to the school library to check out our display of books related to St. Patrick, Ireland, the Celts and all things Irish.
Cead Mile Failte!
Poetry Slam! Day Two: Seniors
The second day of the LTSS Poetry Slam! featured a dozen senior students. An even larger crowd than the previous day came to check out the proceedings. The audience was treated to many outstanding performances. Thanks to all our poets who shared, and to all the students who came out to watch and listen.
International Women’s Day
March 8 is International Women’s Day. Women continue to struggle for equality in Canada and around the world. In Canada over the past century we have made significant progress towards improving the status of women, particularly in terms of the law and government. However, Canadian women still struggle for equality of pay and opportunity. Canadian women still face discrimination and sexism. Worse, Canadian women are still subject to high levels of violence– worse still, violence carried out by men they know and perhaps even love.
Around the world, the situation is even worse. In many societies women face worse levels of sexism and violence, often with no protection of any sort from the law. In fact, in some places the government endorses, or even carries out the oppression of women.
This is unacceptable. International Women’s Day is not just for women. It is for all of us. Together, men and women must continue to fight for human rights to be guaranteed to all people.
For more on International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day 2014: The shocking statistics that show why it is still so important
Poetry Slam!
We at the School Library Learning Commons were thrilled to host the 1st Annual Poetry Slam today at lunch. Today the Junior category took place before a small but enthusiastic crowd! The poets shared some wonderful words with us.
Tomorrow at the lunch the Senior Poetry Slam features many more poets. We are expecting that will also mean an even bigger audience. Join us tomorrow at lunch for another Poetry Slam!
Stompin’ Tom
A year ago today Canada lost one its greatest cultural icons and one of its fiercest patriots, as Stompin’ Tom Connors passed away at the age of 77. Best known for “The Hockey Song,” Stompin’ Tom wrote songs about all things Canadian.
Besides “The Hockey Song” which can still be heard in arenas all over Canada, some of his other wonderful country-folk songs include “Bud the Spud,” “Sudbury Saturday Night,” and “Moon Man Newfie.” Tom Connors was born in 1936 in Saint John, New Brunswick. He travelled the country from sea to sea to sea, singing his songs and celebrating Canada and Canadians.
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Filming Area
Students and teachers are reminded that we have several new areas of the library, including a filming area equipped with a green screen. Teachers can book the filming area, or send down students with drop-in slips. Students on study blocks are also welcome to make use of the filming area. Students can sign out one of our new video cameras to use in the filming area or elsewhere. You no longer need to rely on the film&tv classes for equipment or space (and patience!)
World Read Aloud Day
One of the greatest gifts parents can give to their kids is reading aloud to them. When parents read aloud to their kids, they are helping them grow as literate people. Not only does it help children learn to read, more importantly it helps children learn to love reading. When Mom and Dad read aloud to them, they learn that the adults they care about value reading. This is especially important for boys to see from their Fathers.
Reading aloud shouldn’t be limited to children in the primary grades and younger. Keep reading aloud to your kids for as long as they live at home! Make it a family activity. When they are fluent enough readers, let them take turns reading aloud. High school kids, ask your parents and teachers to read aloud.
Teachers need to remember this too. Many teachers, even in high school, still take opportunities to read aloud to their students. It can be an incredibly powerful experience for people of all ages.
“World Read Aloud Day is an awareness day advocating for literacy as a right that belongs to all people, celebrated around the world annually on the first Wednesday in March. Worldwide at least 793 million people remain illiterate. Two-thirds of them are women. LitWorld is changing that.Every year on the first Wednesday of March, World Read Aloud Day calls global attention to the importance of reading aloud and sharing stories. WRAD motivates children, teens, and adults worldwide to celebrate the power of words and creates a community of readers taking action to show the world that the right to literacy belongs to all people. By raising our voices together on this day we show the world’s children that we support their future: that they have the right to read, to write, and to share their stories. Read Aloud. Change the World.” (Source: litworld.org)
Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras is “Fat Tuesday.” On the traditional Christian calendar, Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent, a time where many people will prepare for Easter by observing 40 days of fasting or other forms of self-denial. The last day before Lent became a day of feasting, celebration, and one last chance at indulgence, hence “Fat Tuesday.” In many places in the world, Mardi Gras has grown beyond a one day feast into an extended season of celebrations and massive parties. New Orleans has a world-famous Mardi Gras, while in Brazil, “Carnival” is even bigger and wilder. In fact, for many, Mardi Gras and Carnival are synonymous with hedonistic debauchery that is in stark contrast to the penitent sacrifice of Lent.
Small Groups
Teachers and students are reminded that we have several new areas of the library designed especially for small groups to work together. Teachers can book the small group areas, or send down students with drop-in slips. Students on study blocks are also welcome to make use of the areas. Included are flat-screen TVs equipped with Apple TV. You can use your tablet/phone/ipod mirrored on the TV as a way to facilitate your group work. For more information, contact your friendly neighbourhood Teacher Librarian.
Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary School Library 