Calgary Public Library Summer Reading Program

 

Registration is Open for the Ultimate Summer Challenge! Blast off to free summer fun with the Ultimate Summer Challenge at the Library. Kids ages 0 – 12 can explore a galaxy of reading challenges, activities, and exciting free programs. Youth ages 13 – 17 can join the Teen Takeover to track their reading and earn digital badges. All ages could win prizes that are out of this world! The challenge goes from June 1 to August 31, 2021. Registration is now open. How the Ultimate Summer Challenge works Register online Go to calgarylibrary.ca/summer to learn more about the Challenge and register through the free app Beanstack. Complete challenges Kids, families, and teens can read and enjoy creative activities throughout the summer, including fun and free Library programs. Track progress Keep track of your progress through the free Beanstack website or app, or by colouring a printed map that you can pick up at any of our curbside Library locations. Win prizes Kids and teens are automatically entered to win a grand prize when they register. Grand prizes include iPads, Chromebooks, Nintendo Switch with Mario Kart Live combos, STEM activity kits, custom storybooks, and more. There are also draws for weekly gift cards. Calgary Public Library has partnered with TD Summer Reading Club on the reading challenges this year. The Ultimate Summer Challenge is supported by J K L MacLachlan Family Fund. Get more information and register now

All Library Books Due Friday, June 4th!

👋 Welcome back to school!! I am so happy to welcome all of our students and staff back into the building. It's been lonely here without you. 

📣 Just a reminder that . . . 

ALL BOOKS DUE on FRIDAY, JUNE 4th

👀 Please look for your library books and return them to the bin inside the Learning Commons doors.

🐕 Check your backpack! Check under your bed! Check under your dog's bed! Check everywhere!

Online Resources for You

👋 Hello from the Learning Commons! It is quiet and a bit lonely without our Grade 7/8/9 students here using the Computer Lab, Conference Room, and Learning Commons. I miss you!

💻 I just want to remind you of the many online resources that CBE recommends for our students to use at school and at home. 

✅ Click here to access our eLibrary Resources for Students tab. These are great resources for students of all grades to check out.

✅ Click here to access the Calgary Public Library digital resources. Your log in info is:

• Username: Your Google ID (ex. jordank23, RileyW45)
• Password: 1234567 

💙 So be safe and stay well while learning at home! We miss you and can't wait to see your smiling eyes again soon! 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftenor.com%2Fsearch%2Fi-miss-you-gifs&psig=AOvVaw0zV-pM-PbKS-mQTMukrPuQ&ust=1619026957366000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCLCT4suvjfACFQAAAAAdAAAAABAF

New Books in the Learning Commons!

Have a look at these new books in the Learning Commons!

Although the Learning Commons is closed for book exchanges, we are still adding new books to our collection! If you see anything you like, fill in the online Book Request form. Ms. Dickson will find the book, check it out to you, and deliver it to your classroom!

Happy reading!

Pi Day!

Sunday, March 14th is Pi Day!

What is Pi Day?

Pi Day is celebrated on March 14th (3/14) around the world. Pi (Greek letter “π”) is the symbol used in mathematics to represent a constant — the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter — which is approximately 3.14159. Pi Day is an annual opportunity for math enthusiasts to recite the infinite digits of Pi, talk to their friends about math, and to eat pie.

Read more here and here.

How Can You Celebrate?

There are many ways to celebrate Pi Day. You can eat your way through Pi Day by eating only round foods. You could start with a bowl of cereal or a frozen waffle for breakfast, then a chicken pot pie for lunch, and pizza for supper. Don't forget your apple pie or cookies for dessert! What other round foods do you like?

Or try some fun family activities. More activities. And STEM activities too!

However you choose to celebrate, make the most of Pi Day! Mmmmm.

https://images.app.goo.gl/Yh757DfkMWAY48Xd8

International Women's Day

About International Women's Day

International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. Significant activity is witnessed worldwide as groups come together to celebrate women's achievements or rally for women's equality.

Visit the International Women's Day website.

Take the Women In Canadian History Quiz

These questions are based on the real citizenship test taken by newcomers on the path to Canadian citizenship.

Take the Quiz.

Talking About Gender Stereotypes

Images of men and women in media are often based on stereotypical roles of males and females in our society. Because stereotyping can affect how children feel about themselves and how they relate to others, it's important they learn to recognize and understand gender stereotypes in different media.

Here are some tips to help kids understand how boys and girls and men and women are stereotyped in the media.

The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch

For many readers, The Paper Bag Princess with its strong female character NOT needing the prince, nor his approval, was revoluntionary. 

Watch Robert Munsch perform The Paper Bag Princess.

https://www.internationalwomensday.com/About

 

New Books in the Learning Commons

Are you looking for a new book to read? The Learning Commons has new books on display!

Have a look at the photos and see if there is a book that interests you. You can either fill in the Online Book Request form or visit Mrs Dickson in the Learning Commons to request the book in person. 

You can search for any book in eLibrary. Don't forget to set the Library to Willow Park School. 

Happy Reading!

She Governs | An opportunity for Grade 9-12 girls

She Governs : Participating in Municipal Government

About She Governs

In partnership with the City of Calgary, Equal Voice Calgary aims to equip and inspire young women to participate in the political sphere in the years and decades to come.

The objective of the She Governs initiative is to inspire young women to get involved in the political process by giving emerging female leaders within Calgary the opportunity to become familiar with the political institutions and those serving them locally.

Young women in Calgary (grades 9 to 12) are invited to virtually attend She Governs, listening to panels, asking questions of current City officials, and meeting other civically engaged young women.

When

• Friday, March 12th
• 10 am to 12 pm

Learn more about She Governs here!

https://images.app.goo.gl/GcJPFVfYN3c3X8Ys5

Bibliovideo on YouTube

The Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC) is taking Canadian children’s books to where youth already are: YouTube.

Bibliovideo is the destination for young readers, librarians, teachers, parents, authors, illustrators, researchers and others who want to locate and learn more about great Canadian books for young people.

 

The CCBC is committed to ensuring that there is better digital access and promotion of exceptional Canadian books to raise awareness and promote literacy.

You’ll find:

• Book awards
• Author readings
• Illustrator demonstrations
• Indigenous authors and stories
• For educators

 Check it out!

Happy reading . . . and watching!

https://images.app.goo.gl/2Cu8EmwCid5medoF6

I Read Canadian Day

Wednesday, February 17th was officially I Read Canadian Day! But I think every day is I Read Canadian Day!

Who are your favourite Candian authors?

Gordon Kormon, Cherie Dimaline, Marty Chan, Wanda Lauren Taylor, Eric Walters, Geronimo Stilton? So many great Canadian authors to read! 

Use eLibrary to choose a book. Don't forget to set the library to Willow Park School. 

Submit a Book Request Form to request a book you like. 

Watch spoken artist Wali Shah introduce a variety of middle school authors. I kinda love his poem. 💗

https://images.app.goo.gl/DgfWDfHhiEW5ZKWg6

Who is Viola Desmond?

Who is Viola Desmond? You might have her in your pocket or your wallet right now. Have you seen her face on the Canadian $10 bill? Have you wondered why she's there?

Today in History: Death of Viola Desmond - Feb 07, 1965

Viola Desmond, who helped galvanize Black Canadians against segregation, died at New York City. After a 1946 incident in which Desmond was arrested for sitting in a “Whites Only” section of a theatre in New Glasgow, N.S, she fought her conviction of defrauding the government of the difference in tax — one cent — between tickets in the racially-separated sections. Though the conviction was upheld, her struggle became a catalyst for change. In 2010, Desmond was pardoned by Nova Scotia Lieutenant-Governor Mayann Francis.                                        Historica Canada https://www.historicacanada.ca/

Learn more about Viola Desmond by watching her Heritage Minute here.

Explore more Heritage Minutes here. 

https://www.historicacanada.ca/heritageminutes

Black History Month Resources

The Canadian Encyclopedia is a wonderful resource for both students and staff. Lots of great information that is easy to search and navigate. 

http://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en

John Ware

John Ware, cowboy, rancher (born c. 1845–50 in the United States; died 11 September 1905 near Brooks, AB). John Ware is legendary in the history of Alberta for his strength and horsemanship. Born enslaved, he became a successful rancher who settled near Calgary and Brooks. He was widely admired as one of the best cowboys in the West, even at a time of widespread anti-Black racism and discrimination.

See more information here. 

Black History in Canada Education Guide

This innovative Education Guide explores seminal events and personalities in Black Canadian history through engaging discussion and interactive activities. It was made possible with the generous support of TD Bank Group, whose commitment to Black history and culture has been celebrated.

See more information here. 

Take some time to explore these fabulous resources! 

Happy reading! 😊💻

February is Black History Month

 Have a look at our Black History Month display in the Learning Commons. 

Does anything catch your eye? Are you interested in reading anything you see? Want to borrow a book? Use the online Book Request Form below! I will check the book out to you and deliver it to your classroom.

Book Request Form

Happy Reading! 😃💙📚