Islamic Heritage Month in Canada

October is Islamic Heritage Month in Canada!

This month recognizes the significant role that Muslim communities play in Canadian society and hightlights their extraordinary contributions.

Canadians have an opportunity this month to learn more about the history of Islam in Canada and recognize the many achievements of Muslim Canadians in the arts, sports, academics, sciences, literature, and their communities. It is also a time to acknowledge the ongoing challenges and barriers that Muslim Canadians face. 

Canadian Encyclopedia : What is Islam?

CBC Kids : What is Ramadan?

CBC Kids : What is Eid?

CBC Kids : Islamophobia in Canada

Come up to the Learning Commons and borrow a book from our Islamic Heritage Month display!

New Art in the Learning Commons

Come on up to the Learning Commons to see the colourful skateboard decks painted by artist Harvey Nichol. 

Harvey is a first-generation immigrant and multidisciplinary artist who is currently pursuing a BFA at Alberta University of the Arts, majoring in Sculpture and minoring in Printmaking. 

His work embodies elements of various art movements such as neo-expressionism, social realism (in the Philippines), street and folk art which he married to create his version, which he coined as "Street Folk Expressionist Art."

Harvey moves between different art-making practices such as painting, sculptures, clothing design and storytelling. Inspired by his life experience as an immigrant, becoming homeless as a youth, and living through the foster system, he channels all of this through visual auto ethnography (self-reflection exploring personal experience and connecting it to wider cultural, political, and social meanings and understandings) along with elements of folklore and mythologies and socio-political commentary on today's world.

"I painted in black and white for the first few years of my time here in Canada; the melancholy feel that my paintings expressed was coherent with my feelings of depression and of being different; it was about my identity and where I fit in this country. The melting-pot that is Canada, made fitting in or sticking with traditions a choice that I had not anticipated being difficult before I moved."

Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Tomorrow we wear ORANGE to honour Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada.

What is reconciliation? Watch here 👇

Orange Shirt Day explained by Phyllis Webstad here 👇

Read more about Phyllis' story here 👇

More videos for kids here 👇

Come on up to the Learning Commons and borrow a book from our display!

So wear your orange shirt tomorrow and Friday! 

Welcome Back to School

September is such a great month! The weather is getting crisp and a new school year begins. There are so many possibilities to make this a great year!

Great news for visiting the Learning Commons . . . the beanbags are back in business! Yay! 🥳

Reminders for how to use beanbags

• Take one beanbag from corner to use
• Beanbags must stay in large area of the LC (from Fantasy shelves to the whiteboard)
• Please do not block shelves so everyone has access to all the books
• Be gentle! No jumping or flopping. These beanbags have to last!
• Return the beanbag to the corner Beanbag Corral!

Other Learning Commons Reminders

Please use a browsing stick to keep our books in order on the shelves!

Add a bead to the bottle each time you finish a book!

Put the foam squares back on the table so they don't get stepped on!

Bring your student card to use the Self Check Out!

Check out the new books on display!

Can't wait to see you in the Learning Commons! 

Calgary Public Library Digital Resources

Are you bored? Looking for something to do?

Check out these fabulous Calgary Public Library digital resources! They are accessible anywhere at any time!

Some resources are accessed using your school email ID and others require a Calgary Public Library card number. 

Don't have a library card? Get one here 👉 https://events.calgarylibrary.ca/ 

Use your school Google account to log in and see these resources 👇

To access even more online resources look here 👉 https://calgarylibrary.ca/read-learn-and-explore/digital-library/

Have a great Summer! Happy reading!

National Indigenous History Month in Canada

In June, we commemorate National Indigenous History Month. During this month, take time to recognize the history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples across Canada.

Learn more about First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples across Canada here or 👇.

Check out my collection of Indigenous resources here or 👇.

Have a look at our fabulous Indgenous books in the Learning Commons!

Let's Talk Science FREE Summer Activities

 Attention Grade 5 and 6 students!

Do you love STEM? Are you looking for something fun to do over the summer?

Let's Talk Science is hosting free Summer Daily Discovery series all summer long!

• Week 1 : 🌈 Light up my Life! (July 11 - 14)
• Week 2 : 👁 Super Humans Body and Senses (July 18 - 21)
• Week 3 : 🌎 Caring about Climate Change (July 25 - 28)
• Week 4 : ⚡ Energy is Everywhere (August 1 - 4)
• Week 5 : 🌊 Explore Ocean Sciences (August 8 - 11)
• Week 6 : 🤖 Cool Coding and Digital Literacy (August 15 - 18)

Sign up for as many or as few as you'd like! It's free!

For information about Let's Talk Science click here.

Or here 👇

To register for free Summer Daily Discovery Series click here.

Or here 👇

May is Asian Heritage Month

May is Asain Heritage Month in Canada!

The Learning Commons has you covered. Come on up and check out our selection of books on display! This is a small sample of what's available in our collection!

Check out this quiz on Asian Canadians!

Learn more about Asian Heritage in Canada!

Looking for more books to read? Check out this list put together by CBC Books!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

May is a good time to bring awareness to Mental Health issues in Canada. 

Check out these resources on my Mental Health Awareness slide.

Each graphic is a link so click on them to explore.

Look here 👉 https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/11_reZTGimS-hCPREv9RVmpLWp3QLLvSd-t0zZyjljlE/edit?usp=sharing

Or here 👇

New Book Trailers

Having trouble finding a book to read?

Check out my New Book Trailers!

Each slide highlights a new book with a short video trailer, a photo of the book cover, grade level, and where to find the book in the Learning Commons.

Have a peek! You may find your new favourite book here!

Look here 👉 https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/109pLiWYOgbhnr8rO2Xab9f-Edt5WKowGfycfOYx1eWY/edit?usp=sharing

Or here 👇

Then come on up to the Learning Commons and check out a book! 

Provincial Achievement Tests Study Help

If you are in Grade 6 or Grade 9 you know that it is PAT season! No need to stress but if you'd like to review some topics, I've got you covered!

Have a look at these resources available through the Calgary Public Library! 

Click here 👇

And if you are feeling stressed, check out Kids Help Phone stress balloon!

Click here 👇

Or just bask in the cuteness of these little guys!

Dynamic Shelving in the Learning Commons

Have you noticed that the books look a little different on the shelves in the Learning Commons these days? We are trying something new called Dynamic Shelving! 

No more boring shelves with the books just standing side by side in a row. Lol. 

Our books are still arranged alphabetically by author's last name on the shelves but they may be stacked, or in baskets, or standing face out. So go ahead and judge that book by its cover! Students tell me they like it better as it is eye-catching and interesting! I love it too! Let me know what you think. 

Come visit the Learning Commons and have a peek at the General Fiction section right inside the door! Do you see the difference? We are making our way around the entire fiction collection. You may see some changes in non-fiction as well!

Exciting times in the Learning Commons!

April is Autism Awareness Month

April is Autism Awareness Month!

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects communication and behaviour in different ways. Autism is different from person to person. 

Did you know that one in 66 children has autism? Each child with autism is unique and has their own strengths, gifts, and support needs.

You probably know some kids who have autism!

Kids Help Phone has more information here 👇

Want to learn more? Check out some other resources here 👇

Come on up to the Learning Commons and borrow a book from our Autism Awareness Month display!