Library Links

"Content that might be of interest to Teacher-Librarians..."


5.2.14

Educator & Teacher Guides | Disney Publishing Worldwide

Do more with these titles

Here's a set of teacher guides for some popular titles: (This is just a partial list)
Code Name Verity        
Eleanor, Quiet No More  
Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale        
Pigs Make Me Sneeze!    
Red Kite, Blue Kite     
Schooled          
The Battle of the Labyrinth             
The Last Olympian       
The Pigeon Wants a Puppy!       
There Is a Bird On Your Head!   

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Project-based learning Guide

PBL: a powerful motivator for students and staff.
Downloadable guide from "The Innovation Unit"

"Project-based learning' refers to students designing, planning, and carrying out an extended project that produces a publicly-exhibited output such as a product, publication, or presentation. It is related to enquiry-based learning (also known as inquiry-based learning), and problem-based learning. The distinctive feature of project- based learning is the publicly-exhibited output. We have chosen to focus on project-based learning because it incorporates enquiry, and because, in our experience, public exhibition is a tremendously powerful motivator for both students and staff.

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Wordless Picture Books - activity suggestions

Ask young readers to exercise their imaginations
Random House offers this downloadable guide for teachers.

"Many times, we ask young readers to listen to a story and try to picture the images of the action in their minds. By sharing wordless (or nearly wordless) picture books, we ask young readers to exercise their imaginations in just the opposite way. Young readers can "read" the images of the picture book and create the narrative for the action in their minds. Wordless picture books can help young children think about the basic elements of storytelling, and are perfect for the youngest children who may not have the skills or confidence to read text on their own."

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Apprendre le français - webdocumentaires

Découvrir et apprendre le français... c'est facile !

TV5 offers a collection of short webclips (80 in total) that help the viewer learn French. (includes "exercices, mémos, jeux, défi" )
"Comme au cinéma, laissez-vous porter par les webdocs et découvrez la vie en France à travers le regard de quatre personnages. Au cours de cette promenade, des ateliers et des jeux vous permettront de comprendre, d'apprendre, et de pratiquer le français."

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Let's speak French - Français facile

Apprendre en écoutant
Expressions, short recordings for beginners, some grammar (eg), vocab, dialogs, stories, short videos  - the list is quite extensive. The creator of the site speaks clearly and slowly, in a European French accent.  (There is a funny text about using franglais in France.) You can subscribe by email to get the latest lessons.

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Textes et narrations: français langue

50 themed readings in French

UQTR has produced a set of 50 texts (with audio files) and comprehension activities for French language learners. This is very useful resource for FSL and some levels of Immersion.
"Nous avons rédigé cinquante textes pour adultes et jeunes adultes touchant des thèmes aussi variés que l'alimentation, le corps humain, les sentiments, les loisirs, les transports, les présentations, etc. En général, les textes comportent entre 200 et 400 mots. La difficulté de lecture augmente par groupe de 15 textes environ. (On notera toutefois qu'à partir du texte A-037, le passé composé s'ajoute aux temps verbaux déjà utilisés (impératif présent, indicatif présent et futur proche)."

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4.2.14

Primary Sources - in BC

Finding FN Primary Sources

This can be difficult task, especially when it comes to indigenous knowledge. Actual artifacts are challenging to access. A strong reliance on oral tradition as a way of passing down teachings doesn't transfer easily to the classroom context.
Here's a "primer" on the difference between primary and secondary that you might like to adapt for your students:

CBC and NFB have some archival footage, and other digital collections of artifacts are as close as you may get to the actual items. (see list below)

The Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation (Searchable database)

Museum of Anthropology

Glenbow Museum

Reciprocal Research Network

Manitoba  Museum

VIU - Primary Sources: First Nations

Then/Hier (Primary Sources)

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Jesse Hirsh - The Internet as "Learning Curve"

Technology, Leadership, and Authority:
What it Takes to be Taken Seriously in an Era of Rapid Change


"Meet Jesse Hirsh, cyber space guru. His passion is to educate people on the potential benefits and perils of technology. An internet strategist, researcher, and broadcaster, Hirsh has a weekly nationally- syndicated column on CBC Radio, explaining and analyzing the latest trends and developments in technology, using language and examples that are meaningful and relevant to everyday life."

(Using Edpuzzle to add a comment spot to the end. Assign this to a "class" and you can collect responses or quiz answers.)
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Gale Geek February webinars archive

Short and Sweet Webinars
Register and hear the 30 minute Gale Geek interview every Friday and learn how you can do more with your library's resources! If you can't make it "live", then check out the archived webinars. (Most of the webinars feature Gale products specifically, but some sessions offer general suggestions that can be applied to many resources and contexts!)

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What Is a Tunnel Book?

Three-dimensional scenes inside the book

Watch the video, look at some pictures and follow the instructions to make your own!
"Tunnel books date all the way back to the mid-18th century, when they were originally called "peep shows." The concept of tunnel books was inspired by theatrical stage sets. If you've ever witnessed a live play with movable set pieces, it's easy to see how they inspired tunnel books. Tunnel books are "read" through a hole in the cover. Each page features openings that allow the reader to see through the entire book to the back cover. The images on each page work together to form a three-dimensional scene inside the book that helps to tell the story."

Get the Wonderopolis widget on your webpage!
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3.2.14

Rewordify.com: Understand what you read

How to simplify a text
While not perfect, rewordify can help make a text easier to understand. I found some issues when "rewording" a website, but seems to be great for a block of text.

"Just paste in a difficult English sentence, paragraph, or more (or enter a web page URL) and click the button. You'll instantly see an easier version, for fast understanding now. No dictionary needed! Plus, the easier version is specially highlighted to help build vocabulary."

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