Fandabydozy!

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It is not often I am drawn to utter the words of the immortal Crankies but today is a special day.
Today is a winning day.
As part of the events of Book Week Scotland two pupils from St.Ninian’s – Holly and Daryl were asked to go on Glow TV to talk about their favourite books, read the news and promote a Book Week Scotland competition.

Never one to miss an opportunity I thought to enter said competition on the tiny off chance that we might just win.
A phone call from the ever so lovely Helen from the Scottish Book Trust confirmed the the off chance became the right chance and we have won.
£1500 worth of shiny new books will be winging their way to the library this week.

So a HUGE thanks to Scottish Book Trust and The Herald Newspaper for picking our name out of the hat.

Pop in to the library soon to check out the new books.

For me the great storm of 13 will also be known as the great book winning day of 13 – not quite as catchy but much more welcome!

Comic Clinic with Metaphrog

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As part of our Unmasked project we met up with our counterparts from Woodfarm and our experts Glasgow graphic artists Metaphrog.

The lecture theatre was awash with creativity as our groups moulded and developed their stories guided by our knowledgable guests.

Questions on storyboarding, drawing, setting scenes and creating effective dialogue were all answered with a flourish.

I am sorry to say that this is the last time we will be meeting with John and Sandra; AKA Metaphrog but they have promised to keep in touch and answer any questions we might have. In return I have promised them a copy of our finished work.

A great day and thanks to everyone who put in so much effort… keep up the great work and many thanks to the Scottish Book Trust for helping us fund this brilliant event.

Summer Fun ( I Know it’s November!)

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I know when you look out of the window (I would feel the same if I had a window!) at the rain and the wind that summer seems so far away.

So, to cheer you up here is a nice picture.

Yummy Scrummy in my tummy

OK, stop drooling and I will get to the point-

We librariany type people are looking at creating a summer reading challenge for you! –
The kiddies have theirs and so do your mums and dads and grannies and grampas and auties and uncles and ,you get the point, but what about you?

Well, there is no point creating something that no one will want to take part in so that is why we are asking for your opinion on how the scheme should be set up and run.

CLICK HERE

So click on the link and answer the questions and everyone who answers will be entered into a competition to win a mystery prize.

Why a mystery prize?

Because I don’t know what they have bought- t’is true dear reader.

Many thanks for your participation in this and good luck!

Science and alcohol

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Miawwcahol

Are you a scientist?
Are you studying the topic Alcohol?

Then why not take a look at the following web sites?

Human Touch

Higher Sciences

Talktalk

Chemguide

If you find any more useful sites please let me know and I will add them to this list.

Please note that you MUST cite your sources and for websites this means including the DATE.

If you need help just ask!

Is it a bird, is it a Plane no it’s Genre Boy (AKA Frankie)

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If you are ever lost in the library?

Not sure what to choose?

Feeling left out?

Then do not fear young learner there is a superhero at hand to save you fom your boredom – yes it’s Genreboy!

Thanks to the hard work of some lovely pupils from Mrs. Quinn’s English class our hard working superhero took shape.

Never feel alone again!

Thanks Frankie 😉 for being our model

Meeting with Sophie

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Oh I do like a good afternoon out and a trip to see a lovely author at another school sounds just the ticket!

So, off went our merry band to Williamwood High ( thanks to Mrs. Adams for hosting the whole thing) to meet with the brilliant author Sophie MCKenzie.

Over 200 pupils were entertained by our thrilling speaker; especially when she read a nerver wrecking chapter from her new book Split Second ( if you want to know more about this book pop into the library as I have some leaflets with a great competition all about her new novel). In fact the day we met with Sophie was the first day the book had come out so those lucky enought to grab a copy and get it signed were some of the first in the whole country to do so.

So, whether you are a fan of Girl Missing or just want a great read why not pop into the library and check out her other books.

Many thanks to Sophie for sharing the afternoon with us AND for her great story all about the gorrilla. Also many thanks to Miss Higggins from the English department for coming along and my great pupils who were a pleasure to travel with (except for the wasp and s/he it didn’t have a blazer!).

Vote for East Renfrewshire

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Bookawho?Hands up if you know who this little chappie is?
Now, now don’t be shy and don’t fib!

Of course it’s Bookaboo from the TV programme of the same name that encourages young children to get into stories and reading. Brilliant idea!
With your help an East Renfrewshire Primary school teacher could be appearing on the show.
Emma Taylor, who teaches at Giffnock Primary, is one of just six in the competition run by the Times Educational Supplement.

Now the school is appealing to pupils, parents and the community to back Mrs Taylor and vote for her as their favourite.

If she wins, an episode of popular CITV book show Bookaboo will be filmed at the school.

Online voting is now under way and ends at midnight on Sunday 8 September.

The TES competition sees six teachers from across the UK record themselves reading from a children’s book.

Mrs Taylor is the only finalist from Scotland.

She filmed herself reading When I woke up I was a hippopotmus by Tom MacRae. Its a favourite in the Giffnock Primary P2 classrooms.

The footage is now available to view on the TES website, where voting also takes place.

The Bookaboo team will chose the winner from the two finalists with the most votes.

Mrs Taylor said: I am absolutely thrilled to have reached this stage.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story to the children, sharing their enjoyment in it.

I also thought it would be nice to choose this one as I had organised a visit to the school last year from the books illustrator, Ross Collins.

Mrs Taylors video can be viewed and voted for at the think, educate and share website.

The name of the winner will be announced on 16 September. Filming would take place in October

So help out ER and get voting!

Our Award won an Award

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Who?Yes this may be the oddest headline you will see all week.
As you may know Saint Ninian’s took part in an official Guinness World Record attempt at having the most numbers of people writing the same story at the same time. Our attempt was successful and I have the certificate in the library to prove it- come and see it!
Weeeeeelll, our lovely co-ordinater Barbara Band of the School Librarian’s Network thought why not put this achievement up for an award itself?

CILIP – (the library association to mere mortals)has an award each year for the best promotion of our proffession and the GWR attempt won a Bronze Award!.

So that explains the headline.
Perhaps I should get it to sit a Higher next year… hmmm?

Double well done to all those pupils and staff who supported the event and me for co-ordinating the Saint. Ninian’s effort.

International Book Festival 2013

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pipe=boffin


This is what a scientist looks like…well isn’t it?
James Kakalios is a scientist but one with a secret – he is actually a super hero – well sort of – he certainly is a super nerd -just like the audience at the Edinburgh Book Festival. Now , now that is no way to talk to a nice bunch of folk who have paid to see you!
Now, this talk could have gone two ways – one a snorefest of symbols and formulae or a ridiculuously entertaining foray into the word of physics and the science behind superheroes.
Lucky for us it was the latter.
Never before had physics been so much fun!
The eternal questions of who would win in a fight – Superman or the Hulk? were anwered with scientific precision ( come and see me and I will tell you who and why!).
A brillaint morning and a fascinating chappie who left us with something to ponder – “You all have a super power” he told the bewildered audience.”Your intelligence and that’s what you should use to fight evil”.
Isn’t he right?

After a quick lunch we headed to the Baillie Gifford tent to an intimate gathering with Sita Brahmachari and Cat Clarke. We were told to confront our fears and feelings and think about what it means to be a teenager today. A thoughtful and insightful afternoon.

Then a quick squizz about the festival and on to the bus where an A-Z of Harry Potter was created ( don’t ask!).

Again another great day at the festival – already thinking about who might be on the cards for next year…. anyone up for a trip?

P.S. Many thanks to Mrs. Mundie and the girls from Woodfarm who came along on the trip with us and who were great company and this time no one was sick on the bus!