I lov
e picture books and think we leave pictures behind so quickly when we “level up” in our reading.
Who doesnt love the thrill of opening a book to find a beautiful and detailed map?
Who doesnt love fun end papers or *sighs* sprayed edges?
Jump in to some of my favourite picture books with this powerpoint and if you want to look at any or add in your own favourites just get in touch because these types of books are best shared!
If you Google (other search engines are available!) the word Giamuncous the only entries are for St.Ninian’s High school library. And, why might that be I may hear you say? It’s because I made it up. Why would you need to make up a word when there are some prefectly good ones out there – like aardvark or serendipity? Beacuse, dear readers there was no word big enough, brash enough and bold enough to match the amazing, wonder that is the ANNUAL GUAMUNCOUS S1 QUIZ.
if you are currently in S1 get your thinking caps ready for Wednesday the 17th December for that day shall be known as Giamuncous Quiz day.
Where class is pitted against class and teacher agaist teacher to grab the cown of knowledge.
run to the libray and get your questions run back to class and work out the answers ( no Googling its for wimps and will waste your time) run back to the library and repeat a few times more till, exausted with the sweat of knowledge and a heart rate faster than any Mr Fuchs can get you to for the bleep test, you collapse in your classroom to await the e-mail.
Will it say well done or will it say better luck next year.. except this quiz is for S1 only and there is no next year!
As Gore Vidal once said – It is not enough to win, others must fail!
Good luck and enjoy!
Over the past few months St.Ninian’s paired reading scheme has been going from strength to strength. Over 40 pupils were selected from S1 to need some additional support with their reading and our amazing S6 pupils stepped up to support them.
With some extra training and moral support from me the S6 pupils were matched with a buddy each and every Tuesday without fail they have met and rad and discussed their books. I am very impressed with the committment of our seniors when so many demands are made on their time that they have continued with this programme and have made great efforts to support their reading buddy.
Staff and students from both S1 and S6 have commented on the success of the scheme.
I wanted to celebrate this success and spoke with the HT about securing some funds to purchase books for the scheme. It might sound odd that a librarian is keen to have pupils with their own books rather than borrowing them from the library but many studies ahve shown that immersion in a book rich environment works wonders with readers especially those who lack the confidence of some of their classmates.
Thanks to the generosity of Mr Docherty and to the canny nature of my buying prowess I was able to purchase 2 books per pupil.
Knowing my fantastic skill with the ribbon and glitter I hosted a merry little afternoon where the S6 pupils were invited to come in , listen to Christmas tunes,have a sweetie, pick two books from the selection that would suite their buddy ( hand picked book ARE THE BEST!) and most importantly wrap them themselves. The S6 pupils then personalised a Christmas card and the scene was set.
S1 pupils were invited to the forum as a group to, what they thought, was a wee chat about the scheme. Little did they know the S6 buddies were there to surprise them with their presents. To say that this was one of my highlights of 20 years of working at St.Ninian’s as librarian was an understatement; staff students young and younger were all moved by the event as the pictures show.
All I have to think about now is – how do we top it for next year.
This event shows just how committed St.Ninian’s is to reading and to it’s pupils – long may it continue!
Are you ready for all the fun and games starting next week?
You could:
follow the library on twitter @stninianslib and read a clue each day to find out where Hamish the cow has been on his holiday and you could win a copy of the BRAND NEW Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
If that is not your thing you could come along to our annual book sale in the forum. Hundreds of books to choose from and all £2 or less!
If competitions are much more your thing then you could take part in the Scot or Not competitions – a list of 20 things, places or people and you have to work out if they are Scottish or err Nottish! – Free to enter and entries to be handed in to the library by Friday 28th. DO NOT HELP YOUR TEACHER – let them try to work it out on their own.
If you are more of a fashion diva or a bookish type them combine both interests with a tartan book tammy making extravaganza. Just pop in to the library at any lunchtime 24-28 and Mrs Baird will show you how!.
As if that was not enough check out the Book Week Scotland web site for chances to vote for your favourite Scottish character, make a reading pledge or even and this would be lovely for you to write a love letter to your library – remember library not me ( I know that will be tough).
http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/book-week-scotland
Big or small, staff or pupil get involved – of I will send Hamish round and you don’t want him angry!
