1948 Fraser River Flood

The 1948 Fraser River Flood was an important event in the history of Agassiz. We know because Mrs. Cardinal's grade 2 & 3 students are learning about the flood, how local dairy farmers worked to save their cows, and how many different people helped the people of Agassiz in their time of need. Like so many projects, this one started with a book; Flood Warning, by B.C. author Jacqueline Pearce.  Today the students visit the Agassiz-Harrison Museum to study photographs, artifacts, and newspaper articles written in 1948. 

We are building a wiki to collect materials, share our questions, and build our knowledge of the 1948 Fraser River flood. 

What did you read today?

Mrs. Dumas

Fantastic FVRL

24 students from Kent School signed up for the 'Choices' group called FANTASTIC FVRL. These young kids love books and reading so much, they chose learning about the Fraser Valley Regional Library over floor hockey, arts & crafts, nature study, and making movies. That is great! We spent our 4 sessions learning about the many features of the FVRL website; learning how to search for and reserve books, how to access animated story and nonfiction books [Bookflix], and how to search and read electronic chapter books [Tumblebooks]. One week we enjoyed FVRL learning stations in our own school library, exploring a range of materials brought in from FVRL. We read magazines, watched videos, read story books, and browsed some awesome nonfiction books. Some of these great books are on display in the library display case. Take a look! 

For our last 'Choices' class, today, we walked over to the Agassiz branch of the FVRL. 

We had a tour, learned about the history of libraries in the Fraser Valley, saw photos of the original traveling library bus, and had a chance to browse and sign out books. One lucky student won an FVRL hat and everyone was given a funny reading button. Thanks to all the kids for their fantastic participation and to Terrill Scott our library host. Fantastic FVRL!

What did you read today?
Mrs. Dumas

Book Swap Big @ Kent

Today's Book Swap was a big hit with the kids at Kent School. As far as the eye could see there were books. Tables, counters, and couches were covered with books. The books came in and the books went out, each going to a new home to be read by a new child. 

Thanks to everyone for bringing in their books for recycling. 

Thanks to Cristina and Philip for volunteering at the Book Swap. 

What did you read today?

Mrs. Dumas

Canada Book Day

Two big stacks of books were given to students at Kent Elementary School today to celebrate Canada Book Day! 

This was one more event in our month-long reading promotion called, 'Spring Into Reading'. Our final event, the Free Book Swap, will take place on Thursday afternoon in the school library. There is still time to bring in a gently used childrens book and join in the fun. 

A special thanks to Harry who helped with the book draw. 

What did you read today?

Mrs. Dumas

B.C. Author Deborah Hodge @ Kent School

Today was a great day in the Kent School library because British Columbia author,  Deborah Hodge was here. She  writes nonfiction books for children, was an elementary school teacher, and is a research enthusiast with 26 published books to her credit. Deborah spent the day presenting workshops to all of our students. The grades 2, 3, and 4 classes attended her workshop on 'Canadian Animals'. The kindergarten and grade 1 classes learned about 'Bears & Beavers', and the grades 5 and 6 classes spent the afternoon listening to Deborah present about 'Inspiration for Writing'. They learned about the author's writing process, how the author and illustrator collaborate, where the author finds inspiration for writing, and how the wonderful art that dominates her books is developed. Deborah began writing for children because she wanted to give her students books about animals that they could read. Since that time she has written books which serve young animal enthusiasts and readers very nicely. Her books combine just the right amount of text, large highly detailed paintings, and all the features of nonfiction writing that students and teachers look for, such as a table of contents, index, labelled diagrams, large full-spread illustrations, cross-section illustrations, and close-ups. She really knows her audience and gives them the kinds of books that they can pour over and learn from. 

Thanks to our P.A.C. for sponsoring Deborah Hodge's visit. We all enjoyed a day of learning and sharing in the Kent School library. Thanks to Deborah for a coming to our school to teach us about books, reading, and being an author. Finally, thanks to our students for their attention and great questions. 

What did you read today?

Mrs. Dumas