IB Learner profiles in the library - MYP

Grade 6-8 students goal for understanding the IB Learner attributes was to explain these for younger, PYP students, using simple language and to find a picture book about that profile. Grade 6 students extended this activity into a read aloud in PYP classes during Library Days as the students wanted to share their explanations and books. They also made a picture/poster to go with the profile to take into the class they read the book to. The books chosen by all grades will be displayed in the library Lower school area for an IB Learner profile show.

"First, all of us picked one profile, and then we needed to explain it in an easy language (for PYP students). I picked Open-Minded. After that we pick one picture book, that was about that profile. Also we did a poster about it. Then Ms Kadri said, that we will read this book for lower school. I needed to read to grade 1. When I went there, I was a little bit nervous, but then it was okay. When I asked for questions, one boy asked  why we need to be Open-Minded? I answered, that so we won't have fights." Dominika grade 6

Further explanations 

• Inquirers

Ask questions to learn (Mihkel gr.6)
Wanting to find out more and asking questions (Rebeka gr.7)

• Thinkers

Think before you act (Danil gr.8)

• Communicators

Tell each other one’s ideas (Anna gr.6)
Talk with each other. Listen to one another. (grade 8)

• Risk-takers

Take on challenges and never stop (Daniels gr.6)
Try new things (Donovan gr.7)
Making mistakes is OK. (Sandor gr.8)

• Knowledgeable 

Know a lot of things about many topics (Vilja gr.6)
You are smart. (Archer gr.8)

• Principled 

Know the right and wrong things to do (Philippa gr.6)
Always do the right thing (Gustavo gr.7)

• Caring

Show respect and concern for others (Seth gr.6)
Respect humans/other people (Shahaf gr.7)
Be nice and helpful. Be kind. (grade 8)

• Open-minded

Wanting to know everyone’s point of view. (Dominika gr.6)
Understanding everyone’s point of view.

• Well-balanced

Play, learn and rest well. (Ms. Kadri)

• Reflective

Think about how things work. (Graham gr.6)
Think about stuff and yourself.

Reading dogs visit ISE Library during the Library Days

As part of ISE Library days activities we had visits by Reading Dogs on Thursday and Friday before October break. Lower school students had a chance to get to know Täpi and Bree and their owners Ms. Tiiu and Ms. Kätlin. Some of our students were reading for the dogs. The purpose of a reading dog is to encourage and motivate students to read. For those interested these dogs can be booked for reading (in different libraries around Estonia) through Estonian Association of Assistance and Therapy Dogs http://teraapiakoer.ee/.

Realistic fiction with grade 4

Here is the poster we made with realistic fiction explained by grade 4 and a definition from study.com
Grade 4: "Part of it (the story) is real and part of it is made up by the author. Characters and settings are imaginary. Some real facts may be in (the story). Write combines these two things (real and made up elements).

Study.com: "Realistic fiction is a genre consisting of stories that could have actually happened to people or animals in a believable setting. These stories resemble real life, and fictional characters within these stories act similarly to real people. They describe our world and our society."

Genre study - messing with students' minds

When we started a genre study with grade 4 students the first question: "What kind of books do you know?" caused no problems to the students. Answers fiction and nonfiction came easily and fast as I had anticipated. Describing these two kinds of books was not hard as well. Real, realistic (keep that in mind), true and not real, made-up and fake:) were some of the adjectives used. That was when I started stretching their minds.

What does it mean that nonfiction books are true? Showing a nonfiction books about aliens sparked a discussion on are aliens true and real. Many of the students decided that the nonfiction book we looking at must actually be a fiction book, because aliens are not real. That was just a start.

Image source: amazon.com

The aim of the lesson was to introducing realistic (see above) fiction. I decided to read excerpts from "No talking" by Andrew Clements, When reading the summary of the book and getting to the part that the 5th grade boys at Laketon Elementary did not get along that well with the girls, and that the class was generally just very loud had some of the students make connections with their own class. True enough, as I had just had to ask the class to calm down as they had come to the library chatting loudly and singing. Not a bad thing to do in general but not necessarily when other library patrons are trying to study in the library.

After reading the first chapter describing school life and antics of the main characters Dave and Lynsey I asked if these were real events the book describes, could these things really happen? The fictional Laketon Elementary is situated in New Jersey. And believe it or not I had a student from New Jersey sitting in the class, in Tallinn Estonia. So the 4th graders decided that "No Talking" must be a nonfiction book. See what I mean by messing with their minds. I had turned their prior knowledge of types of books upside down. 

Wishing to do no more "harm" I introduced and explained realistic fiction to the class. I did not give the definition nor wrote down any descriptive words. I want the students to come up with their own explanation for the genre, and then look up the term in the dictionary. 

It was really fun lesson and interesting to observe and witness the active thinking happening in class. I'll let you know how grade 4 ends up describes realistic fiction. 

Next we will explore fantasy and biography. I am looking forward to inspiring conversations and insights from my grade 4 class.

Read for success!

Image source: https://diademstots.wordpress.com/

I came across this article from Fast Company Connections that challenges you to read 50 books a year in order to"get you ahead in business". Read about world class leader like Warren Buffett, Bill Gates and Mark Cuban experiences on how they have benefited from reading.

Wise words 
- Ajit Singh, partner at the venture capital firm Artiman Ventures and consulting professor in the School of Medicine at Stanford University says "Leadership requires storytelling; the story can be the vision of the company, or an acquisition plan, or an impending layoff." 

- Joan Fallon, CEO of the biotech company Curemark, who reads a book a week explains "Reading forces me to stop thinking about my day-to-day life for long enough that I often find a new perspective or a new way of thinking about something," 

"Leaders are readers,"

author and syndicated radio host Dave Ramsey

What is your plan for your year 2016 of reading?

2016 literary calendar

Happy New Year! The school is back in business and busy as always. 
I wish to share the 2016 literary calendar by the Guardian as you are planning for the new 2016 year. Included in the list are some Estonian key literary events.

March 3 World Book Day 

March 14  Emakeelepäev (Mother tongue Day)
March 21 World Poetry Day.
April 2 International Children’s Book Day (H. C. Andersen's birthday)
           Nukits competition (Estonian Young Reader’s Choice Award) winners announced.
April 23 UNESCO World Book and Copyright Day (Raamatu ja roosi päev)
May 25-29 Literary festival HeadRead in Estonia
July 22 Steven Spielberg’s The BFG released, adapted from Roald Dahl’s novel and starring Mark Rylance and Rebecca Hall.

September 13 Roald Dahl Day and the 100th anniversary of his birth!
October 14 90th anniversary of the publication of Winnie the Pooh.
October 20 Ettelugemisepäev Read aloud day 

October 20-30 Estonian Library Days

PYP Information literacy projects - Grade 5

ISE believes in supplying accuracy, objectivity, and reliability in research materials for both children and adults. Our carefully selected subscription databases, EBSCOhost and The World Book Online are among the industry leaders of award-winning encyclopedias, reference sources, and digital products for the home and schools. 

In preparation for their final Exhibition grade 5 students have been exploring World Book Online database with and inquiry into a central idea "A database gives access to a large amount of verified information stored in a computer system." Students learnt what a database is and what sort of information does it have, how to access the database and when and why (the benefits) to use one. 
Students conducted a mini research on a topic of interest using information from the World Book Online database following the research cycle of accessing, finding, evaluating, paraphrasing, presenting and citing their information. Students used the Thinglink interactive images app for presentations.

Follow these links to student Projects:

Basketball by Daniels 

Deforestation by Mihkel

Reading by Dominika

Chemistry by Anna

Snowboarding by Vilja

We continue fine tuning students' citations and bibliography following MLA format and learning to use Easybib citation tools. 
Stay tuned!

What's available at the library?!

This entry introduces the e-book collections and e-readers to access the books we have at ISE. You can access them through your computer or download a free e-reader app from AppStore - MackinVIA and Follett BryteWave

Both collections include materials, e-books and audio books, for younger and older students, free reading and some unit support.

Attached are videos that guide you through the readers and their features.

MackinVia  and Follett Shelf

Computer access for MackinVia e-reader https://www.mackinvia.com/ or via MackinVIA app.

Computer access for Follett Shelf https://wbb31688.follettshelf.com/shelf/servlet/presentshelfform.do?site=31688 or Follett BryteWave app

Please contact Ms. Kadri, kadrit@ise.edu.ee, for log-in information.

In addition to our school e-book collection there are links to various free e-book sites via "Ms. Tomson Recommends - Online Resources" wiki https://mstomsonrecommends-onlineresources.wikispaces.com/E-book+resources

Please find me in the library if you have any further questions. Read yourself and/or show these to your students, children.

Do you prefer a book or a bookbook? (IKEA.)

Happy exploring!

"There is no greater sadness than the end of a book"

I just have to share the the below video of love for reading featuring a very young yet eager reader. He knows no greater sadness than the end of a book. Do you sometimes feel like that at the end of a great story? If only books and reading would leave such strong emotions to the most of us, so we couldn't live without them...

Video "The saddest bookworm", Youtube, uploaded by leesedanielle, 1. Sept, 2015

Printed books and ebooks

This link to the article "Young adult readers' prefer printed to ebooks" was shared on ECIS Librarians forum.I find the article an interesting read in the light of the developments in libraries, education and printing industry.

The point, made by Mary Langford, that caught my eye during the discussion is that people often think the technology wants to obliterate printed books. Quite the opposite, it's about sharing resources, catering for various learning styles and personal preferences. Librarians are the guardians of all libraries. Authorities tend to continue closing libraries when money is tight. Finding ways to get more people involved in books, reading and libraries is important.  

I believe the printed vs. ebook issue is well illustrated by  "Video Killed the Radio Star" song written by Trevor Horn, Geoff Downes and Bruce Woolley in 1978.Video"'s theme was promotion of technology while worrying about its effects. This song relates to concerns about mixed attitudes towards 20th-century inventions and machines for the media arts.This song was the first to be shown on MTV in the United States at 12:01am on 1 August 1981. Read more

We shouldn´d be afraid of new technologies and developments but take these as supplements and opportunities to improve our services and the need for them.

Gr 1 visits Foreign Languages Library

This Thursday, February 7th, Grade 1 and Ms. Sirje invited me to join them for their trip to Tallinn Central Library Department of Literature in Foreign Languages which is basically  around the corner from our school at Liivalaia 40.
We toured the library, visited their children's sections, and did crafts. We looked at the books and  magazines in their collection. Learned about the biggest, smallest and thickest books. We made fun bookmarks, folding and gluing. It was an interesting morning with books and crafts. We will visit them again!

Cutting, folding and gluing our bookmarks

A Monster bookmark

Another Monster

Also a Monster. Do I dare to open the book?

Further information about the library and how to become a member can be found from this link.

It is a great resource for young as well as adults as the library collection holds approximately 150 000 items, including reference nonfiction and fiction in Russian, English, German, French, Scandinavian languages and other. 

How to raise a reader

Kids become lifelong readers for all kinds of reasons. Sometimes there's one key book that captures a kid's imagination and opens him or her up to the exciting world of fiction. Other times, a teacher who assigns great books in class sparks a hunger for more big ideas and fine writing. In some cases, parents influence kids' appreciation of books by sharing their own love of literature and modeling reader behavior -- always having a book to read, taking books on vacation, reading before bedtime, making regular trips to the library and bookstore, etc.

Read more about the tips for nurturing a love of reading below from Common Sense Media webpage.

Read aloud

Savor the series

Grab onto a genre

Feed the favorite-author addiction

Count on the classics

Find books about the things your kid loves

Funny is fine

Comics are OK

Make reading a family value

Read Aloud Day

October 20th is the Read Aloud Day in Estonia.

This year, 2011, when Tallinn holds the title of European Cultural Capital the theme of the day is Tallinn - a city of legends.

The following books about customs and traditions, legends and history of Tallinn and Estonia are available at the library.
"Tallinn in Legends"
"Things Estonian"
"Following the Path of the Lost Centuries" By Leini Jürisaar
"Hilarious Estonia" by Rohke Debelakk

Legends about Tallinn page gives you a quick glimpse of the events in Tallinn history, and legends these have inspired. Share one with your students in the morning of October 20th.

You can also share stories and legends from your home country or around the world.

Read, aloud or silently legends or stories, read at home, in school, in the library - anything, anywhere, anytime!

It's Book Week!

Finally! It's here! I wish everyone wondrous moments with books! I'd like to share my thoughts on books and reading for the Book Week.

Are You a Book Person?

A good book is a kind
Of person with a mind Of her own,
Who lives alone,
Standing on a shelf By herself.
She has a spine,
A heart, a soul,
And a goal -
To capture, to amuse,
To light a fire (You're the fuse),
Or else joyfully, Just to be,
From beginning To end,
Need a friend?

J. Patrick Lewis

If you’d ever ask me how to become a book person I’d say: read amazing, fun, exciting, lovely books that you just can’t put down! It’s that simple. I believe many people approach reading the wrong way: they try to force themselves or are forced to read, and so see reading as a difficult and dull chore. Instead, see it as a wonderful thing. Reading is a joy. It is a time of peace, of adventure, of exploration, of just enjoying a good story. If you are a book person and love reading, it’s something you look forward to doing each day. Pleasure of a good book means losing oneself in it, to become best friends with a character, to curl up in the silence, wrapped in the deliciousness of a book.

Is reading a book better than playing outside? Better than a good conversation? Better than exploring websites on a topic that excites you? Better than exploring nature? Better than playing sports? Better than drawing or painting or playing music or dancing? I don’t think so. I think each activity has its own benefits and pleasures.

However … reading is more than a means to an end … reading is an end in and of itself. It’s a joy, and that’s how you should approach it.

Inspired by Leo Babauta, a journalist and writer

Book Week 2011, February 14th - 18th

Lower school is hosting an annual Book Week right before the winter break. The theme for the week is Folktales and Fables. Look for the following events.

Book Night
A sleepover at school with story telling, scavenger hunt and more activities. Friday, 11.02

Opening Ceremony
* Thoughts on reading by Mr. Fitz and Ms. Kadri,
* NoBell Laureates with guests in a Book Week special. Monday, 14.02

Collaborative Illustrations
Children will work together to illustrate the story of Little Red Riding Hood. Monday, 14.02

ProverbTree
On the Library walls we will grow a forest of ProverbTrees. As you read and learn fables during PYP Book Week write down the title of you favourite tale and its moral or write down a proverb to share with others by putting it up on a ProverbTree. everyone is welcome to contribute the wise words of wisdom. Monday to Friday, 14.02 - 18.02

Classroom presentations
Classes share presentations based on this year´s theme of folktales and fables. Monday to Thursday, 14.02 - 17.02

Teddy Bear Picnic
Read aloud tales by staff members, snacks and drinks in the company of favourite stuffed animals. Tuesday, 15.02

Mother Tongue Readings
Parents share stories in their native language. Tuesday to Thursday, 15.02 - 17.02

Character parade
Children dress up and parade as a favourite book character. Thursday, 17.02

Book Swap
Give books-get books. We are looking for books for all ages as well as mother tongue ones. Bring them over by February 11th, 2011. Monday to Thursday, 14.02 - 17.02

Summer

Gotta keep reading... Do it on a beach, on a plane, in the garden, near the fire, in a cottage! Enjoyable moments with a book! Video

Be literate!

I attended the seminar "How to Connect People to Books" led by Jonathan Douglas the director of National Literacy Trust from UK. The seminar was sponsored by Estonian Ministry of Culture and The British Council, and took place at the National Library.

I would like to highlight the following points from his presentation:

1. Reading and literacy is a fundamental human right.

2. Literacy changes lives.

If you have poor literacy you are...
...less likely to have your own home
...more likely to live in an overcrowded housing
...less likely to have children
...more likely to experience divorce

Also, social mobility (a persons ability to move from one social group to another) is dependent on reading for pleasure.
More info

3. Reading in general is associated with success.
On the other hand teenagers, especially boys who need to belong to a group and depend on peer approval, see reading as geeky, nerdy, boring and excluding. To promote reading among young adults and boys it is best know your audience - learn their interests, favorite brands, role models through which support literacy.

Here's an example:
BOAZ MYHILL, HULL CITY – GOALKEEPER on "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak

The story of Max's adventures when he sails away to the land where the wild things are has become an acknowledged classic of children's books. This book is the winner of the Caldecott Medal for the Most Distinguished Picture Book of the Year, 1964.

"It's a book about a naughty boy who says something he shouldn't to his mum. She sends him to his room and his imagination runs wild. He is transported to this mysterious island, or at least that's how I interpret it, where he plays with lots of animals and soon becomes king. This all happens between lunchtime and suppertime - he imagines all kinds of adventures. But he is eventually woken by the smell of his supper being delivered to his room by his mum. It's a great book for the kids and I read it to my twins almost every night."

Teenagers read magazines, newspapers, new media without realizing it. Use these tool to encourage reading.
Make reading social - creating book groups online or offline, read one book as a group (class, school, city...)

4. "Reading is the best ladder out of poverty" Gordon Brown

5. Reading is everywhere! Click here!