Thursday 28 February 2013

New To The Library - Quick Response Coded Books!

 
Over the past six weeks we have been uploading stories, read by our 'Super Readers', to the school Youtube channel. To help children access the videos I have begun to create QR Codes. The codes are stuck inside the books for the children to scan using the library iPad, once scanned they are taken straight to the video online. They can then listen to the story whilst looking at the illustrations in the book!

 
 
The books are already on display for children to listen to in the library. The codes have also been given to EYFS and KS1 so they can be used in class too. More codes will be created as videos are uploaded.
 
We would love KS2 to be involved in this too, so, they are going to be asked to review some of the books they read. Their reviews will be recorded using the iPad and again, QR Codes will be created and stuck onto the books for others to listen to. These books will also be on display for everyone to enjoy.
 
REMINDER: Tomorrow is the last day to hand in you bookmarks for the 'Design a Bookmark Competition', drop them into the library if you haven't already. Good luck!


Wednesday 27 February 2013

Challenge Of The Week - Book Search!

Hidden in the word search below are the titles of 8 books from our school library, read by both KS1 and 2. Can you see them all? There are some character clues beneath to help you. Good luck!
  

 
 
 
 
ANSWERS:
1. War Horse, 2. Matilda, 3. Whatever Next, 4. Harry Potter, 5. Tiddler, 6. Owl Babies, 7. The Gruffalo, 8. Elmer

Tuesday 26 February 2013

Henrietta Branford Writing Competition 2013


A new story-writing challenge has begun!

To enter, you need to complete a story begun by last year's winner, Annabel Pitcher. The story should be no longer than 1500 words and don't forget to give it a title! Six winners will then be invited to London where the Branford Boase Award is given. There they can meet Dame Jacqueline Wilson and other authors, editors, publishers, agents, and other professionals in this field.
 
- All entries should be emailed as a Word document to Anne Marley: anne.marley@tiscali.co.uk and be headed ‘Henrietta Branford Writing Competition entry'.
- Every entry must include the entrant’s name, email address, town or city, age and school or college (if entry comes via a school or college) Please put this information at the top of the Word document.

This is open to all 7 to 19 year olds and closes on Friday 26th April 2013. You can collect the opening for the story from the library or click here to view it online. Don't forget you can use the Storycraft videos to help you develop your story. Good Luck!



Monday 25 February 2013

Welcome Back To The Library!

Hope you enjoyed the week off, we have lots of fun things planned for the library over the next five weeks...

Our 'Amazing Author' this half of the Spring Term is Jill Murphy, some of her stories are on display for all to read. The KS1 groups will be learning more about her as the weeks go on.


Also on display are a selection of books linked to the EYFS and KS1 topics.

Nursery will be reading stories linked to their topic of 'Amazing Animals', which include Bright Stanley, Russell The Sheep, Pond Goose, We're Going On a Bear Hunt and The Bad-Tempered Ladybird.

Reception will be reading No Place Like Home, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Boris Starts School, Elmer and I Hate You, Marmalade! All linked to their topic of 'Growing and Changing'.

Finally, years 1 and 2 will be extending their knowledge of books by joining in the reading of some of our more popular stories, including; Letterbox Lil, The Princess and The Wizard, Supermarket Zoo, Here Comes The Crocodile and Barry The Fish With Fingers and The Hairy Scary Monster. They will also have the opportunity to share some of their favourite stories, so if they have a book at home they would like us to read as a group then they are more than welcome to bring it along the library on their next visit!


KS2 can continue to take part in The Broadford Big Read and Read For My School challenge online. Don't forget there is still time to enter the 'Design a Bookmark Competition', KS1 have started to design their own as they visit the library in their groups but they can still make one at home if they wish. I have also printed off a template, so, for those who haven't yet made one they can pick a sheet up from the library. The closing date for this competition is Friday. Good Luck!

Friday 22 February 2013

Super Readers - Sophie Reads 'Shark In The Park'

It's that time again for another Super Reader! This time Sophie reads the story of Timothy Pope, who takes a trip to the park with his dad where he uses his new toy to look for a shark, but will he find one? Watch to find out.


Wednesday 20 February 2013

Challenge Of The Week - Horrid Henry Quiz!

This week's 'Challenge Of The Week' is a little different. Last week We found out that our most popular author in the library is Francesca Simon, writer of the very popular Horrid Henry stories. With that in mind, I have found a Horrid Henry quiz for you to complete online to see how much you know about him!

Go straight to the website by clicking on Henry below. Good Luck!

 

Monday 18 February 2013

Something For The Holidays - Get Writing!

Click above to go straight to the website.

World Book Day have got together with a selection of children's authors including, Jeremy Strong, Malorie Blackman and Francesca Simon who have each created an online video giving you tips on writing your own story. From how to capture ideas and plan your writing to editing your story, every area of story writing is covered!

If you do write a story, I would love to read it as I'm sure it will be brilliant!

Don't forget there's still time to enter the, 'Design A Bookmark Competition', why not give it a go!

Friday 15 February 2013

Super Readers - Holly Reads 'Room On The Broom'

Key stage 2 have been wanting to join in the story-telling fun, so this week Holly will be reading Julia Donaldson's story, 'Room On The Broom'. Well done Holly!



I will continue to blog during the holiday so look out for more challenges and activities and of course another Super Reader, the wonderful Sophie, who reads the story of 'Shark In The Park'.

Thursday 14 February 2013

Spring Term In The Library

We have been very busy in the library this half of the Spring term. Key stage 1 have continued to visit the library each week in their groups and shared some lovely stories, including some fantastic tales by Julia Donaldson. I have received some beautiful pictures and reviews of the books they have borrowed.

I have started to put together a library scrapbook, which allows pupils to read reviews of popular books and is a place to document all the challenges, competitions and book-related clubs we take part in. The scrapbook will be on display for all to see after the half term, but here's a sneak peek...


Since November KS1 and 2 have been making good use of the library software that we now have up and running, it allows them to see what books are available in our library and also lets them scan books in and out, something they seem to love! The bonus of using the library software is that we can see what books are popular, what books individual children like to read, who has borrowed the most books and so on. We would like to share some of this information with you...

- Over the last month KS1 and 2 have borrowed 589 books!

- The most popular author was Francesca Simon, writer of the Horrid Henry stories.

- In our KS1 groups the most requested book to read was 'Peppa Pig, The Tooth Fairy'.

- Our top 10 readers, who have borrowed the most books are, Ben Green, George White, Samson Wright, Albie Brown, Teddy Pilcher, Charly Wallace, David Sangojinmi, Uthman Falade, Tumelo Sibanda and Chloe Trew!


Year 3 to year 6 have been encouraged to join reading challenges like The Broadford Big Read and Read For My School. So far more than 40 pupils in KS2 are taking part in a challenge or book club! Pupils from years 5 and 6 have been working extra hard over the last two weeks to earn achievemnets in the Read For My School challenge. 25 children have signed up and 85 books have be read! There is still time to join in, just visit www.readformyschool.co.uk enter the school ID - 77215, use your name as the username and enter your year group, then all that's left to do is read! Well done for all your hard work, there will be more challenges, competitions and clubs starting after the holiday.

A HUGE thank you to our Super Readers Sienna, Lebohang, Bryan, Ellie and tomorrows Holly, who have done a fantastic job in sharing some of our library classics with you on the Broadford Youtube channel. I have plenty more videos ready and waiting to be uploaded so please continue to look out for them every Friday.

Don't forget there is still time to enter the 'Design a Bookmark Competition', take a look at http://broadfordlibrary.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/design-bookmark-competition-2013.html




Wednesday 13 February 2013

Challenge Of The Week - Name That Book!

The front covers of these popular Key Stage 2 books are a little blurry, use the clues to help you work out the titles of each book. Answers are at the bottom of the page. Good Luck!

1. Joey is a young farm horse, sold to the army at the beginning of the First World War. Through his eyes the reader experiences the devastation of the Western Front, his capture by the Germans and his entrapment in No Man's Land.

2. Greg Heffley is a normal American kid, one with a habit of getting into (and out of) trouble. His diary, complete with hilarious cartoons, records a year in his life and follows his relationships with his nerdy best friend Rowley, annoying brothers Roderick and Manny and long-suffering parents.

3. A young girl, not yet five years old, is already an exceptional child although her narrow-minded parents don't think so! When she goes to school at Crunchem Hall she meets the frightening and bullying headmistress, Agatha Trunchbull and witnesses her terrible temper.

4. New to the library this month. Welcome to Panem: its Capitol rules twelve satellite Districts, enslaving the populations as workers and controlling them through hunger.

5. A filthy old tramp who is a permanent resident of a particular bench in the park, certainly lives up to his name. However, his overwhelmingly awful whiff doesn't stop Chloe making friends with him and his dog. When it looks as though they may be run out of town she knows she has to do something and hides them in the garden shed.

ANSWERS:
1. War Horse, 2. Diary Of A Wimpy Kid, 3. Matilda, 4. The Hunger Games, 5. Mr Stink

Tuesday 12 February 2013

Amazing Author - Julia Donaldson

Our Amazing Author for this half of the spring term has been Julia Donaldson. We have a selection of her books in our library that are on display for all to see and read. Best known for her story of 'The Gruffalo', she has been writing stories for over 19 years and created more than 150 books!


Our library have ten on offer; The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child, Sharing a Shell, Room on the Broom, The Snail and the Whale, The Princess and the Wizard, The Rhyming Rabbit, Superworm, The Highway Rat and Tiddler, the Story Telling Fish.

Key stage 1 have really enjoyed sharing Julia Donaldson's stories in the library, their favourites have included two of our newest books, The Highway Rat and Superworm. The children like the way the stories rhyme, this style of writing has made the tales more interesting and easier to read.

The Gruffalo has his very own website where you can play games, enter competitions, print off activities, listen to music and meet the wonderful creators, Julia and Axel! Take a look for yourself by clicking on The Gruffalo's Child below. Have fun!

 
Look out for Holly on Friday as she becomes our latest Super Reader, reading one of Julia's classics, Room On The Broom. The tale of a very kind witch who shares her broom with some colourful creatures, but disaster strikes when her broom snaps in two!

Monday 11 February 2013

Design a Bookmark Competition 2013

This year Broadford will be taking part in World Book Day's bookmark competition, open to all pupils from nursery to year 6. You have from now until Friday 1st March 2013 to design your own bookmark and hand it in at the school library. Four winners will then be chosen, one from each of the following; nursery and reception, years 1 and 2, years 3 and 4, and finally years 5 and 6.
 
The winners will be announced on World Book Day, Thursday 7th March. As their prize, they will visit Waterstones where they will have the opportunity to choose a book to keep.
 
Finally, we will join thousands of pupils across the country and send all our bookmarks to the World Book Day judges with the hope of winning:
 
- First Prize - £250 National Book Tokens for the school, £100 National Book Tokens for the school child and £100 National Book Tokens for the teacher.
- Runner-up prize - £150 National Book Tokens for the school, £50 National Book Tokens for the school child and £50 National Book Tokens for the teacher.

One very important thing to remember: All entries should be produced on A4 paper, portrait format (h 160mm x w 42mm).
 
Take a look at some of the winning bookmarks of 2012... 
 

Friday 8 February 2013

Super Readers - Ellie Reads 'Peace At Last'

I hope you have all been enjoying watching the Super Readers so far. This week it's Ellie's time to shine with her choice of 'Peace At Last'. Ellie chose this book because it is one of her favourites from home, and I'm sure you'll agree she reads it very well!



Tomorrow is National Library Day, why not take a look around your local library? If you sign up you can borrow up to 25 books and don't forget this service is absolutely free!

Thursday 7 February 2013

Challenge of the Week - Name These Loveable Characters

We read about lots of very interesting characters when we visit the library, but can you remember the names of this lot? Don't forget to check your answers at the bottom of the page.
Good Luck!


1. This lonely, little bear looked everywhere for a hug.
 
 
2. A very popular character in our library, this elephant covers himself in berry juice to hide his beautiful colours.
 
 
3. A fish with fingers!
 
 
4. This little boy found a box of dinosaurs in his nan's attic.
 
 
5. One of our favourite characters, this scary looking guy is scared of a mouse!

ANSWERS:
1. Douglas, 2. Elmer, 3. Barry, 4. Harry, 5. The Gruffalo










Wednesday 6 February 2013

Awful End, Reviewed By Kirsty

After borrowing Awful End, by Philip Ardagh, Kirsty put together a wonderful booklet of information about two of the stories' characters. She described them in great detail and drew some beautiful illustrations. Well done Kirsty!

Kirsty's Fantastic Work...


Main Characters:
Mad Aunt Maud and Mad Uncle Jack

About Them:
Mad Aunt Maud is a very funny character. She makes everyone laugh, but she can be annoying sometimes! In the beginning they, Mad Aunt Maud and Mad Uncle Jack, went all crinkly around the edges. Mad Uncle Jack is not funny and does not make people laugh. He is always annoying. Most of the time they are not very happy. They always irritate people, no wonder people get annoyed with them! They both wear very old fashioned clothing. Mad Aunt Maud wears a flowery dress and Mad Uncle Jack wears boots and a flat cap. When they meet people they talk in a posh voice but they are not very posh when they speak to one another!

 
We have two copies of the Awful End, so why not visit the library and borrow a copy for yourself!
 


Tuesday 5 February 2013

The Broadford Big Read

After the Christmas break we started a reading challenge in our library. This is open to all of KS2, and will run to the end of the autumn term. We purchased a selection of new books that have been very popular and highly recommended!


It's nice to see so many have already joined in the challenge, but for those who haven't, this is how it works:

1. Visit the school library and choose a book, either one from our recommended reads or one of your choice.
2. Once you've read the book you complete a little challenge, it might be to describe a character or to write about your favourite part.
3. Return your book to the library with your challenge sheet.

You have to read six books and complete six challenges. After your first six are completed you receive a BRONZE certificate, you can stop there or read another six and earn yourself a SILVER certificate and if you read a further six more you get a GOLD certificate!

If you would like to find out more about some of the books included in our recommended reading list then click on the books below.

                             

Monday 4 February 2013

New In - The Large Family Books

We now have the complete collection of Jill Murphy's, The Large Family!


KS1 have enjoyed listening to the story 'Five Minutes Peace' many times over the last term, so it is great that we now have the rest of the books to read. The Large Family are not only in books, you can watch them on TV too. Take a look at http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/the-large-family where you can listen to the theme tune, watch short clips and print pictures to colour in!

More about the books:

1. All In One Piece
One of my favourite books as a child, Mr and Mrs Large plan a night out away from the children, but will Mrs Large ever leave the house all in one piece?

2. A Piece Of Cake
Mrs Large decides to make the whole family go on a diet. Mr Large and the children are less than happy with healthy jogs everyday and meals like, sardines and grated carrot! But when they receive a delicious cake in the post from Granny will their diet be over?

3. A Quiet Night In
It's Mr Large's birthday and Mrs Large plans a quiet night in, without the children, but nothing goes to plan in the Large household!

4. Mr Large In Charge
Mrs Large is feeling very poorly so Mr Large is in charge for the day. He gives the children chores to do around the house whilst Mrs Large rests in bed, but they are a very noisy bunch! Will poor Mrs Large ever get to sleep?

Sunday 3 February 2013

World Book Day - QR Code Quiz Q2

What character is Francesca Simon best known for creating?

Friday 1 February 2013

Super Readers - Bryan Reads 'Owl Babies'

I am pleased to share with you all the latest story telling super star, that is Bryan! Bryan chose the wonderful story of 'Owl Babies', this story is very popular with our nursery children. If you look closely you can see baby owl Bill sitting on the bookshelf!



Look out for Ellie next week with the story, 'Peace at Last'.