Announcements
Announcements
Embedded Files
December 7, 2023
New Books!
Our new books from the Indigo Adopt a School fundraiser and the Scholastic Book Fair are already arriving from Cataloguing. Check out this display for our newest books!
December 5, 2023
Forest of Reading
Forest of Reading
Our Forest of Reading books have arrived! Grade 3 – 8 students will be invited to join the Forest of Reading programs and hopefully we can get started reading before the holidays. Each program level has 10 books to choose from and students are required to read a minimum of 5 in order to vote in late April. That’s 1 book per month (December – April), so hopefully many students will challenge themselves to participate. The Blue Spruce program for Kindergarten to Grade 3 students will begin in January during class visits to the library. Junior and Intermediate classes are still welcome to read and enjoy the Blue Spruce books. Many copies will be available digitally on Sora. The Blue Spruce books will be on display in the library and are not for borrowing so that all classes get access to the books.
You can view the nominated books using the link below.
20231116_125416.mp4
Nov 21, 2023
Bee Bot Coding
Bee Bot Coding
Check out the coding we've been doing in the library this month with our Bee Bot. We have an extra Bee Bot from TJRC and this cool treasure map.
Also here this month: Happy Atoms. Great for Grades 3-8, explore molecules and learn through some hands-on science!
Email me if you're interested in bringing your class down for some STEM.
Sept 26, 2023
LEGO Challenge
LEGO Challenge
LEGO is a great tool for developing students’ SEL and STEAM-related skills, like hand-eye coordination, creativity, perseverance, and problem solving.
TJRC is giving away free LEGO sets this year to teachers who participate in our weekly building challenge - visit their webpage to learn more!
Sept 19, 2023
Welcome back!
Welcome back!
The schedules have been updated for Week 3. Please sign up for a weekly book exchange!
April 21, 2023
Green Energy Snap Circuits
Green Energy Snap Circuits
We have an energy kit from Terry James for the next 2 weeks in the library. Teachers are invited to send small groups of students (4-5 students, grades 3+) to explore the snap circuits. This kit must be used with direct supervision by a teacher because there are live batteries and delicate parts. Let me know if you have a group of students that would like to spend some time building circuits and learning about energy and electricity.
April 19, 2023
Forest of Reading Voting!
Forest of Reading Voting!
We are ready to vote on our favourite Forest of Reading books. Students in grades 1-4 will vote during their media class in the library. If you have students that have read at least 5 books in a category, then they can also vote. Voting closes April 28. Here are links to the voting forms:
March 22, 2023
3D Printing is Open!
3D Printing is Open!
Exciting news! The 3D Printer is up and running. We have 4 colours of filament (red, yellow, blue, white). If you are intersted in a 3D printing project with your class, please connect with me.
We are going to use Tinker Cad to design our 3D objects. Check it out!
January 18, 2023
UGDSB Film Festival
UGDSB Film Festival
The UGDSB Film Festival is coming up this spring and I would like to work with you and your students to make movies! Movies are due April 14 and the festival takes place May 15-19.
We have about 10-11 weeks to get these films made, and in my experience, it can take that long for some students to complete their projects. Last year we made a variety of movies including stop-motion with toys, Lego, clay, and paper. Other students used live action and puppets. Movies were filmed on iPad and edited on Chromebook in WeVideo.
Please see the film festival website for more information.
If you are interested in making films a part of your language and arts program (media and drama!) and dedicating some class time to it, please let me know. (If I teach your class media/drama, this is what we're already doing) We could schedule some library periods to work on it together and then I will have additional "Film Making" periods for students to drop in and continue to work on their projects.
I would like to introduce classes to the festival over the next 2 weeks.
Please schedule a time to bring your class to the library
December 9, 2022
Forest of Reading Club
Forest of Reading Club
Our Forest of Reading books have arrived! Grade 3 – 8 students will be invited to join the Forest of Reading Club and hopefully we can get started reading before the holidays. Each program level has 10 books to choose from and students are required to read a minimum of 5 in order to vote in late April. That’s 1 book per month (December – April), so hopefully many students will challenge themselves to participate. Please spread the word in your class and encourage students to join. There will be a meeting for students next Tuesday at First Break. Stay tuned for more info!
The Blue Spruce program for Kindergarten to Grade 3 students will begin in January during their weekly class time with me. (Kindergarten will be during book exchanges.) You can view the nominated books here.
December 8, 2022
Please note the shelves pictured below for the books and bins that are being discarded by December 23. Take them for your classroom, give them to students, cut them up for collages or other art assignments, make blackout poetry. Please preview each book first because some are problematic.
November 25, 2022
New Gale Access Link
Gale is an excellent online encylopedia and there is now a new access link on the UGCloud student landing page:
Clicking on the Gale homepage tile will bring you to all our Gale resources. You can search all of them from the main page (PowerSearch), or choose the Elementary or Secondary tabs in the red bar to see our recommended databases for each student category.
November 9, 2022
Bug Club Phonics books are now ready to borrow. Check out these shelves. Books are in packages of 5 copies, there are 2 sets of each book. Please scan out a package like you would a book.
October 18, 2022
Students in Grades 5-8 are invited to help primary classes with editing their videos in WeVideo with green screen backgrounds and music. There are 8 periods over the next two weeks that need between 4-6 helpers. Students will need a signed permission slip from their teacher for the class they will be missing. The schedule and permission slips will be located in the library window.
October 14, 2022
Class schedule is updated for Week 7 (Oct 17-21). See the schedule tab for details and Open Library periods available Wednesday to Friday.
October 13, 2022
Feature Films
Feature Films
Check out the Resources page for a list of the feature films available on Learn360.
October 7, 2022
Class schedule is updated for Week 6 (Oct 11-14). See the schedule tab for details and Open Library periods available Wednesday and Thursday.
October 7, 2022
New Professional REsources
New Professional REsources
"Why Indigenous Literatures Matter" by Daniel Heath Justice
"Braiding Sweetgrass" by Robin Wall Kimmerer
"Settler: Identity and Colonialism in 21st Century Canada" by Emma Battell Lowman
"Street Data: A Next-Generation Model for Equity, Pedagogy, and School Transformation" by Shane Safir & Jamila Dugan
September 30, 2022
Class schedule is updated for Week 5 (Oct 3 - 7). See the schedule tab for details and workshops offered next week.
September 30, 2022
Did you know the Terry James Resource Centre is more than just books? Below are some highlights of supports and services available at the Media Centre to school staff who need access to printing and planning services. We provide access to the various machines and supplies, including colour printers, laminators, paper cutters, and coil binders. Staff are on site each day to assist with the machines and troubleshoot any issues that may arise – they’re friendly and knowledgeable, so don’t hesitate to ask for help.
Can’t make it to the GBO in person? No worries – submit your request via our TJRC Media Centre - Request Form and the Media Centre staff will complete it on your behalf. You can arrange to pick it up at the GBO or have it sent to your school via the board courier.
Timelines for requests? Since 2018, the number of project requests fulfilled annually by the Media Centre team has more than tripled - and we’re still going strong! Due to the volume of requests we receive it can take a week or longer for staff work through the queue, especially during busier times of the year. Submitting requests in advance of when you need them is helpful and your patience is always appreciated.
Cost estimates for work? Use our Media Centre Project Cost Calculator to generate an estimate. Please remember that costs are charged back to the school and principal approval is required for projects that cost more than $100.
Request for supplies? The Media Centre keeps a stock of colour paper and cardstock, laminating sheets, metal rings, Velcro strips and dots, and magnetic tape – send an email to media.centre@ugdsb.on.ca to request some.
September 26, 2022
Truth & Reconciliation Week
Truth & Reconciliation Week
Check out the display stand in the E section for some story books to read this week.
September 22, 2022
Need time for EPPS, Prime or PMs? Primary and Junior classes are invited to book an "Open Library" period during Week 4 for the purpose of assessing students. See the Schedule Tab for the new schedule. Work one-on-one with a student at a table in a corner of the library while I have the rest of the class participating in activities. If you're interested, please email me with the period you would like to book. First come, first serve.
Book Exchanges: See the Schedule Tab for the new schedule. If you would like to sign up your class or change your time, please see me. Book exchanges begin Monday Sept 26.
September 12, 2022
Teacher Resources
Teacher Resources
Teacher resources are being relocated to this section behind the guided reading table in the LLC. It is NOT organized at all, so you will have to do some hunting if there's something specific you are searching for.
New resource: "Lost & Found: Helping Behaviorally Challenging Students (and, while You're At It, All the Others)" by Ross W. Greene, PhD
September 7, 2022
Terry James Resource Centre (TJRC) - Back to School Updates:
Open Monday to Friday: TJRC is open to all active UGDSB staff Monday through Friday. Any visitor needing an accommodation to attend in person, please contact Lauren Bull directly. A reminder that children of staff members are not allowed in Terry James Resource Centre. This is aligned with the expectation that children of staff members are also not allowed in schools.
Borrowing Items or Resources: Any LTO staff members or itinerant staff wanting to borrow resources from the TJRC will need to contact us first so we can verify their data in our system. Please email terryjames.library@ugdsb.on.ca
Media Centre Requests: The Media Centre is now open to receiving requests for printing, laminating, etc. via our new Google Form. You may also email media.centre@ugdsb.on.ca for troubleshooting support.
Lost or Damaged Items: We have eliminated our replacement fines for damaged/lost items - this reflects our commitment to making the TJRC's services and resources equitable and accessible to all staff across the board.
Supporting Documentation for Sensitive material: Novel sets loaned out from the TJRC will now be accompanied by documentation to help educators teach texts with potentially triggering content - this initiative has been developed in collaboration with the EDI team and support from superintendents.
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