Term 3 has focused on reading for pleasure and the enjoyment of books. Students are immersed in DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) during library sessions. The literacy focus culminated in Shearwater’s Book Week during Week 7. Primary students enjoyed dressing up as a favourite book character and listening to visiting author, Zanni Louise. 

“I like Zanni Louise because she is funny and explains all of her books. She inspires people. I liked the act!” 

“Zanni Louise was very creative with her activities, and it was fun. The characters were very interesting and our stories really fun to write.”

“I like Zanni Louise because she talked to us (she didn’t just speak) and she has put a picture in my head for when I’m older that I might be a book author!”

One other fun activity included The Great Book Swap which raised funds for The Indigenous Literacy Foundation. Money from our Spring Festival book stall also went toward this very worthwhile literacy organisation. This year $420 was raised! Thank you to our students and the Shearwater community for their support.

Another activity promoting shared reading this term was Read Across the Years. Primary classes had special guest readers from different areas of the School visit to read a picture book. The Primary and Year 7 students particularly enjoyed buddy reading to Preschool classes who visited the library for Book Week. 

Research shows that reading for pleasure and shared reading has educational benefits for academic performance and personal development, as well as:

• reading attainment and writing ability
• text comprehension and grammar
• breadth of vocabulary
• positive reading attitudes
• self-confidence as a reader
• pleasure in reading in later life
• building general knowledge
• understanding of other cultures
• community participation
• developing social and oral skills
• insight into human nature, building empathy and decision-making

Source:  Research evidence on reading for pleasure (pdf, 364KB) — UK Department of Education, Education Standards Research Team, 2012.

Whether at home or school, conversations about books, shared reading and connecting everyday experiences are valued activities (Melor,M., Reading for pleasure and literacy achievement).   

*Reminder for our younger readers in Years 2 to 4 to please bring a waterproof library bag each week for borrowing.

Yvonne Barrett
Shearwater Library
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Local Bookshops – Local Authors

I popped in to The Book Room Collective in Byron Bay this week. What a wonderful bookstore with helpful staff who are very knowledgeable about children’s books. The Library now has some new books that will soon be ready to be borrowed!

I was very excited to also bump into a local author, Sarah Armstrong. Sarah’s new book Big Magic is now published and on the shelves! Sarah was kind enough to sign a copy for the Shearwater Library.  While Sarah has written other books, Big Magic is her first children's book. Have a look at her website to read more about Sarah. The Northern Rivers is home to talented children’s authors and illustrators!

Yvonne Barrett
Shearwater Library

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The Shearwater Library is a hive of activity! Primary classes are immersed in the culture of stories as they listen to and enjoy reading and borrowing during their weekly library sessions. Our Fairy Wrens Preschool class also visited the library recently to listen to stories read by the Class 5 students, who individually selected picture books that would engage the younger children.

This term Classes 3 to 6 are learning about academic honesty, copyright and how to write simple bibliographies, learning in context - I know, I care, I act - to be ethical users of information.
 
New fiction and nonfiction books have arrived! These are based on student suggestions and selected to support the curriculum, with an added  focus this year on building diverse and inclusive voices in the library collection for both Primary School and High School.
 
'There will be times when you walk into a room and no one there is quite like you until the day you begin to share your stories.'
— Jacqueline Woodson, The Day You Begin

Students need to hear and see their own voices and stories in books as well as to be introduced to stories that reflect different perspectives and experiences. Books provide the opportunity to build community and increase our understanding and empathy.
You may like to watch this video by Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop who discusses her 'Mirrors, Windows and Sliding Glass Doors' analogy to highlight the importance of diversity in books, or watch any of the videos by the authors in this article: Why Diverse Books Matter: Mirrors and Windows.

With new books arriving, the library is looking for volunteers to help with covering books. Training and a cuppa will be provided. Please email library@shearwater.nsw.edu.au if you are interested :)

Our Year 6 students are also embracing their community service as library helpers. They are learning how to shelf read (making sure books are in shelf order), help with loans and return books, tidying the library and helping with book displays. It is wonderful to see I know, I care, I act in practice!

Finally, a reminder for our younger readers in Classes 2 to 4 to please bring a waterproof library bag each week for borrowing.

Yvonne Barrett
Shearwater Library

Come adventuring in the library! Our latest display in the library foyer not only features fantastic books about epic adventures but also the boots and photos from one who has climbed to Mt Everest Base Camp, sat with gorillas, met Mother Theresa and backpacked around the world. Yes, Kalyani has done all those things and created a wonderful display to inspire you to read biographies of people who have "been there done that!" There are even bookmarks and booklists to take home and get inspired.