Just for Starters: Bits and Pieces

Welcome back ...

Hello again, and, while I am having trouble keeping up with the speed of September, it was fabulous to see everyone back and keen to go. I have lots for you to read in the blog if you check the archives back through the summer, but I am not pushing this as I am fearful you will be overwhelmed. For those with some fortitude for professional development immersion, do read some of it. In fact, much of it will re-appear in an edited version in the next issue of The Bookmark.

Welcome Maryann to TL "blogworld" ... you will see the link in the left-hand sidebar to both Maryann's NeedtoKnow and to Meredyth Kezar's LateLiteracy blogs. The MKs should not be confused ... but have wonderful blogs.

From Meredyth Kezar:

[Here is] a neat contest with lots of possiblities [for rookie writers] - For more information on the Writers' Festival check here!


From Alan Zisman:

If you're a Google Earth user (and you should be!) check out the online article: 10 Great Google Earth Add-ons

Here's what Alan says about his favourite add-on: Content in Google Earth doesn't always have to focus on in-the-present information -- it often allows users to do a little time traveling too. David Rumsey, a renowned cartographer, has amassed a collection of over 150,000 historical maps, 120 of which he has used to create a fascinating layer of maps that shows how the world looked between 1680 and 1930. The highlight is the world globe from 1790, which demonstrates how dramatically the borders have shifted for many countries, especially in prewar Europe and the Middle East. (Toggle Earth's default Primary Database layers to get a better view.)

Alan also sends this along: SKYGUY - Do you or your kids have questions about space or astronomy? Ask the SkyGuy! Tom Vilot from Boulder Colorado has created a very cool site that present answers to astronomy questions in high-quality, entertaining short videos. So if you've been wondering... Why are galaxies shaped like a swirl? What is a solstice? Or how many stars are out there?

Awesome Stories - September Issue

Calendar:

A very few TLs still need to come for Updating ... our last session to be held after school here at the VSB on September 17.

Sept 8: International Literacy Day (UNESCO) -- this date never works with school start-up but you will be receiving A World of Stories book by blue box soon; this is a book that addresses goals for global literacy. Be sure to highlight this wonderful resource with your staff.

Sept 15: VTLA Exec Meeting, Gladstone

Sept 19: Talk Like a Pirate Day

Sept 22: VTLA AGM, Hamber Library 4 pm

Wed Sept 24 CanWest Raise-a-Reader Day

Sept 28: Word on the Street , Library Square, 11 am to 5 pm

October is International School Library Month

Oct 5: BC Coalition for School Libraries/CWILL BC author presentation called "Autumn Harvest" will be held on Sunday, from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Central branch of the VPL in the Alice MacKay room (lower level). Admission is free.

Oct 21-26: Writers' Festival -- A World of Words

Oct 24: BCTLA Conference in Victoria -- Mission: Literacy

Oct 25: Vancouver Children's Literature Roundtable Annual Illustrators Breakfast -- Shaun Tan (The Arrival) at the University Golf Club

Oct 27: We are working on a province-wide DEAR ("Stop...Drop...Read" or Drop Everything and Read) to celebrate International / National School Library Day. Suggested time: 11 to 11:20 am

Nov 5,6: Multi-Vendor Display and Update Sessions

Nov 12: YA and Children's author Kathy Stinson plus BC authors & illustrators presenting their new children’s books in a Vancouver Children's Literature Roundtable evening event at Hycroft Mansion

Nov 15 -22: TD Canadian Children’s Book Week

February: Serendipity (details to follow)

Feb 20: Faces of Technology Day, Magee

Feb 22 – 28: Freedom to Read Week

Wed Mar 5: World Math Day

Have a great weekend, everyone.