LibraryFor students at Westfield Park Primary School, the library is a place where they can discover new worlds. They are welcome to come in and borrow books, read and research topics using both print and non-print materials.
The Library programs aim to link in with classroom themes or areas of learning wherever possible making the library an extension of the classroom. Reading, listening and research skills are developed during library sessions.
Throughout the year the children will participate in many activities which encourage a love of reading and literature.
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New Resources for Teachers
Book: Tell Me A Picture Quentin Blake Book: Dance For Juniors Jim Hall Books:
Class SetJacaranda Primary Atlas with Interactive CD-Rom Cassettes: Aussie Bites: Rattler's Place
The Strange Adventures of Isador Brown
Whoppers
Hello World it's MeCassettes: Aussie Bites: Monkey Trix
The Sugar-Gum Tree
Hurray Up Alice
GingerBooks available for Aussie Bites in Library Cassette: The Stinking Great Lie - Catherine Jinks Cassette: Sacked! - Rachel Flynn Book: Mix and Match Numbers 1-5 Video: The Opening Ceremony Sydney Olympic Games Video: 16 Days in September Highlights of XXVII Olympiad CD Rom: Eli The Dragonfly with teacher Resource Book and Hand Puppet Book: Using Animals Book: Understanding Science - Lower Primary Video: Auditory Processing Assessment Kit Book: Kid's Talk: Learning Language in Kindergarten Classrooms Books: Australian Aboriginal Culture: Ages 5-6
Ages 7-8
Ages 9-10
Ages 11 plus
New Resources for Students
Books:
Title: Author: My Gran's Different Sue Lawson and Caroline Magerl The Silver Stream Robert Roennfeldt Little Humpty Margaret Wild and Ann James Enough is Enough Scott Willis and Jenna Packer Grandpa's Gate Liliana Stafford Trucks Usborne Beginners Lucy and The Whale Jonathon Harlen Cooper Riley Maureen Edwards The Bugalugs Bum Thief "Aussie Bites" Tim Winton Buzz The Computer Man Jan Weeks Big Burps, Bare Bums and Other Bad-Mannered Blunders Jackie French Horrible Histories - The terrible Tudors Terry Deary Over the Moon Libby Hathorn/Caroline Magerl Danika in the Underworld Ronulfo Percy the Pink Colin West Welcome to The Circus
Circus Animal Acts
Circus Clown ABC
Circus PerformersDenise M. Jordan The Clothesline Caroline May Tashi and the Haunted House Anna Fienberg/Barbara Fienberg Colour Crackers:
Welcome Home, Barney
Rhode Island RoyRose Impey and Shoo Rayner Remember Me? Moya Simons Five Green and Speckled Frogs Priscilla Burris Frog fun for Kindergarten Cleo In The Snow Caroline Mockford The Great Hair Robbery Alan Horsfield/Connah Bregon Horrible Histories:
The Savage Stone AgeTerry Deary To Mum with Love Vivian French/Dana Kubick Steve Parish Story Book:
Little Devils
Wombat's SecretRebecca Johnson/Steve Parish Muddle in a Puddle Belinda Nadin/Lloyd Foye Little Whale's Song Fran Evans Milli, Jack and the Dancing Cat Stephen Michael King
Title: BEAR AND CHOOK Author: Lisa Shanahan Illustrator: Emma Quay Review: This is a delightful book about friendship. Bear has big ideas. Chook always goes along with Bear's plans but things don't always go as planned. The bold, beautiful colours will appear to children, especially the expressive faces of Bear and Chook. It is good for early childhood classes with its exciting storyline and a satisfactory and humorous ending.
Title: LITTLE HUMPTY Author: Margaret Wild Illustrator: Ann James Review: If your students love camels and think they are cute, then this book with its beautiful artwork is for them. The gentle ochre pictures help to create the colour and vastness of the outback. The story tells of Little Humpty growing up and playing with his mother, Big Humpty in the desert. She realises that he will need friends to play with so they go on an adventure to the Great Waterhole. What will Little Humpty find there?
Title: ART FOR WRITING - Creative Ideas to Stimulate Written Activities Author: Joan Chambers and Molly Hood Illustrator: Review: Ideas abound in this book to either stimulate children's writing or their artistic creativity. Many ideas can be used for students at different developmental stages allowing all to achieve positive outcomes.
A variety of topics are covered from using recycled materials, circus scenes, split pictures to using plasticine, repeating patterns and fantasy creatures.
The instructions are easy to follow with materials being readily available in most classrooms. The pictures of the artwork help to interpret the instructions.
So, if you require some ideas on bringing out the writers in your children, then this may be of assistance.
Title: CAPTAIN ME Author: Mark Svendsen Illustrator: David Cox Review: Daniel's imagination allows him to turn his everyday world into a pirate ship. As Captain Me, he follows a treasure map and clues to answer a mysterious question. Captain Kate, his sister, boards his ship and together they play until bedtime. Even in his dreams, Daniel goes exploring to another galaxy.
The illustrations are captivating and children gradually realise the connection between Daniel's everyday world and his imaginary one.
Recommended for lower primary.
Title: ERNIE DANCES THE DIDGERIDOO Author: Alison Lester Illustrator: Review: Ernie travels with his parents to live in Arnhem Land. He writes to his friends throughout the year describing the seasons and activities of his new friends in this different place. The vivid illustrations help to tell the story of the different seasons and cultures in Northern Australia. It is recommended for Aboriginal culture, seasons, visual literacy and the environment. It can also be used for descriptions and letter writing.
Recommended - Lower to Middle Primary.
Title: TIME FOR "TALK" - Resource pack
Sampling and Profiling Standard Australian English in the Early Years of Schooling.Author: Education Department of Western Australia. 1998 Illustrator: Review: This pack has been developed to "provide a developmentally based framework with linked assessment tasks for monitoring students' oral language development in the K-3 range."
It provides for different cultural groups and considers ways in which issues of culture and language affect the child in early years of schooling.
The pack consists ofThe manual provides clear instructions on how to administer the framework and assessments and provides working examples on how to collect and interpret data collected.
- instructional manual
- classroom activities book
- video to be used in conjunction with both books.
The classroom activities provide a springboard for oral language programming. It has sections on social communications, comprehension, content and organisation and linguistic structures.
As a teaching resource it is highly recommended.
(12/10/03)
Title: CHANGING LANDSCAPE - INTEGRATED TEACHING UNITS. Author: Peta 2003 Illustrator: Review: The integrated units of work and teaching suggestions in this book are based around themes Together, Managing Resources, Time and Change. The book deals with real environmental issues in the format of integrated units of work with teaching suggestions and a problem based approach.
The books cater for years 1 - 6 and encourages teachers to develop communities of learning and practice within the classroom. There are teaching suggestions organised into a 4 stage learning sequence ofThis allows students to develop higher order thinking skills, processes and to develop useful social and environmental knowledge.
- Engaging
- Inquirying
- Acting
- Communicating
Society and Environment, English and other learning areas.
Highly Recommended. (29/09/03)
Title: LEAVING Author: Katrina Germein Illustrator: Bronwyn Bancroft Review: Sometimes the simplest gifts are the most treasured, especially when you are leaving a community to which you have belonged. This story tells of parting gifts and the joy and pain they bring when given to you by friends. The words weave an air of sadness and the vibrant illustrations enhance the feelings of friendship and sorrow.
This book can be used for Aboriginal culture, friendship, giving, leaving and visual literacy.
Katrina Germein taught in a remote Aboriginal community in the late 1990's. Bronwyn Bancroft is a descendant of the Bunjalung people.
Published by Penguin
Title: DAISY-ALL-SORTS Author: Pamela Allen Illustrator: Review: Delightful illustrations tell the story of Stanley and his dog, Daisy. When Stanley rides to Stella's place, she gives Daisy three liquorice all-sorts. Daisy tries to get Stella to give her some more by dancing, begging and singing. Eventually, Stanley has to carry Daisy home as she refuses to go. Next day, Stella gives Stanley the liquorice all-sorts and Daisy happily follows Stanley home.
Published by Penguin 2002
Recommended - Early Childhood
Title: WALKING THE BOUNDARIES Author: Jackie French Illustrator: Bronwyn Bancroft Review: All Martin had to do was to walk the boundaries of his great grandfather's property and it would be his. He would sell it and be rich!
However, his journey turns out to be a travel back in time. He is rescued from floods by Meg and saved by Wullamudulla from bushfires. With his new friends, Martin learns about the influence of humans on the environment as well as on different cultures.
This book takes the reader into different time periods in Australia's history. It gives a glimpse of how the land used to be and how people adapted to their environment.
This book can be used for environmental and cultural studies. It is recommended for independent readers.
Title: INVESTIGATING FRESHWATER - a RESOURCE BOOK OF IDEAS FOR NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK 2003 Author: Australian Science Teachers Association 2003 Illustrator: Review: Water management has far reaching consequences in today's world. This book addresses issues from "What is freshwater?", the reliability of freshwater to uses of freshwater in urban, rural and industrial settings. It provides the science behind these issues, questions to research and activities in which to engage the students. Further information and resources complete each section. This book will assist in any planning connected with water.
Recommended for upper primary.
Title: TEACHING TOLERANCE THROUGH LITERATURE Published: Intechnics Pty. Ltd. 1995 Illustrator: Review: This resource provides the teacher with books which can be used to explore tolerance of differences, respect for different personal qualities, appreciation of the importance of families, caring for those less fortunate than ourselves and other values which are important in everyday life. It gives a synopsis of the book, learning outcomes, teaching strategies, discussion points and activities. There is an extension section and suggested further readings. Blackline masters are given for some of the activities.
It covers from lower to upper primary and includes authors such as Mem Fox, Janet McLean, Sally Morgan, Gillian Rubinstein and Morris Gleitzman.
A good resource to assist with planning for reading, literature circles, health and cored shared values.
Title: NIPS XI Published: Ruth Starke 2000 Illustrator: Review: For a change with multicultural week, Lan would like to celebrate sameness, not being different or diverse. He has Vietnamese food everyday, hears the language every day, and lives with the different culture. He does not want to be known as the multi-cultural kid. He wants to be an Aussie.
When he tells the headmaster, Mr. Drummond, that he has a big idea for the school's multicultural day, Lan has to come up with an event. His idea of a cricket match soon becomes popular. His team members come from different cultural backgrounds, the coach is a forgotten test player and the competition is an elitist team from a posh, private school.
With the formation of the NIPS XI team bridges are developed between the boys, the school and local communities.
A great book to study cultural diversity, friendship, racism, self-esteem and food.
Recommended for independent readers.
The Christmas spirit has arrived at
Westfield Park Primary School Library
Title: A Visit to Fairy Land Author: Shirley Barber Illustrator: Shirley Barber Review:
- Laura and Danny go to the bottom of the old willow tree and then all the fairies come out and greet them.
- The story is set below the willow tree and with a green door where the fairies come.
- Laura is a nine year old and Danny is five years old. They have a very nice adventure.
- I like Laura because you can trust her and she is very kind.
- The best part of the story was when Laura and Danny went to the fairy castle where they have their ball! It was nice and glittery.
- I think Shirley Barber wrote the story because she might have been having a dream and the next day when she woke up she started doing her rough copy.
- I would give this story a 9 out of 10 because it is good for the children.
Review by: Tegan Year Level: 5
Title: The Clumsy Elephant Author: Gill Guile Illustrator: Gill Guile Review:
- The story is about a lonely unhappy elephant that was very clumsy in the jumgle.
- The story is set in the African jumgle.
- An elephant, monkey, tiger, snake and crocodile all come to trouble when the elephant comes near them.
- I like the monkey because he helped the elephant in the end.
- The best part of the story was when the elephent got his glasses and could see.
- I think the author wrote the story because things happen for a reason. If people help people then things can get better quicker sometimes.
- I would give this story a 7 out of 10 because all the animals help each other.
Review by: Aimee Year Level: 5
Title: Cottonwood Camp Author: Wendy Elks Illustrator: Wendy Elks Review:
- The story is about a horse and his owners name is Simon and Sahar. The horse's name is Merlon.
- The story is set on a farm on Merry Way and the horse loves his home but he doesn't want to leave.
- The characters are Sahar, Simon, Jack, Tommy, Dad and Merlon.
- I like Sahar because she had faith in her horse Merlon.
- The best part of the story was when Merlon had to leave his home because they had a holiday at their Mum's Nan's house but Merlon didn't.
- I think the author wrote the story so people could maybe learn more about horses.
- I would give this story a 9 out of 10 because I thought it was good.
Review by: Tegan Year Level: 5
Title: Singenpoo Shoots Through Author: Paul Jennings Illustrator: Review:
- Singenpoo goes to a circus and reads for an act. Singenpoo can really read but the boss doesn't believe it.
- The story is set in a circus in today's world.
- The characters are weird and all very different.
- I like Singenpoo because she is interesting.
- The best part of the story was where Singenpoo weeed on the road to show Scott where to go.
- I think the author wrote the story because he loves cats and pets.
- I would give this story a 10 out of 10 because I thought it was very interesting.
Review by: Justine Year Level: 4
Title: The Jolly Christmas Postman Author: Janet and Allan Ahlberg Illustrator: Review:
- It was Christmas and the Postmas had to give everyone their mail for Christmas.
- The story is set at Christmas Eve.
- The characters are Postman, Baby Bear, R. Hood, H. Dumpty, GingerBread Boy, Mister Wolf and Santa.
- The best part of the story was all of it.
- I would give this story a 10 out of 10 because I thought it was a good book.
Review by: Courtney Year Level: 4
Title: Franklin's Secret Club Author: Paulette Bougeois Illustrator: Brenda Clark Review:
- The story is about the Secret Club Franklin had and he leaves out his friends and at the end they join the Clubs together.
- The story is set on a sunny day at the park.
- The characters are Franklin, a turtle, Bear, Snail, Rabbit, Beaver and Fox.
- I like Franklin because he is funny.
- The best part of the story was when they say Franklin could count by 2s and tie his shoes.
- I think the author wrote the story to use different characters.
- I would give this story a 9 out of 10 because I thought the author used different characters.
Review by: Kaytlin Year Level: 4
Title: I Spy Spooky Night Author: Jean Marzollo/Walter Wick Illustrator: Review:
- The story is about a spooky place and you have to find one thing they have put in the picture.
- The story is set in a spooky house at night and it's creepy.
- The characters are bats and skeletons.
- The best part of the story was where it gets hard.
- I think the author wrote the story because maybe they wanted to write a puzzle.
- I would give this story a 9 out of 10 because I thought it was a bit easy..
Review by: Nathan Year Level: 4
Title: Tashi and the Haunted House Author: Anna Fienberg Illustrator: Review:
- Tashi saw a light in the window of the very spooky haunted house and very slowly walked into the door of the haunted house. He saw two strangers - they made Tashi race around the village.
- The story is set in a haunted house, school house, village and kitchen.
- The characters are Tashi, Bu Li, Uncle Joe, Jack, Lotus Blossom, Ning Jing and Primrose.
- The best part of the story was when Tashi had to run the big race.
- I would give this story a 10 out of 10..
Review by: Tamara Year Level: 4
Title: Fearless Fiona and the Mystery of the Great Stone Haggis Author: Karen Wallace Illustrator: Judy Brown Review:
- A reporter named Fearless Fiona Metalpress is a star reporter and works at a place called Daily Screamer. Fiona has to find out what is going on at a place called Tartan Traveller Hotel because she needs a story for her dad.
- The story is set in the Tartan Traveller Hotel.
- The characters are Deadline Metalpress is dad and he likes everything done on time. Mrs Metalpress is mum who gets angry when something gets taken away from her. Fearless Fiona Metalpress is a daughter who is the reporter.
- I like Fearless Fiona because she is funny and weird.
- The best part of the story was at the beginning when the Dad says Fiona was born with a notebook in her hand with a pencil.
- I think the author wrote the story because there is a moral to the story. The moral is just because you're small you can make a difference.
- I would give this story a 10 out of 10 because it is a good book and it would be one of the top ten books I would read.
Review by: Paige Year Level: 4
LIBRARY IS OPEN AT THE FOLLOWING TIMES: MONDAY - FRIDAY 8.30am - 3.30pm MONDAY LUNCH TIME THURSDAY THURSDAY STORY TELLING for the lower school. Stories are read by Yr 7 students.
