Shellbrook Library Celebrates Family Literacy Day

Shellbrook Library is celebrating Family Literacy Day by hosting a presentation on teaching preschoolers to read. The presentation by Nancy Carswell is on Thursday January 27th at 7:00 pm. Carswell will share her experiences with Bev Jaremko's (Smith) Anchors and Sails reading program.

The honorary chair of Family Literacy Day is famous Canadian children's author Robert Munsch. He knows the importance of literacy and numeracy to success. Jaremko knows how important it is as well. As a teacher, she had high school students who had become very adept at hiding their inability to read. As a parent, Jaremko decided to teacher her own children to read before they started school. After a futile search for a method, she developed her own logical and fun way of teaching preschoolers to read.

Carswell explains, "The Anchors and Sails reading method teaches letter sounds rather than letter names. Really, when you think about it the letter name "h" is not used for reading; it is the letter sound "huh". Preschoolers are eager learners especially when it means one-on-one time with a caring person. The method is very well thought out. The method begins with only lower case. After introducing seven consonants and a vowel, children can read words like sat, hat, and mat. It is also very visual with a poem to help reinforce the connection between the letter sound and its mnemonic. One of the lines is 'muh is for mittens'."

Carswell's son learned to read with the program and Carswell is now using it for her grandson. She finds the method easy to use with the toughest thing being to remember to use the letter sound instead of the name. She finds it enjoyable as there are many opportunities each day to encourage literacy. "This method makes sense and with a small investment of time we can give our preschoolers the gift of literacy."

There will be time for discussion after the presentation. Alphabet refreshments will be served.

Give the Gift of Literacy to Preschoolers

Nancy Carswell will share her experiences with Bev Jaremko's Anchors and Sails Preschool Reading Program.

Date: Family Literacy Day Thurs Jan 27
Time: 7 pm
Place: Shellbrook Library

huh is for house
muh is for mittens
puh pretty flower
suh snake is bitten

Reading and Writing in the New Year

Creative Writing Workshop participants Alanna Carswell and Marj Bradley are deeply engaged in a timed writing exercise. Outside the photo, workshop leader Laurie Muirhead keeps an eye on the clock. © Shellbrook Public Library

The New Year started with many people interested in the new e-books available online at the Library. To celebrate Family Literacy day at the end of January the Library will host a presentation on teaching preschoolers to read. The successful Creative Writing Workshop hosted in November has lead to the formation of writer’s support group.

The Library now has e-books and audiobooks accessible online at www.library2go.sk.ca. Using a device or your computer, you download your selection of choice and enjoy it for 7 or 14 days. After that, it expires so there are no overdue fees to worry about. If your selection is not available you can put it on hold. Librarian Alanna Carswell welcomes questions in person or by phone at 747-3419.

On Thursday, January 27th the Library will take part in Family Literacy Day with a presentation by Nancy Carswell on her personal experience with Bev Jaremko’s ‘Anchors and Sails: A Reading Program for Beginners.’ This program just takes minutes a day and is a fun, engaging way to teach your preschooler to read. The presentation will be at the Library at 7:00 pm with alphabet refreshments afterwards.

Laurie Lynn Murihead’s Creative Writing Workshop proved valuable to participants. The timed writing exercises were challenging and the sharing session after each exercise lead to informative discussions about the art and craft of writing. Two noteworthy exercises were a descriptive writing piece including all the senses and writing on a randomly chosen calendar picture. As there was an interest in forming a writing support group, there will be a meeting on Thursday, February 3rd at 7:00 pm at the Library. Anyone who is interested in writing is welcome to this initial meeting when we will discuss goals and if Thursdays are better than Mondays. Please call Alanna at 747-3419 if you are interested and cannot make this first meeting.

Bringing in the New Year at the Library

Librarian Alanna Carswell presenting thank you gifts to Madison and Myranda Lepard for their exciting and interactive Travel Club Night "Russia" presentation on November 19th. © Shellbrook Public Library

The Shellbrook Public Library is having its Calendar Sale and would like to remind Children’s Story Time attendees that we break in January. Some big news for the New Year is that the Library now has access to online e-books and audiobooks.

The Library is again selling calendars for $5. Supplies are limited so hurry in to pick one up for yourself.

Children’s Story Time is breaking for the cold month of January as no one likes being in their own rendition of “Thomas’ Snowsuit.” Story Time will resume on February 4th with the letter and theme: “L is for Librarian.”

If you are a member of the Library and have internet connection on an e-book reader, audiobook device, or computer, you can now borrow items online at www.library2go.sk.ca. Patrons can borrow up to five items at a time for 7 or 14 day periods. If all the copies of a title are checked out, you can place a hold on the title. There are no fees to borrow and no overdue fines as once a loan period has expired, the item expires from your device. More useful information to use this new service can be found at the www.library2go.sk.ca website and Librarian Alanna Carswell is available at 747-3419 to answer questions as well.