String Games or Cat's Cradle

Spring time or any-time-games include hop scotch, 4-Square, jump rope, marbles and many sports, but have you tried string games such as Cat's Cradle?  Grab yourself some string and try out this fun activity!

Try out the YouTube links below.

If you search YouTube on your own, remember to be mindful of changing side-bar options.  Often what was appropriate one day can be inappropriate another!

(1:56)

(1:08)

Play list by "MomsMinvan"

Bastion Books:

3 Books

Orl Books:

A Question for the SPCA re Off-Leash Dog Safety ...

After reading about and watching the Salmon Arm home page news article

‘Stand like a tree’ is key if you encounter an off-leash dog May 1, 2017 If you or your children ever encounter an off-leash dog – even if it’s one you know from around your neighbourhood, it’s still important to be careful, especially if the dog’s guardians aren’t nearby.

we had some responses and questions: "I get stand like a tree, but the "be a log" sounds scary."

After much discussion we decided to contact the SPCA.

Ms. M-A wrote them May 10th, 2017:
A recent news item on the SPCA Salmon Arm home page re how to act when around threatening dogs teaches one to "stand like a tree" and also at times to lie down on the ground and cover your neck with your hands, "be a log."  Staff teachers & k-5 students want to know more about "being a log" as many feel scared about lying down on the ground when a potentially aggressive dog is nearby.  
Thanks, from the teacher-librarian, staff and students at Bastion Elementary, Salmon Arm.  We look forward to hearing and learning from "the experts."

Dear blog readers, we'll keep you posted to our answer ...

A poem to close with:

A Pet

A pet is a cuddly little thing,
Joy and laughter it will bring.
If your pet has way too much fur,
Expect it to bark or maybe just purr.

A pet could become a very close friend,
Treat it nice, lots of love it shall send.
It has the potential to cheer you up,
Right from the start, just like a pup.

Pets are wonderful, they're all unique,
They understand you, make sure you speak.
Don't forget to love them dearly,
They'll love you back, lots and sincerely.

by AnitaPoems.com

May is Be Kind to Animals Month, SPCA / Le Mois De Mai Est Sois Gentil Avec Les Animaux, SPCA

Click the image for more information, or the pages link top of this page.

Winners of BC's Red Cedar, Young Reader's Choice Award, 2017

RED CEDAR, 2016-17

Red Cedar participants (students grades 4-7) voted for their fav nonfiction and fiction recently and on May 6, 2017, at the Red Cedar Gala, the winners were announced:

NONFICTION WINNER

Animal Hospital: Rescuing Urban Wildlife

​Julia Coey’s Animal Hospital: Rescuing Urban Wildlife covers the easily overlooked world of wildlife rehabilitation efforts around the world.  Coey focuses on city animals such as birds, squirrels, raccoons, and skunks that have been injured or orphaned, often because of human interference. Unlike zoos or wildlife sanctuaries that are long-term animal homes, the goal of wildlife rehabilitation is to help nurse animals back to health before releasing them back into the wild.  The book starts with an introduction to understanding wildlife rehabilitation and its importance before we see these rehabilitation efforts in action through the eyes of the Toronto Wildlife Centre whose hotline fields tens of thousands of calls every year.

The book is filled with striking, full colour photos that filled my heart with love (a pile of baby raccoons) and heartache (a poor helpless skunk whose head got trapped in a plastic dessert lid-– but don’t worry, he was saved!).  It was inspiring to read about these champions of nature and learn new wildlife facts. Did you know 20% of the time squirrels are just sneakily pretending to bury nuts to trick other squirrels or birds who might be watching?  Animal Hospital was a fascinating and enlightening read that’s definitely worth picking up!

-Reviewed by Jamie Fong

FICTION WINNER

The Blackthorn Key

The Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands

Until he got that cryptic warning, Christopher Rowe was happy, learning how to solve complex codes and puzzles and creating powerful medicines, potions, and weapons as an apprentice to Master Benedict Blackthorn—with maybe an explosion or two along the way.

But when a mysterious cult begins to prey on London’s apothecaries, the trail of murders grows closer and closer to Blackthorn’s shop. With time running out, Christopher must use every skill he’s learned to discover the key to a terrible secret with the power to tear the world apart.

NEXT YEAR ...

Follow Red Cedar on Twitter @RedCedarAward; new titles at #redcedar2018

A Unicorn Poem for You by Lily, Grade 2

Lily composed a poem for us about one of her favourite items in life - unicorns.  Enjoy.

Thank you Lily.