Days to celebrate StoryTelling and Poetry

Just out of interest, there are a couple of special days coming up in March which can be used to celebrate reading - along with the oral art form of storytelling. 

March 20th is World Storytelling Day, which started in Sweden in about 1991 and had spread to the rest of the world by about 2004.  It is significant because it is the first global celebration of oral storytelling and has been important in helping to forge links within communities and between generations. 
Each year usually has a theme - in 2016 the theme will be Strong Women and 2017 will be Transformation.

This then slides effortlessly into World Poetry Day on March 21st - which then glides on into April as National Poetry Month, including Poem in your Pocket Day on April 21st. Poetry is best when shared, so find a way to share your favourites.

Year 10 Poetry

Mr Calyun's class have been writing poetry on issues that concern them.  Poem in your Pocket is a part of National Literacy and Numeracy Week, so below is a poem from one of the year 10 student's, who has given permission for us to publish his work on the blog.  Thank you Craig.

GRIEF

I see a person grieving
for some they have lost
Memories are forever
But, dying is the cost. 

Some people pass away
For they have grown so old
Their bodies once so warm
Have now turned to cold.

We should never sit in sorrow
But celebrate their life
Do not cry forever
But think and keep a smile.

 

 

National Literacy & Numeracy Week

The week 25^th to 31^st August is National Literacy and Numeracy Week.
This year’s literacy activities include A Poem in Your Pocket and Read for Australia. The numeracy activity is called Reach for the Stars.

Read for Australia will provide all schools with the chance to participate in a simultaneous reading of the book Sunday Chutney by Aaron Blabey at 2 pm Friday 29 August.

The numeracy activity Reach for the Stars has the theme drinking water. Students will identify, count and measure the sources of water in their community.

Have a look at the websites below for more information and newsletters.

http://www.literacyandnumeracy.gov.au/
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/events/pages/litnumweek.aspx

And, although they have nothing to do with reading - at first glance anyway - two other days that are coming up soon are National Chocolate Day on the 4th September and International Coffee Day on the 29th September.  A nice hot chocolate or cup of coffee with a good book, really, who can ask for more?  Maybe we need some ideas for promoting the Library while celebrating these special days?  Can't be too hard, can it?

Poem in Your Pocket Day

Coming up on the 24th April is 'Poem in your Pocket' Day.  This is a US based day and is part of National Poetry Month but could be something to get students involved with poetry and words, even in a small way.  Check out the link below.

http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/5643

Another festival involving poetry - and Australian this time - is the Ipswich Poetry feast.  The link is below for this one.

http://www.ipswichpoetryfeast.com.au/

The Ipswich Poetry Feast is an initiative of Ipswich City Council, supported by the local community.
Since its humble beginnings in 2003 as a national poetry writing competition, the Ipswich Poetry Feast has grown and evolved to become in important part of Ipswich's cultural identity. The Ipswich Poetry Feast now features an annual international poetry writing competition and other significant literary events aimed at developing, advancing and showcasing poetry and poetry writing skills across all ages.  The competition covers all levels and has prizes to be won, so maybe something our students would be interested in having a go at.

Hoping you all had a nice relaxing time over the mid-semester break and are planning more of the same for the Easter break.  Not sure mine could be called relaxing as I was one of the First Aiders at a Guide Camp for about 100 girls in Alice Springs with very unseasonal pouring rain for most of it.  I am not looking for sympathy however, and the girls had a ball, aside from goanna bites (!) so all was good.

Enjoy your Easter break and make sure you get some of that work/life balance happening.