Page 23 - FIS World Oct 2019 Web

Words of Wisdom
Lessons for life through the Book of the Month
We all remember the classical children’s books, fables and fairy tales of our youth. Not only were we encouraged to read to develop a love of reading, but we were also meant to understand “the moral of the story.” For example, in The Three Billy Goats Gruff we learned that cleverness and courage can help us overcome difficulties, while in The Tortoise and the Hare we discovered that doing things slowly and steadily can be more successful than acting quickly and carelessly.
The Primary School Book Club has been met with unparalleled enthusiasm by children and parents alike.
Gerardine Bodey, FIS Primary School Librarian, un-
derstands innately the role books play in teaching “lessons for life” and sees the benefits of providing a selection of contemporary children’s books that convey important messages to students, parents and colleagues. To this end, the Book of the Month was started in 2014 with six books being chosen
each school year.
The goal was to bring more books into the class-
room and homes, to link topics with Primary Years
Programme (PYP) Learner Profile attributes – thinkers,
communicators, open-minded, principled, risk-tak-
ers, among others – and to build community. When
everyone in the learning community is reading the
The selection process is impressive. Ms. Bodey does the initial research looking for books with timeless messages like the first book of the 2019/2020 school year, My Dog Laughs, which is about appreciation and caring for others. But some of last year’s books also addressed less conventional issues students and families face. Julian is a Mermaid looks at the subject of identity with a boy who wants to be a mermaid; whereas, the topic of suitable and unsuitable internet behavior is described in the story Troll Stinks. What all of the books Ms. Bodey selects have in common are the beautiful illustrations that invite children to and turn the pages for more.
Once an initial 20 books are selected, FIS teachers as well as students in the Grade 1 reading group are asked to select six, which provides them a greater sense of ownership. The response of “the jury” is un- derstandably diverse since the teachers evaluate the message and the children tend to opt for books with colorful pictures and a distinctive fun factor. The final choice falls to Ms. Bodey.
Up to now, her track record has been excellent. The Book of the Month program has been met with unpar- alleled enthusiasm by children and parents alike. As Ms. Bodey observes, this new genre of books, beauti- fully illustrated, and carrying an intentional message
“has succeeded in bringing the community together.”
Vera Thiers
Manager of Marketing and Public Relations
same book, there is a greater impact with animated
by understanding and appreciating our own cultures and personal
histories, and being open to the perspectives, values and traditions of
discussions and more plain old fun.
other individuals and communities. We are accustomed to seeking
and evaluating a range of points of view, and are willing to grow
from the experience.
Several recent Book of the Month cover designs which highlight PYP learner profiles - curiosity, risk-takers,
and inquirers amongst others
A SHARED STORY FOR DISCUSSION & DEVELOPMENT OF PERSONAL ATTITUDES
let’s DEMONSTRATE BEing
this month
by approaching uncertainty with forethought and determination; we work independently and cooperatively to explore new ideas and
innovative strategies. We are resourceful and resilient in the face of challenges and change.
READ - DISCUSS - SHARE - ACT
A SHARED STORY FOR DISCUSSION & DEVELOPMENT OF PERSONAL ATTITUDES
READ - DISCUSS - SHARE - ACT
A SHARED STORY FOR DISCUSSION & DEVELOPMENT OF PERSONAL ATTITUDES
Let’s Demonstrate
KNOWLEDGEABLE, INQUIRERS & THINKERS
READ - DISCUSS - SHARE - ACT
October 2019 FIS World 21
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let’s DEMONSTRATE BEing
Independent
risk-takers,
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enthusiastic,
this month
CURIOSITY, INDEPENDENCE & ENTHUSIASM
while being
RISK TAKERS
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