The Learning Place
 

STORYTIMES

MPL’s storytimes highlight the 5 literacy practices that are the stepping stones to reading success. We'll introduce you and your child to great children’s books and to activities that can be used at home to develop your child’s language and pre-reading skills. 

Our storytimes are planned to be developmentally appropriate for different age groups with stories, songs and activities that match the age and attention span of the children. All storytimes are free and there’s no need to register – just drop in and enjoy!

Storytimes run in 8 week sessions  

Spring Session 2012:         April 9 to May 31

YEAR ROUND FAMILY STORYTIMES

You asked.  We listened.  Family Storytime is now offered year round.  Drop in on Saturdays and weeknights for a fun half-hour of family friendly books, stories, songs and activities. For children of all ages and their parent or caregiver. Free.

                                                   STARTING JANUARY 9, 2012

Battle of the Books:

Battle of the Books is a literacy program partnership of the Canadian Federation of University Women Markham-Unionville and teacher-librarians of the York Region and York Catholic District School Boards in Markham. The aim is to stimulate enjoyment of recreational reading in Grades 4, 5 & 6 by encouraging students to read more widely in authors they already enjoy, and to discover new authors recommended by students, teachers and parents.

Stonebridge PS -  Battle of the Books Winners for 2012

This year’s Battle of the Books competition took place on Tuesday May 1 at Little Rouge P.S. The gym was filled to capacity as 13 schools from Markham and the surrounding area participated in this year's exciting event.  After 21 rounds of play, Stonebridge P.S. battled their way, for the second year in a row, to the gold medal, with Summitview  and Ramerwood, battling it out in a nail biting tie breaker round  for second and third place! 

Each Stonebridge team member received a gift certificate from Chapters, Woodside Square, and each of the three winning teams received books donated by Canadian publishers.

Congratulations to all the Battle of the Books participants!

Adding to the excitement of the evening were the speakers. Hélène Boudreau, a wonderful children’s author and Markham resident,  delighted the audience with her words of encouragement.   In addition, Deborah Jestin, Chair of the Markham Public Library Board, Donna Hayden, president of the Canadian Federation of University Women, Markham-Unionville and Tina Diavolitsis, Vice Principal of Little Rouge all brought greetings to an anxious and very proud audience.

It was a great evening and we look forward to another great Battle in 2013! 

Battle of the Books Information:

Battle of the Books Final Reading List 2012

Battle of the Books Rules 2012

Battle of the Books Registration Form 2012

For more information, please contact:

Jennifer Dias-Stevenson

Children’s Librarian, Markham Village Library

Phone: 905. 513.7977 x 4253

Fax: 905.471.6015

E-mail: jstevenson@markham.library.on.ca

Forest of Reading: Ontario Library Association’s Literacy Initiative

All Ontarians are invited to participate in these seven reading programs via their local public or school library, encouraging people of all ages to develop their love of reading. More than 250,000 readers across Ontario participate each year. The culmination of the program is an amazing two-day awards event called the “Festival of Trees™”, attended by more than 6,500 guests and the nominated authors. 

Programs for children are designed for various age ranges as follows:

Blue Spruce Award: Ages 4-7 years

Silver Birch Award: Ages 7-11 years

Red Maple Award: Ages 11-15 years

Find the winners in the MPL Catalogue!