Announcements
Online Links Library Update
by Pippa Davies
As spring approaches a little earlier than expected, it is time to head out into the garden, and start 
turning the soil over. Shake off all those winter cobwebs and too much TV watching, and head outdoors! I have compiled some spring teaching activities, including gardening, Easter, Poetry and some Career and Health activities. April is poetry month, so please encourage your students to become excited about reading and writing poetry!
SCIENCE
SPRING ANIMALS AND INSECTS.
Butterflies North and South- Explore the world of butterflies with this Virtual Museum of Canada site, and learn more about the butterfly life cycle, and how to grow a butterfly garden.
http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/Butterflies/english/
Celebrate Eric Carle and learn about caterpillars with The Hungry Caterpillar activities for early grades. 
The booklet includes enrichment activities in science, math, and spelling; a create-your-own mobile pattern; and ideas for holding a caterpillar-themed party in your classroom -- just in time to celebrate The Very Hungry Caterpillar Day on March 20
http://www.teachervision.fen.com/childrens-book/printable/61358.html?detoured=1
POLLINATORS – BUSY DOING WHAT?
http://tv.hww.ca/video/watch/1
Awesome video on pollinators with links to the Bumble Bee profile. From Hinterland Who’s Who?
GARDENING
http://www.kidsgardening.org/
Gardening resources for families and teachers, including a
Teacher's Resource Room. Articles and ideas for activities, safety, indoor and outdoor 
growing tips, choosing plants, etc.
BOOK OF STUFF TO DO OUTSIDE
http://www.discovertheforest.org/what.html
Print off the PDF booklet for your students to enjoy leaf rubbings, compass orientation, matching animal tracks and making animal sounds. Primary grades. From discovertheforest.org.
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HOLIDAYS
ST PATRICK”S DAY
http://www.theholidayzone.com/stpat/stread.html
Students will read a short passage on the history of St. Patrick's Day, and then answer the questions and complete vocabulary sentences in this printable for middle school. Middle grades.
ST PATRICK’S DAY
http://www.theholidayspot.com/patrick/
Learn about the history of this famous Irish Saint and do some Irish cooking and baking for your kids as they celebrate St. Patricks’ Day on March 17. From theholidayspot.com
EASTER
Easter Calendar
http://www.reep.org/resources/easter/2003/
Click on the panels of this beautiful stained glass window, to learn about the Easter events that they depict. Culham Institute 2003.
THEY CALL IT EASTER- A STORY OF
http://www.refuel.org.uk/projects/easter/index.html
Various Web art galleries are used to stimulate discussion, about the events that form the Easter story. Culham College Institute 1998
SPECIAL DAYS –EASTER
http://www.lovetolearnplace.com/SpecialDays/Easter/index.html
Love to Learn Place (Christian website) teaching activities related to Easter.
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POETRY
Head outdoors to appreciate God’s beauty in nature, and when inspired put pen to paper!
A DIGITAL HISTORY OF CANADIAN POETS
http://www.youngpoets.ca/ezine/?q=digital_history_of_canadian_poetry_0
This history of Canadian poetry begins pre-European contact. Starting with Inuit oral poetry, this extensive history looks at the confederation years, through to the 20th century
TIMELINE OF POETRY
http://rpo.library.utoronto.ca/timeline/
This Canadian site provides a date outline of the development of English poetry from 449 to present day
http://www.everydayteaching.com/Teach_Files/Poetry.html
Try the Poetry Teaching Files for a wealth of resources to use across all grades this April, to celebrate National Poetry Month in your classroom. From Everydayteaching.com
http://edsitement.neh.gov/tab_lesson.asp?subjectArea=4&subcategory=45
POETRY FOR KIDS
http://www.youngpoets.ca/
Young Poets is a project of The League of Canadian Poets, Canada's professional poetry organization, offering teaching tools, and promoting poetry writing in young Canadians.
CHILDREN”S POETRY ARCHIVE
http://www.poetryarchive.org/childrensarchive/home.do
Listen to poets read aloud for children of all ages.
Different forms and themes of poetry are covered in this international site.
SHEL SIVERSTEIN
http://www.shelsilverstein.com/indexSite.html
Discover this famous poet who will get your younger students laughing at his funny poems on his site.
POEMS TO WATCH AND HEAR
http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/poetry/rca/index.shtml
Listen to poets recite their poems and learn about word play, leaf poems and animated poetry. High school appropriate. From BBC
YOUNG WRITERS OF CANADA
http://www.youngwritersofcanada.ca/index.htm
Do you think your writing is good enough to be published? If so connect with this website Young Writers of Canada to learn more, about poetry and creative writing contests.
CAREER AND HEALTH
http://www.2learn.ca/specialedition/fireprevention/fireprevention.asp
This list of fire safety links from 2learn.ca covers the emergency preparation outcomes for career and planning primary grades.
Piracy PLayground
http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/games/privacy_playground/index.cfm
Learn about marketing ploys, spam and how to protect oneself on the Internet with this game from Media Awareness Network. Grades 1-6
FEELINGS
http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/education/health/feelings/flash/index.shtml?swf=base
Students learn how to express their feelings watching this BBC video clip. Early grades.
CRITICAL THINKING GAME
http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/special_initiatives/games/allies_aliens/flash/Start.html
Allies and Aliens
This online activity tests students’ ability to recognize bias, prejudice and hate propaganda on the Internet, and in other media. Media Awareness Network.
STRESS
http://www.bam.gov/sub_yourlife/yourlife_gotbutterflies_game.html
Got Butterflies? Tongue-Tied? Pounding Headache? Learn what short-term and long-term stress does to your body and how to cope with it through this interactive feature!
Have a wonderful spring break! Happy reading