Always Fun at Finney!

Last week, I was so excited to be invited to visit the Grade 5s at Constable Finney School! They had read No TV? No Fair! and had worked hard on projects inspired by the story. They tracked their screen time, and challenged themselves to reduce it, too – to see what it felt like (just like the Lamberts from the book!). Not always easy, but I’m so proud of all the effort (and how cool that a story can affect real life!).

I was telling some of the students that when I wrote No TV? (not all that long ago), smartphones hadn’t become quite as big of a deal they are today. I wonder how the parents and Mark would do with the challenge if it was also focused phones? (I don’t think Chloe in Grade Four would have a phone yet…do you? Maybe I’m wrong!).

Here is a screenshot (taken with my smartphone – ha ha!) of the wonderful charts the students prepared tracking their screen time:

Another pic:

And yet another shot highlighting story-inspired art work. Check out the great character faces and character ‘coat-of-arms’. Isn’t it all awesome? YEAH!:

Speaking of art, students went on to perform a drama based on Chapter Seven of No TV?…”BUSTED”. The acting and narrating was so inspired and delighted us all (I had tears in my eyes from laughter!). There were some great props, too and of course…THE CHICKEN DANCE 😉 I know you worked hard rehearsing, and it was terrific!

Our visit ended with a discussion about the writing process (great questions!) and a reading from Frostbite Hotel (hope you let me know what you think when you read it!). Thank you for inviting me to spend time with you. Keep reading, writing, and…till we meet again!

Karin 🙂