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TL 16.31.indd 22 Ontario School Library Association ID EA F IL E ensure a that a wide range of books will be represented in sets of books used with each class. This strategy gives students a reason to actually look at the books and practice techniques for previewing and skimming (rather than just glancing at titles). Most students seem to like the social activity as they work together at the tables. Although skimming seldom yields a definitive critical assessment of a novel, students are exposed to a wide selection of books and do not have to spend a long time listening to one person and they can take a closer look at things that catch their interest at the end of the session. This activity gives students practice speaking and listening and it is a good way to get new books into circulation and to remind people about books that have been popular in the past. Derrick Grose, Teacher-Librarian Lisgar Collegiate Institute Ottawa District School Board One of the ideas I have used for introducing novels to students is a little activity I call "Leading Lines." I choose books with exciting opening lines and write them out on chart paper or type them onto a worksheet. I then put a picture of the cover of each book on the worksheet or hold up the book cover for the students to see. Students then have to try and match up the leading line to the book cover. It generates a fair amount of excitement for the books I have chosen. It's also a great way to introduce books for a literature circle. Here are a couple of examples: ◆ "The first time I seen her, I got a bad feeling inside. Not like I was in danger or nothing. Just like she was somebody I should stay clear of. To tell the truth, she was a freak like me. The kind of person folks can't help but tease. That's bad if you're a kid like me. It's worse for a new teacher like her." The Skin I'm In by Sharon Flake ◆ "Nearly two months before I found the body in the park, David Mitchell came to my school." Not a Trace by Norah McClintock ◆ "The early summer sky was the color of cat vomit." Uglies by Scott Westerfeld ◆ "Someone was following him. He was sure of it. Bare feet following in time to his steps and stopping just after he did." The Third Eye by Mahtab Narsimhan Julie Millan, Teacher-Librarian John Wanless Public School Toronto District School Board Central Commerce Collegiate (CCC) makes use of what is called a "TEL school conference." TEL is an acronym for "Toronto Education Link," the Toronto District School Board's in-house academic communication and collaboration system based on First Class communication software, which is quite popular among many school boards around the world. The TEL School conference is an in-house "paperless" communication environment. CCC has a number of sub-conferences within its TEL school conference, one of which is called "Library News." This is where "New in the Library," our lists of newly received items, is published. Each list may be divided into Fiction/Non-Fiction or separated into curriculum areas. By putting this into our TEL school conference, all members of our school community are able to find information on what has been added to the collection, and can, if so desired, print off a copy for posting in the classroom. This means of communication enhances library usage and facilitates the easy sharing of information within the school. Shanie Mangulins, Library Secretary Central Commerce Collegiate Toronto District School Board At our school, we have borrowed and developed these ideas: ◆ Place novel series (always very popular) in small bins and label them to encourage enthusiasm, sequential reading and sharing through discussion with other students hovering around the same novel set. ◆ Prepare PowerPoint presentations on the author by linking with his or her website and discussing other books by that author to build anticipation for the new arrival. Students will run to use a computer to engage with literature, then turn to the hard copy after they cross the bridge between technology and paper version. ◆ Upload a print version of the book onto a computer reader such as Kurzweil and present the first page on an interactive screen such as a SMART Board, asking the students to mark new vocabulary, characters, plot highlights, setting, and any number of features - students with reading difficulties are then able to use Kurzweil to enjoy the book as they and the software program read together. ◆ "Sing" the first page to younger students, clap the rhythm of the text, and appeal to another of the multiple intelligences. Martha Morris Hillcrest Public School Simcoe County District School Board One effective method of introducing new novels that I have used is a Preview Program. As part of a Partner