MS Media Center

The November/December movie feature: “Wayside School” was based on the books by Louis Sachar. An interesting school where the classrooms are perched precariously above each other, and the students have some very peculiar characteristics. The school faculty members are even crazier, and there are many zany antics in this short film.

The January movie was: “Legend of the Guardians – the Owls of Ga’Hoole”. This film is the first in a series based on the multi-volume set “Guardians of Ga’Hoole” by Kathryn Lasky. A feature fil filled with animated talking owls, who inhabit a kingdom of exciting lands where many adventures take place.

A highly contested lunch time full of fun and games. Teachers, staff and students compete in a variety of physical challenges to win the title of Bearcat Olympian. A close match, but the faculty team were the winners. Congratulations to everyone who participated.

A fun filled lunch activity. Students formed teams to answer questions in three categories: General Knowledge, Book Knowledge and Olympic Knowledge. The book round was clearly a popular area of expertise amongst these competitors.

The Middle School Media Center is going sport crazy as we celebrate Book Week 2011-12 with an Olympic theme, and an Olympic sized program of activities.  There are all sorts of activities taking place throughout the week to suit all ages, abilities and interests.  

Daily Events include:

Trivia Question of the Day: this is open to each grade level, 5-8 and the person with the winning entry will receive a prize.

Individual Challenges: become a Book Olympian by completing one of the challenges: Triathlon Superstar, Boxing Legend, Gymnastic Champion, Decathlon Winner or Archer Extraordinaire.

Annual Creative Writing Competition: pick up the competition entry form and write a 300 word short story or poem based on the image.

Each grade level, 5-8, and Adults (faculty, staff and parents) will win a significant book prize and winning entries will be published in the Yearbook: Salinlahi.

Books on Display: come and see which books are on the Bearcat Shortlist this year. There is also a display of sport and Olympic fiction and non-fiction titles.

Lunchtime Team Events:

Tuesday Trivia Team Challenge: three rounds of ten questions for teams of up to eight.

Thursday Olympic Relay Race: teams of eight people will compete in physical challenges in the MSMC.

Be sure to get involved and have the chance to win prizes daily.

Want to see your own design on the front or back cover of the Middle School Yearbook?

Collect an entry form at the MSMC and start taking photos. We are looking for an image related to ISM that reflects friendship and cooperation.

The guidelines are listed here:

Þ Landscape, letter sized paper.

Þ No margins needed.

Þ Full color photography. Use your own photo/s of ISM and original design.

Þ Theme: Friendship & Cooperation

Þ Include the following headings:

    Salinlahi, 2011-12. 

    Middle  School Yearbook.                            

    International School Manila.

Þ Leave a small circle for the school logo to be placed.

Þ Collect an entry form at the MSMC. Attach it to the back of your design and submit it in the MSMC.

 Be in it to win it!! Good luck.

Due date: Friday January 13th.

During the week November 21-24 the PTA Book Fair is open in the FAT lobby. The boks are supplied by National Book Store and there is a wide selection of titles available, all at 10% discount. The Media Center Librarians each gave a lists of popular titles, authors and series. Many of these have been made available.

Top new books available for Middle School students:

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever by Jeff Kinney. 

Inheritance by Christopher Paolini.

Return to the Homework Machine by Dan Gutman.

Ten by Lauren Myracle.

The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson.

Goliath by Scott Westerfeld.

The MSMC is also pleased to announce that the Daily Trivia Question is back. Visit the library and enter the competition. Each day a winner will be picked from each grade level. Be sure to have a go for your chance to win a Gift Certificate from National Book Store.

Grade 7 students working on the Social Studies Assignment will find a complete list of resources organized by topic.

Click on each title to see the Citation List for your topic:

Age of Enlightenment

Age of Exploration

Ancient Mayan & Aztec

Digital Age

Scientific Revolution

The Renaissance

Click here: NoodleTools – Step by Step Guide to open the NoodleTools Step by Step Guide. The first page explains how to login to the program. Please note the school username and password have been deleted from this page as this can be seen publicly. To view these open to the ISM website and login. Expand the “Media Center and other Online Services” heading and when you hover over the program you want you will see the username and password.

To start a new project follow page two of the guide. Screenshots have been included to assist you to follow the steps. To enter a resource into the Bibliography follow the instructions on page three.

Pages four and five have detailed instructions and examples of how to create a Notecard. The first time it seems like a lot of work, but the more you use it, the easier it will become.

Good luck with your project!

If you need more help at any time come to the MSMC and see Ms. Stewart.

I am pleased to announce that the MSMC will be showing the “City of Ember” this week at lunch time. The book by Jeanne DuPrau is the first in a series of four. The story is set in a dystopian world where the generator that provides light, heat and power to the city is failing. As citizens turn 12 years old they are given their occupation. Who can save this dying city? How will the people of Sparks survive? The movie starts at 12.45, October 17th in the MSMC.

I have just finished reading a bok called ‘Divergent’ by Veronica Roth and have been absolutely blown away. If you have enjoyed reading the Hunger Games Trilogy, The Giver Trilogy and the Declaration Trilogy, then I think this will appeal.

Divergent is set in a world with five different factions. These towns are based on personality traits/characteristics and include: honesty, bravery, selflessness, intelligence and peace. When Beatrice turns 16 she will be forced to choose where she will live. Factions are more important than family in this society.

Divergent will make you question the structure of our own society and leave you wondering where you would choose to live. I do hope there will be a sequel as I am left wanting more.

This book is available in the Middle School Media Center. Reserve your copy now!