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CIS Secondary Library: 2021 Summer Reading

CIS Secondary Library: Making the Virtual Visible

                      60 Minutes a Day                      

Through the years, students hear my repeated mantra that "When it comes to pleasure reading, read everything and anything you want." There are no "must reads" when it comes to reading purely for pleasure. As long as we are invested in books, then all is well with the world. 
Certainly, there are the "must reads" in our lives (such as instructional materials), but over the summer, students should choose what they enjoy and read what they choose.
During the school year, we expect students to read 30 minutes each day, but for the summer, I challenge our readers to bump their daily reading to sixty minutes a day (by the way, that doesn't mean 180 minutes every three days). Read for sixty minutes every day, and then get on with the other summer activities you have planned.
If you are not sure what to read, here are some lists and resources to consider:

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            2021 Summer Reading Activity            

A pleasant way to conclude a summer of reading is by making a video book trailer.
Book trailers are short videos (around 2 minutes long) that advertise a book, give a sense of the plot and tension of the story, but do so without any spoilers.
So, the added challenge to you is to make a book trailer for your favorite summer book. You could choose to shoot your video with friends and make a live action interpretation. You could, instead, choose to animate something. Or you might choose to create some digital art along with key passages from the text.
The whole idea is for you to share a book that captured you imagination and then see if you can "sell" it to other readers.
Once you have made a trailer, send your trailer YouTube link to Mr. Anderson via school email, and he will embed the video below for all to see.
Here are a few official book trailer examples to consider for inspiration:

OverDrive

Download Sora to borrow and read now!


Sora provides the quickest and easiest way to get started with digital titles from our school. Students can simply log in using school credentials and instantly access hundreds of eBooks and audiobooks on virtually any device.

Step 1

The Sora app is available for iPhone/iPad or Android™. ​Install Sora and begin reading!

Step 2

After downloading the app, find "Chinese International School" as your library. 

Step 3

Sign in using your school username and password. Browse and borrow as you please!

Policies and Privileges

It is your responsibility to bring your school ID card each day.

 

Students, you must use your school ID cards for access to all services provided in the Library. All items to check out include print materials and equipment such as E-readers; you must have your ID to do so.  You can also use your student ID card for photocopying and printing. 

 

Beyond that simple statement, it gets even easier:

  • Respect your Library space   
  • Respect other students in your Library   
  • Respect everything and everyone in your Library

Secondary Checkout Limits

We encourage--and expect--secondary students to choose and manage their reading. This policy is firm.

Year 7-9 Students
  • Up to 6 items per student
  • Up to 2 OverDrive titles per student
Year 10-13 Students
  • Up to 10 items per student
  • Up to 2 OverDrive titles per student
Primary Students (Y4-Y6)
  • 2 print items per student
  • Must be arranged through Primary Librarians

Dear parents, 

We invite you to enjoy the Secondary Library, so please do visit us. To browse, ask questions, seek guidance to support your child's reading, or simply to learn about our space is something we hope you do.

The ideal time to visit the Secondary Library is after school hours between 3:00-4:30. We reserve the school hours (7:30-3:00) for student and teacher use. The library is a classroom, so your understanding is appreciated.

Because this is a teaching and learning space, we ask that you follow the same, simple expectations we have for the students. When visiting the library, please model and support these standards. It is helpful for students to see.

  • Please wear your Parent ID badge prominently; we need to know who you are.
  • Please engage in a book, magazine, newspaper, or browse our collection.
    • You are also invited to chat with the librarians seeking insight or support for your children.
  • Please take care of all phone communication needs (calls and texts) before entering.
    • Turn off and tuck away your devices.
  • Please enjoy your coffee and snacks in the Cafeteria or at the Rooftop Café, not in the Library.
  • Parents who are with their Primary students are asked to use the Primary Library.
  • If you are simply waiting for your child to finish classes or CCAs or need a place to socialize, we ask that you do so at the Rooftop Café or in the Cafeteria. 
Parental Checkouts
  • 1 Chinese print item per parent
  • 1 English print item per parent
  • Parents may not check out items in their child's name
    • We expect the students to learn how to manage and maintain their reading as they grow older.

Material Type

Loan Period

Overdue Prices

Replacement Costs**
Books (print & digital) 14 days

N/A*

$200 (fiction)

$400 (non-fiction)
Magazines and Journals 14 days N/A* $100
Audio-Visual (Audiobooks, DVDs, etc.) 14 days N/A* $200
Kindles 14 days N/A* $1,200**

*Rather than charging fees for most overdue materials, we ask that you return or renew items. You will not be allowed to check out any additional items if you owe a fine or have anything overdue. The rule of thumb: if you expect to check something out, take care of your obligations.

**If a missing or damaged item is part of a set and we are not able to replace the missing portion, then you need to pay for the replacement of the entire set, which means the cost may be significantly higher. This applies to both books and AV materials.