The library is giving away lots of old magazines and selling very cheaply old books.
As you can see from the photos there is lots to choose from and they are very messy to have around. So make an offer.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
If you liked the Kite Runner you will love this book. It describes the lives of two women , Mariam and Laila , who are thrown together through marriage during the Taliban’s control of Afghanistan Although the back drop of the story is the difficulties of living in a culture torn by war and religious conflict, the most interesting part of the book is the relationship that develops between the two women. After initial mistrust , they eventually bond together in order to over come their terrifying husband and to ensure the survival of their family. Hosseini explores a variety of interesting characters so the reader gets a broad insight into people living according to the different interpretations of Islam. Basically it was a great read. I read it in two days.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Aboriginal Reconciliation and History texts
In light of Federal governments apology to the Aboriginal People of Australia Wednesday 13th February you may be interested in revisiting the history of Aboriginal People in Australia since the Arrival of Europeans.
Who’s Lands – Eyewitness to Aboriginal – non- Aboriginal relations 1770 -2008 – Simple overview text , using historical accounts.
Aboriginal Victorians a history since 1800 by Richard Broome.
“Richard Broome tells the story of the impact of European ideas, guns, killer microbes and a pastoral economy on the network of kinship, trade and cultures that various Aboriginal peoples of Victoria had developed over millennia”
Survival: a history of Aboriginal Life in New South Wales by Nigel Parbury
“Social work with Indigenous communities” - by Linda Briskman. Briskman “ throws down the gauntlet to practitioners and students of social work to pursue a better, more informed way of meeting the unique needs” of the Aboriginal community.
Issues In Society has a new issue called Indigenous disadvantage. Covers topics such as the Black /white divide, Soaring Aboriginal jail rates, health and Intervention in Remote communities
The stolen Generation : their stories edited by Carmel Bird – including extract from the
Report of the National Inquiry into the separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from their families
The RIT Library Website has a quicklink to Aboriginal Studies and relevant websites about the Stolen Generations
http://intranet.rit.tafensw.edu.au/library/quicklinks/show_topic.asp?TopicId=1#727
Who’s Lands – Eyewitness to Aboriginal – non- Aboriginal relations 1770 -2008 – Simple overview text , using historical accounts.
Aboriginal Victorians a history since 1800 by Richard Broome.
“Richard Broome tells the story of the impact of European ideas, guns, killer microbes and a pastoral economy on the network of kinship, trade and cultures that various Aboriginal peoples of Victoria had developed over millennia”
Survival: a history of Aboriginal Life in New South Wales by Nigel Parbury
“Social work with Indigenous communities” - by Linda Briskman. Briskman “ throws down the gauntlet to practitioners and students of social work to pursue a better, more informed way of meeting the unique needs” of the Aboriginal community.
Issues In Society has a new issue called Indigenous disadvantage. Covers topics such as the Black /white divide, Soaring Aboriginal jail rates, health and Intervention in Remote communities
The stolen Generation : their stories edited by Carmel Bird – including extract from the
Report of the National Inquiry into the separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from their families
The RIT Library Website has a quicklink to Aboriginal Studies and relevant websites about the Stolen Generations
http://intranet.rit.tafensw.edu.au/library/quicklinks/show_topic.asp?TopicId=1#727
Teaching/ Learning - Inspiration
Some Books and DVDs that may be useful as inspirations for teachers and learners alike this year are
When Teaching becomes learning; a theory and practise of Teaching by Eric sotto. This would be a great read for any one needing inspiration about teaching after the holidays. Sotto looks at how and why people learn and how teachers should reflect on this as part of their practice. He discusses lots of research on teaching practice and suggests strategies for implementing them.
Teachers who change Lives by Andrew Metcalfe and Anne Game – the authors argues that outstanding teachers do not mould students by pushing them towards external measures of excellence but by encouraging them to follow their passions and interests.
Opening doors to the Future: stories of prominent Australians and the influence of teachers by Phillip Hughes. Hughes interviews prominent Australians about teachers who influenced them the most.
Fifty Modern Thinkers on Education From Piaget to the Present - gives a great overview of modern education thinkers, summarizing their theories and ideas.
Freedom Writers – wonderful movie about a teacher transforming student’s lives in ganglands America. A corny but very inspiring story.
When Teaching becomes learning; a theory and practise of Teaching by Eric sotto. This would be a great read for any one needing inspiration about teaching after the holidays. Sotto looks at how and why people learn and how teachers should reflect on this as part of their practice. He discusses lots of research on teaching practice and suggests strategies for implementing them.
Teachers who change Lives by Andrew Metcalfe and Anne Game – the authors argues that outstanding teachers do not mould students by pushing them towards external measures of excellence but by encouraging them to follow their passions and interests.
Opening doors to the Future: stories of prominent Australians and the influence of teachers by Phillip Hughes. Hughes interviews prominent Australians about teachers who influenced them the most.
Fifty Modern Thinkers on Education From Piaget to the Present - gives a great overview of modern education thinkers, summarizing their theories and ideas.
Freedom Writers – wonderful movie about a teacher transforming student’s lives in ganglands America. A corny but very inspiring story.
Interesting Reading
Kennedy’s Brain by Henning Mankell
This book has a focus on the tragedies rife in Africa . Louise Cantor is searching for the reasons behinds her son’s supposed murder or suicide. As she delves into her son’s life she realise how little she knew him. She travels between Sweden, Barcelona , Mozambique and Australia meeting his various girlfriends and acquaintances and computer hookups. ( I actually wondered if all these countries were thrown in for an appeal to a bigger world market.). Kennedy’ Brain also keeps popping up. I was always confused by the missing President’s Kennedy’s brain and its relevance to the story.
Henning Mankell, is using this thriller to try and highlight some of the issues surrounding the AIDS epidemic in Africa and the role that drug companies and Westerners have played in the explosion of the problem. I found a lot of the story very confusing and unrealistic. This book has been translated from the Swedish. Maybe there was something lost in the translation
The Gathering by Anne Enright
This book won last years Man Booker prize. Louise Swinn the Sydney Morning Herald book reviewer described it as a “harrowing , compelling tale of humanity exposed”. It certainly sounds like a cheery read. You can check the review at
http://www.smh.com.au/news/book-reviews/thegathering/2007/10/26/1192941320129.html
Dying: a memoir by Donald Horne & Myfanwy Horne
I tossed up whether to classify this as a memoir or to put in the palliative care section. It is a truly wonderful insight in to an individuals and families experience of dyeing. I sobbed all the way through both Donald’s and Myfanwy’s account of Donald Horne’s slow decline. Decline is probably not a good choice of words because, although their reflections were sad, it was truly uplifting to see someone trying to live their life to the full, no matter what. I felt honoured as a reader to be allowed to share their journey
This book has a focus on the tragedies rife in Africa . Louise Cantor is searching for the reasons behinds her son’s supposed murder or suicide. As she delves into her son’s life she realise how little she knew him. She travels between Sweden, Barcelona , Mozambique and Australia meeting his various girlfriends and acquaintances and computer hookups. ( I actually wondered if all these countries were thrown in for an appeal to a bigger world market.). Kennedy’ Brain also keeps popping up. I was always confused by the missing President’s Kennedy’s brain and its relevance to the story.
Henning Mankell, is using this thriller to try and highlight some of the issues surrounding the AIDS epidemic in Africa and the role that drug companies and Westerners have played in the explosion of the problem. I found a lot of the story very confusing and unrealistic. This book has been translated from the Swedish. Maybe there was something lost in the translation
The Gathering by Anne Enright
This book won last years Man Booker prize. Louise Swinn the Sydney Morning Herald book reviewer described it as a “harrowing , compelling tale of humanity exposed”. It certainly sounds like a cheery read. You can check the review at
http://www.smh.com.au/news/book-reviews/thegathering/2007/10/26/1192941320129.html
Dying: a memoir by Donald Horne & Myfanwy Horne
I tossed up whether to classify this as a memoir or to put in the palliative care section. It is a truly wonderful insight in to an individuals and families experience of dyeing. I sobbed all the way through both Donald’s and Myfanwy’s account of Donald Horne’s slow decline. Decline is probably not a good choice of words because, although their reflections were sad, it was truly uplifting to see someone trying to live their life to the full, no matter what. I felt honoured as a reader to be allowed to share their journey
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Australian Movies
I am trying to get an Australian focus for the DVD collection in the library as there are a number of courses that focus on Australian content.
If you would like a synopsis of any of these movies try the following website
http://australianscreen.com.au/title-index/features/
Romulus my Father is based on the novel by Raimond Gaita. It as a sad, but beautiful story looking at the lives of a group of post war Australian immigrants. The story is told through the eyes of Romulus’s son, Raimond. He witnesses the breakdown of his parent’s marriage and the betrayal of friendship because of mental illness and hardship. The story is full of hope because of the way the family and friend supported each other during crisis no matter the past history.
There is a study guide for this movie available at:
www.villagecinemas.com.au/images/studyguides/Romulus%20My%20Father.pdf
Noise is a psychological thriller set in the suburbs of an Australian city. The young police constable, suffering from tinnitus, is forced to interview community members from a police caravan after a horrendous crime. This movie was not action packed, but the tension was knuckle gnawing. I enjoyed it.
Happy Feet is a cheery Hollywood animation about penguins being true to themselves. . It features a lot of voices by Australian actors so is classified as an Aussie film, but they all sound American.
Somersault
A young girls gets herself involved in some dangerous situation after she runs away from home. She manages to find love of a sort but the movie is really quite sad.
Jindabyne - A thriller set in the mountains. The theme of racism and sexism are strong. It examines the moral view of right and wrong from different perspectives. A gripping movie
Crackerjack – a comedy about doing something for others set in a Bowling club on the down hill slide.
Razzle Dazzle – is documentary style, a little like Kenny. This time it is about pushy parents and dancing school ; Highly amusing
Look both ways – Won Best Film at the AFI awards 2005. It looks at how different lives cross paths over one weekend. Haven’t seen it , but I would love to know what other’s think.
Little Fish starring Cate Blanchett. This film is also about someone trying to reclaim their lives after a drug addiction.
Candy starring Heath Ledger , Abbie Cornish and Geoffrey Rush. This will be a particularly poignant movie considering Heath ledger’s recent death from a possible drug overdose. It tells the story of the love affair between two heroin attics. I ‘m not sure I could bare to watch it now.
West – set in Sydney’s outer suburbs. A Drama about what happens when you realise how few choices you have in life.
Clubland – comedy about families/ the club circuit and young romance.
Summer Heights High – Too close for comfort comedy/drama about the goings on of a real life highschool
The following isn’t an Australian movie, but may appeal to many of our students.
Freedom writers staring Hilary Swank- a group of tough down and out kids learn to tolerate others and strive for new goals, by telling their stories. It sounds corny but this actually was a great yarn. The teacher kinds of does exactly what we do in our literacy classes – the effect may not as always be quite so dramatic or glamorous, but the outcomes are the same.
If you would like a synopsis of any of these movies try the following website
http://australianscreen.com.au/title-index/features/
Romulus my Father is based on the novel by Raimond Gaita. It as a sad, but beautiful story looking at the lives of a group of post war Australian immigrants. The story is told through the eyes of Romulus’s son, Raimond. He witnesses the breakdown of his parent’s marriage and the betrayal of friendship because of mental illness and hardship. The story is full of hope because of the way the family and friend supported each other during crisis no matter the past history.
There is a study guide for this movie available at:
www.villagecinemas.com.au/images/studyguides/Romulus%20My%20Father.pdf
Noise is a psychological thriller set in the suburbs of an Australian city. The young police constable, suffering from tinnitus, is forced to interview community members from a police caravan after a horrendous crime. This movie was not action packed, but the tension was knuckle gnawing. I enjoyed it.
Happy Feet is a cheery Hollywood animation about penguins being true to themselves. . It features a lot of voices by Australian actors so is classified as an Aussie film, but they all sound American.
Somersault
A young girls gets herself involved in some dangerous situation after she runs away from home. She manages to find love of a sort but the movie is really quite sad.
Jindabyne - A thriller set in the mountains. The theme of racism and sexism are strong. It examines the moral view of right and wrong from different perspectives. A gripping movie
Crackerjack – a comedy about doing something for others set in a Bowling club on the down hill slide.
Razzle Dazzle – is documentary style, a little like Kenny. This time it is about pushy parents and dancing school ; Highly amusing
Look both ways – Won Best Film at the AFI awards 2005. It looks at how different lives cross paths over one weekend. Haven’t seen it , but I would love to know what other’s think.
Little Fish starring Cate Blanchett. This film is also about someone trying to reclaim their lives after a drug addiction.
Candy starring Heath Ledger , Abbie Cornish and Geoffrey Rush. This will be a particularly poignant movie considering Heath ledger’s recent death from a possible drug overdose. It tells the story of the love affair between two heroin attics. I ‘m not sure I could bare to watch it now.
West – set in Sydney’s outer suburbs. A Drama about what happens when you realise how few choices you have in life.
Clubland – comedy about families/ the club circuit and young romance.
Summer Heights High – Too close for comfort comedy/drama about the goings on of a real life highschool
The following isn’t an Australian movie, but may appeal to many of our students.
Freedom writers staring Hilary Swank- a group of tough down and out kids learn to tolerate others and strive for new goals, by telling their stories. It sounds corny but this actually was a great yarn. The teacher kinds of does exactly what we do in our literacy classes – the effect may not as always be quite so dramatic or glamorous, but the outcomes are the same.
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