Professor Owl’s Book Corner, June 7th, 2021

Welcome to the June 7th, 2021 Weekly Issue of Professor Owl’s Book Corner Newsletter where in addition to supporting those with special needs and learning challenges, we are also committed to being more focused on YA New Adult reading and literacy. We will be featuring tips from a certified literacy tutor to help make your reading experience the best it can be.

We will also be encouraging young writers with tips, writing exercises and we will still be updating our Community News Boards with the latest news from Variety Village, Holland Bloorview Hospital and The March of Dimes. You will also find our new section on the Environment, Nature, and Climate Changes. 

Hopefully we will come up with some ideas for you. If you love to read then below, you will find some ideas that just might interest you.

 Please feel free to give us your feedback on our new issue, also send us any ideas you may have to help Professor Owl’s Book Corner be all that it can be. We look forward to hearing from you and bringing you a new, and more interesting newsletter.

Online learning Programs over 2021 Summer.

This will be our second year with Covid 19, restrictions and this summer will be the same as last year, You are probably wondering what am I going to do during the next few months.

Claiming to be Canada’s biggest, bilingual summer reading program for kids TDSRC works with more than 2,200 public libraries across Canada to host activities, like live readings by authors, and weekly trivia. This year’s program will launch on June 15th and will be completely online. For more information, visit tdsummerreadingclub.ca.

We are now in the month of June and the summer holidays are just around the corner. Most countries are still in lockdown. most schools will be closing soon.

 Should I Take a Summer Class Online?

Are Online Classes ~ The Same as In-Person?

There are many great reasons to take a class online over the summer. Especially if so many of your favorite in-person programs are canceled. You can still find a way to have a meaningful and enriching summer right from your room.

While your classmates cannot hang out in-person after class, it does not mean you cannot get to know them and form lasting friendships. The Internet has allowed us to cross over borders and time zones, which helps us connect with people we otherwise would never encounter. It gives us the chance to learn more, in the classroom and about the world around us.

I have found  several interesting online courses and virtual ways of meaningfully engaging middle and high school-aged students. They include STEM classes, academic classes, foreign language learning – even remote community service experiences!

In many obvious ways, the short answer is no. But does that mean they are worse? No! Online classes have many distinct advantages like being lower in cost and flexible to your schedule (especially if you need to juggle a job this summer).

https://guides.teenlife.com/summer-programs

www.todaysparent.com/f~15 virtual summer camps for kids worth checking out this summer

30 FREE Online Summer Camps & Workshops | Kids & Teens …

While your classmates cannot hang out in-person after class, it does not mean you cannot get to know them and form lasting friendships. The Internet has allowed us to cross over borders and time zones, which helps us connect with people we otherwise would never encounter. Please, gives us  feedback at professorowl@outlook.com so that we can truly give you the interesting newsletter you want to read.





https://www.kcedventures.com/blog/free-online-summer-camps-workshops...

Which is the biggest summer reading program in Canada?

About the Club – About the Club – TD Summer Reading Club

The TD Summer Reading Club is Canada’s biggest, bilingual summer reading program for kids of all ages, interests, and abilities. This free Club is offered at more than 2,000 public libraries across Canada, as well as online. The Club celebrates Canadian authors, illustrators, and stories, and inspires kids to explore the fun of reading their way. This is key to building a lifelong love of reading.

Reading Challenge – Teen Summer Reading – Info Guides at …

Check with your local public library to see when in-person registration opens—it varies slightly by location but is usually in mid- to late-June. Your child will receive a free notebook and stickers to track their reading. Your library may also have fun activities and initiatives for kids to take part in.

https://guides.wpl.winnipeg.ca/teensrc

2021-05-27 · Get Ready for Winnipeg Public Library’s 2021 Teen Summer Reading Challenge! Hi there! Thanks for joining us for the 2021 Teen Summer Reading Challenge. Get ready to expand your horizons, get creative, try something new, and have fun! From June 14 to August 31, download a summer reading challenge card, or pick one up at the branch nearest you. See how many you can check off before the …


Connecting youth with nature – David Suzuki Foundationhttps://davidsuzuki.org › take-action › act-locally › con…

Teach kids about the right to a healthy environment and the importance of getting out in … Encourage kids to spend time outside and teach them about environmental.Teachers across Canada agree! … of students to learn about environmental issues and make a superhero difference! … 2021 David Suzuki Foundation

Deadline to apply is Sunday June 6, 2021. WHAT IS A PEER MENTOR? Looking to develop. Continue Reading. Get the latest EYA news!

For 2020/2021, due to COVID-19, we are taking our Youth Forum experience virtual! … weeks, including PD for teachers, guest speakers, and interactive student workshops! … Location: Remote & Indigenous Communities across Canada … This Youth Forum will engage your students in climate change learning and action, …
Environmental Youth Alliancehttps://eya.c

Writing prompts are a wonderful way to kick-start your creativity and generate ideas. There isn’t a right or wrong way to respond, just be honest, be creative, and use your imagination. Your mission should you choose to accept it…

It’s time that you broke up with your biggest fear.   What better way for you to say goodbye than by writing them a letter telling them how horrible they are and why they no longer have a place in your life. Have fun with it, in my opinion, if you can learn to laugh at what scares you, then perhaps you won’t see that fear as being so intimidating.

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” ~ Nelson Mandela

Write, be creative and most of all HAVE FUN! ✒

Monthly Journal Challenge

June Journal Prompts

All you need is a pen, journal and 15-30 minutes a day to write down your thoughts. 

Open your journal, set a timer and write! 🙂  Use the prompts to start your journal entry i.e. “My favourite thing about June is….”

  1. Your favourite thing about June.
  2. A cause near and dear to your heart.
  3. One thing you would change about the world.
  4. Your favourite book genre.
  5. A hobby you would like to take up,
  6. Three things you are grateful for.
  7. Your favourite song at the moment.
  8. A fictional character you would like to meet.
  9. What you have learned in the past year.
  10. Your least favourite food.
  11. What you would like to do in the future.
  12. Three good things that have happened to you this week.
  13. Favourite thing about nature.
  14. Someone who inspires you.
  15. Lazy day rituals.
  16. Three things you want to change in your life.
  17. How you handle difficult challenges and how does it work for you.
  18. One thing that cheers you up on bad days.
  19. A compliment that you received that sticks with you.
  20. A goal you want to accomplish this month.
  21. What it would take to make your dreams come true.
  22. Favourite thing to watch on TV.
  23. Favourite place to visit.
  24. What good moment always makes you smile.
  25. A movie that describes your life.
  26. A secret you haven’t shared with anyone.
  27. Your favourite author and why you like their books.
  28. Write about a picture that catches your eye.
  29. What you wish you could change about your life and steps to do it.
  30. Favourite person in your life.

Campnanowrimo

Attention all aspiring young authors: Its’ that time again, we have one month until the July edition of Camp NaNoWriMo! 🙂 Now is the time to outline your novel and do your research! 🙂

Haven’t heard of NaNoWriMo.org? Here’s the goods: every November thousands participate in an online writing event to complete 50,000 words in just 30 days. Now they’ve made it even better, CampNaNoWriMo.org is a virtual writer’s camp, designed to inspire you and keep you motivated while you work on your masterpiece. Camp NaNoWriMo.org runs twice a year in April and July and unlike NaNoWriMo welcomes word-count goals of 30,000 and up. Writers can tackle any project they’d like, including new novel drafts, revisions, poetry, scripts, and short stories. So sign up today!  See you at camp!

Dragon’s Source ~ Alveria Dragon Akademy

Part 3: Reign of Chaos

By Ava Richardson

The greatest enemy is the one within:


Prince Kai Afkarr-Younger hides a dangerous secret—he’s been infected with the Nightmare Plague. Exhausted from battle and illness, he must force himself to stay awake or risk spawning yet another monster attack on the already beleaguered city; an impossible undertaking without the strength of his tamer.

Mari Asadottier will do whatever it takes to keep Kai’s infection secret from Alveria’s scheming Council. Without the power she offers through their bond, he’ll never make it through the coronation ceremony in his weakened condition. And without the strong leadership only Kai can provide, Bellsor will devolve into pandemonium.

But their efforts to protect Bellsor are hampered when Kai collapses shortly after being crowned, spawning the deadliest monster of all. Driven to defeat what he’s created, Kai nearly loses himself in a rogue animalistic frenzy. Only Mari’s persistence brings him back from the brink, and sets him upon the path to discovering Chaos’s nightmarish plan to destroy the Sources of Magic.

If they want any hope of defeating Chaos and protecting magic, Kai and Mari must hunt down and save the Primal Sources of Magic before they are gone forever—and Chaos reigns supreme.

Queen of the Dragons’ Ava Richardson invites you to immerse yourself in a dragon-filled world with epic magic, fearless heroes and, at its heart, the deep bond between dragon and rider.

Excellent story with clever twist when they’re not expected. I am looking forward to the next book. Really enjoying the series.

I would like to thank Net Galley for the opportunity to Review this book for our readers.

Available from www.amazon.cawww.amazon.com, www.kobo.com,  And other fine books and your public Library,

Food Drive is Back! 🥫 Variety’s Food Drive is now running! Drop your non-perishable food items here at Variety Village – donations will go to Scarborough Food Securities Initiative and Women and Children shelters.

Where to leave your goods:
Food Drive: May 11 to August 24
Drop offs: Monday-Friday, 8am-7pm
Location: Variety Village (3701 Danforth Avenue, Scarborough ON)

Events are a great way for us to reach people across the country so we can network, share information, raise money, and have fun – sometimes all at once! From Rock for Dimes to Opening Doors for Accessibility, we host a variety of events for a variety of purposes. Find out about MODC’s Fundraising Events, Sporting Events, and Free Community Events.

​Sporting Events

Event Spotlight

OpportuniTEA with Kate Linder and Y&R Friends is in Calgary October 4th at the Westin Calgary. Funds raised support MODC’s Conductive Education program. Click here to buy your tickets before they are all sold out!

three people connectedto one heart icon

  March of Dime Canada Fundraising Events

Rock for Dimes

Walk’n’Roll

Ability & Beyond Dinner

OpportuniTeas with Kate Linder and Y&R Friends

#MyBiggestBubble Contest

Stand Up for CE

Art After Stroke

Johnny Reid – A Time for Having Fun



For 2020/2021, due to COVID-19, we are taking our Youth Forum experience virtual! … weeks, including PD for teachers, guest speakers, and interactive student workshops! … Location: Remote & Indigenous Communities across Canada … This Youth Forum will engage your students in climate change learning and action, …
Environmental Youth Alliancehttps://eya.c

Deadline to apply is Sunday June 6, 2021. WHAT IS A PEER MENTOR? Looking to develop. Continue Reading. Get the latest EYA news!



Ability in Action – Virtual Time is running out to book your virtual Ability in Action session! This program is FREE and available for booking until June 24, 2021. Virtual sessions are available through your choice of Zoom or Google Meets.



Food Drive is Back! 🥫 Variety’s Food Drive is now running! Drop your non-perishable food items here at Variety Village – donations will go to Scarborough Food Securities Initiative and Women and Children shelters.

Where to leave your goods:
Food Drive: May 11 to August 24
Drop offs: Monday-Friday, 8am-7pm
Location: Variety Village (3701 Danforth Avenue, Scarborough ON)





  • Head Office/Main Location
    Variety Village
    3701 Danforth Avenue
    Scarborough, Ontario M1N 2G2

Event Spotlight

OpportuniTEA with Kate Linder and Y&R Friends is in Calgary October 4th at the Westin Calgary. Funds raised support MODC’s Conductive Education program. Click here to buy your tickets before they are all sold out!



​Fundraising Events

MODC Partners


three people icon

   

Free Community Events

Person hitting a volleyball icon

 

​Sporting Events

Event Spotlight

spotlight icon

https://www.marchofdimes.ca/en-ca/events/events

 

OpportuniTEA with Kate Linder and Y&R Friends is in Calgary on October 4th at the Westin Calgary. Funds raised support MODC’s Conductive Education program. Click here to buy your tickets before they are all sold out!

 

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is holland-bloorview-hospital-1.png

 

Upcoming Events

COMMUNITY EVENT

Resiliency Through Mindfulness – an 8-week Mindfulness Program for Parents/Caregivers

Resiliency Through Mindfulness – an 8-week Mindfulness Program for Parents/Caregivers

Details

Accessible Event

Free Event

This online Mindfulness program, led by Family Leader Protibha Gupta runs every Monday evening from Monday June 7th to Monday July 26th, 7pm-8pm. Sessions on week 4 and week 8 will also offer a half hour Tea n’ Chat discussion session led by Family Leaders. The Tea n’ Chats will be offered from 8pm-8:30pm following sessions on June 28th and July 26th.

This program is geared to parents and caregivers of children with disabilities who would like to learn meditation, mindfulness and other practices geared toward enhancing resiliency and well-being. No prior meditation practice experience necessary. Each hour-long session will include short talks, guided meditations, small group discussions and Q&A. Attendees will learn:

– How to meditate through guided meditations

– The foundations of mindfulness of breath/body, feelings and thoughts

– How to cultivate self-compassion, lovingkindness and gratitude

– How the practices can help build resiliency and well-being

See below for Frequently Asked Questions about Mindfulness!

More about Mindfulness Teacher Protibha Gupta:

Protibha was certified as a mindfulness meditation teacher after an intensive two-year training program created and taught by Tara Brach, Jack Kornfield and the Greater Good Science Centre (UC Berkley). She is the proud mother of 3, including a very special young man with autism who is a former client of Holland Bloorview (HB). She has been a Family Leader at HB since 2018. Protibha is excited to have the opportunity to share her lived experience as both a parent and as a certified mindfulness teacher with HB families.

If you have any questions or require any special accommodations, please contact Family Support Specialist Steph Moynagh at smoynagh@hollandbloorview.ca or at 416-425-6220 ext. 6146

Once you have registered for this program, you will receive a Zoom link that you can access every Monday evening for the duration of the 8-week program.

1. Isn’t mindfulness just ‘paying attention’?

Frequently Asked Questions:

That’s partially correct. Mindfulness is paying attention to or being aware of whatever is being experienced in the present moment, without judgment.

2. My mind is always busy. Does mindfulness meditation involve having no thoughts?

The function of the human mind is to think! The main goal of mindfulness meditation does not involve being able to stop thinking, although with practice, the mind may become quieter.

3. Do I have to sit in a full lotus position on a meditation cushion?

One can meditate sitting, standing, walking and lying down. Sitting in a chair is fine. What’s important is to be comfortable and alert.

4. Is mindfulness meditation a religious practice?

Mindfulness is part of a rich spiritual tradition that developed 2600 years ago in South Asia but it is not a religious practice in itself. In the West, it is used in many settings to help people with stress, chronic pain, trauma and many other challenges. Just as you don’t have to be Hindu to practice yoga, you don’t have to be Buddhist to practice mindfulness.

5. What is resilience?

Date & Time

Related Events

Resiliency Through Mindfulness – an 8-week Mindfulness Program for Parents/Caregivers June 7 to 26

Parent Support Network and Family Leader Protibha Gupta present – Resiliency Through Mindfulness – an 8-week online…

FAMILY EVENT

July 8

Transitions Pop-up: Connect with the Centre for Independent Living in Toronto (CILT)

What are Attendant Services? Learn about CILT and about attendant services. Hear from staff, clients, and families.

Your Feedback Matters

We want to hear from you! We value your unique knowledge and experience and welcome your input.

– Daily mini-mindfulness tips

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150 Kilgour Road, Toronto Ontario Canada M4G 1R8

Tel 416 425 6220  |  Toll free 800 363 2440

 

 

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