ORCA classroom connections
June 2019
Welcome to Orca’s quarterly teacher resource newsletter—your place for free lesson plans and activities, discount codes and book suggestions. Let’s talk about what’s on everyone’s minds right now: summer is approaching, fast. And while we’re all excited for sunshine and a break (you’re almost there!), we know you want the progress your students have made over the last year to stick.

Summer Learning Loss Opportunity: How to Prevent the Dreaded Summer Slip.

How do we keep students engaged until that final bell rings? How do we encourage them to keep their minds active over the summer? Our friends at Booksource created a helpful infographic with several strategies for encouraging reading while school is out. Click on the poster to visit the Booksource website, where you can request a free, print-quality version of the poster. Let’s fight summer learning loss, together. 
Stay Connected!
Are you going to the ALA Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. on June 21? Stop by the Orca table at booth #1332 and say hello! ( Psst, we’ll have a little something special for you.)

Did you miss our first Orca Classroom Connections newsletter in April? It’s not too late. Visit our archive for resources on multiculturalism and ways you can bring the world to your classroom.

Know someone who might like discount codes, free lesson plans and classroom activities? Share this newsletter with teachers in your community.

Thanks for reading and have a great summer! Stay tuned for your next newsletter in August.
Elementary School—Classroom or Take-Home Activity
What fills your heart with happiness? This beautiful book, with illustrations from celebrated artist Julie Flett, serves as a reminder for little ones and adults alike to reflect on and cherish the moments in life that bring us joy.
My Heart Fills With Happiness/ Ni Sâkaskineh Mîyawâten Niteh Ohcih
by Monique Gray Smith, illustrated by Julie Flett, translated by Mary Cardinal Collins
Picture Book
Looking for a classroom activity to do in those final few weeks before school gets out? Or an activity to suggest students do with their parents and caregivers over the summer? We’ve got you covered.

In this activity, students will learn about Julie Flett, a Cree-Métis author and illustrator, reflect on her illustration style and techniques and then create their own art pieces based on what they’ve learned. This activity fosters engagement in books, prompts group discussion and provides a creative outlet for your students.

Feel free to share this activity in your school’s newsletter or with your parent email list, too!
Middle School—Summer Reading Suggestions
Tank & Fizz: The Case of the Tentacle Terror
by Liam O ’ Donnell, illustrated by Mike Deas
Fiction Ages: 9-12
As you know, students are more likely to read over the summer when they have the freedom to choose their own books. But that doesn’t mean we can’t guide them towards books—or types of books—that we think they’ll love. After all, you know your students well after spending the year together.

Looking for books that will hook your students? Enter the hybrid graphic novel. These books feature a combination of regular text and comic strip-style pages to create an enjoyable reading experience and a great choice to engage students who are less eager to read. Click here to download a list of our available hybrid graphic novels that you can use in the classroom or share with families.
For an overview on the value of hybrid graphic novels and the ways they can help turn striving readers in to confident readers, check out our blog post or watch the video from a teacher in Ontario below.
In this illustrated middle-grade novel, a goblin detective and technology-tinkering troll get tangled up with a sea creature, a dangerous band of kobold pirates and a blaze fairy who may be up to no good.
High School—Take-Home Reading Challenge
Written by Eric Walters, 90 Days of Different is the perfect summer read for challenge #6. In this story of personal growth, relationships and boundaries, Sophie is dared by her friend Ella to try 90 new things to push her out of her comfort zone in the summer between high school and college.
90 Days of Different
by Eric Walters
Fiction Ages: 12+ | Lexile: HL700L | GRL: Z
Send your students off on their break with our summer reading challenge, a list of 12 themed reading prompts. This worksheet will encourage your students to read in their free time and to consider books they might not otherwise pick up. Basically, it’s a fun and easy way to suggest your students read outside the box—or outside the house, if you’re following the Get Outdoors prompt.
A Reading Roundup (and discount!) for Pride Month
June is Pride month! Looking for books that spark conversations about LGBTQ+ history, communities, love, acceptance and diversity? Check out our blog post for a reading list with highlighted titles for readers of every age or visit the LGBTQ+ section of our website for a full list of all our titles.
Promo code: PRIDE
Save 30% on all books in the LGBTQ+ category at orcabook.com until June 19, 2019.