1. A Touch of Humour!
Captivating Year 5 and 6 Students
through The GiggleIT Project
A Library Middle School Initiative 2010 – 2011
Kerry Pope

2.  Established 1989
 Kindergarten to Year 12
 Independent Anglican College
 Kindergarten to Year 4 established 2007
 1400 students
 Located in Kellyville, North Western suburb of Sydney

3. William Clarke College Library
Kindergarten to Year 12 Library
Physically located in the centre of the school
2 Teacher Librarians
4 part-time Library Assistants
Collection of about 60,000 items
Moved to new premises 2011

4. A place where students will learn to learn for life ……
A cloud to sit on
Open plan with
Room with
flexible learning
a view
spaces
Room to move
Our New K-6 Library
Appropriate access to Thinking and
digital technologies discussion spots
Shelving suitable for K-6 students that will
adequately house our wonderful collection

5. Which colour?
Yellow
• Optimism
• Enlightenment
• Happiness
• Positive future
• Creative thoughts
Purple
• Uplifting
• Calming
• Encourages creativity
• Most liked by 75% of pre teens

6. Our New Library

9. The Senior Library

10. Where are we going?
Why GiggleIT? Getting Involved The Spinoffs
What was needed Registration Advocacy
A new idea The programme Using the positives wisely
Taking a punt! Use of technology Promoting the library
Getting involved Web 2.0 Listening
Planning Collaboration Assessing your situation
Preparation Listening The rewards
Professional Development Outcomes achieved Evaluation
The WOW factor! The future

11. A bit of history.....
• K-8 Teacher Librarian
• Focus on Years 5 and 6
• A new challenge
• Meet their needs
• Suitable for all students
• Use technology – Web 2.0
• Sense of independence
• Reward them for their achievements
• Capture their interest in the library
• Opportunity to collaborate with teachers
• Lift the library profile in our school
• Affordable

12. A fresh new idea that really works!
IASL Conference Padua, Italy 2009

13. A global collaborative publishing project hosted by the International
Association of School Librarianship (IASL), working in partnership with
the International Children's Digital Library (ICDL)
The project is designed to:
• improve English literacy skills
• use Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) to enhance the global exchange of
information and ideas between children
• engage children in reading and writing with a purpose ie. an official publication
• give them a feeling of self-worth and pride in their cultural heritage
• to encourage school communities to have a presence on the IASL website

14. Introducing……
the Gigglecritters!
Africa Gigglecritter Gigglecritter Clown
• The GiggleIT Project encourages students ages 10-14 to
contribute their writings to an online book (eBook)
celebrating stories and humour from their culture.
• It contains stories, jokes and poetry.
• It’s free!
Gigglecritter Downunder Gigglecritter Babies Giggling Gigglecritter Rockin Gigglecritter

16. Where are we going?
Why GiggleIT? Getting Involved The Spinoffs
Looking at the situation Registration Advocacy
What was needed The programme How it worked for us
Meeting the challenge Use of technology Using the positives wisely
Padua Web 2.0 Using every opportunity
A new idea Collaboration Singing from the rooftops!
Finding out Struggles along the way Promoting the library
Taking a punt! Going with the flow Listening
Getting involved Allowing students to direct Knowing where you’re at
Planning Student response Assessing your situation
Preparation Listening Elevating middle school
Meetings Outcomes achieved The rewards
Professional Development The WOW factor! Evaluation
Cementing it in Library
Programme
Reassessing/flexibility
The future

17. The strength and relevance of
our library’s programmes lies in the
community building we do with our patrons.
Buffy Hamilton
Your School Library Conference 2011

18. Headmaster
Stage Heads
Teacher School
and Executive
Teachers
Librarian
Curriculum
Heads

20. LOL – Laugh out loud!
A laugh is a smile that bursts.
Mary H. Waldrip
Seven days without laughter make one weak.
Joel Goodman
Dogs laugh, but they laugh with their tails.
Max Eastman
The Duck Song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtN1YnoL46Q

21. Using GiggleIT on Moodle at William Clarke College

22. Using the GiggleIT Project at WCC
• Managed by Teacher Librarian
• Adapted the programme to suit our needs
• Integrated into the Library Programme
• Presented via Moodle
• Teach collaboratively with class teachers
• Year 5 and Year 6 have both been involved
• One lesson per fortnight in the library
• Continue to work at own pace in between
• Work on competitions together
• Email all completed work to me
• Checked and submitted for publishing

23. Writing About Us
Our City – Sydney
We live in Sydney. Sydney is awesome and is home to many
famous tourist attractions like the Sydney Aquarium, the
Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. We have a
beautiful harbour with lots of ferries and sailing boats. On New
Year’s Eve there is a massive fireworks display. Many people
remember Sydney because we hosted the Olympic Games in
2000.
Our School – William Clarke College
Our school is called William Clarke College and it is located in
Kellyville. We walk to school or come by bus or car. William Clarke
College is a Christian school. There are 1400 students who go to our
school. They are between 5 years and 18 years old.
Our school is a very friendly place where it is easy to make new
friends and have a good time. There are lots of open spaces where
we can play sport and relax at lunchtime. We go on camps and
interesting excursions.

24. Designing Our Own Gigglecritters
Cheesy Gigglecritter Gigglecritter Surfie Sleepy Gigglecritter Gigglecritter Hippie
Gigglecritter Swimmer Winter Gigglecritter Singing Gigglecritter Skate Gigglecritter

25. Our Aussie Jokes!
Title: The Meat Patty Title: Cockatoos
Question: What did the Australian Question: Why are cockatoos good at
butcher say to introduce his wife? tennis?
Answer: Meet Patty Answer: Because they make a big racket
Explanatory Notes: Explanatory Notes:
A meat patty is a round piece of A racket is Aussie for a big noise.
mince cooked on the barbeque and A racket is also used in tennis to hit the ball.
often used in a hamburger. Cockatoos are Australian birds that make a lot
By DM and BM of noise.
Aussie Gigglecritter By MR and DT
Title: The Soccer Joke Title: The Aussie BBQ’s
Question: Why did the Soccer players get all sweaty? Question: What did the boy BBQ say to the girl BBQ?
Answer: Because they had no fans! Answer: You’re looking hot today! Ha ha ha ha ha!
Explanatory Notes: Explanatory Notes:
In Australia we call football, soccer. BBQ – Short for barbeque.
Fans keep people cool. Fans are also the name given to A barbeque is an outdoor stove or fire used by Aussie’s for
people who support a football team. cooking meat.
By RE and DW By KR-D, CH and MJ

26. Writing Acrostic Poems
Australia – My Homeland
An amazing place filled with joy and happiness Gigglecritter Smartie
U- Unique features and great places for family memories
S- Superb beaches with luscious waters and sparkling sand
T- Terrific and friendly people
R- Rainforests, deserts and mountains make up Australia’s wonderful nature
A variety of native animals like the koala, kangaroo and emu
L- Lovely people from all different cultures
I- It is special because it’s my homeland
A country you will want to come to again and again and again!!
By A.F. (5D)

27. Researching Humour – Creating a Family eBook
Our Funny eBook!
Joke: Doctor, Doctor Personal Anecdote: Football
“Doctor, doctor Years ago when I was at a football match with my two
children, my son walked up the stairs and stood
I feel like a pair of curtains!” behind where I was sitting and pulled my wig off my
“Well, pull yourself together then!” head. Everyone was laughing.
By Mum Who told me: My Grandma By M.F. (5C)
Limerick:
There was an old man from Peru From Our eBook
There was an old man from Peru Limerick: The Pelican
Who dream’t he was eating his shoe What a wonderful bird is the pelican.
He woke in the night His beak can hold as much as his belly can.
With a terrible fright He can hold in his beak enough food for a week,
To find it was perfectly true And I don’t know how the Hell-He-Can! (Helican)
By Dad Who told me: My Uncle Richard told me.
By K.S. (5C) By B.E. (5C)

28. Come and See My Place
• Email Gigglecritter is having problems and needs your help. IT belongs to the
children of the world and would love to visit but doesn’t know where to begin.
• Would you like Email Gigglecritter to visit you?
• Write an email, story or poem that tells him what it is like where you live and why
he should come.
You could:
• Invite Email Gigglecritter for dinner
• Ask him over for the weekend
• Take him on holidays in Australia
• Invite him to spend the day with you at
school.

30. The Photo Shoot Competition

31. Culturalised Stories
The Three Little Roos and the Big Bad Dingo
Little Red Aussie Sheila
The Three Koala’s Gruff
There Was an Old Koala Who Swallowed a Snake
Sammy and the Three Koalas
Literary Gigglecritter Aussie Gigglecritter Gigglecritter Downunder

32. Concrete Poetry

33. Taking Mr Giggle on holidays
A Holiday on a farm
In the holidays Mrs Pope took Mr Giggle to visit
an Australian farm. There were sheep, cattle,
ducks, chickens and two friendly dogs.
Mr Giggle loved picking the sweet strawberries
growing in a field.
Marching at Sovereign Hill
Mr GiggleIT and I went to Sovereign Hill together
with my family. Sovereign Hill is in a town called
Ballarat in Victoria, Australia. It is an outdoor
museum that tells the story of Australia’s
fabulous gold rush history in the 1800’s. Lots of
people go there to learn more about Australia.
We went on a mine tour. It must have been so bad for the miners in those days. We had
sooooo much fun together (we are great friends). Our main highlight of the day was when
we were watching the musket firing and Mr Giggle was marching with the musket firers!!!

34. A change of focus
• Now focusing on the attitude rather than the tools
• The most important thing is for the student to have the right mindset
• Want them to be free to experiment, try out new ideas
• I see my role as a changing one – one of providing access to;
• Resources
• Tools
• Encouragement
• Support
• Initiative

35. Reflection – Valued feedback from the students

36. Students
‘Reflective writing facilitates sorting out knowledge,
ideas, feelings and understanding’ O’Connell and Groom 2010
• Students gave very positive responses
• Loved using the technology and seeing their work online
• Fresh new approach to learning
• Wide range of activities
• Looked forward to library lessons
• All could achieve

37. Teachers were asked to reflect on
• Collaboration between teacher and teacher Librarian
• Use of technology in teaching and learning
• The content of the project
• The international focus
• Their observations of student interest

38. What the teachers said....
• They loved working with the Teacher Librarians
• Students wanted to come to library lessons
• Activities were fantastic – good variety and everyone could succeed
• Students could see their work online – a real boost
• Gave them a goal to aim for
• Pushed the students to look beyond Australia and their own experiences
• Want to continue it next year
• Want to work on the writing activities
in their reading groups
• Loved the media coverage
– students in newspaper and on website
• Now we know what it’s all about!
Graduate Gigglecritter

39. The Results!
• Students can’t wait to get to library lessons!
• A lot of fun – wow factor!
• New and different – looks at humour
• Specifically targets Years 5 and 6 – easy to adapt
• Uses ICT skills
Gigglecritter Author
• Opportunity to work collaboratively with class teacher
• Learning as we go – emailing, copyright, student directed
• Self and peer assessment
• Gives students a reason to publish own work
• Strong international focus – reading other children’s work
• Promotes safe and careful use of the internet
• Students have thought about what it means to be Australian

40. Where are we going?
Why GiggleIT? Getting Involved The Spinoffs
Looking at the situation Registration Advocacy
What was needed The programme How it worked for us
Meeting the challenge Use of technology Using the positives wisely
Padua Web 2.0 Using every opportunity
A new idea Collaboration Singing from the rooftops!
Finding out Struggles along the way Promoting the library
Taking a punt! Going with the flow Listening
Getting involved Allowing students to direct Knowing where you’re at
Planning Student response Assessing your situation
Preparation Listening Elevating middle school
Meetings Outcomes achieved The rewards
Professional Development The WOW factor! Evaluation
Cementing it in Library
Programme
Reassessing/flexibility
The future

41. The Spinoffs
Integration of technology

42. Reading books from around the world
http://en.childrenslibrary.org/index.shtml

44. Developing pride in cultural heritage
Australia links with Vanuatu
GIGGLEIT

45. Looking Through My Window
Writing Haiku Poems
Water Outback
Sand scatters the edge The hot horizon
Waves overlapping the shore The scorching sunset setting
A salty breeze Kangaroos jumping
By J.T. By S.M.
Uluru Relaxing
Thick sand is burning Tanning at Bondi
There is a massive rock Watching the beautiful waves
Heaps of flies buzzing Digging in the sand
By N.M. By T.R.
Magical Moment Summer
A pod of dolphins Blazing hot sun burns
Catching the waves that go past Sand dunes whip against my legs
In the cold sea breeze Dusty breeze blows hard
By S.N. By M.R.

46. Having lots of fun!
Sharing jokes, writing stories, emails, poems, taking photos,
designing Gigglecritters and telling the world about Australia
We entered all the competitions!

47. .....and we won!
• The winning photo in the Photoshoot 2010 was of 6C’s artwork
• “ Landscape of orange cliffs” by Australian artist Godfrey Miller (1893-1964)
• Miller was known for his mosaic like pictures created with geometric precision.
• Used strips of cardboard and pastels to create images of the Australian
outback

48. The students IASL
- Who continually impress me by - The GiggleIT Team for creating the program
their willingness to learn, - Ongoing support
their enthusiasm - Maintaining the website
their keenness to be involved
This is not just my story
…………this is our story!
The College
- Teachers so intricately involved
- Staff who are interested and supportive
- Headmaster who encourages
Staff to try out new ideas
- College Council
- Parents

49. Advocacy – Promoting the library
What can Kerry Pope TL at William Clarke College do?
• How could I use this ‘best practice’ success story to
change perception of school libraries
- The School Library is integral to teaching and learning
- Think big! Be brave
• School – students, teachers, executive, parents, council
• Local Community – local area, prospective parents, press
• State – Local TL network, ASLA (NSW), other schools
• National – ozTLnet, ASLA, ALIA, Journals
• International – IASL, Conferences – International, online

50. Think big and be brave

51. Singing From The Roof Tops!

52. Winning an International Award

53. Rewarding the Students

54. Sharing our news with the whole school

55. Coverage in
local papers
William Clarke
College students
celebrating their
win with Teacher
Librarian Kerry Pope
and Mr Giggle

56. Telling the world what Teacher Librarians can do!
We now have 45 students who have contributed
their work to an online publication called DigiDoc

57. By inviting and engaging conversations for learning the library becomes
more than just a physical space in the school……
It becomes an experience that will stay in our students for a lifetime.
Buffy Hamilton YourSchoolLibrary Conference 2011

58. Acknowledgements
Thank you to the Year 5 and 6 students and their teachers for their
enthusiastic involvement in the GiggleIT Project and for their help,
assistance and contributions towards the production of this
PowerPoint Presentation.
Thank you to the GiggleIT Team – Patricia Carmichael, Barbara Combes,
Rhonda Cooney, Emily Manck and Katy Manck for making all this possible
and for their ongoing support and encouragement.
Kerry Pope
Teacher Librarian
William Clarke College
kmp@wcc.nsw.edu.au