Christine Welldon

Readings

My recently published book, The Children of Africville, is suitable for Black History themes. I talk about the children who lived in Africville before they were relocated, my talk centres on community, government, and Black History.

Special Equipment:

Digital projector

Book Sales:

Christine will bring copies of her books to the readings for students to purchase and have autographed.

Workshops

My successful reading club for boys, Cool Guys Reading, was adopted by public libraries in their reading programs based on my article in Teacher Librarian -- "Closing the Gender Gap in Reading". My workshop presents strategies to get boys interested in reading and improve their achievement levels.

Biography

As a teacher-librarian in the elementary public school system in Toronto, I advocate for children’s learning through books. My first book, Pon Git Cheng: The Canadian Pacific Railway dealt with the Chinese Canadians who helped to build the railway through western Canada. My second book, The Children of Africville tells the story of the life and death of the community of Africville, told through the voices of the ‘children’ who lived there during the fifties and sixties, before they were relocated. My books fulfil the curriculum expectations in social studies. A slideshow accompanies my presentation as well as copies of my books.

My workshop, for staff teaching at the Grade 3 to 6 level, details strategies to improve boys achievement levels through reading. The ‘Cool Guys Reading Club’ will be explained and illustrated.