Bissonet Plaza Elementary Handmade Tales Residency Day 5 – Friday, December 11, 2009
Friends:
Friday was Day 5 of my Handmade Tales residency at Bissonet Plaza Elementary in Metairie, Louisiana. My first class was Ms. Morrison’s 4th grade class. I told the string story, “The Stubborn Turnip” and “The King’s Advisor.” Afterward, the students created 6 page books from the story. Then we rehearsed their story, “Catching a Pest,” a draw and tell story that two of the students will be performing during the gradewide Handmade Tales Story Fest next week.
12-11-09 A student in Ms. Morrison's 4th grade class performs Catching a Pest
Next, I went to Ms. Arnett’s 3rd grade class. I told “The Emperor’s Dragon,” “The Stubborn Turnip,” and “The King’s Advisor.” Then they made their books. They had a great time and loved the draw and tell story.
12-10-09 The Emperor's Dragon, drawn by a student in Ms. Arnett's 3rd grade class
I enjoyed visiting Ms. Hahn’s Kindergarten class. After telling “The Stubborn Turnip,” I told “The King’s Advisor” and we made the books from the story. Then they wrote and illustrated in their books. They were so cute!
12-10-09 Ms. Hahn's Kindergarten class creates books and become authors & illustrators
Then I visited Ms. Presser’s 2nd grade class. They loved the string story. Then I shared “The King’s Advisor” and they made the books from the story.
After lunch, it was on to Ms. Duhe’s class. They were enthralled with my string story, “The Stubborn Turnip.” Ms. Duhe absolutely loved the story, “The King’s Advisor,” a story that emphasizes the importance of books.
12-10-09 Ms. Duhe's 1st grade class creates books and become authors & illustrators
My last class was Ms. McLeod’s 5th grade class. On my way to class, some 5th graders from Ms. Brumfield’s class stopped me to show me that they had mastered their mosquito string story. A student, John, made strings from yarn and passed them out to his classmates and tutored them on how to make the string figure. I told the class that if at least ten students master the string story, they could keep the strings I let them use. They already have ten students on the list! Way to go, John!!
12-10-09 5th graders tutor each other to create the mosquito string figure
In Ms. McLeod’s class, I taught them how to create origami jumping frogs. They loved it!!
12-10-09 Ms. McLeod's 5th graders create a jumping origami frog
Then Ms. McLeod had the idea to have a frog jumping contest, just like they do every year in Rayne, Louisiana! All the students had a turn and it was so much fun!
12-10-09 Ms. McLeod's 5th graders have a frog jumping contest
Ms. McLeod’s class is performing the story, “The Magic Star.” Several of them mastered the fold and cut star and showed me their skills. 5th grade has been such a pleasure to teach this year!
12-10-09 Peace, love & happiness from 5th grade!
Thanks for a great day, Bissonet! See you on Monday!
Until next time…
Warmly, Dianne
Tags: Art, Artist Residency, Arts, arts education, Author, Bissonet Plaza Elementary, Children, Children's Book Author, Children's Books, Dianne de Las Casas, Language Arts, Literacy, Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach, Storyteller, Storytelling, The Cajun Cornbread Boy