Friends:

Today was the first day of my Louisiana Story Fest residency at a local school. The whole school is participating in a year-long study of Louisiana. Each grade is focusing on a different aspect of Louisiana. The school hired me as a teaching artist, through an arts grant, to work with the students using my signature story theater method. Our theme is “Louisiana Story Fest, based on the ideas outlined in my book, Story Fest: Crafting Story Theater Scripts. For grades PK-2, we are studying Louisiana folklore and music. I am telling Louisiana stories and doing scarf activities to explore Louisiana music (Cajun, Zydeco, Jazz). Here are first grade students using scarves and dancing to Zydeco music.

For grades 3-5, we are studying Louisiana folktales. I developed story theater scripts for each class, based on Louisiana folktales. The students worked with scarves, doing dramatic role-play. The scripts are designed for whole class participation. Everyone gets a part. The stories are divided into individual storyteller roles and then parts for a story “chorus.” The storytellers will narrate and act out the story while the chorus sings, chants, and dances their part. It’s a lot of fun. The fifth graders below are acting out a Mardi Gras parade, depicting a float with a king on top and Mardi Gras revelers surrounding the float.

I was tickled pink when a first grade boy gushed, “Ms. Dianne, this was the best day of my entire life!” A kindergartner told the class, “Ms. Dianne is better than the President of the United States!” Wow! Maybe the White House should hire me… LOL

The residency will culminate in grade level performances by grades 3-5. In addition, the lower grades and parents will be invited to watch the show. Story theater is a great way to explore language arts and reading comprehension in a fun and dynamic lesson. The whole brain is engaged as the students develop sequencing skills, work on problem solving, perform group work, and learn the stories. I look forward to the rest of my week with these students. It’s really cool that my work having a school-wide impact because I get to work on a longer-term basis. It’s not just a 45 minute performance. The skills and self-confidence students gain from performing can have lasting, life-long effects.

Support the arts in the schools! Happy Tales to You!

Warmly, Dianne

Friends:

It was another eventful day. It started out with a meeting at Bissonet Plaza Elementary. The library media specialist, Ellen Miller, has been hiring me for eight years now to perform an annual residency with the students, grades PK-5. When I go to Bissonet, the students, teachers and staff are like family. It’s always such a warm, loving welcome. My residency will be in April. Each year, I do something different. We have not repeated a residency theme yet. This year, we are doing “Stories on Board: Crafting Board Games from Favorite Tales.” Grades PK-2 will hear stories and then play games that I have created from popular folk and fairy tales. Grades 3-5 will be analyzing and mapping out folktales and then creating board games in groups. It will culminate in a gradewide “Game Day” where students will trade games with other classes and play each other’s games. I am so excited about this residency. It’s going to be so much fun! Here is an example of a board game inspired by Cinderella. It was created by my 7 year old, Eliana.

Here is a picture of me, Eliana and Ellen at the school’s library.

Afterwards, Eliana and I met Antonio, my husband, for lunch. We picked him up from work in downtown New Orleans and headed to The Ugly Dog Saloon and BBQ, located in the Warehouse District in New Orleans.

The food is bountiful and inexpensive, not to mention absolutely delicious! They have games that you can play at the table so Eliana and I did a “Falling in Love” domino structure.

It was fun watching them tumble down. The Ugly Dog is a very “New Orleans” establishment. Check out this cool piano. Notice that it is completely covered with Mardi Gras beads and red beans!

Then later, we were surprised by a delivery of a large package. It was a gift box from our dear friend, Kat, of Richmond, Virginia. Kat is a children’s librarian and has been our pen pal for several years now. Kat sent us a Valentine surprise! The box was stuffed with wrapped presents, which we excitedly tore open. Soleil’s favorite gift was a small, rectangular purple purse (she collects purses). Eliana’s favorite present was a princess story box with a customizable story book inside and a heart mirror. My favorite was the cinnamon bun candle (yummy smelling!). Kat, we love you!!!

The day ended with a superb meal fixed entirely by my creative daughters. Since this week is “Mardi Gras week,” they have the whole week off school. They fixed stuffed chicken breast wrapped in bacon. The chicken was stuffed with basil crackers, an Italian blend of cheeses, and hot sausage, all laid on a bed of baby romaine, roma tomatoes, mushrooms, and aged Parmesan. It was drizzled with a garlic balsamic vinaigrette. Needless to say, my husband and I were flabbergasted. Eliana, who at 7 years old, aspires to be a chef, created the seasoning blend that coated the chicken! Soleil (17 years old) was the executive chef extraordinaire, while Eliana was the super sous chef. Not only did they execute an excellent dinner, they also cleaned up the kitchen too! Wow! Take a look at this delectable dish…

Until I write again, may you enjoy each day to the fullest and rejoice in life’s gifts.

Warmly, Dianne