Friends:

I had the pleasure of performing at Audubon Elementary in Kenner, Louisiana. I performed at the school last year and many of the students remembered me! When they saw me, they began singing my song “Peanut Butter and Jelly Jam.” My “Scared Silly” show began with grades 3-5.

Audubon Elementary Grades 3-5 Dianne performing Scared Silly - 10-31-08

The school was celebrating a Fall Math Fest so I was asked to add math to my show. For the upper grades, I adapted a Chinese Folktale called “The Magic Pot” and turned it into a Halloween tale about Mr. and Mrs. Dracula, who have a magic cauldron that doubles everything that is placed inside the pot. The story turned out great and the students really enjoyed the tale, especially the voices of the vampires!

Here I am performing “The Fifolet,” a Louisiana tale about a bogey from the bayou.

Audubon Elementary Grades 3-5 Dianne Performing "The Fifolet" - 10-31-08

At the end of the show, I had time for one more song so my 8 year old daughter, Eliana, who did not have school, joined me in singing “Shake-A-Shake Them Bones.”

Audubon Elementary Grades 3-5 Shake-a-shake Them Bones - 10-31-08

After I finished with the upper grades, the lower elementary came in - pre-school through 2nd grades. It was such a fun show. I started with performing an original story based on a Mother Goose tale. The story is called “The House That Witchy Built.”

Audubon Elementary Grades PK-2 Dianne performing The House that Witchy Built - 10-31-08

To fulfill the math request of my client, I wrote a new song for the lower grades called “Baby Monster.” Eliana helped me with the song. It was so much fun and turned out cuter than I had anticipated.

Audubon Elementary Grades PK-2 Dianne and Eliana performing Baby Monster - 10-31-08

Here I am performing “The Viper.”

Audubon Elementary Grades PK-2 Dianne performing The Viper - 10-31-08

There was a lot of audience participation with the lower grades. Here are some students helping Eliana and me perform “5 Little Ghosties,” an original Halloween fingerplay.

Audubon Elementary - Dianne, Eliana & students doing 5 Little Ghosties - 10-31-08

The show for the little ones ended with “The Ghost of Mable Gable,” which sent the audience and teachers rolling on the floor with its hilarious ending and then my song “Shake-a-shake Them Bones.”

Thank you to all the students, teachers, and staff at Audubon Elementary. I had a great time celebrating Halloween with y’all! A special thank you to Ms. Roques and Jeanne Castanza for always inviting me to their school. You rock!

Happy Tales to You!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Friends:

Happy Valentine’s Day. I made this simple Valentine carrying box for Eliana, my seven year old. She is taking it to school, stuffed with Valentine treats for her classmates. She can also bring home the Valentine treats she receives. It’s very easy. It took less than ten minutes.

Materials:
Tissue Box with large opening
2 chenille sticks
Hole punch
Stickers or cut outs
Other decorations

Instructions:
Punch a hole on either side of the tissue box opening. Create a handle from the two chenille sticks, twisting them together. Insert each end of the chenille stick into the holes. Secure the handle by twisting the ends of the chenille a large knot on either side (the knots will be inside the box). Decorate the box with stickers or cut outs. I cut apart a Valentine paper bag for my decorations. Now you’re ready to fill your Valentine box with lovely goodies! Happy Hearts Day!

Warmly, Dianne

These Valentine cards are fun and simple. Trace a hand (I like a child’s hand but your own works well too) onto construction paper folded in half. That way, you’ll get two Valentines with one cut. Cut out a heart to glue in the palm of each hand. Write a word on each finger (five words) such as:

Will You Be Mine Valentine?
I Love You Sweet Valentine!
Valentine You Have My Heart!

On the back of the hand, write any of the following, or make up your own:

Valentine, hands down, you are the best!
Valentine, my heart is in your hands.
I can count on each finger the ways I love you. (Write qualities on each finger – fun, smart, sweet, loving, kind, etc.)
Valentine, you deserve a high five!
Give yourself a hand, Valentine! Be mine!

Have fun with these “hand-made” Valentine cards. Give these out and you’ll be sure to receive thunderous applause!

Warmly, Dianne