Ms. Buras' first graders explore Zydeco with scarves 2-10-09

Friends:

Today was my second day at Bissonet Plaza Elementary doing my Louisiana Story Fest residency. My day began in Ms. Buras’ first grade class. The students loved the story of The Cajun Cornbread Boy. Afterwards, we had a blast exploring Zydeco and Cajun music with scarves. Here are some students dancing Zydeco! Too cute!

Ms. Buras' first graders dance as couples to Zydeco 2-10-09

Afterwards, it was upstairs to second grade to visit Ms. Leblanc’s class. They were an attentive, fun-loving group of students. Here they are passing a good time with the music and scarves.

Ms. Leblanc's second graders dance Zydeco 2-10-09

Next, I traveled downstairs to see the Kindergarteners of Ms. Hahn’s class. We had such a great time with the scarves. Look at us in our dance circle!

Ms. Dianne dances with Ms. Hahn's Kindergarteners 2-10-09

I really enjoyed seeing Ms. Arnett’s third grade class. They loved hearing about The Cajun Cornbread Boy book. We then began preparing for story theater by doing some drama role-playing activities with the scarves.

Ms. Arnett's third graders role play a woman walking her dog in Central Park 2-10-09

Even Ms. Arnett participated! She is so cute role-playing with one of her students!

Ms. Arnett and a student portray a mother comforting her daughter, the jilted bride 2-10-09

After lunch, I headed to Ms. Morrow’s 4th grade class. What a fantastic group of students! They radiated joy and appreciation. With a teacher like Ms. Morrow, it’s no wonder! She is positive, upbeat and appreciative of my presence in her classroom.

Ms. Mrrow's 4th graders play a boy stealing an apple from a neighbor's tree 2-10-09

Here is Ms. Morrow getting in on the action with a group of her students. I love when a teacher leads by example, participating in the activity. What fun they all had! You rock, Ms. Morrow! And thank you for sharing your birthday cupcakes, Mishi! (Yes, Ms. Morales, I still love you too!)

Ms. Morrow and her 4th graders play a bus full of bad students 2-10-09

Finally, I ended my day in Ms. McLeod’s last period fifth grade class. They were a wonderful group of students to work with, at times a little chatty but they always settled down when asked. They delighted in the role-playing activities and I could see the sheer joy on their faces.

Ms. McLeod's 5th graders play a woman walking her dog in Central Park 2-10-09

I enjoyed this group of students. One of the girls said to me, “Ms. Dianne, you are so pretty!” We had to take a picture together. Thank you, sweetheart!

Ms. Dianne poses with a 5th grade student 2-10-09

I look forward to more time with my Bissonet students!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Batty Sock Bat Craft - October 17, 2008

Batty Sock Bat Craft

Supplies:
New sock
Fiberfill stuffing
1 large sheet of foam matching the color of sock
1 Red chenille stick
1 chenille stick in a color matching the sock
Two medium size Googly Eyes
White cardstock or index card
Hot glue

Directions:
Stuff one sock with fiberfill about 3/4 full. Tie the end of the sock closed with a matching chenille stick, leaving a long piece to use as a hanger. Cut wings and ears out of foam and hot glue to the body. Glue on Googly Eyes. Cut a small piece of red chenille stick to create a mouth. Cut two sharp fangs out of cardstock or index card. Glue to body. When complete, hang upside down in front of a window. This is a great craft to go with the book, Bats at the Library!

Ghoulish Guessing Game - October 17, 2008

Ghoulish Guessing Game
Supplies:
3X5 index cards
Glue
Clip art of Halloween monsters
Safety Pins

Directions:
This is a fun guessing game, especially for a party or program. Print out clip art of different Halloween creatures (mummy, witch, vampire, bat, jack-o-lantern, ghost, Frankenstein, black cat, scarecrow, skeleton, etc.) and glue to a 3X5

Wild About Books Paper Plate Snakes

Wild About Books Paper Plate Snakes

“In a flash every beast in the zoo was stampeding
To learn all about this new something called reading.
Forsaking their niches, their nests, and their nooks,
They went wild, simply wild, about wonderful books…”

And so begins one of my favorite new classics written by Judy Sierra and illustrated by Marc Brown. The story is clever and inspiring while the colorful illustrations slither, stomp, and stampede across the page. To go with this modern classic, I have chosen one of my favorite classic crafts – the simple, slithery paper plate snake.

Materials:
Paper plate
Crayons or markers
Scissors

Directions
Color both sides of the paper plate in any design you wish. Starting on the outer edge, cut the paper plate into a spiral about an inch wide. When you reach the inside, stop so that you have enough paper plate left to form the snake’s head. Make two eyes with a marker. Ssssssssss. Now you and your snake can curl up with a good book.

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

September 12, 2008 - McWillie Elementary Welcomes Dianne de Las Casas

Friends:

I had the great pleasure of performing at McWillie Elementary School in Jackson, Mississippi. I saw 680 students and had a blast. I performed my Jump, Jiggle & Jam program to two groups of enthusiastic, highly participatory audiences. One third grade boy told me, “I loved your show. It was so much fun but you make me tired!” I laughed. I still had one more show to go! I’m the one who should have been tired! My only disappointment was that I forgot my camera’s SD card and didn’t get any pictures of my show. The school took pictures and promised to send me some.

After my show, I was given a tour of the beautiful school bedecked with breathtaking art. Look at this mosaic butterfly, mounted in the corner of a hallway. This picture was taken with my phone camera.

September 12, 2008 - McWillie Elementary Mosaic Butterfly

I had a fabulous time at the school. They enjoyed my show so much that they want me to return next year!

After my show, I was anxious to get on the road and head home. I heard that Vicksburg, MS was out of gas so I filled up before I left. The ride home was treacherous, especially as I entered Louisiana.

September 12, 2008 - Welcome to Louisiana

With Hurricane Ike rapidly approaching, the effects of the monster storm were far-reaching. The winds were so strong, it felt as though my sturdy van might topple over. They tore at the trees and pushed against my car. I had to drive with both hands on the wheel.

Take a look at the bayou community of Manchac, Louisiana on I-55 South. It’s under water.

September 12, 2008 - Flooding in Manchac

Where I-55 joins I-10, there was flooding in LaPlace, Louisiana. I managed to take a few decent pictures while driving over the Bonnet Carre Spillway. The high waters from Lake Pontchartrain splashed underneath the elevated highway and covered railroad tracks.

Here the Cypress trees wade in high waters from Lake Pontchartrain that invade the bayou.

September 12, 2008 - Cypress Trees on the Spillway

In Louisiana, several levee breaches and heavy overtoppings occurred in Plaquemines Parish, Terrebonne Parish and Lower Jefferson Parish. Homes have been flooded from the strong storm surge. Other than the winds and power outages, the city of New Orleans seems to be faring well. This is the city around 3:00 pm today.

September 12, 2008 - Superdome & New Orleans Arena

Driving over Crescent City Connection was challenging, with the winds whipping all around.

September 12, 2008 - Crescent City Connection

I can’t tell you how relieved I was to get home. I was frightened driving in winds that gusted 40-50 miles per hour. Eliana was so happy to see me. She didn’t have school today because of Hurricane Ike. So we decided to have some fun and make silly faces. Sometimes, even when facing a storm, you have to find humor in the midst of chaos. So I leave you with our silly faces.

September 12, 2008 - Mommy & Daughter Making Silly Faces

We’ll continue to pray for all the people in Ike’s path. God Bless Texas, Louisiana and the Gulf Coast.

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne