Artist Residency

1-18-11 Students from Ms. Avist's first grade class play Gingerbread Jam

Friends:

Today was Day 6 of my “Stories on Board: Creating Board Games from Favorite Tales” residency at Strehle Elementary in Avondale, Louisiana. This will be a short blog because, like a goofball, I forgot to take pictures of my awesome fifth grade classes! I was so involved in the first part of my lesson that I totally neglected to take pictures of their works in progress.

Anyway, my day began with a second visit to Ms. Avist’s first grade class. The students were so happy to see me when I walked in the room that they started running up to hug me. After they settled down, I shared the story of “The Gingerbread Man” and taught them how to play “The Gingerbread Jam.” They really enjoyed the game.

There was a scheduling snafu and I had to do some class switching. I made my second visit to Ms. Robinson’s kindergarten room. I told them the story of “The Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza” and they loved playing the game, “The Little Red Hen’s Pizza Party.” Because they were kindergarteners, they needed a little more help moving their game pieces around the pizza-shaped board and the spaces that were pizza slices. But they did a good job playing together.

1-18-11 Students from Ms. Robinson's Kindergarten class play The Little Red Hen's Pizza Party

In Ms. Robinson’s class, I found out that one of my professional books, Scared Silly: 25 Tales to Tickle and Thrill, won a 2011 Storytelling World Award. How exciting!

Scared Silly: 25 Tales to Tickle and Thrill wins a 2011 Storytelling World Award!

I visited two fifth grade classes next. It was my first visit and The classes were assigned the stories, “Little Red Riding Hood” and “The Lion and the Mouse.” Some of the titles they came up with for “Little Red Riding Hood” were: “Little Red’s Caper” and “Off to Granny’s We Go.” For “The Lion and the Mouse,” some of the titles created were: “The Hunter’s Trap” and “The Lion’s Escape.”

After lunch, I visited Ms. Clausing’s Pre-K class. I told the story of “The Little Red Hen” and they learned how to play “The Little Red Hen’s Pizza Party.” Because of their young age, the children had to be closely coached on how to move their game pieces around the board. They did well taking turns and counting the dots on the die.

1-18-11 Ms. Clausing's Pre-K class plays The Little Red Hen's Pizza Party

I visited another 5th grade class. They were assigned the story of “The Three Billy Goats Gruff.” There were a lot of creative titles bandied. The winners include, “The Three Billy Goat Gs,” “The Goats’ Trippity Trap,” “Across the Bridge,” and “The Troll’s Troubles.” I was really impressed with how each group came up with inventive titles independently of the other students.

My last class of the day was Ms. Royster’s third grade class. It was my first visit to their class and they had to learn the first step of the “Stories on Board” process. After the story mapping activity, learning the game board perils and triumphs, and seeing all the game board shapes, they began work planning their games. They were assigned the story of “Henny Penny” and came up with some fun titles: “Killer Fox,” “Run to the King,” “The Sneaky Fox,” “The Ferocious Fox,” and “The Fox’s Lair.”

1-18-11 The start of a game board by students in Ms. Royster's third grade class

I can’t wait to see how this week’s board games come out! It will be fun to see them progress.

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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1-14-11 Ms. King's Kindergarten Class sings Happy Birthday to Dianne, crowned with a tiara from Ms. Robinson's class!

Friends:

Friday was the fifth day of my “Stories on Board” residency at Strehle Elementary in Avondale, Louisiana. My morning was full of kindergarten classes. First, I visited Ms. Clausing’s class for the first time. After I told the story of “The Gingerbread Man,” the students played the game, “The Gingerbread Jam.” They had fun learning how to move their game pieces around the board with addition and subtraction.

1-14-11 Ms. Clausing's Kindergarten class plays Gingerbread Jam

Next, I went to Ms. Robinson’s Kindergarten class. It was my first visit to Ms. Robinson’s class and I told them the story of “The Gingerbread Man.” I taught them how to play “The Gingerbread Jam” and they played the game, learning how to move around the board and how to count spaces. I got a birthday tiara to wear! Woo hoo!

1-14-11 Ms. Robinson's Kindergarten class plays Gingerbread Jam

Then it was time to move on to Ms. King’s class. It was my second visit to the class so I told the story of “The Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza.” Then I taught them how to play “The Little Red Hen’s Pizza’s Party,” on a circular board with pizza slices as the game spaces.

1-14-11 Ms. King's class plays The Little Red Hen's Pizza Party

Then I went to Special Ed Pre-K. The class was awesome. They listened to a story and three songs! The students were very participatory and having a blast.

1-14-11 Pre-K Special Ed

After lunch, I headed to Ms. Lankard’s second grade class. It was my second and final visit to the class. I told them the story of “The Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza” and they played “The Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza.” They were overly excited to have me in the class and Ms. Lankard had to settle them down. They had a great time playing the game.

1-14-11 Ms. Lankard's second grade class playing The Little Red Hen's Pizza Party

Then it was on to Ms. Glass’ third grade class. It was my third and final visit to the class and they had to finish their board games and play them. Their class was assigned “The Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf.” They had some great games!

1-14-11 Students from Ms. Glass' third grade class play their game, The Big Ravenous Wolf

I also liked the game, “Wolf on the Loose!” Very creative! I even got to eat Bavarian cream king cake in their class – it was my “birthday” cake!

1-14-11 Students from Ms. Glass' third grade play their game, The Wolf on the Loose!

My final class of the day was Ms. Landry’s fourth grade class. It was my third and final visit to the class. They finished their game boards and played their games. I had the opportunity to play “Hen-Opoly” with chance cards! It was a brilliantly executed game and tons of fun to play with the boys that created it.

1-14-11 Hen-Opoly game from Ms. Landry's fourth grade students

“Chicken Path” was also a cute game that used the same concept of the square board.

1-14-11 Chicken Path game from Ms. Landry's fourth grade students

Ms. Landry’s class sang “Happy Birthday” to me, a perfect ending to a great day at Strehle. Thank you so much for making my birthday celebration special!

Week 1 down! One more week (5 days) to go…

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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1-13-11 The Harey Situation, a game created by a group of students in Ms. Dempster's 4th grade class

Friends:

Today was the fourth day of my “Stories on Board: Creating Board Games from Favorite Tales” residency at Strehle Elementary in Avondale. My day began in Ms. Hoadley’s PK class. I shared the story of “The Gingerbread Man” and following my story, they played the game, “The Gingerbread Jam.” Fun!

1-13-11 Students in Ms. Hoadley's PK class playing The Gingerbread Jam

Next, I visited Ms. Jones’ Kindergarten class for the first time. I told the story of “The Gingerbread Man.” The students had a substitute teacher and took some time settling down but they enjoyed the story. After the story, they played the game, “The Gingerbread Jam.” I had to work with several groups to coach them on how to move their pieces on the board and encourage them to take turns.

1-13-11 Students in Ms. Jones' K class playing The Gingerbread Jam

My next class was Ms. Guidry’s third grade class. It was my last visit to their class and they finished their games based on the story of “Sody Sallyraytus.” The games came out great! The students had a blast playing their own games and it was fun to see their hard work result in inventive board games.

1-13-11 Students in Ms. Guidry's class play their finished game, Bear Attack!

Then it was on to the Special Ed PK class. I told the story of “The Gingerbread Jam.” We had fun with the story and they really loved the animal sounds of the pig, the horse, and the cow.

1-13-11 Dianne de Las Casas and a sweet student from Special Ed PK

After lunch, it was on to Ms. Vega’s fourth grade class. It was my last visit to their class and they worked on finishing their board games based on the story, “Goldilocks.” Talk about clever! There were some AMAZING board games. I had fun rotating around playing the different games.

1-13-11 Don't Fall into the Pot 'Cause It's Too Hot, a game created by a group of students in Ms. Vega's 4th grade class

One game used a fortune teller to tell players their next move. Another game had “Bear Jail” and cards. Ms. Vega said that she LOVED the lesson plan and would definitely be using the “Stories on Board” technique again soon. That made me feel wonderful.

1-13-11 Goldilock's Escape, a game created by a group of students in Ms. Vega's 4th grade class

Next, I moved on to Ms. Landry’s class for my second visit to her class. At first, the class was overly exuberant. Once they settled down and began working on their board games, they really focused. Their class was assigned “The Little Red Hen.” I loved the title, “Don’t Be Toast,” designed around the Little Red Hen’s bread. When I visit Ms. Landry’s class on Friday, the students will finish their boards and play their games. Woo hoo!

1-13-11 Students in Ms. Landry's fourth grade class work on their game, Chicken Path, based on the story, The Little Red Hen

My last class was Ms. Dempster’s fourth grade class. I was tickled by the work they did on their board games. It was my third and final visit to the class and they finished their board and played their games. I love when I hear laughter fill the room as the students play the board games that they created.

1-13-11 Reptile Road, a game created by a group of students in Ms. Dempster's 4th grade class

I often receive gifts from the students such as notes, drawings and even beautiful artwork. As much as I enjoy their gifts, their real gift to me is the beautiful results of their efforts. I look forward to seeing more!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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1-12-10 Dianne de Las Casas telling The Gingerbread Man to Ms. Short's first grade class

Friends:

Today was the third day of my “Stories on Board: Creating Board Games from Favorite Tales” residency at Strehle Elementary in Avondale, Louisiana. My day began with my first visit to Ms. Short’s first grade class. The best way to start your day with with a hug and that is exactly how my day started. Ms. Short gave me the best hug welcoming me back to her classroom. Thank you so much, Ms. Short! I told her students the story of “The Gingerbread Man” and they loved the rollicking rhythm of the tale. Afterwards, we separated the students into groups to play the board game, “The Gingerbread Jam.” They did a great job taking turns and working together!

1-12-10 Ms. Short's first grade students play The Gingerbread Jam game

Next, I moved on to Ms. Lojszczyk (pronounced LOYS-chick) and her first grade class. It was my first visit to her class and many of the students remembered me from last year so there was a very warm receptions from the kids. I told the story of “The Gingerbread Man” and they loved singing the song. Afterward, they had a lot of fun playing “The Gingerbread Jam” board game.

1-12-10 Students in Ms. Lojszczyk's first grade class play The Gingerbread Jam

My next class was Ms. Guidry’s third grade class. It was my second visit to their class and they continued working on their board games. Their class was assigned the story, “Sody Sallyraytus,” an Appalachian Mountain tale in which a big bear jumps out from underneath a bridge. They had such great titles as “Bear Attack” and “Sneaky Squirrel Savior.” Very creative!!

1-12-10 Students in Ms. Guidry's third grade class create Sneaky Squirrel Savior board game based on the story, Sody Sallyraytus

Ms. Creecy’s third grade class was next. They were assigned the story, “The Gingerbread Man” and they had some very clever games and game titles such as “The Running Man,” “GB Jump,” “Granny Blast,” and “The Kooky Cookie.” This was my third and final classroom visit and they worked on finishing their games.

1-12-10 Students in Ms. Creecy's third grade class play their board game, The Kooky Cookie, based on the story, The Gingerbread Man

After they finished designing and coloring their boards, they were able to play and even exchange games with each other. They loved it! I even got in on the action, playing games with them. Awesome work, Ms. Creecy’s class!!

1-12-10 Dianne de Las Casas plays Granny Blast with a group of students in Ms. Creecy's third grade class

After lunch, it was time for Ms. Vega’s fourth grade class. It was my second visit to the class and the students had to work on designing their game boards. They were assigned the story of “Goldlilocks” and I loved their inventive games!

1-12-10 Students in Ms. Vega's fourth grade class work on their board game, The Escape of Goldlilocks

In Ms. Glass’ third grade class, they continued the work we started the day before. They were assigned the story of “The Three Little Pigs.” They planned, designed, and worked on their games with such fun titles as: “Wolf Tornado,” “Makin’ Bacon,” and “The Ravenous Wolf.” I can’t wait to see and play their finished games!

1-12-10 Students in Ms. Glass' third grade class proudly hold up their game, The Ravenous Wolf, based on the story of The Three Little Pigs

My last class of the day was Ms. Dempster’s fourth grade class. It was my second visit to the class and they created their game titles, planned their games, and began designing their boards. Their terrific titles include: “The Tortoise & The Wicked Hare,” “Reptile Road,” “The Crazy Chase,” “The Hare-y Situation,” and “Hare and Tortoise Challenge.” It is truly amazing to see the creativity and critical thinking skills these students display when creating their board games. They really enjoyed the activity and can’t wait to play their games.

1-12-10 Students in Ms. Dempster's fourth grade class create Reptile Road board game based on the story, The Tortoise and the Hare

I look forward to tomorrow’s classes!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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1-11-11 Students in Ms. Johnson's second grade class play Gingerbread Jam

Friends:

Today was the second day of my “Stories on Board” Residency at Strehle Elementary in Avondale, Louisiana. I began my day in Ms. Johnson’s second grade class. As soon as I walked into the class, the students cheered and jumped up to give me hugs. It was so sweet. This was my second visit so, after a vote by the class, I shared the story of “The Gingerbread Man.” They loved the “running” chorus throughout the story (LOL) and kept signing it as they played the game, “The Gingerbread Jam.”

My second class was Ms. Hoadley’s Pre-K class. Ms. Hoadley gave me a GIGANTIC hug – sooo sweet! It was my first visit to the class and I told them the story of “The Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza.” They were so adorable singing all the parts and making the motions. After the story, they played “The Little Red Hen’s Pizza Party.” What cuties!

1-11-11 Students in Ms. Hoadley's Pre-K class play The Little Red Hen's Pizza Party

Next, I went to Ms. King’s Kindergarten class. Ms. King always gives me such a warm welcome and tells me how much she loves my stories and books. Thank you, Ms. King. I <3 U too! I told the story of “The Gingerbread Man” and then the students played “The Gingerbread Jam.” It was a ton of fun.

1-11-11 Students in Ms. King's Kindergarten class play Gingerbread Jam

After the kindergarten class, I returned for a second visit to Ms. Creecy’s third grade class. The students astounded me with the work on their game boards. I can’t wait to see the finished products! Their class was assigned “The Gingerbread Man” and the titles of their games are “The Running Man,” “The GB Jump,” “The Kooky Cookie,” and “Granny Blast.” Awesome work, Ms. Creecy’s class!! Woo hoo for you!

1-11-11 Students in Ms. Creecy's third grade class work on their game, Granny Blast, based on The Gingerbread Man

In Ms. Lankard’s second grade class, I told the story of “The Gingerbread Man” and they ate up the story. Ha ha. They loved singing the chorus: “Run, baby, run, as fast as you can. You can’t catch me ’cause I’m the (clap, clap) Gingerbread Man!” Of course, there are fun motions to go with the chorus and they enjoyed the story. After the story, they played “The Gingerbread Jam.” They had fun getting past the granny, the pig, the horse, the cow, and the fox.

1-11-11 Students in Ms. Lankard's second grade class play Gingerbread Jam

Next, I went to Ms. Glass’ third grade class. They were assigned the story of “The Three Little Pigs.” Wow, did we have fun getting creative with that story! Some of their game titles are “Makin’ Bacon,” and “Wolf Tornado.” Ms. Glass challenged them to stretch their imaginations and come up with inventive titles. Unfortunately, I was so involved in helping them with their games that again, I forgot to take pictures. Don’t worry. I will definitely take some pictures of their super cool games the next time I visit their class.

After Ms. Glass class, I slipped into Ms. Dempster’s third grade class next door. It was the last period of the day and I had just enough time to go over the process with them and pass out their game boards. They weren’t able to begin work on their titles or drawings yet. I have two more visits with them so I am excited about what they will do with their story, “The Tortoise and the Hare.” One student already came up with a phenomenal game title, “The Hare-y Situation.” I love seeing the students’ minds in action!

It’s amazing what kids can do when they are taught a skill set and given some room for creativity. I am excited about my work at Strehle. More fun to come!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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1-10-10 Telling The Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza in Ms. Avist's first grade class

Friends:

This week, I started a new residency at Catherine Strehle Elementary in Avondale, Louisiana. We are doing “Stories on Board: Creating Board Games from Favorite Tales.” Stories on Board is one of my books published with ABC Clio, Libraries Unlimited.

For the lower grades (pre-K through 2nd), I tell a story and then they play a board game based on that story. For the upper grades, they are assigned a story that turn into a board game. It’s a fun process and there are a lot of skills involved for all the grades.

My first class was Ms. Avist’s first grade class. I told the story of “The Little Red Hen” and following the story, they played a game I created based on the story.

1-10-10 Ms. Avist first grade students play The Little Red Hen's Pizza Party

After Ms. Avist’s class, I moved on to Ms. Giroir’s Pre-K class. Again, I told the story of “The Little Red Hen” and they played the game, “The Little Red Hen’s Pizza party.” Of course, because they are so young, they needed guidance and help. They played in groups of four and learned how to count game board spaces. There was also addition and subtraction involved so the little ones learned quite a bit.

1-10-10 Ms. Giroir's Pre-K students play Little Red Hen's Pizza Party

Next, I headed to Ms. Guidry’s third grade class. I went through my lesson plan, explaining the Stories on Board process. The students learned about perils and triumphs and how to apply them to a board game. After deconstructing the story, they began work on their game boards. They were assigned the story, “Sody Sallyraytus.”

1-10-10 Students in Ms. Guidry's third grade class work on their board game

Then it was on to Ms. Creecy’s third grade class. They were assigned the story, “The Gingerbread Man.” These students came up with some very creative titles such as “Granny Blast,” “The Running Man,” “The G-Man Jump,” and “The Kooky Cookie.” I loved their inventive ideas!!

1-10-11 A game in Ms. Creecy's third grade class called The Kooky Cookie, based on The Gingerbread Man

After Ms. Creecy class, I moved on to Ms. Vega’s fourth grade class. Once they settled down, they were intent on learning the process and creating their board game. They were assigned the story, “Goldie Locks.” Unfortunately, I was so involved in teaching and monitoring their progress that I neglected to take pictures! I will definitely snap some shots of their board games in progress as well as the finished product.

Ms. Landry’s fourth grade class was assigned the story of “The Little Red Hen.” They began work on their boards and came up with some great titles such as “Henopoly” (based on Monopoly) and “Chicken Path.” Again, I forgot to take pictures! I can’t wait to see the results of their creativity.

My last class was Ms. Johnson’s second grade class. They listened to the story of “The Little Red Hen” and then played “Little Red Hen’s Pizza Party.” They had a ton of fun and begged me to return to their class.

1-10-10 Students in Ms. Johnson's second grade class play Little Red Hen's Pizza Party

It was a great first day and I loved returning to Strehle. The teachers are so wonderful and welcoming. This is my fourth year at Strehle and I love working with the students at this school. It’s nice to come to a place where you feel like you are at home. Thank you, Strehle!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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