1-26-10 Telling stories at Bissonet Plaza Elementary Family Literacy Night 1-26-10

Friends:

Tonight I was the featured author at Bissonet Plaza Elementary’s Saint-sational Family Literacy Night. I performed stories, sang, promoted reading, and signed books. My first story was Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach. The students loved the story and really participated. It was so much fun to tell it to the Bissonet students because I have been their storyteller/author-in-residence every year (for 9 years) and the students know and love me. Of course, I love them right back!

1-26-10 Telling Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach

By request, I also told The Cajun Cornbread Boy. I don’t know who loved it more – the kids or the grown-ups! The students sang and participated in all the story’s motions. It was so much fun! Just look at these students blowing raspberries! LOL

1-26-10 Students participating in the story, The Cajun Cornbread Boy

After my performance, I signed books. I enjoyed being at one of my favorite schools around. A special thank you to Ellen Miller, who coordinated the event and invited me as their honored guest. Another special thank you to my sweet daughter, Eliana, who was my assistant and pro photographer!

Remember the magic number, Bissonet students… 20! Read 20 minutes a day to strengthen your thinking muscle!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

12-15-09 Ms. Morrow's 4th grade class rehearses their story, The Frog and the Ox

Friends:

Today was Day 7 of my Handmade Tales residency at Bissonet Plaza Elementary in Metairie, LA. My day began in 4th grade, in Ms. Morrow’s class. They had a surprise for me. They are performing the handmade tale, “The Frog and the Ox.” They created a jazzed up rap and dance for the chorus. They were gettin’ down! Word! It was so awesome!

12-15-09 Ms. Morrow's 4th grade class chorus gets down!

They created books from my story, “The King’s Advisor.” Some of the student got very creative. I love this book… inspired by the book, Fantastic Mr. Fox, by Roald Dahl. Thank you!

12-15-09 A Student in Ms. Morrow's 4th grade class writes a book in my honor!

Then I headed to Ms. Tonguis’ 1st grade class. We had so much fun with my string story, “The Stubborn Turnip.” They also loved the draw and tell story, “The Emperor’s Dragon.”

12-15-09 A Student in Ms. Tonguis' 1st grade class draws a dragon

After first grade, I hopped over to Ms. Anchissi’s Kindergarten class. They enjoyed the story of “The Stubborn Turnip.”

12-15-09 Telling The Stubborn Turnip string story in Ms. Anchissi's Kindergarten class

After, we did “The King’s Advisor” and made the 6 page book from the story. Then, they became authors and illustrators.

12-15-09 A Student in Ms. Anchissi's Kindergarten class creates a Christmas book

Ms. Chieffo’s 2nd grade class was next. They were excited to see me. I told them the story of “The Stubborn Turnip” and they were very participatory. Then we made 6 page books out of a single sheet of paper from my story, “The King’s Advisor.”

12-15-09 A Student in Ms. Chieffo's 2nd grade class creates a book about outer space

Ms. Frechette’s 3rd grade class was next. After creating the book out of a single sheet of paper, they rehearsed their story for the Handmade Tales gradewide performances on Thursday. Their story is “The Ugly Duckling.” The main cast did a great job telling and demonstrating the story. The chorus was also fun to watch as they rapped and danced their parts. Way to go, Ms. Frechette’s 3rd graders. You totally rocked today!

12-15-09 Students in Ms. Frechette's 3rd grade class rehearse their story, The Ugly Duckling

My last class was Mr. Joyce’s 5th grade class. They were a great group and I had fun teaching them how to make Russian nesting dolls out of paper. They created all kinds of cool characters.

12-15-09 A Student in Mr. Joyce's 5th grade class creates characters from paper nesting dolls

Check out these robots!

12-15-09 A Student in Mr. Joyce's 5th grade class creates a trio of robots from paper nesting dolls

Then they breezed through their rehearsal of “The Emperor’s Dragon” draw and tell story. It’s going to be so wonderful to see them perform! I just love this year’s group of 5th graders! They are so excited to learn, do and perform.

12-15-09 Students in Mr. Joyce's 5th grade class perform the story, The Emperor's Dragon

Another fun day at Bissonet!!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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

12-10-09 Dianne de Las Casas and Santa Claus

Friends:

Today was my fourth day at Bissonet Plaza Elementary in Metairie, Louisiana. I am in the midst of an arts-in-education residency, teaching grades K-5 handmade tales from my book, Handmade Tales.

When I first arrived at school, I came in through the back door of the library. Every day, I put my lunch in the library refrigerator located in a small room at the back of the library. The room has curtains for “doors.” When I parted the curtain to enter the room, was I surprised! I caught Santa getting dressed! Was I embarrassed! He was getting dressed for Santa pictures. Jolly Old St. Nick had a sense of humor and was kind enough to let me take a picture of him.

12-10-09 My accidental meeting with Santa

My first class was Ms. Morales’ cool 4th grade class. They cheered when I walked through the door. I taught them “Catching a Pest” and then we did the story, “April Showers.”

12-10-09 A talented student creates a flower in Ms. Morales' 4th grade class

The story turns a sheet of paper into a curtained window, a raindrop, a flower, and finally, a ladybug. It was so cool seeing the students transform their sheets of construction paper. Thanks for a great time, Ms. Morales’ class!

12-10-09 A student from Ms. Morales' 4th grade class makes a ladybug from the story, April Showers

Next, I traipsed over to Mr. Boone’s 3rd grade class. Mr. Boone is such a fun teacher and his students were ready for my visit. After the draw and tell tale, I taught the class the story, “Mr. Wiggle and Mr. Waggle,” a story that uses only the hands. It’s such a cute tale. They loved the story and enjoyed telling it together.

12-10-09 Students from Mr. Boone's 3rd grade class learning Mr. Wiggle and Mr. Waggle

After Mr. Boone’s class, it was on to Ms. Johnson’s kindergarten class. I told “Catching a Pest” and “Papa’s Teepee,” a cut and tell that turns a coffee filter into a teepee and then into a snowflake. They loved creating their fabulous snowflakes!

12-10-09 Ms. Johnson's Kindergarten class creates snowflakes

Ms. Vizzini’s 2nd grade class was next. I taught them how to draw a mouse using the numbers 1 through 7 in the story, “Catching a Pest.” They were awed at how the numbers formed a picture.

12-10-09 Drawing Catching a Pest in Ms. Vizzini's 2nd grade class

Then they cut their snowflakes and had a ton of fun making a snow blizzard!

12-10-09 Snowflakes float in Ms. Vizzini's 2nd grade class

After lunch, I visited Ms. Lemoine’s 1st grade class. It was fun working with her group and they adored the snowflake activity! I got lots of hugs from Ms. Lemoine’s 1st graders. So cute!

12-10-09 Snowflakes float in Ms. Vizzini's 2nd grade class

My last class was two combined Pre-K classes. I told “Bandana Man,” and “The Pesky Skeeter” and “The Stubborn Turnip” with string. They had a ball!

12-10-09 Dianne uses a bandana to portray an old woman in Bandana Man for Pre-K

The Pre-K class practically mobbed me with hugs when I was finished. They are a loving bunch.

12-10-09 Dianne (way in the back) with the Pre-K classes

It was a great day and I look forward to Friday! After school, I have to head to Baton Rouge for a book signing at Barnes & Noble Citiplace at 7:00pm. It should be fun!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Note: The students’ faces are obscured to protect their identities.

12-9-09 Students from Ms. Morrow's Class perform The Frog and the Ox with balloons

Friends:

My day began with Ms. Morrow’s lively 4th grade class. They all cheered when I walked into the room. All the students remembered me from my previous years there. We did the draw-and-tell tale, “Catching a Pest.” It was a fun time with Ms. Morrow and her class! I look forward to seeing them perform “The Frog and the Ox” on performance day.

12-9-09 Students from Ms. Morrow's 4th Gr. Class drawing Catching a Pest

My second class was Ms. Frechette’s 3rd grade class. After teaching them “Catching a Pest,” I told them the story of “The Ugly Duckling” using towels. I let them practice using bandanas. It was a blast.

Afterward, I chose some students from Ms. Frechette’s class to perform “The Ugly Duckling” using the towels. The entire class participated in the story and it came out so cute. I can’t wait to see it on performance day.

There was a mix-up in the schedule so Pre-K had to be rescheduled for Thursday. It was then on to Ms. Chieffo’s 2nd grade class. They learned “Catching a Pest” and then made the snowflake from the story “Papa’s Teepee.” Seeing the snowflakes fall to the ground never gets old for me!

12-9-09 Ms. Chieffo's 2nd grade class creates a snow blizzard

After lunch, I headed to Ms. Tonguis’ 1st grade class. She is a new teacher at Bissonet and I really enjoyed her personality and being in her class! First, we made the mouse with the numbers 1 through 7 from the story, “Catching a Pest.”

12-9-09 A mouse made with the numbers 1-7 by a student in Ms. Tonguis' 1st grade class

Then I told “Papa’s Teepee,” turning a coffee filter from a teepee into a snowflake. The students in Ms. Tonguis’ class had a blast with their snowflakes. They were adorable!

12-9-09 Ms. Tonguis' 1st grade class loved making their coffee filter snowflakes

My last class was Ms. Brumfield’s 5th grade class. They were excited to see me and we did the draw-and-tell followed by teaching them “The Pesky Skeeter,” an original short story made with string. The string figure was a challenge for them but by the end of class, several of the students had mastered the string. They can’t wait to do it again. I issued them a challenge. The next time I return to class, if 10 students master the mosquito string figure, then they get to keep their strings. I love seeing their faces when they master the skill and see the string transform!!

12-9-09 Students from Ms. Brumfield's 5th Gr. Class create a mosquito from string

It was a great day at Bissonet! Let’s see what tomorrow brings!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Note: Students’ faces are obscured to protect their identities.

12-7-09 Making Bandana Man with Ms. Morrison's 4th graders

Friends:

Today I began a two-week residency at Bissonet Plaza Elementary in Metairie, Louisiana. This is my 9th year at Bissonet, and I look forward to my annual visit. Special thanks to Ellen Miller, Bissonet’s Librarian, for always inviting me back! This year, I am doing Handmade Tales with the students, teaching them the stories. At the end of the residency, students from each class will perform a tale.

My day began in 4th grade with Ms. Morrison’s class. I told them the story “Catching a Pest,” a story I created that uses the numbers 1 through 7 to depict a mouse. They loved it. Then I shared “Bandana Man,” a rendition of “Gingerbread Man,” created with a bandana. The students had so much fun learning how to make Bandana Man, though it was challenging.

12-7-09 Bandana Man in Ms. Morrison's 4th grade class

I then went to Ms. Naugle’s 4th grade class. They were working on a number of holiday projects, including these adorable cards!

12-7-09 Happy Holiday Cards from Ms. Naugle's 4th Grade Class

I told “Catching a Pest” and then taught them “Bandana Man.” They enjoyed the handmade tales and had a great time.

12-7-09 Ms. Naugle's 4th grade class creates Bandana Man

From 4th grade, I traveled downstairs to Ms. Hahn’s kindergarten class. They loved the story of “Catching a Pest” but were REALLY thrilled when I told “Papa’s Teepee,” a story that turn a coffee filter into a Native American teepee and then turns the teepee into a snowflake. I worked with them, helping them turn their coffee filters into snowflakes.

12-7-09 Working w Ms. Hahn's Kindergarten Class

After creating their snowflakes, we created a snow blizzard, turning the classroom into a “winter wonderland.” You should have seen the students’ faces as they floated their snowflakes!

12-7-09 Ms. Hahn's Kindergarten Class makes snowflakes!

After kindergarten, it was on to Ms. Presser’s second grade class. We did “Catching a Pest,” “Papa’s Teepee,” and I even had time to do a draw and tell story, “The Emperor’s Dragon.” All of the stories are from my book, Handmade Tales. The students were so well-behaved. I really enjoyed seeing them make their snowflakes float to the ground!

12-7-09 Ms. Presser's 2nd graders created snowfall

My next class was Ms. Duhe’s first grade class. They were so excited to see me that they cheered. So many of the students remember me from last year’s visit. In many cases, I see the students as they go from kindergarten to 5th grade. The children had fun doing the handmade tales.

12-7-09 A student in Ms. Duhe's 1st grade class creates a mouse using numbers

We hung their snowflakes from their display line. Wintry greetings from Ms. Duhe’s class!

12-7-09 Ms. Duhe's 1st graders' snowflakes

My final class was Ms. McLeod’s 5th grade reading class. The students were so excited to see me. It was such a warm welcome. We worked on “Catching a Pest” and “The Magic Star,” a cut and tell story. The star proved to be very challenging for the students. Consequently, I only took one picture!

12-7-09 A fifth grader creates the numbers mouse

It was a great day and I enjoyed being back at the school. It’s a challenge going up and down the stairs of the school with my sprained ankle still healing but the students helped me tremendously. Tomorrow is another full day! Six classes of joyous students.

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

(Note: Students’ faces are obscured to protect their identities.)