Chicago

10-29-09 Students from Ms. Swanson's 1st grade TWI class dancing Zydeco

10-29-09 Students from Ms. Swanson's 1st grade TWI class dancing Zydeco

Friends:

Today was my third day at Dawes School. It was a wonderful day that started out in Ms. Swanson’s 1st grade TWI (Two Way Immersion) class. This was my second visit to the class so I told the story of “Sody Sallyraytus” and then explored Zydeco music through the use of scarves. Finally, we ended with a fun drama exercise in role playing. The students welcomed me enthusiastically into their class once again and we had a fantastic time.

My next period was free so I chilled in the library with Ms. Jicha. After that, I visited Ms. Weatherby and Ms. Gibert’s Kindergarten class. What a lovely group of children! Ms. Weatherby and Ms. Gibert were so sweet! I was offered a juice and an animal cracker snack. The children loved The Cajun Cornbread Boy and exploring jazz music through scarves. They were awesome!

10-29-09 Dianne telling story of The Cajun Cornbread Boy to Ms. Weathersby and Ms. Gibert's Kindergarten class

10-29-09 Dianne telling story of The Cajun Cornbread Boy to Ms. Weathersby and Ms. Gibert's Kindergarten class

Finally, I visited Ms. Alvarez’s class for the second time. Again, the students loved the story and scarf activities. They were a very responsive and fun group to work with.

10-29-09 Dianne dancing Zydeco with student in Ms. Alvarez's class

10-29-09 Dianne dancing Zydeco with student in Ms. Alvarez's class

After school, my friend, Juliet, and I,went to dinner and theater in downtown Chicago.

10-29-09 Downtown Chicago crossing the river

10-29-09 Downtown Chicago crossing the river

We ate at a fabulous restaurant called Sunda on Illnois street in the North River area. The Pan Asian food was absolutely divine. The executive chef, Rodelio Aglibot, is the brother of a friend of mine from high school, Ruby! Juliet and I were treated like royalty and had a phenomenal dinner. After dinner, we saw Jersey Boys, a marvelous Broadway play with a stellar cast and great music by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. We had so much fun!!

On our way home, we saw this huge spider attacking the side of a house!

10-29-09 Arachnophobia

10-29-09 Arachnophobia

It was another perfect day in Evanston and Chicago! I look forward to tomorrow – I have two Scared Silly assemblies at Dawes School. It will be a blast.

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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10-25-09 Framed by Fall

10-25-09 Framed by Fall

Friends:

I flew to Chicago this morning and my good friend and fellow author, Juliet Bond, picked me up from the airport. I am staying with Juliet this week as I perform a week-long arts-in-education residency for grades K-2 at Dawes School. After a delicious breakfast, Juliet gave me a tour through Evanston, where she lives, and the surrounding area. I am in love with the Fall foliage: gorgeous green, glittering gold, shimmering orange, and rusty red-tipped trees line the avenues.

10-25-09 Tree-lined avenue

10-25-09 Tree-lined avenue

It was so beautiful today too. The weather was in the 60s and it was breezy, not windy. The view of the lake from an overlook was stunning.

10-25-09 Tree lined avenue

10-25-09 Tree lined avenue

Here, fun Juliet sashays her way through the day. LOL

10-25-09 Juliet sashays

10-25-09 Juliet sashays

This is a beautiful Ba’hai Temple near Juliet’s house.

10-25-09 Ba'hai Temple juxtaposed against the cloud-crocheted sky

10-25-09 Ba'hai Temple juxtaposed against the cloud-crocheted sky

This is Juliet’s house. I sleep in the East Wing.

10-25-09 Juliet's dream house

10-25-09 Juliet's dream house

Just kidding. Juliet, her husband Kevin, and their three children, Jacob (12), Lilly (9), and Casey (5), live in this house adorned with cool Halloween decorations.

10-25-09 Juliet's house

10-25-09 Juliet's house

After a nice refreshing nap, I dined with the Bonds. Juliet cooked up a tasty pasta dinner with a Greek salad. Appetizers consisted of a cheese plate with apples and crackers. Yum!

10-25-09 Dinner with the Bonds

10-25-09 Dinner with the Bonds

While I was napping, they added more Halloween decor to the front yard. Cool and creepy!

10-25-09 Creepy dead baby and tombstones

10-25-09 Creepy dead baby and tombstones

Love the ghosts! Boo!

10-25-09 Mostly Ghostly

10-25-09 Mostly Ghostly

Check out these pumpkin heads…

10-25-09 Pumpkin heads

10-25-09 Pumpkin heads

And finally, a happy couple welcomes you into the Bonds’ home.

10-25-09 The happy couple

10-25-09 The happy couple

I look forward to my week with the Bond family. Thank you, Lilly and Casey, for loaning me your room! It’s just perfect. Thank you, Jacob, for all your help! And thank you to Juliet and Kevin, for opening your home to me. Hugs!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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