The Gigantic Sweet Potato book, paper bag sweet potato, and cardboard roll mouse

Friends:

Here is a great Book Craft you can do with my book, The Gigantic Sweet Potato, illustrated by Marita Gentry and published by Pelican Publishing Company. They are easy and fun!

The Gigantic Sweet Potato book and cardboard roll mouse

Cardboard Roll Mouse
Materials:
4-5″ cardboard paper roll
construction paper
chenille sticks (white)
Googly eyes
glue
stapler
black marker

Directions:
To make the mouse, from construction paper, cut out a tail and two ears. Pinch one end of the tissue paper roll shut, inserting the tail in the middle. Staple it shut. Wrap the tail around a pen or pencil to create a curl. Pinch the opposite end of the tissue paper roll in the opposite direction (it will look like a triangle). Glue ears at the top and a Googly eye on each side. With a black marker, color the bottom tip, creating a nose. Cut two small white pieces of chenille stick and fold it in half, creating whiskers. Glue on each side of the nose. Your mouse is ready.

Paper Bag Sweet Potato Craft
Materials:
brown paper lunch bag
plastic grocery bags or newspaper
1 green chenille stick
1 sheet green construction paper
orange crayons or orange paint
green marker
hole punch
tape

Directions:
Color or paint every side of a brown paper lunch bag orange. Stuff the bag with plastic bags or newspaper. Cut 3-4 leaves from construction paper and hole punch the top of the leaf. Draw a green line down the middle. Thread leaves on the chenille stick, securing them with a piece of tape. Close the bag by wrapping the end of the chenille stick around the top of the bag. Crumple the bag slightly to give it a less uniform look so that it resembles the misshapen figure of a sweet potato.

The Gigantic Sweet Potato book and paper bag sweet potato

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

5-16-10 Morning on Alona Kew White Beach, Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines

Friends:

Zarah Gagatiga (my co-author for Tales from the 7,000 Isles: Filipino Folk Stories) and I went island hopping on our second day in Bohol, Philippines. We rented a bangka boat for the day. A bangka is a canoe with a bamboo outrigger. Our bangka was also motorized.

5-16-10 The bangka boat we used to go island hopping in Bohol, Philippines

We had to leave very early: 6:00 am! First, our bangka driver, Ren Ren, took us to dolphin watch. There were so many other bangka boats out too. Despite the crowded sea, we were still able to view large schools of dolphins jumping in and out of the water.

5-16-10 Caught a dolphin jumping when we went island hopping in Bohol, Philippines

After dolphin watching, we went snorkeling on a coral barrier reef near Balicasag Island. I saw so many gorgeous fish I had never seen up close! There were clown fish, blue devil fish, angelfish, parrot fish, and other colorful sea creatures. It was like going to an aquarium. I loved swimming like a mermaid through Poseidon’s garden! After snorkeling for an hour and a half, we stopped at Balicasag Island to rest.

5-16-10 Zarah, on the right, posing with Balicasag Island jewelry merchants

The people on the island were so sweet and friendly, especially Manang Trudes, from whom I bought tons of jewelry. I taught a little island girl, Hannah, how to make a star from string.

5-16-10 I taught, Hannah, a 5 year old Balicasag Island girl, how to make a star out of string

On Balicasag, I spotted a new nipa hut. This “bahay kubo” reminded me of my mom’s island of Marinduque, where I actually stayed in one for some time. It is constructed of bamboo, rattan, and leaves of local plants such as banana and palm. It is built on stilts so that it can avoid flash floods from the sea or nearby rivers.

5-16-10 A traditional nipa hut (bahay kubo) on Balicasag Island, Bohol, Philippines

After Balicasag, we headed to a tiny island called Putod for some swimming. There I met a couple from Poland and some warm Filipinos from Dumaguete City in Negros, Visayas, Philippines.

5-16-10 I made new friends from Dumaguete City in Negros, Visayas, Philippines

While Zarah and I were swimming, I found this gorgeous starfish. I named him “Spike.” hahaha

5-16-10 I found a starfish on the small swimming island of Putod and named him Spike

After a lovely day of island hopping, Zarah and I were pooped but we ended up working beachside, writing as the waves lapped the shore. Such a wonderful life!

5-16-10 Native Bohol boys play in the sand

Night fell on the beach and I sighed with contentment…

5-16-10 The beachside restaurant lights at our resort, Alona Pyramid

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

5-15-10 View of Bohol from above as we approach to land

Friends:

On Saturday, May 15, Zarah Gagatiga, my co-author for Tales from the 7,000 Isles: Filipino Folk Stories, traveled to Bohol, an island in the Visayas region of the Philippines. The purpose of the trip was to collect stories for the book and tour parts of the Philippines I had not yet seen.

5-15-10 Zarah and I arrive at Tagbilaran Airport, Bohol, Philippines

After claiming our luggage, we headed out of the airport, where we were greeted by our driver from the resort’s car service. Nice!

5-15-10 Alona Pyramid Resort car service welcomes me to Bohol

I booked us at Alona Pyramid Resort because of their Filipiniana style beach bungalows.

Our little cottage is like an apartment. It is two stories with a living room and bathroom downstairs, and the bedroom upstairs. It has a refrigerator, cable TV, air conditioning, and free WiFi.

5-15-10 Our room at the Alona Pyramid Resort

The bungalow also has a beautiful front porch that overlooks the pool. The beach is just steps away.

5-15-10 Alona Kew White Beach, Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines

We decided to rest and scheduled an island hopping tour for the next day so that night, we had dinner at the resort’s restaurant. They serve an array of fresh seafood every day. You pick what you want and they grill it for you.

5-15-10 The vast array of fresh seafood available for grilling at the hotel's restaurant

The beach is lovely and not crowded like Boracay. It is quiet and a good place to take a working, writing vacation. Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

5-12-10 Team Sagada at the beginning of the Fidelisan Rice Terrace trek to Bomod-Oc Falls in Sagada, Philippines

Friends:

On day 2 in Sagada, Zarah booked us a tour guide to take us through the Fidelisan Rice Terraces to Bomod-Oc Falls. First, a hearty breakfast of ham, eggs, and native red rice.

5-12-10 Native red rice from Sagada, Philippines

This city girl bought tennis shoes. I wore my bathing suit under my dress but it was clear to our guide, Jimmy, that I was not an outdoor girl! He kept asking me if I wanted to turn back, that the trek would become progressively more difficult. He was right but I wasn’t giving up!

5-12-10 At the start of our trek through the Fidelisan Rice Terraces, Zarah follows Jimmy, our guide

At the beginning of our trek, I saw an old Igorot woman. She wore a basket on her back for carrying rice. Though she was stooped and frail-looking, she was a sturdy woman, able to traverse up a down the rice terraces. What was a phenomenal feat for me is just a daily routine in her life!

5-12-10 An old Igorot woman carries a basket into the rice fields

The beauty of the rice terraces astounded me. Rice is hand-planted, plowed by carabao (water buffalo), and still hand-ground. I will never look at rice in the same way again. After hearing the rice whisper in the breeze, it now feels like a sacred food, fit for Gods but made for man’s consumption.

5-12-10 Rice, known, as palay, grows abundantly. The top of the plant is what is harvested for the grains.

I bought a walking stick in town and it came in handy during the challenging trek through the Fidelisan Rice Terraces. There were steep stairs to ascend and descend, narrow paths, and rocky terrain.

5-12-10 Our guide leads the way down a narrow path on a mountain with a sheer drop off, near the Bomod-Oc Falls

We had to climb over large, slippery stones to reach Bomod-Oc Falls but oh, was it worth it! The water from the falls collected in an ample pool below. The water was very cold but I had to swim in that amazing pool! It was a nice respite from the heat of the sun bearing down on us in the rice terraces.

5-12-10 Swimming in the pool below Bomod-Oc Falls. An Igorot boy enjoys the water in his birthday suit

We met some Igorot boys on the way to the Falls and they accompanied us through the rice terraces. They bounded up and down the stony stairs and mountainous terrain like little goats. Those amazing kids! (Pun intended.) LOL After my swim in the shockingly cold water, they gave me a massage! In return, I gave them each 25 pesos and a bag of chips to share. The boys were so happy. What I observed was that although the Igorot children are poor, they are happy and delight in the simple things life has to offer.

5-12-10 Igorot children are eager to give me a massage

Just look at the splendor of this waterfall! Mother Nature in one of her best dresses…

5-12-10 The Bomod-Oc Falls are breathtaking!

I took this great shot of a carabao (water buffalo). Carabao are used to plow the rice terraces. To this day, the Igarot people do most of the hard labor of cultivating rice by hand!

5-12-10 A carabao or water buffalo is used to plow the rice fields

The 10K trek to and from the Bomod-Oc Falls was very challenging for me. I huffed and puffed and had to stop and rest, especially when climbing back up the steep stone stairs. But I made it and at the end of the journey, I had a sense of accomplishment I have never felt before. It was one of the most physically challenging things I have ever done in my life.

5-12-10 A picturesque view of the rice terraces we traversed

When we got back to town, we ate a hearty lunch. All that trekking built our appetites! We met Lola Lillian, an Igarot woman, who was traveling down the road balancing kamote (sweet potato) tops on her head for planting. I invited her to join us for lunch. She was so sweet. Lola (meaning “grandma” in Tagalog) Lillian told me she had nine children and 50 grandchildren! Wow!

5-12-10 Posing with an Igorot woman with sweet potato tops balanced on her head

I am in love with rice terraces and the people of Sagada. They were all so friendly and helpful. The caretakers of the local Episcopal church allowed me to use their Wifi so that I could do mobile uploads from my iPhone to Facebook. Our guide, Jimmy, totally took care of us. There is no way we could have made that trek alone. Manang Julia, the owner of St. Joseph Rest House, was a sweetheart and attended to our every need. It is a remote piece of “Peace on Earth.” Sagada, the mountain place where you can “touch the sky…”

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

10-26-09 Welcome to Dawes

Friends:

Today was my first day at Dawes School in Evanston, Illinois, where I am the storytelling/author in residence for grades K through 2. The visit was arranged by my good friend and Dawes parent, Juliet Bond, and the Dawes Librarian, Sue Jicha. Sue was such a sweetheart, facilitating my visit and making sure everything ran smoothly. Ms. Bradley, the principal, greeted me first thing in the morning, making me feel welcome at Dawes.

10-26-09 Dianne in the Dawes Library

My first class was Ms. Wilcinski’s kindergarten class. They were a sweet group of children and I had fun telling The Cajun Cornbread Boy and doing creative movement with scarves and jazz music.

10-26-09 Ms. Wilcinski's Kindergarten

Next, I went to Ms. Hamilton’s 1st grade classroom. They were sitting quietly and ready for me to start when I came in. We had a blast and the students really enjoyed the activity.

10-26-09 Ms. Hamilton's 1st grade

Then it was off to Ms. Shleker’s 2nd grade class. This group of energetic children were so participatory in my story and had a great time with the scarf activity. I found out that Ms. Shleker was involved in theater and she loved my jazz music. We had such a fun time!

10-26-09 Ms. Schleker's 2nd grade

After lunch, I visited Ms. Sovich’s 2nd grade class. Ms. Sovich is a singer and knew all the songs I played on the Jazz for Kids CD. I was so impressed. The students had a great time with the story as well as the music activity.

10-26-09 Ms. Sovich's 2nd grade

My last class was with Ms. Swanson’s 1st grade TWI (Two Way Immersion) class. the students are immersed in a Spanish language curriculum. I had the opportunity to speak some Spanish and the children were so much fun.

10-26-09 Telling a story in Ms. Swanson's TWI 1st grade

It was a wonderful first day. The teachers were so warm and welcoming and the students were very well-behaved and enthusiastic. I am totally looking forward to tomorrow!

10-26-09 Turtle Art at Dawes School

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Pulling up the gigantic sweet potato...

Facebook “Fan of Dianne” Friday Fanfare
Keeping in Touch with Author & Award-winning Storyteller Dianne de Las Casas
September 11, 2009

Note from Dianne:
Friends, thank you so much for being a “Fan of Dianne!” I now have 421 fans. Thank you so much for your support. I <3 U!

Today is the 8th Anniversary of 9/11. Let’s all pause a moment to remember and honor those who lost their lives on this fateful day in United States History.

Each Friday, you will receive a short update (Friday Fanfare) letting you know what’s new on the Fan Page. I want “Fan of Dianne” to be a place where you can get cool ideas, interact with me, and have fun! If you REALLY love me, you can sign up for SMS updates. This means that when content is updated on “Fan of Dianne,” you will receive a text message on your phone.

I look forward to hearing from you! Laissez les bon livres rouler! Let the good books roll! -Dianne de Las Casas

What’s New?!
* Author Copies of Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach came in. The book is beautiful! Be sure to check Dianne’s calendar for book signing events!
* CONTEST! “How FANtastic are you?!” Send in a creative picture of you, your child, or your classroom with one of Dianne’s books or CDs. The winner will receive 2 copies of Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach, signed by author Dianne de Las Casas and illustrator Marita Gentry. (Marita even draws a cool picture inside the book!) Post the pics to the “Fan of Dianne” wall, send them via Facebook message or email them to Dianne at dianne@storyconnection.net. Contest ends September 30, 2009 at 11:59pm CDT.
* Dianne now has a Blog Talk Radio Show called “Together Time – Creative Ideas for Grown-ups and Kids to Spend Time… Together” on Monday nights at 10pm CDT. Even if you miss it, you can always hear it on demand on my website, http://www.storyconnection.net, on the “Fan of Dianne” page, and on iTunes for free!
* Dianne’s story “Bandana Man” from her book, Handmade Tales: Stories to Make and Take, has been making the rounds in the Philippines courtesy of Zarah Gagatiga, Storyteller and Librarian. Thank you, Zarah!
* Dianne received a new book contract from Libraries Unlimited for Tell Along Tales! Playing with Participation Stories. It will be filled with tips, techniques and tellable tales on the art of audience participation.
* Dianne saw the dummy for The Gigantic Sweet Potato, her children’s book with Pelican Publishing illustrated by Marita Gentry. It’s gorgeous! The Gigantic Sweet Potato is slated for a Fall 2010 release.

Get in the Spirit!
Tell your friends about “Fan of Dianne” and encourage them to join the party! Send this link – http://www.facebook.com/fanofdianne There is also a new fan box on Dianne’s regular Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/diannedelascasas so people can get to the fan page from there too!

Got a picture with Dianne? Or a cool picture reading one of Dianne’s books? Post it to the wall. You can post videos too!

Cheers for Dianne’s Fans:
Hip Hip Hooray! for:
* Zarah Gagatiga for spreading the joy of The Bandana Man (AKA The Handkerchief Man) throughout the Philippines
* Zarah Gagatiga, Percy Gapas, Ally Hoadley, Veronica L. C. Stevenson-Moudamane and Liz Smith Parkhurst for leaving wonderful comments on the “Fan of Dianne” wall
* Dianne’s new fans… 22 since last week! You are FANtastic!

Meet & Greet!
You can find out where Dianne is signing books by checking the calendar. Purchase a book and get a signed reading poster!

Dianne de Las Casas
Author & Award-Winning Storyteller
The Story Connection
dianne@storyconnection.net
storyconnection@gmail.com
http://www.storyconnection.net
http://www.storyconnection.net/blog
Friend me! http://www.facebook.com/diannedelascasas
Fan me! http:/www.facebook.com/fanofdianne
Follow me! http://www.twitter.com/storyconnection

Books:
Mama’s Bayou (Pelican Publishing; Spring 2010)
The Gigantic Sweet Potato (Pelican Publishing; 2010)
Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach (Pelican Publishing; Fall 2009)
Stories on Board: Creating Board Games from Favorite Tales (Libraries Unlimited; 2010)
Scared Silly: 25 Tales to Tickle and Thrill (Libraries Unlimited; Spring 2010)
The Cajun Cornbread Boy (Pelican Publishing Co., 2009) ISBN 1-58980-224-1
The Story Biz Handbook: Managing Your Storytelling Career from the Desk to the Stage (Libraries Unlimited; 2008) ISBN 978-1-59158-730-9
Tangram Tales: Story Theater using the Ancient Chinese Puzzle (Teacher Ideas Press; 2008) 978-1-59158-652-6
Handmade Tales: Stories to Make and Take (Libraries Unlimited; 2007) ISBN 978-1-59158-536-7
Kamishibai Story Theater: The Art of Picture Telling (Teacher Ideas Press; 2006) ISBN 1-59159-404-3
Story Fest: Craft Story Theater Scripts (Teacher Ideas Press; 2005) ISBN 1-59469-009-X

8-22-09 Dianne de Las Casas & Marita Gentry signing books

Friends:

After moving my 19 year old daughter, Soleil, into her dorm room at LSU (where I had to take a shower in her dorm bathroom!), we headed to Barnes & Noble Citiplace, where I had a book signing with Marita Gentry, my illustrator for The Cajun Cornbread Boy. We were part of a big event called “One Book, One Community.” Check out this big book!

8-22-09 Dianne & The Book

And here is The Book’s (ahem) backside. hahaha

8-22-09 The Book's backside

Our time began with revved-up storytelling (by me) and live illustration by Marita. It was fun and interactive. The kids AND the grown-ups had a marvelous time.

8-22-09 Dianne telling & Marita drawing

Here is a closeup of one of Marita’s uber cool drawings! Thank you to Eliana, my 9 year old daughter and resident photographer!

8-22-09 Marita's alligator

After our presentation, it was time to sign books. We had quite a crowd and sold quite a few books (there were only 7 left at the end).

8-22-09 Dianne & Marita signing books after their presentation

Marita and I have the absolute cutest fans! Look at Lila Rae!

8-22-09 Dianne de Las Casas & Lila Rae

We had a fantastic time and can’t wait until our next book signing together, which will be the book launch party of Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach at Octavia Books in New Orleans on Saturday, October 3, 2009 from 1:30-3:30pm. We hope to see you there!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Ms. Dianne tells The Gigantic Sweet Potato to Ms. Ragusa's first grade class 2-17-09

Friends:

After a four day weekend, today was my fifth day at Bissonet Plaza Elementary doing my Louisiana Story Fest residency. My day began in Ms. Ragusa’s first grade class where I told a new story, The Gigantic Sweet Potato. Then we explored Louisiana’s jazz and brass band music with scarves, movement and dancing. The class was enthusiastic and we had so much fun.

I then went to Ms. Presser’s second grade class. I always love visiting this class because they are so well-behaved, inquisitive, and are genuinely interested in learning. After telling my story, I was even able to share a little social studies lesson with the students. Afterwards, we danced to jazz music with our scarves. Those students can really get down!

Ms. Presser's second graders dance to jazz music 2-17-09

Then it was on to Ms. Johnson’s kindergarten class. We had fun with The Gigantic Sweet Potato, Pile it on the Pie (a cumulative chant with Louisiana foods), and a frog subtraction handplay. We then danced to the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Marcia Ball.

Ms. Johnson's kindergarteners play with scarves to jazz music 2-17-09

After kindergarten, it was back upstairs to Ms. Frechette’s third grade class. Ms. Frechette was out and the class was a little unsettled. It took a while to get them to where they needed to be to rehearse. But when they did, it was wonderful.

Ms. Frechette's 3rd grade storytellers rehearse their Brer Rabbit story 2-17-09

They are performing “Brer Rabbit and the Tar Baby” and the story is going to be fabulous! I can’t wait to see it come together for performance day next week.

Ms. Frechette's 3rd grade chorus rehearses 2-17-09

After lunch, I went to Ms. Morales’ fourth grade class. Were they excited to see me! The class worked quickly and nearly effortlessly creating their chorus parts for their story, Jean Sotte – Foolish John. It was amazing. They were so good – in fact, they rocked!

Ms. Morales' 4th grade chorus rehearses 2-17-09

The 4th grade storytellers did an equally astounding job. They went through their parts quickly and worked well with the chorus. I think they are going to turn out an amazing performance.

Ms. Morales' 4th grade storytellers 2-17-09

After 4th grade, it was on to Mr. Joyce’s fifth grade class. While the class, as a whole, did a much better job than my last visit, they were still so disjointed and chatty. There are several class clowns and students who are attention-seekers. This disrupts the flow of the lesson and causes constant interruption and counseling. Once I was able to get the chorus to focus and commit to their part, they settled down a bit.

Mr. Joyce's 5th grade chorus rehearses La Petite Fourmi 2-17-09

Once the storytellers began their parts, things started to flow a little better. The storytellers were more focused than the chorus and really tried to execute their roles, working on properly pronouncing the French words in the story.

Mr. Joyce's 5th grade storytellers rehearse La Petite Fourmi 2-17-09

It will be interesting to see how this group of 5th graders performs their story next week in dress rehearsal and during the actual performance. I look forward to seeing tomorrow’s classes.

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Ms. Chieffo's 2nd graders dance Zydeco 2-12-09

Friends:

I had such a good time on Day 4 of my Story Fest residency. It was a late day, with my first class starting at 9:40 am so I took advantage of the extra time and worked out for an hour at home. I came to school refreshed and ready to go! My first class was Ms. Chieffo’s 2nd grade class. They were perfect little angels – so incredibly well-behaved. They listened intently to the tale of The Cajun Cornbread Boy and followed instructions when it came time to explore Louisiana’s Cajun and Zydeco music through scarves, movement, and dance.

2nd graders play the washboard 2-12-09

After 2nd grade, I went downstairs to meet Ms. Bonnano’s kindergarten class. They were an enthusiastic, curious group of students who really enjoyed my activities. I told them the story of The Cajun Cornbread Boy and they loved it.

Ms. Dianne shows Ms. Bonnano's Kindergarteners The Cajun Cornbread Boy book 2-12-09

Ms. Bonnano (my first time meeting her) was so sweet and accommodating. Here they are dancing and passing a good time!

Ms. Bonnano's Kindergarteners dance Zydeco 2-12-09

Then it was on to Mr. Boone’s 3rd grade class. I love Mr. Boone. He is a great teacher who knows how to balance fun and discipline. I arrived a tad early so I helped Mr. Boone finish up his lesson on ABC order. It was fun to “team teach” with Mr. Boone! Afterwards, we transitioned into my activities.

Ms. Dianne walks a "dog" in Mr. Boone's 3rd grade class 2-12-09

The class had a blast with the role-playing drama activities. They did a great job.

Mother comforting jilted brides in Mr. Boone's 3rd grade class 2-12-09

The class was assigned the story rap, “Jackie Rabbit,” and I can’t wait to see Mr. Boone’s class perform it. It is going to be awesome!

After lunch, I visited Ms. Leboutillier’s preschool class. What a sweet group of students! They were ready for me as soon as I walked in! I told them the story of The Cajun Cornbread Boy and they fully participated in all the motions and songs.

Ms. Leboutillier's preschoolers listen to The Cajun Cornbread Boy 2-12-09

Then we explored Louisiana through Cajun and Zydeco music and dance. And did we dance!

Preschoolers second line around the classroom 2-12-09

My last class was Ms. Muller’s preschool class. When I arrived, they were all napping. They had been on a field trip in the morning and were zonked out completely. After unsuccessfuly trying to rouse them, we decided it was better to let them rest. Fortunately, I will be visiting their class again.

Friday and Monday were off days for me so I headed for a nice 4 day weekend! I look forward to Week 2 with my Bissonet students.

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Ms. Lemoine's first graders have fun! 2-11-09

Friends:

It was Day 3 of my Louisiana Story Fest residency at Bissonet Plaza Elementary. Ms. Lemoine’s first grade class was my first visit. The students really enjoyed my telling of Cajun Cornbread Boy. They loved the scarf activity and had a ball. Here they are dancing to Zydeco music.

Ms. Lemoine's first graders dance Zydeco 2-11-09

Then it was upstairs to Ms. Vizzini’s second grade class. What a well-controlled group of students. They were quiet, attentive, and cooperative. They listened to me tell The Cajun Cornbread Boy, then we moved into our scarf and music activity.

Ms. Vizzini's 2nd graders dance with scarves 2-11-09

Ms. Vizzini joined us, playing the triangle in a Cajun band. You go, Ms. Vizzini!

Ms. Vizzini, 2nd grade teacher plays the triangle 2-11-09

With a couple of second graders helping me, we hauled my suitcase to Ms. Bonnano’s Kindergarten class. Ms. Bonnano had such energetic, inquisitive students who really enjoyed our activities. One little girl said, “Can you be our teacher forever?!” So cute!

Ms. Bonnano's Kindergarteners rock the Zydeco! 2-11-09

Then it was off to Ms. Massa’s third grade class. They were a wonderful group of students who really listened and participated in the activity.

Ms. Massa's third graders play women walking their dogs in Central Park 2-11-09

I had so much fun because the students really enjoyed the activities. Creativity abounded in this classroom!

Ms. Massa's third graders portray a bus full of bad students 2-11-09

After lunch, I went to Ms. Naugle’s 4th grade class. I love Ms. Naugle – she has been one of my favorite Strehle teachers for years. She is passionate about teaching and never shuns away from something new. This year, she has a technology integrated classroom – she has a website, an accessible E-board, an interactive blog, and even engages her students in video chat lesson plan exchanges with students from other schools around the country. Wow!

Ms. Naugle’s class was so excited about the activity that it was a challenge to get them to settle down between roles. But the class was bursting with creativity and I saw some exceptional work.

Ms. Naugle's 4th graders play a mother comforting her daughter, the jilted bride 2-11-09

Here are some students who worked so well in their group.

Ms. Naugle's 4th graders portray a restaurant scene 2-11-09

After 4th grade, it was time for my last class – 5th grade. When I first came into the room, they were quiet and attentive. But once we shed the structure of the classroom and moved into the drama activity, they lost self-control. It was the first time I had to terminate the scarf activity. They did get to do individual role-playing exercises but were not able to do partner work.

Ms. Brumfield's last period fifth grade class portray a boy who was caught stealing an apple from the neighbor's tree 2-11-09

I was disappointed in this bright group of 5th graders because I can see such potential in their young faces. I look forward to seeing how they will conduct themselves the next time I work with them.

That’s what teaching is about. There are joys and there are challenges. Ultimately, the joys outweigh the challenges and I love seeing the students’ faces light up when they are enjoying themselves and learning something new.

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne