3-12-10 Performing at the Kansas City Plaza Library

Friends:

After a very long, harrowing day of missed connections due to Continental Airline “maintenance” issues, I arrived in Kansas City safe and sound. My hostess, Children’s Book Author Christine Taylor-Butler, picked me up from the airport and brought me to my hotel in the Plaza area of Kansas City. I had time to freshen up, just in time to make it to the library for my storytelling concert and book signing.

It was so much fun! I began with The Cajun Cornbread Boy and then brought children on stage to be “roaches” for my story, Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach. They danced and had a blast.

3-12-10 Performing Madame Poulet with children as little roaches on stage

I even had special people in attendance! My editor from ABC-Clio Libraries Unlimited, Sharon Coatney; her daughter, Rache; and her grandson, Will. My friend and fellow storyteller, Joyce Slater, also came to the show! Thank you so much!!

I finished with a spooky favorite, “The Ghost of Mabel Gable.” The kids and grown-ups loved it. It has such a funny ending. After the show, I signed books, posters, and bookmarks. I had the sweetest fans!

3-12-10 Signing books and posters after the show

Special thanks to Christine Taylor-Butler for coordinating the event, to April from the Kansas City Plaza Library for hosting the event, to the AV and security staff of the library, and to Sherry, the CRM of the local Barnes & Noble, who handled book sales. I appreciate the opportunity to perform in such a beautiful space in such a fabulous library!

3-12-10 Inside a circle of books at the Kansas City Plaza Library

2-27-10 Mama's Bayou Frogs Cake

Friends:

My Mama’s Bayou book launch party with Holly Stone-Barker was a smashing success! We had a beautiful cake made to look just like the frogs in our book, Mama’s Bayou. I also set out mini marshmallow frogs for the kids. So cute!

2-27-10 Holly & Dianne in front of the cake table

Judith Lafitte and Tom Lowenberg, owners of Octavia, were wonderful hosts. They rearranged the book store for our party and did a fantastic job! Thank you so much, Judith and Tom!

2-27-10 Dianne is a Judith Lafitte fan! Judith is co-owner of Octavia Books.

Eliana, my 9 year old daughter, dressed up as a gator. I made her cousins outfits with shirts that had the book’s images on them. They were so cute!

2-27-10 Eliana (gator girl on right) with her cousins

Holly set up a large story time magnet board made from one of the pages in our book. It’s so gorgeous!

2-27-10 Mama's Bayou giant story time magnet board

As I sang the story, the children put the animal magnets on their place in the bayou. It worked out so well and the kids loved it!

2-27-10 The children hold their magnets for the story time board

I played the tambourine and sang the story with hand motions. Eliana held the book and turned the pages. Holly managed the children with the placement of their animals on the magnet board. It was fun!

2-27-10 Dianne & Eliana demonstrate the story's motions

Here are the children doing the hand motions for the story.

2-27-10 The children participate in the story

When the story was finished, I sat on the floor with the children to watch Holly as she demonstrated how she creates her cut paper and collage art.

2-27-10 Dianne on the floor with the kids for Holly's demonstration

Holly did a wonderful demonstration and created a dragonfly! The children were fascinated, watching her put together the dragonfly.

2-27-10 Holly Stone-Barker demonstrates her cut paper and collage technique, creating a dragonfly from the book

After Holly’s demonstration, I showed everyone all the activities that were available with our book, all free and downloadable from the web http://www.storyconnection.net/?content=mamasBayou. Then we drew prizes. We gave away a book bag, a cookie sheet magnet board, a mama and baby frog plush set, and a giant stuffed mama and baby frog.

2-27-10 Drawing prizes!

All the children were given a packet of activity sheets and goody bags containing chocolate graham cracker bears, a “Bear Hugs” postcard, bookmark, hopping frog, and party blower. Then we served frogs, poured swamp juice, and signed books.

2-27-10 Holly & Dianne sign books for loyal fans, Jon & Jordyn!

It was a fantabulous day! Thank you to everyone who came to our book launch party. Special thanks to Nina, Katie, and Caitlin of Pelican Publishing for coming! Judith and Tom of Octavia, we couldn’t have done it without you! And of course, thank you to our loyal fans, friends, and family who always stick by us. We’ll stick “bayou” too!

Rock and read on the bayou!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

2-4-10 Mardi Gras shoe box floats in the cafeteria for judging

Friends:

Today was the sixth day of my Story Fest residency at Strehle Elementary in Avondale, Louisiana. My first class was Ms. Hoadley’s PK class. It was my first visit and the students were tickled to hear Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach. I love how they laugh when I do Madame Poulet’s voice. Then, by special request from one of the teachers’ assistants, I told my story, “Rockin Three Billy Goats.” We had a blast!

2-4-10 Ms. Hoadley's PK students participate in Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach story

My second class was Ms. Jones’ kindergarten class. It was my second visit so I told the story of “Sody Sallyraytus.” Then we danced with scarves to jazz music. The students loved it.

Ms. Jones and Ms. Brenda got their new Strehle Saints shirts and I had to have them strike a pose. Too cute!

2-4-10 Ms. Jones and Ms. Brenda pose with their new Strehle Saints Super Bowl shirts

Next, I headed to Ms. King’s kindergarten class. They were waiting for me and so excited to see me. They listened to “Sody Sallyraytus,” danced to jazz music, and even second-lined around the room to New Orleans brass band music. We had a kickin’ time!

2-4-10 Ms. King's class second lines around the room

Then it was time for Ms. Davis’ special ed PK class. I told my story, “Rockin Three Billy Goats” and the students enjoyed it. Ms. Davis told me that a couple of years ago, one of her students really took to that story from my Jump, Jiggle & Jam CD. He learned the story and could retell the whole story. She said that story has been special to her since then. It really touched my heart to hear that story. Thank you for sharing, Ms. Davis!

2-4-10 Giant student art in Ms. Davis' special ed PK class

After my storytelling, we danced to jazz music and had so much fun!

2-4-10 Dancing with Ms. Davis' PK special ed students

During my lunch, I read a stack of letters and looked at drawings from Ms. Hervey’s first grade students. They were so precious. I wish I could show you all of them but here is one of my favorites, an illustration of Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach. Wow! Thank you, Ms. Hervey’s class!

2-4-10 A student from Ms. Hervey's first grade class illustrates Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach

Don’t you just love this picture of me?!!!

2-4-10 It's Ms. Dianne!

After lunch, I went to Ms. A. Hoadley’s second grade class. They were so jazzed to see me. Ms. Hoadley and the students cheered when I walked in the class. What a feeling! It was my first visit so I told the story of Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach. Boy, did the students get into the story! They laughed so hard. At the end of the day, Ms. Hoadley delivered handmade cards. They are adorable – I will post some pics of them in tomorrow’s blog.

2-4-10 Eating a roach in Ms. Hoadley's second grade class

Ms. Hoadley and I posed for pictures in front of her SUPER BOWL SAINTS bulletin board. She is so creative. The boys decorated footballs while the girls decorated fleur de lis. What a great board!

2-4-10 Ms. Dianne and Ms. Ally Hoadley in front of her Saints Super Bowl bulletin board

Then it was on to Ms. Till’s fourth grade class. The fourth grade was split up this week with the addition of a “new” fourth grade teacher to alleviate overcrowding in the grade. They moved Ms. Vega from second grade into fourth. As a result, my fourth grade classes are all “mixed up.” Fortunately, the fourth grade teachers worked with me and let me keep the original students for each story that I assigned. Ms. Till’s “old” class was as chatty as they were last time and it was a challenge to keep the entire group on task. Still, we managed to put together a really cool story theater with a beat master, a story chorus, dancers, and a solo dancer. Combined with the storytellers, their story is really good. If they can pull it together and perform as a cohesive group, it will be a phenomenal performance.

2-4-10 Ms. Till's fourth grade class rehearses The City Mouse and the Country Mouse

My last class was Ms. Glass’ third grade class. It was my first visit with them. After eating some king cake with the students, I assigned roles for storytellers and the story chorus in the story, “Beaver and Turtle’s Race.” Then we did my Story Fest warm-up activities with them acting out roles. They loved it. We had some time at the end and the students created the rap for their story chorus. It is so cute.

2-4-10 Ms. Glass' third grade acts out the role of a school bus filled with mischievous kids

I had a great day at Strehle. Look at what Ms. Hoadley’s PK class said! Awwwww. I love y’all too! I look forward to tomorrow at Strehle.

2-4-10 Ms. Hoadley's PK students express how they feel about Ms. Dianne and her story

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

2-3-10 Dancing to world music with Ms. Robinson's PK

Friends:

Today was my fifth day at Strehle Elementary in Avondale, Louisiana doing my Story Fest residency. My first class was Ms. Short’s first graders. Oh, they were such a sweet and fun group. This was my second visit and they were so excited to see me and hugged me as soon as I walked in the door. I told them the story of “Sody Sallyraytus” and they loved it. Afterwards, we danced to jazz and Mardi Gras music. We even did a second line. Ms. Short even gave me a gift when I left the class – a candied pretzel. Yum!

2-3-10 Telling Sody Sallyratus to Ms. Short's happy first graders

It was then on to Ms. Robinson’s pre-K class. The students were all waiting for me in a quiet circle. It was my first visit and I told them the story of Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach. They cracked up every time I said, “Monsieur Roooooooach.” They also loved singing and dancing with me.

2-3-10 Telling Madame Poulet & Monsieur Roach to Ms. Robinson's pre-K class

My next stop was Ms. Badeaux’s second grade class. It was my second visit and again, the students were so excited to see me. They gave me a big group hug. Then I noticed all the marvelous Mardi Gras floats created from shoe boxes. So cool!

2-3-10 Mardi Gras Shoebox floats from Ms. Badeaux's second grade class

I told the story of Sody Sallyraytus and taught them about alliteration. Then we did some “word whizzling,” making new words out of a long word. We used the words “Sody Sallyraytus.” Together, we found 26 words!

2-3-10 Ms. Badeaux's second graders concentrate on creating new words out of Sody Sallyraytus

I moved on to Ms. Walter’s 5th grade homeroom in Ms. Walker’s class. It was our third and last classroom visit and we rehearsed their story, “The Ant and the Grasshopper.” This class is so good. They really have their act together.

2-3-10 The storytellers of The Ant and the Grasshopper in Ms. Walter's 5th grade class

All the storytellers rehearsed without a script and the story chorus totally rocked. I loved watching them in action. I am so excited about seeing them perform!! They are going to be phenomenal!!

2-3-10 The story chorus of The Ant and the Grasshopper in Ms. Walter's 5th grade class

After lunch, I visited Ms. Hervey’s first grade grade class. Again, there were cool shoe box Mardi Gras floats. I love this Saints Who Dat Nation float, in honor of the Saints making it the Super Bowl.

2-3-10 The Who Dat Nation Shoe Box Mardi Gras float from Ms. Hervey's first grade class

It was my second visit so I told the story of “Sody Sallyraytus.” They really enjoyed the story and after the story was finished, they kept asking me to re-enact the characters. Then we danced to Mardi Gras music with scarves and second-lined around the room. It was fun.

2-3-10 Ms. Hervey's first graders open their big bear mouths and take a big bear bite in the story, Sody Sallyraytus

Next, I visited Ms. Creecy’s 4th grade class. The students did a good job with their story, “The Tortoise and the Hare.” We did a few run-throughs and once the storytellers learn their parts, the story will be perfect. I love the story chorus with the pencil beat done by Angel. We even had other teachers stopping in to see what all the fun was about! Ms. Creacy’s class’ story chorus is so catchy! I can’t wait for performance day.

2-3-10 Ms. Creacy's 4th grade story chorus jams out in The Tortoise and the Hare

My last class was Ms. Johnson’s third grade class. The students did a nice job rehearsing their story, “The Frog and the Ox.” I love the multi-faceted parts of the story chorus. There are dancers and two “back-up” lines. They are using scarves and the result is stunning. The storytellers are learning their parts and tried hard to practice without a script today. Since this was our last rehearsal, the storytellers need to work on their lines so they can present a cohesive performance with their story chorus. Still, I love what the students have done with this story. They were fantastic!

2-3-10 Ms. Johnson's 3rd grade story chorus in formation for The Frog and the Ox

Being with the students today was uplifting and wonderfully restorative, after all that I have been through the past couple of days with my dad (who is recovering now). I love my work!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

1-27-10 Showing Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach book to Ms. King's Kindergarten class

Friends:

It was my third Story Fest residency day at Strehle Elementary in Avondale, Louisiana. My day began in 5th grade with Ms. Walter’s students. I really enjoyed working with this group. They totally energized my day. They cooperated, communicated and collaborated to create a wonderful story theater. Their story was “The Ant and the Grasshopper” and they were so creative, coming up with a cool rap with a beat and a colorful twist of their scarves. Even the teachers were feeling the beat!

1-27-10 Ms. Walter's 5th graders create a story chorus with scarves for the story, The Ant and the Grasshopper. Storytellers are in the background.

My second class was Ms. Guidry’s third grade class. Ms. Guidry was out of class today and her students were not on their usual best behavior. It was a challenge settling them down. I even had to send one of the students to the office for poor behavior. Still, we managed to rehearse their story, “The Turtle Who Could Not Stop Talking.” Ironically, it was the class’ talking that was the issue!

1-27-10 Ms. Guidry's 3rd grade class creates a story chorus for The Turtle Who Could Not Stop Talking

Next, it was on to kindergarten and Ms. King’s class. They loved my telling of Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach. It was so much fun. They laughed so much. I even gave the class a preview of my new book, Mama’s Bayou.

1-27-10 Being Madame Poulet for Ms. King's Kindergarten class

After kindergarten, I saw Ms. Walker’s students in 5th grade. Again, the 5th graders rocked. They were so wonderful, creating the coolest raps and motions. There was such enthusiasm in the class. Even the most reserved students in the class participated and I was so pleased with the end result. I am sooo looking forward to seeing 5th grade perform!

1-27-10 Ms. Walker's 5th grade students pop like popcorn in Paul Bunyan and the Great Popcorn Blizzard

After lunch, I looked at the wrong scheduled and accidentally went to Ms. Vega’s room. When I discovered the mistake, I had to leave to go to Ms. Hervey’s first grade class. The class and Ms. Vega were so disappointed that I was leaving! It feels so good to be loved like that!

I went to Ms. Hervey’s class and the students remembered me from kindergarten. I told Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach and the class loved it. They danced, sang, and laughed like crazy. Then, we used scarves and dance “La Morenada.”

It was on to Ms. Creecy’s fourth grade class. When I arrived in class, two of the students were so excited to show me their art. I even received an original piece of art, a frog, from these two boys. How cool is that?!

1-27-10 4th grade students in Ms. Creecy's class create beautiful art!

Then it was time to rehearse our story theater. This class did a phenomenal job creating their story chorus for “The Tortoise and the Hare.” Their chorus was so catchy that I found myself singing it the rest of the day! Great work, Ms. Creecy’s class. I am very pleased with your teamwork!

1-27-10 Ms. Creecy's 4th grade class!

Tonight, I received an email from students in Ms. Creecy’s class. They were so sweet:

“Hi, Ms. Dianne. I am in Ms. Creecy’s class, I just wanted to tell you thank you for doing those fun things you did with us. The tortoise and the hare beat sounded really good. I can’t wait to perform it! When you read this, I hope you remember me when you come back to Catherine Strehle and Ms. Creecy’s class. Warmly, Ashlyn L.”

“Hello. I am Bailee from Ms. Creecy’s class. I know you are a good storyteller. I so love your books.”

Thank you, Ashlyn and Bailee for your wonderful emails. You touched my heart and I appreciate your taking the time to send me a note. You and your classmates did a fabulous job and I am also excited about seeing your class perform “The Tortoise and the Hare.”

I ended my day in another fourth grade class, Ms. Landry’s class. They also did a great job with their story. They are performing “The Little Red Hen” and it is so cute! I love their chorus as well. They added dance moves and really rocked the chorus. Despite the fact that I had to send two students to the office, the class did some great work together. I look forward to seeing the presentation of these stories!

1-27-10 Ms. Landry's 4th graders rehearse their story chorus for The Little Red Hen

Strehle has the best teachers. I love them all! Here is Ms. Creecy and Ms. Wolf, such beauties! I love coming to Strehle. There is such a “family” atmosphere amongst the teachers, staff, and students. I love the teachers’ and staff’s attitude. They have opened their arms and welcomed me into the Strehle family. I always leave the school with a giant smile on my face.

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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

1-26-10 Telling Madame Poulet & Monsieur Roach in Ms. Short's 1st grade class

Friends:

Today was my second day at Strehle Elementary in Avondale, Louisiana. My day began in first grade with Ms. Short’s class. Many of the students remembered me from last year and were very excited to see me. They loved hearing the story of Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach and then doing scarf activities. They were such a wonderful group of students to work with.

My second class was Ms. Giroir’s PK class. I told the story of Madame Poulet and they loved the song in the story. Ms. Giroir told me that they sang it all day and one of the boys even pretended to be Madame Poulet, the chicken in the story. They also had fun dancing with scarves to world music.

1-26-10 Ms. Giroir and her PK class dance with scarves

After PK, I went to Ms. Badeaux’s second grade class. The students were excited to see me and loved hearing Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach. It was so cute when one of the little girls laughed uncontrollably because I “sneezed” in her hair. They enjoyed dancing “La Morenada,” the dance of the butterfly. Ms. Badeaux told me that the class was learning Spanish. Through the song, they added two new words to their Spanish vocabulary (”manos” meaning “hands” and “pie” meaning “feet”).

Following second grade, I went into PK special ed. I don’t have pictures because my hands were full, literally. One of the students, Jevon, an autistic child became attached to me and wouldn’t leave my lap. Pat Runge said that it was so unusual for Jevon to respond to a “stranger” like that and that I generated a response from him they had not seen all year. Normally agitated and unresponsive, Jevon was calm and relaxed the entire time I was in the room. Another student, Shae Lynn, also gravitated to me and claimed my other arm, hanging by my side for nearly the whole time. I told “Mr. Wiggle and Mr. Waggle,” sang my song, “ABC Rock,” and sang “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” The teachers didn’t want me to leave.

After lunch, I headed to Ms. Avist’s first grade class. I showed them my books and gave them a sneak peek of Mama’s Bayou on the Elmo. Afterward, I told Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach and they loved it. We finished with creative movement to world music. Even Ms. Avist danced! It was so much fun and a great workout too!

1-26-10 Ms. Avist's 1st grade class moves!

Next, I had Ms. Till’s fourth grade class. After discussing the “Storytelling Tool Kit” (imagination, body, face and voice) and the “Three Cs” of story theater (cooperation, communication, and collaboration), we moved into our story theater exercises. They loved the role-playing activities. Their class was assigned the story, “The Country Mouse and The City Mouse.” We didn’t have enough time to create the story chorus but will work on that during my next visit.

1-26-10 Students in Ms. Till's 4th grade class portray a football field goal scene

My last class was Ms. Johnson’s third grade class. The students were very chatty and it was challenging to settle them down long enough to move to the next activity. They processed their thoughts out loud and became so excited about the activity. I was able to assign parts for their story, “The Frog and the Ox” but unable to work on the story chorus with them. At the last minute, one of the students created a beat and a rap for the story chorus. It was like magic – just perfect! I can’t wait to see it all put together when I return to their class.

1-26-10 Students in Ms. Johnson's 3rd grade class portray a mechanic fixing his car

It was a great day but I had to rush quickly out of school. I had a literacy night event at another school – Bissonet Plaza Elementary in Metairie. Tomorrow, I see another seven classes!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Friends:

Today I began a 2 week residency at Strehle Elementary in Avondale, Louisiana. This is my third year at the school. I am doing my Story Fest residency, in which I work with the student doing drama exercises and culminating in story theater performances. The classes are each assigned a story, with parts for individual storytellers and a story chorus.

My first class was Ms. Walker’s 5th grade class. They were a great group to work with, and really participated in the exercises. I demonstrated the “Storyteller’s Tool Kit,” with the four tools they have readily available: 1) imagination, 2) body, 3) face and 4) voice. All my upper grades did individual, partner, and group role playing exercises. Ms. Walker’s class was assigned the story, “Paul Bunyan and the Great Popcorn Blizzard.” They were able to formulate some of the chorus with a rap and it came out great!

1-25-10 Ms. Walker's 5th graders portray a Mardi Gras parade with king on a float

Next, I went on to Ms. Guidry’s 3rd grade class. They were so respectful and excited to see me. Many of the students remembered me from years past and looked forward to the activity. They did such a great job with their drama activity. The class did a great job communicating and collaborating and came up with such a fun story chorus for their story, “The Turtle Who Could Not Stop Talking.” I can’t wait to see it all come together!

1-25-10 Ms. Guidry's 3rd graders portray a field goal, kicking a football through the goal posts

Ms. Walter’s 5th grade class was my next stop. Again, I had a great time with the students. They really enjoyed the activities. Using a beat created by a student, they came up with a fun rap for their story, “The Ant and the Grasshopper.”

1-25-10 Ms. Walter's 5th grade class playing a cowboy riding a horse (look at that midair jump!)

Ms. Williams’ 5th grade class was next. All the 5th grade teachers have “W” last names! There are a lot of very expressive students in this class. They were assigned the story, “The Lion and the Mouse.” The students worked well together and created a story chorus. It needs some work but I will see them again on Wednesday.

1-25-10 Ms. Williams' 5th graders role play a boy stealing an apple from a neighbor's tree

On my lunch break, I caught a candid of one of the 5th grade teachers, Ms. Walker. The faculty and staff showed their Saints spirit by sporting black and gold. The Saints won their playoff game last night against Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings so Saints fever runs high in the city! It is the first time the Saints will play in the Super Bowl.

1-25-10 5th grade teacher, Ms. Walker, has Saints spirit! Who Dat!

After lunch, I had my only lower elementary group of the day. I visited Ms. Mauer’s 1st grade class. I told the story of Madame Poulet & Monsieur Roach and then moved into creative movement with scarves. They danced to world music, exploring rhythms from Africa and South America. It was fun and very colorful!

1-25-10 Ms. Mauer's 1st graders dance with scarves to world music

One of the students in the class had a fleur de lis shaved into his hair. His parents must truly be Saints fans!

1-25-10 A true Saints fan with a fleur de lis carved into his hair!

Next, I moved on to Ms. Creecy 4th grade class. They had a ball doing the story theater exercises. The class is large so excitement was high. I had to settle them down a few times. We ran out of time and were unable to create a story chorus but we will do that next time I see them on Wednesday.

1-25-10 4th graders in Ms. Creecy's class become a woman walking her dog in Central Park

My last class of the day was Ms. Landry’s 4th grade class. The students remembered me from previous years and were so excited to see me. They were so well-behaved and I really enjoyed working with them. They really loved the story theater exercises. They were assinged “The Little Red Hen” and did a phenomenal job crreating their story chorus with a rap to a beat. It was so catchy, I found myself singing it all day! And I loved the way the students in the chorus really cooperated, communicated and collaborated. Those were the 3 “Cs” of story theater I taught them. What a great day!

1-25-10 Ms. Landry's 4th graders are mechanics fixing their cars

I ended my day with a photo op. New Orleans Saints Quarterback, Drew Brees, “stopped by” so I had to get a picture with him… Super Bowl bound, baby!

1-25-10 Dianne poses with New Orleans Saints Super Bowl quarterback, Drew Brees

I look forward to tomorrow at Strehle!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

1-20-10 A teacher works with students to depict a Mardi Gras scene with masked revelers

Friends:

Today, I visited Quitman Upper Elementary. It was such a fun day! I did three Story Fest story theater workshops and a professional development workshop for the teachers at the end of the day.

1-20-10 4th & 5th grade portraying a mechanic fixing his car

My first and second assemblies consisted of 4th and 5th graders. I spoke to them about my method of story theater and explained that we would be doing role playing exercises to warm up. They did such an incredible job with their individual, partner and group exercises.

1-20-10 Monkeys climb a tree while hungry lions wait at the bottom

When I asked the students questions about what they learned from the Story Fest activity, a 4th grade girl named Jaden, responded, “You are never too old or too young to use your imagination.” I couldn’t have said it better myself, Jaden!

1-20-10 4th & 5th grade students portraying a king on a Mardi Gras float with parade revelers

With the third grade, I performed Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach in an assembly program. It was one of the most lively, interactive performances I have ever had of this story. When the roaches danced, the students not only sang, but added additional beats, creating an awesome hip hop rhythm for the story. It was incredible!

1-20-10 Dianne sneaks up on an unsuspecting teacher during Madame Poulet & Monsieur Roach

After the story, I moved the 3rd grade group out to the gym floor and performed story theater exercises with them. It was well received. They had a blast!

1-20-10 A 3rd grade teacher works with a student portraying a mechanic fixing his car

My day ended with a professional development workshop with the teachers. Though most of them had seen Story Fest in action with their students, I gave them different roles to act out.

Then they rehearsed and performed a story theater piece: “The City Mouse and the Country Mouse. It was so cute and full of animated storytellers, a rhythmic chorus, scarves, and rhythm instruments.

1-20-10 Teachers perform story theater - The City Mouse and the Country Mouse

Quitman Upper Elementary loves integrating the arts. Just look at this gorgeous mural in the front office!

1-20-10 Quitman Upper Elementary front office mural - Wow!

I really enjoyed visiting the school. They had wonderful teachers, students and staff. Thank you to Tara Tucker, Amy Johnson, and Mr. Kelly for making my day superb! I loved my Mississippi school visits!

1-20-10 A MAC art project - The Mississippi State Seal made with natural materials

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

1-19-10 Performing for Quitman Lower Elementary 1st & 2nd grades

Friends:

Today I had the privilege of doing a school visit and a professional development workshop for Quitman Lower Elementary in Quitman, MS.

Angie Ledbetter, the Assistant Principal, was my contact person. My GPS misguided me to the wrong side of town and I called Angie on her cell phone in a panic. She was sweet and guided me in and greeted me upon my arrival. She told me that Carol Satterfield, a teacher and big “Fan of Dianne,” drove all the way from North Mississippi to see me and was spending the day at the school. How cool is that?!

Right before my first show, the Principal, Mr. Bounds, greeted me, welcomed me to the school, and introduced me to the students. I performed 2 shows. The first show was for pre-K and K. The second was for 1st and 2nd grades. It was so much fun and the students had a blast!

After my second show, Angie and another teacher, Tootsie, took me to lunch. We ate at a local restaurant, Skidmore’s Old Tyme Butcher Shop and Grill. They served delicious hot plates. I had fried chicken, cornbread, mac and cheese, green beans and peach cobbler. Talk about a Southern cooked meal!

1-19-10 Skidmore's Ole Tyme Butcher Shop and Grill in Quitman, MS

Lunch was so much fun. We laughed and laughed. Everyone that walked in the door could have been a book character! When we were finished eating, Tootsie said, “Now we have to clean our table and scrape off our plates.” It was like a flashback to junior high. So I took my dishes to the slop bucket and scraped off my plate. There was a big sign above the table where the bin for the dirty dishes was. It said, “Please do not throw your metal forks into the trash.”

Then Tootsie told me to read the fine print. Underneath that it said, “Throw away your spit cup please.” I’m not making this up! Better be careful… The white styrofoam cup you think is your drink might actually be someone’s spit cup! Eeeew. Of course, I HAD to take a picture!

1-19-10 Throw away your spit cup sign in Ole Tyme Butcher Shop restaurant in Quitman, MS

After lunch, we went back to school and I took a tour down the halls. The schools is one that really works to integrate the arts and the walls show it! There was art everywhere!

1-19-10 Students study Pointillism at Quitman Lower Elementary

A “Learning is Fun” attitude permeates the school’s atmosphere, from the administration to the staff to students. Quitman Lower Elementary’s teachers are enthusiastic and committed to their classrooms.

1-19-10 Learning is Fun mural in Quitman Lower Elementary

In the afternoon, the teachers came into the multipurpose room for my Story Fest workshop. It was so much fun sharing my signature story theater techniques with them. They were such great participants!

1-19-10 Teachers in Story Fest Workshop portraying a monkey swinging in the trees

They really embraced the story theater warm-up exercises, including Mr. Bounds, the school’s principal!

1-19-10 Mr. Bounds, Quitman Lower Elementary Principal, plays an old woman

I enjoyed their energy and willingness to step out of their comfort zones.

1-19-10 A lion and lioness coming out of a cave

When we were finished with the warm-up exercises, I divided the group in half and they created their own story theater. One group performed “The Turtle Who Could Not Stop Talking.”

The other group performed my brand new story theater script, adapted from my new book, Mama’s Bayou.

1-19-10 Teachers performing Mama's Bayou Story Theater

Afterwards, I signed tons of books and gave all the teachers reading posters. Every student received bookmarks. I really enjoyed my day at Quitman Lower Elementary. Thank you so much, Angie Ledbetter, for inviting me to Quitman. I love you and your school!

Tomorrow, I spend the day at Quitman Upper Elementary. Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne