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
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