2-9-10 Ms. Dorsey's second graders love Sody Sallyraytus

Friends:

Today was my last day to visit classes at Strehle Elementary in Avondale, Louisiana. It was a short day. I only had three classes. I began in Ms. Allison Hoadley’s second grade class. They were ecstatic to see me. Upon request by Ms. Hoadley, I told the story of The Cajun Cornbread Boy. Then, the students begged me to tell them a “Scared Silly” story so I shared “The Ghost of Mabel Gable.” With the lights dimmed, I told the spooktacularly hilarious tale. The kids loved it.

2-9-10 Ms. Hoadley's second grade class enjoys the story of The Ghost of Mable Gable

Next, I went to Ms. Carol Hoadley’s PK class. They enjoyed the story of “Sody Sallyraytus” for my second visit and then we second lined to Mardi Gras music around the room and into the hallway. It was a ton of fun!

2-9-10 Dianne second lines with Ms. Hoadley and her PK class

Finally, I visited Ms. Dorsey’s second grade class. I was greeted at the door with hugs and kisses by nearly the whole class! It’s such a good feeling to be loved! I shared the story of Sody Sallyraytus and the students loved it. Then I taught them about alliteration. Finally, we “whizzled” the words “Sody Sallyraytus.” We created new words out of a combination of letters from “Sody Sallyraytus.” The words had to be three letters or longer. Ms. Dorsey’s class came up with 46 words!!

2-9-10 Word Whizzling with Sody Sallyraytus

After my classes, I drew a name for the teacher basket raffle I do every year. Ann Craiggie, a paraprofessional, won the big basket filled with great goodies, including my book, The Cajun Cornbread Boy.

2-9-10 Ann Craiggie wins the teacher goody basket from Dianne

Tomorrow is my last day at Strehle. My uppper grades (third, fourth, and fifth) will perform for each other and the lower grades. It’s going to be so much fun! I look forward to it!

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