I'm organizing my notes into a blog:
Schools I visited in recent years and other Abiyoyo Story Arts events!
I'll post more information soon.
Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago IL, August 15th, 2014
I arranged for a special vist with one of Jason McInnes' kids guitar classes to share my program with his students and Old Town School.
Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago IL, July 25th, 2014Here's how Old Town promoted the event: Two master artists come together to celebrate the life and work of Pete Seeger. This production will have you singing, shouting, clapping, laughing and dancing in the aisles.
Multi-instrumentalist, Jason McInnes, is a veteran performer and educator based in Chicago, IL. Jason uses his guitar and banjo, as well as found objects and body percussion, to support his reinterpretation of folk traditions. His songs and stories are powerful, yet tender; uniquely his, yet as old as time.
Book illustrator, teaching artist and children's performer Michael Hays is best known for his Abiyoyo artwork. Michael performs Pete Seeger's storysong about a boy who's not afraid of a scary giant, then offers a behind-the-scenes peek at their many attempts to visualize Pete's children's book character.
Kindergarten and PreK students at Crown Community Academy celebrated the end of their school year with a wonderful graduation event. Teacher Eileen Goedert organized several activities for the students each relating to Abiyoyo, craft projects, writing exercises, drawing and speaking one-on-one with me as I signed and inscribed a copy of Abiyoyo for them. Parents participated in all the activities and were treated to my speaking program as well as a performance of Abiyoyo by the kids and an awarding of diplomas to the students for graduating from their early childhood education program and moving up to 1st grade.
West Side Leadership Academy, Gary IN, May 29th, 2014Students, in colaboration with one of their teachers at this Gary high school organized a wonderful day of work shops and presentations with 3 writers and an illustrator. Students in my workshop created illustrated "problem characters" based on challenges in the lives of kids today.
Southeast Elementary, Evergreen Park, IL, May 30th, 2013Lake Louise Elementary, Palatine, IL, May 15th, 2013
Jackson Middle School, Villa Park IL, April 17, 2013
Manning Elementary School ,Westmont, IL, April 2nd, 2013
Inter American Magnet School, Chicago IL, March 21st , 2013
This was a special program and I was just the guest speak. The students were the pain event. An amazing teacher, Alina Perez, translated Abiyoyo into Spanish and organized a stage presentation of Pete Seeger's storysong. Her production features students acting the story out on stage complete with props and a set recreating the picture book illustrations. Several dozen kids all dressed in traditional dress of their family's heritage sit in front of the stage facing the audience and take turns narrating the story.
Roycemore School, Evenston IL, February 26, 2013Spencer Point School, New Lennox IL, February 22nd, 2013
Hannah Beardsley Middle School, Crystal Lake, IL, February 14th, 2013
Sandra Beyer, the art teacher at Hannah Beardsley helped organize 2 high energy middle school student assembly programs. It was Valentines Day and I was inspired to create the illustration of Abiyoyo hugging the Picasso sculpture. It is featured on my home page!
Beecher Elementary, Beecher IL January 16th, 2013Du Jardin School, Bloomingdale, IL, September 24th, 2012
Wheaton Warrenville South High School, Wheaton IL, April 10th, 2012
Trinity Christain College, Palos Heights IL, April 30th, 2012
Bannockburn School, Bannockburn IL, April 9th, 2012
Park View Elementary, Lombard IL, November 17th, 2011
Brentwood Elementary, Des Plaines IL, November 10th, 2011
Joanna Kostich, Brentwood LRC teacher, organized 2 assemblies and an evening program with students and parents.. Our early afternoon program was for students in grades K-2 followed by our second for grades 3-5.
After these 2 sessions I led a brainstorming/creative session with students and parents in the evening presentation. We reviewed the illustration process I had explained in the daytime presentations and then focused on the school's B is for Brentwood book project. I will lead the audience into their process of choosing A-Z concepts and help them express what Brentwood Elementary means to them. We had an easel with paper and set of bold markers set up so I could demonstrate sketching visual ideas and help the students begin the process of illustrating some of these Brentwood A-Z ideas.
We held a book sale too!
Spry School, Chicago IL, September 29th, 2011
Joliet West High School, Joliet IL, May 3rd, 2011
Universal School, Bridgeview IL, March 10th, 2011
Medinah Primary School, Medinah IL, February 22nd, 2011
Spencer Point School, New Lennox IL, February 14th, 2011
McDole Elementary, Montgomery IL, January 27th, 2011
John Shields Elementary, Sugar Grove IL , January 25th, 2011
Meadowview Elementary, Grayslake IL, January 14th, 2011
Elmwood Park Elementary, Elmwood Park IL, January 13th, 2011
John Mills Elementary, Elmwood Park IL, January 13th, 2011
Bateman Elementary, Chicago IL, December 9th, 2009
Belmont-Cragin Elementary School, Chicago IL, February 13th, 2008
Clissold Elementary, Chicago IL,April 17 2007
Christopher School ,Chicago IL, January 12th, 2007
CPS Professional Day, Illinois Institute of Technology, November 3rd, 2006
Ames and Blythe Park Elementary Schools, Riverside IL, March 24th, 2006
South Loop Elementary School, Chicago IL, December 15th, 2006
James Ward Elementary School, Chicago IL, October 20th, 2006
Carver Primary School, Riverdale IL, 2006
MacArthur School, Crown Point IN, April 20th, 2006
Grand Prairie School, Joliet IL, February 9th, 2006
Holy Family School, Shorewood IL, February 3rd, 2006
Zion Lutheran School, Marengo IL, November 8th, 2005
St. Peter School, Geneva IL, November 14th, 2005