Through an Artist’s Eyes Friday, May 9, 2008
Posted by Rebecca in Distance Learning, VLC Programs, Videoconferencing.Tags: author visit, Cooperating School Districts, Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw, lazy eye, New Links to New Learning, videoconference, Virtual Learning Center
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Jenny Sue… reads, illustrates, duplicates, and demonstrates.
Today we had a wonderful videoconference with author Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw. Jenny Sue connected with classrooms to talk about her work, her life, and her new book, My Travelin’ Eye. She explained how she had been diagnosed with lazy eye as a five year old by Dr. Dave, and it became her travelin’ eye- literally and figuratively.
She told the kids about her experiences with her eye, her “fashion patch,” her big glasses with Bugs Bunny on them, and how she came about writing her book. We saw her designs and inspirations. She showed the participants her artwork on the document camera and with PowerPoint slides. Jenny Sue read her story, then took great questions from the students. At one point, she drew a picture to show the kids how she can see things with her travelin’ eye. She also shared that Dr. Dave (yep, he’s real!) plans to use her book in his office for other children with travelin’ eyes! Jenny Sue even met one young man by the name of Gavin who had a travelin’ eye, too.
We learned that Jenny Sue’s website is going to be updated soon and there will be an interactive gallery where kids can create their own virtual fashion patches!!
Check back there to see what you can design: http://www.dancingelephantstudio.com/.
What a wonderful videoconference! The kids loved hearing Jenny Sue’s book and getting to speak with her. They can’t wait to check out her website. Thanks so much.
My class loved the video conference! I have a student who has had surgery on an eye and so I was so thankful for the opportunity for him to hear from an adult how you dealt with your eye problems. Jenny Sue was wonderful with the children and they loved her genuine concern and laughter! I can’t wait to see your next book!
hi Carmen and Cheryl, I’m really happy the students enjoyed the video conference! it was a little different than anything I’d done before (the video part of it), and I learned how it could be even better next time–I’m hoping to do it again when I visit St. Louis. the students were great–the Q&A was the best part! so many thoughtful questions and observations. It was also special to connect with Gavin. Thanks to Rebecca and the Cooperating School Districts for the opportunity to connect with you and your students!
My class loved the experience of the video conference and listening to a real author/illustrator! Jenny Sue’s comments really complimented the following skills and strategies that we have been working on in Writer’s Workshop this year:
• Authors write “small moment” stories about personal experiences
• Writers try to paint pictures in the reader’s mind using words
• Illustrations can show details that aren’t always in the writing
• Writer’s “SHOW feelings / images / ideas with words not just TELL them”
• Writers get many “seed” ideas and jot or sketch them
• Writers draft and then revise/edit their draft into a published piece
• Not all drafts get published
Thank you Ms. Shaw! One theme of our class all year has been that all learners can take a weakness and turn it into a strength, if they work hard enough. Your personal story was a wonderful example of this for my class! We are looking forward to your next book, especially the one which you are drafting now about the boy from India and the boy from America. We are also looking forward to your website!
The First Graders at Spoede School-Ladue
Jenny Sue,
Thank you for a delightful visit with the children! You explained everything carefully and clearly, and the kids really seemed to understand all that you were sharing with them. They immediately wanted to know more about the other artists who had a travelin’ eye.
A student who recently visited Pakistan recognized the crescent moon and star on your dancing elephant, and became intrigued by the relationship between India and Pakistan.
Many new learning adventures await us because of your inspiration!
Thanks again!
My class also enjoyed the video conference. When we returned to the classroom they all wanted to design their own eye patch and send it to Jenny Sue’s website! I loved the way she uses her travelin eye or lazy eye to see the world in her own unique way! I also will use her comments in the classroom concerning…”writing stories is just like drawing pictures, you are just using words.” Thanks for one of the best video conferences this year.
2nd grade - Castlio Elementary