The Very Busy Spider(s)

Today I was a Very Busy Spider!

My friends and I headed to the 

GREAT APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS! 

(very busy spiders)

  

When I found out that our favorite, Eric Carle (acclaimed children's writer/illustrator) was holding a workshop that discussed his craft, the influence of artists in his work, and a slide/lecture presentation for FREE- I had to go!!!
I knew right away that Mrs. E. would have to go with me (she loves Eric Carle).

On average we read and complete a unit of study around no less than four Eric Carle books per year in the K-2 classroom.

These are just the books Connor and Carlee have in their rooms.

I went to my classroom to grab a few more, but the custodians had cleaned my room, so my unit books were buried under tables and crates. 

I was unable to get My Very Hungry Caterpillar book.

:(

Mrs. E. brought the FUN Mrs. P. and

off we all went "busy spinning our webs" and having a great time.

We arrived just in the nick of time to grab three seats together.

They had to lock the doors on Mrs. E. while she was parking because they filled up so fast.  I had to rescue her by convincing the guy I "reserved" her a seat.

Eric Carle's discussion did not disappoint.

He was so great, and he is the youngest 84 year old ever.

I would say the secret to his success is staying young at heart.

He has a great child-like spirit.

Eric Carle and his Mother

Eric Carle accredits his talent and success to his loving parents, 

but you see who made the slideshow don't you???

MAMA

That's right!!  Being a mama ROCKS!

(Oh Connor- I can't wait for my slideshow pic one day.) 

Eric Carle as a wild little boy.

He reminded me of someone.

His most favorite book is, Do You Want To Be My Friend?

It is based on a friend he left behind at age 6 in Germany.

He later visited that friend at age 72, and he remembered who Carle was right away!!!

Early reading influences.

Eric Carle left school at age 16.  He entered the military and later pursued graphic education.   Soon a teacher turned him toward art.  He found what he was good at and pursued it with heart and soul!  

His favorite author to work with is Bill Martin Jr. 

Bill Martin (an acclaimed author) didn't know how to read until age 20 (a college professor taught him how to read through poetry)!

In the words of Eric Carle, "Bill Martin's words have a rhythm, a heartbeat... art becomes language, language becomes art."

 (I love that.)

Success stories happen, and they happen at the hands of passionate teachers!

********************************************************

The funniest part is after the lecture, I read in the Appalachian Invite that Dr. Charles Duke would lead an interview.

Mrs. P and I looked up Dr. Charles Duke and discovered this guy from NASA (born in Charlotte, NC).

Click Here.

We were like, "When is the astronaut speaking??  Yeah, there is suppose to be an astronaut.  When is he coming out?? I wonder if he will wear his suit?  I'm ready, where is that astronaut hiding?"

It turns out it is actually this Dr. Charles Duke.

Click Here

As in the Dean of Education at Appalachian University.

Oh Well, 

I guess it is too much to ask for an astronaut and illustrator in one.

Haaaaaaaaa!

Waiting in line for a book signing.

I had asked Connor to come with me, but he really had his heart set on finishing VBS for the week. Family Fun Night includes bouncing in the bouncy houses, ice cream, games, etc.

I totally understood. 

Hellloooooo Mr. Carle.

We love your books!

Mrs. E. was getting a little teary.

Mrs. P. getting her books signed.

We are letting the sharpie dry 

and so darn excited here.

There were two rules.

1. No Personalization  2.  Only Three Books

Mrs. E. and Mrs. P. only had two books, so I gave them my copies, so they could all get them signed!!!

For laughs, Mrs. E. and I personalized a book.

All Mr. Carle had to do was sign- easy deal.

Best Teacher Ever.

HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

Mrs. E. showing how easy it is to get a picture with Eric Carle.  

(She is putting her arm around him here.)

 

Enjoy the Eric Carle Art displayed in the Reich College of Education.

 

Brown Bear, Brown Bear,

...Don't eat Mrs. E's arm!!!

so violent

This is where I gave my seminar to hundreds.

Love Your Inner Hungry Caterpillar.

Love Yourself.

Let Your Butterfly Roam Free.

Release the Leaf.

(the room may or may not have been empty, I'm not telling)

All is fun and games, 

until you get busted by a crowd entering the room

Downtown

Mellow Mushroom 

We had planned to go here a week ago.

My first visit.

We were not sure why there were protestors outside the restaurant, but hey this is a college town, people are finding themselves.

Governor Pat McCroy

Fifteen minutes later, guess who walked in??

I'm not kidding.

"Ching, Ching" said the politician.

"Can I take your funding?"

The spider did not answer.

She was very busy trying to teach all her children 

(with no funding).

Gov. Pat McCroy stayed on the RIGHT SIDE of the restaurant.

He never came over to my side.

I had a few things to discuss with him.  

I guess my Goodwill shirt and Lady Bug earrings shouted "Public School Teacher".

He didn't even try to shake my hand!?!?!

I was about to tell him the injustice of........

oooooooo.  Pizza. Yummy Pizza.  Really Good Pizza!

Governor Who?

Boone Goone Pizza

What a Fun & Blessed Day!!!

"Whoo?  Whoo?" asked the owl.

"Who built this beautiful web?"

The spider didn't answer.

She had fallen asleep.

It had been a very, very busy day.

-by Eric Carle