In March 2006, over 2,500 elementary students from Port Stephens (AU), Tateyama (JP), Nakhodka (RU) and the *Pacific Northwest (USA) participated in an international art project. This project followed the simultaneous sharing of an Australian book, "Big Rain Coming" authored by Katrina Germein. The simultaneous read was part of a larger project entitled,
We Share A Story 2005: An international literacy connection down under (
WSAS).
http://www.cob.org/bpl/children/source/html/WSAS2005.htm
In "Big Rain Coming," a rainbow serpent is depicted on each page. The serpent inspired the WSAS art component. We asked students to contribute 4" squares of paper decorated to reflect their homeland or something of personal interest. We would call these squares "scales" and use them to create Rainbow Serpents during a visit to Port Stephens, Australia!
As the We Share A Story project manager, I traveled to Port Stephens, NSW, Australia in March along with my ten-year-old granddaughter Madison, and Bellingham library employee, Bethany. This was my fourth visit to Port Stephens since Fall 2003 (when WSAS went international).
Prior to our visit, I connected with area councillors who would provide us with housing, transportation, and schedule our visits to schools, libraries, and community events.
Our assigned host was Councillor Geoff Robinson. His wife, Jan, was a reference librarian at one of the Port Stephens Libraries.
With Cr. Robinson assisting, we visited four schools in the Port Stephens shire. At each school, the Australian school children helped create an international Rainbow Serpent to display at their school. Bethany and I brought over 1700 scales to Australia. When finished, we had used over 2,500 scales and created four Rainbow Serpents; each one over 20 feet in length!
One of these serpents - Rainbow Serpent #4 - has just finished touring the Tacoma area schools. It will now head south to Redding, California where it will be on display through February 2007 before heading back to its home at Anna Bay School in Port Stephens, NSW, Australia.
Bethany, Madison and I were treated like royalty during our 10 day stay in Port Stephens. Our accomodations included two to three night stays at beach resort cabins. Each resort offered a unique look at its Australian community. One was in a koala reserve! We visited the shire's book mobile, toured historical sites, and were guests at a Port Stephens Council meeting.
So, what's next?At the end of January, I am heading to Kathmandu, Nepal. My traveling companion is seven-year-old, Kasidy(sister to Madison). We will visit Lincoln School (American), Kathmandu International Study Centre (British), Nepalese schools and the Umbrella Foundation orphanages. I will present Jr. Theatres (another Sandy original literacy program) at the American and British schools; read stories and teach a folk dance at the Nepalese schools, and bring clothing, books and games to the orphans. Best of all... I hope to assist in establishing an orphan pen-pal relationship by delivering 100 letters from 6th graders at Pioneer Valley Elementary School (Bethel School District/Tacoma, WA).
*Pacific Northwest Schools represented the following:Redding (California), Coeur d'Alene (Idaho) and Bellingham, Sumas and Tacoma (Washington).
