Hello Everyone,
We now have brand new snake babies! You can read all about it, see some nice baby pictures, and watch a quick video of two babies meeting for the first time (and yawning!) over on the "Snake Egg" page. Just click on the button above or you can click right HERE!
Enjoy!
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Our Very First Snake EGGS!!! Whoohoo!!!
Greetings Everyone!
Just a quick post to let all of you know that one of our snakes has just laid her very first clutch of eggs! This is our first year of seriously trying to breed two of our females and it appears that both may have successfully mated as our original female, Stryker (who has been featured in several years worth of library and school programs), is also gravid and could lay eggs sometime in the next few weeks.
Ball pythons will actually stay coiled around their eggs for the entire two months before they hatch - they coil around them to incubate them and maintain the correct temperature for the eggs. We will be removing the eggs and placing them in a separate container so that we can monitor the heat and humidity more closely - and this will also allow mom to start eating again so she can regain her strength - she has put a lot of energy into making and laying these eggs.
So far, it appears that there are, at the very least, 5 eggs, but probably a few more than that. If everything goes well, we should have baby snakes hatching out in two months from now. We will keep everyone posted on their progress - and feel free to share this with your classes as well - it's a great little science experiment! Oh, and if you or your students have any questions, feel free to email me or leave a comment and I'll do my best to answer them for you and your class!
Enjoy the picture of the new mom and eggs below!
Just a quick post to let all of you know that one of our snakes has just laid her very first clutch of eggs! This is our first year of seriously trying to breed two of our females and it appears that both may have successfully mated as our original female, Stryker (who has been featured in several years worth of library and school programs), is also gravid and could lay eggs sometime in the next few weeks.
Ball pythons will actually stay coiled around their eggs for the entire two months before they hatch - they coil around them to incubate them and maintain the correct temperature for the eggs. We will be removing the eggs and placing them in a separate container so that we can monitor the heat and humidity more closely - and this will also allow mom to start eating again so she can regain her strength - she has put a lot of energy into making and laying these eggs.
So far, it appears that there are, at the very least, 5 eggs, but probably a few more than that. If everything goes well, we should have baby snakes hatching out in two months from now. We will keep everyone posted on their progress - and feel free to share this with your classes as well - it's a great little science experiment! Oh, and if you or your students have any questions, feel free to email me or leave a comment and I'll do my best to answer them for you and your class!
Enjoy the picture of the new mom and eggs below!
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| Here is Aries, whom we adopted a while back from one of my former classmates from high school and college! She is a natural! |
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
What a GREAT time at SCASL!!!
Greetings Everyone!
I just wanted to post a quick update on the SCASL conference. I had a great time, not only as a vendor, but also as a presenter with my session on "Middle/High Reading Programs." The session went great and I was able to meet a lot of media specialists who were interested in my programs.
Another highlight was being able to show off some of the critters from my "Dig Into Reading Safari" program at my booth on Thursday. I'll post a few photos below for your viewing enjoyment.
Overall, it was great two days at SCASL and I look forward to next year! Enjoy the pics!
I just wanted to post a quick update on the SCASL conference. I had a great time, not only as a vendor, but also as a presenter with my session on "Middle/High Reading Programs." The session went great and I was able to meet a lot of media specialists who were interested in my programs.
Another highlight was being able to show off some of the critters from my "Dig Into Reading Safari" program at my booth on Thursday. I'll post a few photos below for your viewing enjoyment.
Overall, it was great two days at SCASL and I look forward to next year! Enjoy the pics!
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| Ms. Carole holding her book on cockroaches as well as a real life Madagascar Hissing Cockroach! |
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| One of the few people brave enough to hold the Emperor Scorpion! |
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| The assortment of critters for everyone's viewing pleasure! |
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| Here is the gang from the Lexington Public Library System posing for a picture after my presentation on reading programs for middle and high schools. |
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Shakespeare, Dr. Seuss, and SCASL!!!
Greetings Everyone!
After a break for Christmas and New Year's and then all the strange and unusual weather, I figured it was time for an update or two. Lots of exciting things are going on - schools are filling up the month of May - and a large majority of them are middle schools - several of which are booking for the second time this school year!
I am excited to announce that the re-debut of "Something Wicked This Way Comes: A Shakespeare Experiment" was a great success, and it is now ready to be offered to all high schools (and the occasional middle school by special request). Here's a comment from Ms. Wilson at Brookwood High, which is where the re-debut took place:
"Chad - it was awesome. I knew this would happen - now students are coming in today and checking out different titles by Shakespeare."
One senior said, "It was a perfect mix of literature and magic."
A teacher said, "I LOVE when he describes the stories in plain language. It seriously made me want to check out those books and read them. Actually, after his last performances on Edgar Allan Poe, I DID get a book that night and read several of the short stories he talked about. He didn't tell us the ending and I had to know! He keeps the interest of the kids with his enthusiasm and magic. The students loved it. Several came in today telling me what they had looked up last night on the internet. They were researching the things he brought up in the show!"
And here are a few action shots that were sent via Ms. Wilson:
What is causing these reactions? You'll have to book the show to find out!
After a great time performing some Shakespeare themed magic, it was on to Due West Elementary for our annual Dr. Seuss Celebration for Read Across America. After a day of shows, I was also treated to a most excellent lunch which consisted of some green eggs and ham!
Last but not least, today consisted of four shows in Pelion, SC - starting with the middle school and my "Authors of Mystery and Horror" program, then on to both of the elementary schools for my "Dig Into Reading Safari Shows." It was a great day of shows even with the absolutely horrible weather - loading and unloading is not fun in 35 degree weather with rain and wind, especially when you have to unload and load at three different schools throughout the day.
Next week is the SCASL conference in Columbia, where I will be presenting a session on my middle and high school programs as well as vending - so I hope to see lots of folks at the session as well as at my booth. Come by and say hi! The session is on Friday from 9:45-10:45 in the Congaree A room.
That's all for now! Have a great day!
After a break for Christmas and New Year's and then all the strange and unusual weather, I figured it was time for an update or two. Lots of exciting things are going on - schools are filling up the month of May - and a large majority of them are middle schools - several of which are booking for the second time this school year!
I am excited to announce that the re-debut of "Something Wicked This Way Comes: A Shakespeare Experiment" was a great success, and it is now ready to be offered to all high schools (and the occasional middle school by special request). Here's a comment from Ms. Wilson at Brookwood High, which is where the re-debut took place:
"Chad - it was awesome. I knew this would happen - now students are coming in today and checking out different titles by Shakespeare."
One senior said, "It was a perfect mix of literature and magic."
A teacher said, "I LOVE when he describes the stories in plain language. It seriously made me want to check out those books and read them. Actually, after his last performances on Edgar Allan Poe, I DID get a book that night and read several of the short stories he talked about. He didn't tell us the ending and I had to know! He keeps the interest of the kids with his enthusiasm and magic. The students loved it. Several came in today telling me what they had looked up last night on the internet. They were researching the things he brought up in the show!"
And here are a few action shots that were sent via Ms. Wilson:
What is causing these reactions? You'll have to book the show to find out!
After a great time performing some Shakespeare themed magic, it was on to Due West Elementary for our annual Dr. Seuss Celebration for Read Across America. After a day of shows, I was also treated to a most excellent lunch which consisted of some green eggs and ham!
Last but not least, today consisted of four shows in Pelion, SC - starting with the middle school and my "Authors of Mystery and Horror" program, then on to both of the elementary schools for my "Dig Into Reading Safari Shows." It was a great day of shows even with the absolutely horrible weather - loading and unloading is not fun in 35 degree weather with rain and wind, especially when you have to unload and load at three different schools throughout the day.
Next week is the SCASL conference in Columbia, where I will be presenting a session on my middle and high school programs as well as vending - so I hope to see lots of folks at the session as well as at my booth. Come by and say hi! The session is on Friday from 9:45-10:45 in the Congaree A room.
That's all for now! Have a great day!
Saturday, December 14, 2013
It's Almost Christmas!
Greetings Everyone,
Only a few more days until the Christmas Break for all of my school friends, and, since I perform at schools, that means that I get two weeks at home with the family as well! Only two days of shows left (one middle school and one elementary) and then my break starts a few days early. I'll use the next several weeks off to get the schedule 100% organized for all my Summer Reading Program shows as well as start the preparations of several new shows on the horizon, including the new "Fizz, Boom, READ!" program for this summer's libraries and next year's elementary schools, the new and improved "Something Wicked This Way Comes: A Shakespeare Experiment", and a possible brand new Edgar Allan Poe themed program - and I'm very excited about all of the new stuff!
Below are a few Christmas themed photos - hope you enjoy them!
Only a few more days until the Christmas Break for all of my school friends, and, since I perform at schools, that means that I get two weeks at home with the family as well! Only two days of shows left (one middle school and one elementary) and then my break starts a few days early. I'll use the next several weeks off to get the schedule 100% organized for all my Summer Reading Program shows as well as start the preparations of several new shows on the horizon, including the new "Fizz, Boom, READ!" program for this summer's libraries and next year's elementary schools, the new and improved "Something Wicked This Way Comes: A Shakespeare Experiment", and a possible brand new Edgar Allan Poe themed program - and I'm very excited about all of the new stuff!
Below are a few Christmas themed photos - hope you enjoy them!
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| A quick photo for my guest appearance on the Augusta Ghost Trolley for a special "A Very Poe Christmas!" tour. |
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| Nanner Puddin' posing for a quick SSSSSanta pic! |
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| Surprisingly, the scorpion actually cooperated and didn't seem to mind this at all. |
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| A nice shot for my Chad Crews Magic Facebook page. |
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| Loading up the best Christmas Tree Ever!!! Awesome posing going on here! |
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| Grady helping decorate the tree. |
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| Reagan putting on ornaments. |
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| And here is our tree - my favorite tree of all time! |
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| We always have very interesting pictures with Santa - this is no exception. Grady was trying to act scared but had to see what was going on by peaking just a little. |
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| Just thought I would add an extra one of a very happy Toby! |
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Just a few of the "Regulars"!
Greetings Everyone!
At the time of this posting (November 10th or so), I have just finished the October/November rush of middle/high schools and am now heading out tomorrow for two weeks of elementary schools followed by a rush of schools, both middle and elementary, for the first part of December. However, I wanted to take a moment to share a few photos from some of my longest running schools - these are just a sample as I didn't think of doing this until the last few weeks - so these are the folks who have the much desired and coveted dates closest (or on!) Halloween. Others have certain dates that they get every year and they hold onto them and rarely let go! On a side note, it looks like there are only around 5 days left open for next October, and November of 2014 will be filling up quickly over the next few weeks as well. So, if you are a "new" school and you want a date for October/November, don't hesitate to call or email and get one of the few remaining spots before it's too late!
Now then, on to the pictures - and thanks to everyone for being such good sports!
Hope you, the reader, have enjoyed looking at these pics as much as I did posing for them! I can't wait till next year to see everyone again!
At the time of this posting (November 10th or so), I have just finished the October/November rush of middle/high schools and am now heading out tomorrow for two weeks of elementary schools followed by a rush of schools, both middle and elementary, for the first part of December. However, I wanted to take a moment to share a few photos from some of my longest running schools - these are just a sample as I didn't think of doing this until the last few weeks - so these are the folks who have the much desired and coveted dates closest (or on!) Halloween. Others have certain dates that they get every year and they hold onto them and rarely let go! On a side note, it looks like there are only around 5 days left open for next October, and November of 2014 will be filling up quickly over the next few weeks as well. So, if you are a "new" school and you want a date for October/November, don't hesitate to call or email and get one of the few remaining spots before it's too late!
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| These are one of the two schools who are on Halloween every year - and they are the envy of all other schools. And believe it or not, they are actually an elementary school which hosts the program for their fifth graders every year. Seven years in a row - and next year they added an extra day! Martinez Elementary - the ones who started the Halloween tradition! |
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| And here is the other Halloween school! Every year Cedar Ridge books the afternoon of Halloween for their fourth and fifth graders - and it is an absolute blast to perform for them as their reactions are priceless! Five years in a row of Halloween programs! |
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And here is the day before Halloween folks over at Greenbrier Middle! I loved the background! One correction - this is actually 7 years in a row even though we are holding up 8 fingers - I wasn't actually doing this show 8 years ago - but we weren't 100% sure at the time of the photo so we rounded up!
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| Some of these teachers from Riverwatch Middle have seen the show over 35+ times now - and they still seem to enjoy it just as much as their students! Always a fun group, and this year we went out to eat between shows which was a blast! Now I need to get a photo of our two ladies in the media center as they were busy with the front desk and a meeting during this last show. Seven years in a row here as well! |
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| Another fun day every year for the past 6 years! VCMS is one of my regular November schools, but has now been promoted to the week of Halloween! And they actually have a hard back version of the Mark Wilson Complete Course in Magic which is how I got started in magic - but wait! - that's not all - the book is also signed by the grandfather of a young man who actually attended college with Mark Wilson himself! How cool is that!?! |
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| Trickum Middle is always one of my favorite schools - and we are now on our second media specialists here. It doesn't seem like it has been six years already, but it has! I remember performing for former State Superintendent Ms. Kathy Cox a few years back! |
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| Crews Middle, named after my grandfather, Alton C. Crews...ok, not really my grandfather, but I still am quite partial to the name Crews Middle! Another really fun show every year for the past 6 years, and this is the school where I was inspired to find my very own Dobby the House Elf - which I did find and who now resides in my house! |
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| What a great expression! We can't believe that it has been 4 years since I started performing for the lovely folks at Dacula Middle - not to be confused with Dracula Middle over in Transylvania! |
Sunday, November 3, 2013
A Great Video From BHS!
Greetings Everyone,
I am sharing this video from Blythewood High School - who hosted my new "Nevermore: Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe" program a few weeks back.
And here's a few comments that have been shared on the SCASL email over the past few days:
"We recently had Chad Crews visit our school to perform his new show, Evermore: Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe. Chad recites several works of Poe (in their entirety) from memory including "The Tell-Tale Heart" and "The Raven." Between stories/poems, Chad keeps the audience engaged with magic routines that go along with Poe's work. He does a great job with the students, and our students especially liked his Q&A at the end of the show this year. Chad has been to our school each year for the past few years, and we recommend his show for the high school level. I know that many middle schools use him, but I want to let high schools know that he has much to offer high school students as well." Amy Whitfield, Media Specialist, Blythewood High
Below are some quotes from teachers at Blythewood:
"My students were curious to know more about Poe after the presentation. I loved how knowledgeable he was on the subject, and the emphasis he placed on the recitations."
"Students were interested, entertained, and educated during it. It was a break from the typical classroom learning, and there was something for everyone"
"I agree completely! My middle school students really enjoyed Nevermore: Tales and Poems of Edgar Allen Poe when Chad came this past Wednesday. Although the program is appropriate for middle school, it is also suitable for high school. The teachers who attended also thought that it was wonderful!" Kim Isiminger, Media Specialist, Lakeside Middle
"Our middle school loves Chad Crews. This year our PE department used funds they raised through their department to pay for his visit. Our students and faculty alike love his program. After Chad's visit, students check out all of our Poe and scary stories . Great reading promotion!" Lorena Swetnam, Media Specialist, Blythewood Middle
Thanks to everyone for the kind words on the programs! I have a great time performing for your students!
I am sharing this video from Blythewood High School - who hosted my new "Nevermore: Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe" program a few weeks back.
And here's a few comments that have been shared on the SCASL email over the past few days:
"We recently had Chad Crews visit our school to perform his new show, Evermore: Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe. Chad recites several works of Poe (in their entirety) from memory including "The Tell-Tale Heart" and "The Raven." Between stories/poems, Chad keeps the audience engaged with magic routines that go along with Poe's work. He does a great job with the students, and our students especially liked his Q&A at the end of the show this year. Chad has been to our school each year for the past few years, and we recommend his show for the high school level. I know that many middle schools use him, but I want to let high schools know that he has much to offer high school students as well." Amy Whitfield, Media Specialist, Blythewood High
Below are some quotes from teachers at Blythewood:
"My students were curious to know more about Poe after the presentation. I loved how knowledgeable he was on the subject, and the emphasis he placed on the recitations."
"Students were interested, entertained, and educated during it. It was a break from the typical classroom learning, and there was something for everyone"
"I agree completely! My middle school students really enjoyed Nevermore: Tales and Poems of Edgar Allen Poe when Chad came this past Wednesday. Although the program is appropriate for middle school, it is also suitable for high school. The teachers who attended also thought that it was wonderful!" Kim Isiminger, Media Specialist, Lakeside Middle
"Our middle school loves Chad Crews. This year our PE department used funds they raised through their department to pay for his visit. Our students and faculty alike love his program. After Chad's visit, students check out all of our Poe and scary stories . Great reading promotion!" Lorena Swetnam, Media Specialist, Blythewood Middle
Thanks to everyone for the kind words on the programs! I have a great time performing for your students!
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