The Testing Camera

Peter H. Reynolds, creativity advocate and best-selling author and illustrator, and co-founder of FableVision Learning, has created a new animated short called The Testing Camera — a whimsical poke at high-stakes, standardized testing and a reminder that real assessment is as easy, and — at the same time — as challenging as getting to really know the gifts and talents of every child.

(If you don't have access to YouTube, you can also view the film on Vimeo.)

“We’ve gone through a very test-centric decade which, in my opinion, has consumed a lot of time, energy, and resources," Reynolds shares. “Many teachers have had to adhere to new mandates and measures that require a ‘teach to the test’ approach. Public schools redirected funding for art, music, theater, libraries, field trips, and more. It's a discouraging picture for those trying to reach all children in creative, engaging ways.”

Reynolds, who is known for his books encouraging creativity, The Dot, Ish, Sky Color and The North Star among many others, penned this whimsical and poignant story about a young girl named Daisy who, dismayed at her art class being canceled, nervously faces her turn with the "Testing Camera." This huge apparatus snaps at her with a few blinding flashes of light. Weeks later, her father’s reaction to the test results surprises Daisy in a most wonderful way.

“This is my gift to educators to remind them to follow their instincts and remember why they got into teaching in the first place: to see the potential in every child, to nurture those emerging gifts and talents, and to change lives,” Reynolds shared.

The film was produced by FableVision, the transmedia studio in Boston founded by Peter and his twin brother, Paul Reynolds, author of Going Places and the Sydney & Simon series. The Testing Camera was directed by John Lechner with music by Tony Lechner, and animated by a team of young animators interning at FableVision for the summer. Broadway actor Chester Gregory lends his voice to the project.

The film is being released on the web free of charge by FableVision Learning. Educators, learning communities, parents and caregivers are urged to share The Testing Camera to begin or enhance constructive conversations on how to better support authentic learning in the classroom and beyond.

A free companion poster by Peter H. Reynolds: “I AM NOT THE TEST SCORE, I AM NOT DATA, I AM NOT THE LABELS STUCK ON BY OTHERS”

Peter adds, “We need to innovate our assessments of how kids are doing, and, at the same time, to reevaluate what our priorities are. Priorities drive policy and policies drive funding. My hope is that our film will be part of the change. The testing industry ballooned to 2.5 billion in 2012, while roughly 1.2 million students a year still never get their high school diploma. And even those who do make it past the testing camera often carry the burden of a distorted image about their own potential for decades to come. From my perspective, making schools wonderful places for kids — and for teachers — will help move things forward.”

International Dot Day Website, Posters, and Certificate!

Join more than a million educators and students for International Dot Day, a global celebration of creativity in the classroom based on Peter H. Reynolds' award-winning book The Dot. Learn more by visiting the official Dot Day website.

International Dot Day Website

Will you be joining in the fun this September 15th? Please let us know by signing up — you'll also receive the free Educator's Handbook for International Dot Day.

We're all looking forward to Dot Day, but we'll be celebrating creativity all year long — and we encourage you to do the same! Here are some new posters by Peter...

I'm Celebrating Dot Day All Year Long - Poster 1

¡Estoy Celebrando el Día del Punto Todo el Año! - Poster 1

fablevision_celebrando_dia_del_punto_todo_el_ano1

fablevision_im_celebrating_all_year2

I'm Celebrating Dot Day All Year Long - Poster 2

¡Estoy Celebrando el Día del Punto Todo el Año! - Poster 2

fablevision_were_celebrating_all_year

We're Celebrating Dot Day All Year Long

¡Estamos Celebrando el Día del Punto Todo el Año!

Here are two more - an English poster and a Spanish poster to celebrate getting ready for Dot Day 2013:

We're Getting Ready for International Dot Day Poster

Here's another new poster — this one features the official International Dot Day logo:

fablevision_international_dot_day_poster_thumb

And here's the new Spanish version — we LOVE seeing the International Dot Day logo en español!

fablevision_el_dia_internacional_del_punto_thumb

Enjoy this other wonderful poster in French — it's such fun to see the logo en français!

Celebrating on September 13th this year? Download this special poster by Peter, in English or in Spanish!

Or maybe you plan to celebrate on September 16th? We've got a English poster and a Spanish poster for that too!

Download this certificate of participation that Peter designed for educators, students, and all other creative individuals who are making their mark:

dotday_poster_makeyourmark

If you want to help spread the word about Dot Day, please feel free to also download this poster by Peter H. Reynolds:

Many schools are also celebrating on September 14th, during the school week. If your school is celebrating on the 14th, Peter whipped up another poster for you! Enjoy:

dotday_poster_sept14

Are you connecting with another school via Skype in the Classroom this year? Click here to get this as a printable poster!

dotday_connect

Make your mark by printing out this Dot Day poster.

NewDotDayThumbnail

Here's a Dot Day poster in Italian! (Clicca qui per leggere tutto Dimensioni Poster Day Dot stampa.)

italian dot_new_alt version_FINAL copy

italian dot_new_FINAL copy

Here's an alternate version in Italian. (Clicca qui per un supplente piena di poster formato Giorno Dot stampa!)In closing, here is a Spanish version too! (Haga click aquí para una versión imprimible de este cartel.)

spanish dot_new_SPAIN_FINAL copy

How will you or your school be celebrating on Dot Day? Let us know!

New Posters from Peter H. Reynolds

Welcome your students back to the classroom with a new poster decorating the walls. Start your class on a creative thinking journey with these tips from Peter H. Reynolds on living with purpose. Choose from two options or hang up both!

Live Wire Digital Storytelling Contest Deadline Extended Until February 18th

Calling all educators and students in the Boston Public Schools! It's not too late to participate in the  Live Wire Digital Storytelling Contest. The deadline for the contest, held by the City of Boston's Community Learning Initiative and FableVision, has been extended until February 18, 2011. New contest details will be posted soon!

live_wire_video_poster

(Suggestion: You might encourage your students to explore Animation-ish to create their animated clips - there's a free trial available online!)

For Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: NEW "My Dream" Poster by Peter H. Reynolds

Invite your students to follow in Dr. King's footsteps and share their dreams with the world! This new blank poster by Peter H. Reynolds provides the perfect canvas for them to express their hopes for their lives, their communities, and a better future. Enjoy!

International Dot Day

Keep coming back to this space for more "Dots" from Dot Day!! Ann Gargula Library Media Specialist Webster Hill School West Hartford, CT Sent these:

Great dot

somebody

Matt

The First Dot for "Dot Day!"

DotDay1

My picture symbolizes that you are always thinking.  All the little dots are thoughts you have.  The bigger red, silver, and blue circles are big ideas.  Your brain is always thinking. Grace B. Grade 4.

International Dot Day

dotday_solo_final

Super FableVision and Dot fan, Maryann Molishus, has created a Google Map for everyone to share how they are celebrating "International Dot Day."  It is public so everyone can share where they are and what they are doing on Sept. 15ish.  Go to http://www.crsd.org/molishus and click on International Dot Day. Thanks, Maryann!!

International Dot Day

dotday_solo_final

Peter H. Reynolds' book "The Dot" is about to have a sixth birthday. It's original Candlewick Press publication date was September 15, 2003. Celebrations will happen all around the world to commemorate this classic book that has inspired so many.

Here is how you can take part. On or around September 15, read the book "The Dot" to some kids or adult kids. Then have them paint dots. Huge dots, little dots, dots without painting dots, you know how it goes.

Take pictures and/or video of the dot creation (or the final project) and email them to terry@reynoldstlc.org. Even if you aren’t currently in a classroom, you can do this with your family or a group of friends. Paint your own happy, creative, joyful dot! Frame the final project and join in the fun!!!The author, Peter H. Reynolds, wrote this about Dot Day,

"Spread the word... Dot Day.. read The Dot, wear dots, eat dots, draw dots, frame dots, connect the dots, splurge on art supplies, try a new medium - a new instrument, write a poem, rearrange your furniture, reconnect the dots with an old friend, make something, make something with a friend, share your creativity with the world. No strict rules on how to celebrate!"

Students vow to be more creative in a "Pledge-Ish"

When creative Ambassador Anna Adam worked with her Tech Club students on Animation-Ish, at first the kids seemed afraid to make mistakes. So, after hearing the book "Ish" they came up with a "Pledge-Ish"

pledge-ish

squishish

Upon hearing about the amazing students, Peter H. Reynolds created this piece of art!

One Teacher's Reaction to Animation-Ish

I had the opportunity to meet you and Peter H. Reynolds at the CUE conference in Palm Springs, Ca this year. After being blown away with Animation-ish, I worked with you to purchase a lab license. It's been about a month since introducing the program to the kids (4th & 5th graders) and while I plan on sending at least two incredible movies from two 5th graders, I just wanted to send this email of accolades first. We just finished our school-wide Open House this week (when families come so students can show off their work to parents). The computer lab is usually a very popular place and this year was no different except for the fact that the Ish movies were a draw for EVERYONE. No longer were kids just showing their own work, but eagerly and easily showing the proud work of their peers. Parents were astonished and incredibly pleased at what they were seeing. One 5th grade student's father walked into his child's classroom and told his teacher that he needed to see his son's "Ish" movie before seeing anything else because his son had announced he wanted to work in the field of animation when he grew up. (He had never done any animating before). This particular child's work is nothing short of amazing and knowing that this experience has lit a fire thrills me to no end. There are many similar stories - and I could go on and on (I may have said too much already!). But if you don't mind, I'd like to relay some worthwhile observations while having an absolute blast "Ish"-ing around...Observation #1 - Kids are just as interested in each other's work as in their own. There is a genuine interest in peer work and a"how-did-you-do-that?" attitude that buzzes throughout the lab as this program lends itself to natural collaboration. A teacher's dream.Observation #2 - Kids are creative outside the computer lab and with Animation-ish, can be just as creative inside the lab too. Often times, a computer-based product can look a little "spoon-fed" but with Animation-Ish, the outcome is extremely diverse and truly allows for the individual's own style to shine through. Another dream for a teacher. Observation #3 - Kids are incredibly proud of their accomplishments. Animating is no easy task - some kids take to it like a duck to water but others get stuck (like other academic areas). With this program, when kids get frustrated, they don't give up - they don't even want to give up - I say, in large part, because of the "Inspire Me" link. I encourage the usage of that link often and I think the pay off is clear - when kids are needing to hear from Peter H. Reynolds, they can and they do. I can't tell you how many times his voice will start talking throughout any work session - as if he's just popped in the lab for a moment. It's genius because these kids think of him as another valuable resource - as accessible as their on-campus teachers. Talk about a teacher's dream...Observation #4 - the connection between literature and animation is invaluable. The students all knew the book "Ish" and were pleased to be introduced to the software...then kids would come back to the lab a week later with other connections about work they realized Peter had done. Again, the program allows the kids to feel like they know him. My favorite discovery was made from a fourth grade boy whose younger sister had been reading Judy Moody books. He was so excited to ask me if I knew the illustrator of those books....I loved when he said he "recognized" the artwork before he looked at the name! This teacher's dream continues...! Again, I could go on...Suffice to say, I feel extremely fortunate to have been able to share this dynamic program with my students as it encompasses all that is good and important to educating students. It's all bittersweet as our district (like so many others) are eliminating the position of certified teachers in the computer lab which means I won't be "ish"-ing like this next year. I sure have enjoyed using it this year - who knows...I'll make my mark and see where it takes me...Thank you to Peter and the FableVision crew.Warm Regards,Patsy Templeton Technology Teacher Glorietta School Orinda, CA