Classroom Spotlight: Dreaming with Peter H. Reynolds

Fourth Graders from the Rectory School in Pomfret, CT, recently spent a day with Peter H. Reynolds in his bookstore, The Blue Bunny. The following post was written by Maria Carpenter

Connecting our students with experts that extend their learning, and broaden their experience is a goal that we strive for, each day at Rectory School. On Friday, April 6th, Melissa Zahansky and I had the distinct pleasure of accompanying our grade four students to visit the children's book author/illustrator Peter H. Reynolds in his bookstore, The Blue Bunny in Dedham, MA. The K-4 community used Peter's books to create art experiences for the children to explore for our school's first ever MELP, Jr. ES Artists in Residence. We knew that we were in for a treat, but as we left the bookstore that morning, we all felt that we had just participated in a once in a lifetime kind of experience! Peter H. (for Hamilton) Reynolds is an extraordinarily kind, creative and generous human being!

Peter grew up in Dedham, MA and told the children stories of how he always loved to collect words and draw, ever since he was a child. He has a twin brother, Paul, who is his friend and creative partner at FableVision Learning, a company located above the Children's Museum in Boston, MA. FableVision Learning provides support for educators around the world to nurture the 4 C's (plus 1): creativity, communication, collaboration, critical thinking - and compassion both in and out of the classroom. We heard detailed stories about Peter's own creative process, and he encouraged our children to collect words that are interesting to them, as well as their dreams and ideas in a journal.

We heard about the real girl who entered the book store one day selling carnations for her school, named Vashti, who quietly watched Peter sketch over his shoulder. She became the lead character in his award winning book, The Dot, which has received many honors, is translated into several languages, and has even traveled to the space station! The Dot reminds us all to "Make your mark, and see where it takes you."

Giving our students the opportunity to dream about the journeys that they may strive for in their lives is of great importance to all of us at Rectory School. Our morning with Peter, will linger in our minds for a long time. He taught us about goodness, reaching out to those around us who need a helping hand, and being our best selves. Thanks Peter, for being such a light for our students... and creating such magical picture books that make the world a more compassionate place!

These are the memories that our Grade 4 students would like to share about their visit:

• "I have never had an author read a book to me! I loved when he read The Word Collector!"  ~ Ashley

• "I loved when Peter Reynolds was talking about my future... maybe he will be right, and I will work in the White House!"  ~ Alexandra

• "I liked it when Peter Reynolds found out I was a good speller and loved words. He offered me a job when I get out of college... the funny thing is, he was serious!"  ~ Lilah

• "I loved that he listened to our ideas when he was drawing a picture of Vashti."  ~ Isabel

• "I liked it when he asked us to think about what the world needs more of or less of, so he could get ideas for his next book."  ~ Sean

• "I loved hearing him talk about himself. You don't get to hear an author do that everyday!"  ~ Anson

• "I love seeing The Dot book that actually went into space, and hearing the story about how the commander called him from the space station!"  ~ Peter

• "I like that he always has a twist that gets fixed in his books."  ~ William

FableVision Team Gears Up for ISTE 2016!

What is this thing called ISTE we keep talking about? ISTE, also known as the International Society for Technology in Education, is a nonprofit organization with a mission to help educators and education leaders who are devoted to "empowering connected learners in a connected world." 

FableVision is excited to announce that this year we will have a hands-on booth. Our attending representatives cannot wait for June 27 to come. Read more to find out what they have to say about ISTE:

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Sarah Ditkoff, Communications & Development Strategist, FableVision Studios

"I am most looking forward to the people – ISTE is the best! There’s so much going on, and it still somehow manages to find that perfect intersection between creativity and community. There are countless ideas to share, old friends to reconnect with, and new friends to meet. It’s always an inspiring gathering of inspired people."

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Patrick Condon, Digital Media Engineer, FableVision Learning

"As the newest FableVisionary, I'm looking forward to ISTE because it is going to be my opportunity to meet the rest of the team and work together with them in a high-energy environment. I am also very excited to see the massive circular banner I designed hanging above the booth - It'll be hard to miss! As my first ISTE conference, I know I'm going to learn so much, so I could probably just say that I'm looking forward to everything!"

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Terry Shay, Lead Ambassador, FableVision Learning

"ISTE is a great time to connect with people who share our passion for connecting and creating. I look forward to meeting old friends and making new friends. I especially look forward to meeting new people who celebrate International Dot Day and hearing their stories. Last year I met wonderful educators from PA who impressed me with stories and pictures from their Dot Day celebration!!"

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Andrea Calvin, Vice President, FableVision Learning

"What aren't I looking forward to?!?! From the hands-on activities in FableVision Booth # 3704 to the fabulous presentations to the meet ups with creative educators - ISTE is going to be awesome!"

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Bill Norris, Dot Connector, The Reynolds Center for Teaching, Learning and Creativity (TLC)

"I love going to conferences and special events. What makes it most intriguing to me is meeting educators from all over the globe. Over the past several years we have connected many ‘dots’, and I look forward to seeing everyone… it’s almost like a reunion. What I really like best is the opportunity to speak about our mission. Indeed we have wonderful products, but our bottom line is really about helping kids and teachers become more creative and helping us move the world to a better place!"

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Denine Jimmerson, Ed.D., Creative Curriculum & Evaluation Specialist, The Reynolds Center for Teaching, Learning and Creativity (TLC) 

"I am looking forward to ISTE for many reasons! First, I've never been to ISTE before... this will be FUN. Also, I am looking forward to spending time with my FableVision "family", another first for me! And, I am really excited about having the opportunity to meet new people and learning from all of the brilliant people that will be attending ISTE!"

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Shelby Marshall, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Product Solutions, FableVision Studios

"I love going to ISTE. It's a great place to see what's new in the ed-tech industry, catch up with people I see only once or twice a year, and meet new people. It's especially rewarding to introduce people to the amazing work FableVision Studios does. I always come home inspired by what I saw and the conversations I had."

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Peggy Healy Stearns, Ph.D., Software and Instructional Designer, Fab@School Coalition Co-Founder

"I’ve been coming to ISTE since 1989 when it was called NECC, and for me it’s still the most anticipated conference of the year. From airport to hotel to convention center, and on the buses that ferry us between, there are warm reunions and enthusiastic first meetings with colleagues from around the country and beyond. Inside the exhibit hall, a small city takes shape as booths are assembled and banners are hoisted. The technology changes, faces change, but the passion and enthusiasm of caring educators who come together to learn how to impact the future of children, communities, and the world remain constant through the decades."

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Will you be at ISTE 2016? Let us know by tweeting at us @FableLearn! We look forward to meeting you there.