Dot Day 2016: Link Up with the 4.6 Million Mark Makers

The following article first appeared on Dot Day Founder Terry Shay's blog, TJ on Journey. 

International Dot Day started in a few classrooms in 2009 and has grown into a celebration celebrated around the world. I am constantly sharing links on Twitter and Facebook to encourage more classes to participate. Adults may feel free to connect with me.

 

Official Page and Signup

The Dot Club is where to send people first. There is a yearly signup as well as a lot of resources and ideas to make your day, week, month or school year successful. Please encourage people to check out the site and sign up!!

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Celebrities Celebrate Dot Day

The Celebri-dot site was inspired by Sharon Creech who sent me a dot on Dot Day 2011. I was so inspired by her graciousness that I decided to start asking other celebrities to make their mark. So many awesome dots are now on the site by the best people out there. If you know an author/illustrator/actor/sports personality, please invite them to participate. The determining factor on 'celebrity' status is if kids would recognize his/her name or work. There are now 220 dots up!

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Dot Day Pins on Pinterest 

I have curated a group of Dot Day celebrations through Pinterest. I also encourage you to search Pinterest for International Dot Day as I may have missed some. Beautiful stuff there! I also have a newer board for Dot Day Ideas.  

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Middle & High Schoolers

This year people have wondered if grade 7-12 students can participate in Dot Day. The answer is yes! In 2013, every kid in grades 7-12 (and their awesome teachers) created a dot on his/her tablet and we took a large picture in the gym. We created a Flickr to display a gallery of all the dots online.  

In addition, check out this blogpost from last year where I asked my former high school kids what they liked about the day.

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Tune into Twitter 

I also encourage you to use and search the #DotDay hashtag on Twitter. The very best and most creative educators on the planet will be found there!

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Visit FableVision Learning

Another way to connect with the best people is to check and follow people from this great post: Superheroes of Dot Day post on the FableVision Learning Blog. 

Happy Dot Day 2016!!

Wrightsboro Elementary Students Make Their Mark with Dot Song!

Decked in dot-covered artist aprons and French berets, the paintbrush wielding students of Wrightsboro Elementary wowed the crowd at the 27th Annual Best Foot Forward showcase in New Hanover County with their rendition of Emily Arrow’s “The Dot Song” inspired by Peter H. Reynolds’ book The Dot. A multi-age group of nearly 40 students sang, danced, and acted out the story of The Dot while creating a dot of their own live on stage, which was revealed at the end of the performance. Lead by their music teacher, Shannon Flowers, their art teacher, Bron Guthrie, and teacher leader, Brandi Laney, the piece was a huge success and one of the most memorable performances of the night. Congratulations to the teachers and students of Wrightsboro Elementary for making their mark!

Want to bring Emily Arrow’s Creativity Road Show to your school? Click here.

All photography provided by Erin Whittle Photography.

FableVision Learning Teacher Spotlight: Heather Brown

She caught our eye with a beautiful, creative project that encouraged students to make their mark, fostered teamwork and collaboration, not to mention turn her school’s library from drab to fab in celebration of International Dot Day! Four birds with one stone? Amazing! Heather Brown, librarian at Saint Joseph School in Herndon, VA, was the catalyst behind this recipe for dot-connecting success. With inspiration from fellow librarian, Katie Darty's blog entry, from Northcombe High School in North Carolina, in collaboration with her colleague, Mary Sears, Saint Joseph’s art teacher, and with the delightful dots of their K-8 students a fabulous circulation desk re-design was created. If you’re wondering how your school will celebrate International Dot Day this September 15-ish, this may be your golden ticket!

Mrs. Heather Brown

1. We loved your creative, low-cost library circulation desk update celebrating International Dot Day! What inspired you to create this project?

I was first inspired after seeing a fellow librarian, Katie Darty’s blog post outlining how she spruced up her school library at North Buncombe High School in Weaverville, NC for less than $600 and the upgrades she made to her old circulation desk.  When I shared her idea with Mary Sears, our art teacher, last spring, she and I began brainstorming what we could do with our circulation desk. We decided to use International Dot Day as a theme since we had wanted to collaborate on that already. The artistic inspiration came from other art teachers’ projects we found on Pinterest that are based on Wassily Kandinsky's Color Study: Squares with Concentric Circles.

2. Talk us through the process of the desk overhaul. We’re sure other educators would love to know!

Since International Dot Day occurs so early in the school year, September 15-ish, we started our collaborative project on the first art class of the year for every student in grades K-8. In art class, rules and procedures were taught in conjunction with this simple hands-on project, since students like to enjoy art right away. We talked about The Dot and the importance of making "your mark." Students also read the book or watched the movie in library class ahead of time.

Each student in grades 1-3 were given 5 warm colored pieces of 4"x4" construction paper. Grades 4-6 got 5 pieces of cool colored construction paper, 7th and 8th grade got 5 different shades of green and kindergarten got pinks and reds. Each student selected a base color, which remained a square. They held all the other pieces together and cut out a large circle. They chose one to glue down. Then held the rest together and cut a smaller circle. They continued gluing and cutting until they ran out of paper. The exception was Kindergarten- they cut squares out. Circles would have been challenging on day one, since their skill levels were unknown. We also used glue sponges, a great Pinterest inspired tip, where you place a sponge soaked in glue in a sealed airtight container. There are no drips or messy glue bottles, just press the paper on the sponge for the perfect amount of glue. It was quick and easy and all the dots were made within the first 45 minute class.

The individual pieces were assembled over the next couple of weeks onto large pieces of black bulletin board paper and laminated. They were pieced together on the front of the library desk. The green dots created by 7th and 8th graders were used to frame our school logo which hangs behind the desk.

School wide collaboration to create a central piece of artwork is a great way to kick off the year. Students each made their marks and worked as a team to create a really fun piece!

3. How has St. Joseph School celebrated International Dot Day in the past and what are your plans for 2016?  

This was our first Dot Day celebration, and I'm not sure the whole building was aware of it until they saw the beautiful dots installed on the circulation desk. Students love coming to the library and locating their dot on the desk. Every student in the school is represented. I think that is important. We are not sure what we'll do next year, but you've got the wheels turning with that question!

4. How do you make your mark?

I leave my mark with each lesson I give, each story I read, each time I help students find books to read that they love!  

FableFive: Terry Shay, FableVision Learning Ambassador Leader

The ambassador of Ambassadors, Terry Shay, is first and foremost a vocal teacher to lucky K-12 students in Traer, Iowa. Terry followed his North Star, connected the dots, and continued his mission to teach creativity, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking when he joined our FableVision family as a FableVision Ambassador. His enthusiasm, passion and heart quickly landed him the position of Lead Ambassador of the FableVision Ambassador Program and is the originator of International Dot Day and the Celebri-Dots blog. For this month's FableFive blog post, we chatted with Terry to learn more about his journey, what it takes to be a FableVision Ambassador, and the Dot movement.

1) Walk us through your FableVision Journey?

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Mr. Terry Shay

My journey with FableVision began at the Iowa Technology Education Connection Conference many years ago. I was at a session about a keyboard and the presenter was demonstrating how the keyboard could be used to import into any word processing program and then she demonstrated using Stationery Studio. I ended up not be interested in the keyboard, but I will never forget how amazing the software was. I knew that I had to know more about the company who made it. I called and had the tremendous good fortune to reach Bill Norris, who sent me the software and kept in touch. A few months later, I was asked to be a FableVision Ambassador. A few years later, I was asked to lead the program. Working with and for a company who has a mission that matches my own is a dream.

2) What has been a highlight moment of your experience as a FableVision Ambassador?

Watching someone’s face light up when I ask them if they celebrate Dot Day is certainly at the top of the list. It is a joy to hear all the different ways celebrations are held around the country. Not to mention, the opportunity to work closely with Peter H. Reynolds and Dr. Peggy Healy Stearns.

3) What are the qualities you look for in a FableVision Ambassador and how does one apply?  

The main quality I look for in an Ambassador is willingness to share. We are looking for a variety of locations so we spread the mission far and wide. Currently we need Ambassadors in Alaska, Arkansas, Kentucky, Montana, Oregon, and Wyoming.

 

 

4) Tell us about your teaching experience, what has been one highlight of your career?

I am a K-12 Vocal Music teacher in Traer, Iowa. The highlight of each year is watching kids shine in our Swing Show. Kids get to sing, dance, perform in skits, and almost every year I am blown away by a soloist who starts out meek and mild and then steps on the stage and becomes a star.

 

5) You love children's books! And are the driving force behind Celebri-dots. Tell us about the blog and the dot movement.

International Dot Day, September 15th, started in 2009 and has been a constant source of joy ever since. Inspired by Peter H. Reynolds’ book, The Dot, Dot Day is intended to get kids to be creative. In 2011, Newbery Medal winning author, Sharon Creech, sent me a dot on Dot Day. Inspired by seeing the dot that one of my favorite authors made, I wanted to see what other famous people would create. Since then, 216 dots have been published in a variety of media including paint, photography, sewing, raspberry juice, hair dye, computer code, pencil, pen, and more. It’s an amazing gallery of creativity and it inspires kids to make their own mark.

At FableVision Learning we love to celebrate creative educators we meet along the way. The FableFive series is our chance to highlight these folks. The format is simple; we select one person and ask five questions to help us get to know them better, their relationship with FableVision Learning, and to help them spread their mission! 

FableFive: Emily Arrow, Reynolds Center TLC Creativity Road Show

Like most great things, it started with a DOT.

“I have a few fable-tastic connections to FableVision and Peter H. Reynolds, beginning with The Dot Song, explained Emily Arrow, award-winning songwriter and musician behind the Creativity Road Show. “After I wrote and shared The Dot Song with Peter, FableVision Studios created an animated video and I created a motions guide video. We shared our videos to celebrate International Dot Day and the song absolutely took off. But that was just the beginning!”

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For this month’s FableFive, we chatted with Emily about the Creativity Road Show, creating music, her new award-winning album, Storytime Singalong, Volume 1, and her tips on bringing creativity, literacy, and music into the classroom.

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Story Time Singalong, Volume 1, is now available!

1) What is your connection to FableVision and Peter H. Reynolds?

Since The Dot Song I’ve created numerous other songs inspired by Peter's books including Ish, Sky Color, and his recently illustrated I am Yoga written by Susan Verde. The Dot Song and the I Am Yoga Song are both on my recently released album, Storytime Singalong, Volume 1. And let's not forget the brand new FableVision Creativity Road Show! Beginning this spring, I'll be visiting schools to read, sing, and celebrate Peter H. Reynolds’s inspiring stories.

2)  When you were a teacher, how did you integrate creativity, literacy, and music into the classroom?

I believe children's literature - especially Peter's stories - have an inherent musicality. So I began using stories during my music lessons to teach various skills: rhythm, tone, and performance techniques. And then I took it a step further and began writing specialized songs for the books I loved reading aloud. For example, the song inspired by Peter's ISH invites students to insert their own words to become "ish"-ified. In the song, students fill in the blank with a word of their choosing: "____-ish! Thinking ishly."

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Emily Arrow reading her first inspiration, The Dot.

3) What is your song writing process and how do you pick your books to write a song about? 

My process has evolved along with my career path. From the beginning I've always selected, and will always select, books that personally resonate with me. The first book-inspired song I ever chose was The Dot, which is why it has such a special place in my heart. My favorite stories are ones that make great read-alouds, have unique illustrations, and tell a story I think I can communicate well through song. 

4) What’s involved in your songwriting workshops on the Creativity Road Show?

In the songwriting workshop, we write and sing our own song together! Inspired by ideas the students generate, we journey through song form and begin by writing a chorus that's catchy and original. Then we write the verses and bridge by using the notes and suggestions of all of the "songwriters" in the room. It's like writing a story together but set to music. What could be better?

5) What was your favorite book as a kid and have you written a song about it?

What an awesome question, no one has asked me this yet! The first picture book I ever read on my own was Corduroy by Don Freeman and I couldn't get enough. I haven't written a song about it...YET. But I’m planning a series of song/videos inspired by the "classics" of my childhood. 

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Want to learn more about Emily? Visit her online here.

Want to bring Emily to your school? Find out more details here.

LuLu Jr. makes an AWESOME mark on Dot Day 2015!

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What happens when two organizations championing creativity and self-expression “connect the dots”? Something AWESOME!  Lulu Jr. and FableVision, after their award-winning My Awesome Book kids’ bookmaking kit collaboration, partnered to create My Awesome Publishing Company, an innovative online writing/design platform that gives teacher the tools they need to turn their classroom into a publishing company. 

Designed and hosted by FableVision’s Founder and New York Times bestselling illustrator Peter H. Reynolds, My Awesome Publishing Company guides K-6 students through writing, illustrating, publishing, and promoting their very own book. Currently being piloted in schools across the country, My Awesome Publishing Company encourages kids to make their mark. 

Which is why we were delighted to see the team at Raleigh, NC-based Lulu make their own AWESOME mark for International Dot Day 2015, which is now celebrated in by over 4 million people in 116 countries. Check out Lulu Jr.’s video!

It’s not too late to celebrate Dot Day. If you, your company or school are planning something awesome, let us know – and we’ll share it with the Dot Day community.  

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The Bouncing Dot Music Video

There are dozens of ways to conduct your Dot Day celebration! This September 15th-ish celebrate with "The Dot Song." Singer-songwriter Emily Dale collaborated with Peter H. Reynolds to create this beautiful melody inspired by The Dotand International Dot Day!

Listen and sing along to this uplifting tune about creativity! FableVision Studios developed this amazing animation to engage your students with this captivating song. Peter has created this free handwritten lyric sheet for you to share with your students and encourage them to Make Their Mark this Dot Day.

This animation brings to live the collaboration between singer-songwriter Emily Dale and Peter H. Reynolds, author and illustrator of The Dot. "The Dot Song"...

The Bouncing Dot Official Music Video for The Dot Song

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The School District of Palm Beach County is Celebrating Dot Day District-Wide!

International Dot Day participation has soared above 1,252,000 teachers and students as of today, September 14th. WOW! We are so thankful to all of the educators around the world joining us in celebrating creativity this year.

We were thrilled to find out that the School District of Palm Beach County is holding a district-wide celebration of Dot Day this year. The school district is the 11th largest in the continental U.S., with more than 176,700 students. John Long, Technology Program Specialist, organized this tremendous creative endeavor — and he was kind enough to send us this Dot Day flyer he shared with his creative technology staff and colleagues. The flyer features activity ideas, links to resources, tips for getting started, and more. It might give you some great ideas for how your district can celebrate next year!

The School District of Palm Beach County has several groups facilitating events from kindergarten all the way up through 12th grade. John is collecting photos, stories, and videos for their "dot"-cumentary (we can't wait to see it!). John even created a website for their district initiative.

We've already started receiving cool stories and videos from John, but the celebrations will continue on for some time. According to John, "We are stretching Dot Day from September 15th-ish to be more like Dot Week."

We are so inspired by John's district, and by all the other districts and schools who are making their mark this September. Please consider sharing your school or district's story in the comments below!

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

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

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

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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:

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

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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:

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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:

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

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Make your mark by printing out this Dot Day poster.

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

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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.)

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

Animate Your Dot for International Dot Day! It's Easy & Fun

Animation-ish Dot Animations

This International Dot Day, make your mark MOVE! There are many ways to animate a dot, including using software, apps, a paper flip pad, stop motion with clay or objects... the options are endless. Here's one easy way to bring your dot to life:

1. Create your film in Animation-ish. Start in the first level — in just three drawings, you can animate your dot. Save your files, and be sure to sign them.

2. When you're done, click the "Share" button to export as a Quicktime movie (.mov).

3. Proudly share your animated dot! If you want, email us your movie and we'll post it to our blog. Or tag us on social media @fablelearn on Twitter and Instagram.

Here are a few fun samples by students and the FableVision team:

Don't worry about making your animation perfect! Be brave like Vashti - start by making your mark and then building from there.

Remember to send us your animations so we can share them with the world. We can't wait to see what you come up with!

"Make Your Mark" by Emma Wallace

Emma Wallace has written a very cool song called "Make Your Mark" in honor of International Dot Day.Make Your Mark by iamemma. See her original post here. Learn more about Emma here. Thanks to Emma for the song and permission to post it here.