New Peter H. Reynolds Poster: We're a 5 C's Classroom

Display this new downloadable poster by Peter H. Reynolds to help students keep the 5 C's in mind. Enjoy!

Peter H. Reynolds Poster: We're a 5 C's Classroom

Make More Light - a Reminder from Peter H. Reynolds

Peter H. Reynolds created these printable posters as a message for children to help deal with the tragic events that took place in Boston on April 15, 2013 — but it really is a reminder for all of us. Peter encourages you to share, print, and have children add their "light" to the black and white version of the poster. It is his gift to you.

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Click here to download the color version.

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Click here to download the black and white version — ask your students to add their own "light" to it.

Our hearts go out to the many people who were affected by the Boston Marathon tragedy. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families — may they be surrounded by light, comfort, and peace.

Autism Awareness Month Resources from FableVision Learning

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April is Autism Awareness Month, and we have some great resources to help you explore diversity and discuss inclusion with your students. You can watch the free film online with your students today!

Written about a boy on the autism spectrum, I'm Here features a strong anti-bullying message and reminds us that all children — and the friendships they make — can take flight in unexpected ways. Consider adding this powerful book to your library!

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Also, don't miss the FREE I'm Here Educator's Activity Guide, written by SARRC (The Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center) and designed by FableVision Learning. This guide comes with several detailed activities that will help you explore the themes of I'm Here with your students.

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You might also consider integrating the book and film Wings of EPOH into your Autism Awareness activities. Wings of EPOH is the story of a young boy on the autism spectrum who goes on a journey with an unlikely friend, a butterfly named Epoh ("hope" spelled backward). It was written by acclaimed author and Holocaust survivor Gerda Weissmann Klein and lovingly illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds. There is a teacher's guide you can purchase as well.

We also recommend the following articles and websites, which offer a tremendous amount of information and other resources:

Huffington Post Blog: "Making a Difference: The World of Giving — April is Autism Awareness Month" by Lisa M. Dietz

SARRC (Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center) Website: There is a great deal of helpful information there! You can learn more about SARRC’s program offerings and social skills curriculum (see the FRIEND program info at the bottom of the page).

The Autism Society Website: Check out the "About Autism" and "Living With Autism" sections — they provide an enormous amount of information to help educate others about the autism spectrum.

Autism Speaks offers wonderful resources, too. Visit the "What is Autism?" page for a wealth of information. The Family Services section also has fantastic resources, and there is a blog section that connects families with children on the autism spectrum with other families. Lastly, Autism Speaks recently partnered up with the Home Depot, which will be selling blue Defiant LED Lanterns and blue light bulbs through the end of April. A portion of each sale will go to Autism Speaks to fund research, advocacy, family services, and awareness for families struggling with this disorder.

Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago "maximizes independence and creates opportunities for people with disabilities and other special needs to live, learn, work and play in their communities by providing a lifespan of premier services." On their homepage, look under the What's New section — you'll spot some news articles about autism. You can also learn more about autism at their About Autism page.

Let us know how you'll be honoring Autism Awareness Month with your students. We love hearing what creative educators are up to!

New Peter H. Reynolds Poster: We All Make Mistaks

Peter H. Reynolds' We All Make Mistaks Poster

We are offering this free downloadable poster by Peter H. Reynolds! This poster serves as a sweet and simple reminder to not be so hard on others — or yourself! Remember that everyone makes mistaks.

Peter H. Reynolds' Gift to You: Create Your Own Plant A Kiss Seed Packet

Inspired by the book Plant A Kiss (written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds) this printable PDF by Peter provides an easy-to-assemble template for a seed packet. Simply print, cut out, and assemble — and don't forget to seal it with a kiss!

As the school year transitions into spring, think in terms of "planting it forward." Start sowing seeds for your students — a love of writing, a fascination with math, a curiosity about science, a passion for vocabulary, global thinking, an appreciation for social studies...

What creative activities do you have planned for spring this year?

From Peter H. Reynolds: Inspire Students to Commit to Their Goals for 2013

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January is a perfect time to encourage students to commit to goals for the year ahead! Download these goal cards by Peter H. Reynolds, cut them out, and distribute them to your class. Ask each student to write one important goal for the year ahead and sign it as part of his or her commitment to working towards that goal. Post the cards on a bulletin board or classroom wall and check in with students from time to time to see what progress they have made. A little encouragement and a few reminders will go a long way!

Download the goal cards template or click below:

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How do you help your students commit to their goals? Comment below to share your tips!

International Dot Day. . . in Antarctica!

So cool! We were blown away by these photos of International Dot Day festivities in Antarctica from educator and researcher Jean Pennycook, who studies Adélie Penguins. Dot Day, an unofficial celebration of creativity based on Peter H. Reynolds' award-winning book The Dot, has now officially been celebrated on all SEVEN continents! Thanks to Lorraine Leo, Terry Shay, Bill Norris, and Janet Reynolds for "connecting the dots" and getting The Dot down to Ross Island for this tux-only event.

New Peter H. Reynolds Poster! Celebrate Digital Learning Day on February 6, 2013

On February 6th, we invite you to join us in celebrating Digital Learning Day, a national celebration of teachers that shines a spotlight on successful instructional technology practice in the classroom.

In honor of this spectacular day, and to applaud the powerful impact digital learning can have on students' lives, Peter H. Reynolds created this fun downloadable poster:

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Spread the word about Digital Learning Day by proudly displaying this printable poster on your classroom wall, and encourage your colleagues and students to join in the fun!

Visit the official Digital Learning Day website to learn more and sign up today.

Animating Across the Curriculum

This film showcases some of the fantastic animations we've received from teachers and students using Animation-ish™, our easy-to-use animation software. It highlights how educators are inspiring students to "show what they know" and make more creative, meaningful connections with content in all subject areas!

Special thanks to all the teachers and students who have shared their work with us and contributed to this video! If you or your students are creating projects, we'd love to see them. Please email your creations with a brief description to info@FableVisionLearning.com.

FableVision Learning's Gift to You: Free Peter H. Reynolds Greeting Cards!

As a little holiday gift, we wanted to share these free greeting cards featuring art by New York Times best-selling author/illustrator Peter H. Reynolds. Here are the quick and easy steps for creating your cards:

1. Print this downloadable PDF on cardstock or thick paper.

2. Cut along the red horizontal dotted line.

3. Fold each card along the vertical gray dotted line.

4. Add your own unique message to the inside of the card. Let someone in your life know you're thinking of them this season!

Click here to download the greeting card PDF:

Peter H. Reynolds Animates on Gillette Stadium's Jumbotron at MassCUE 2012

The FableVision Learning team had a wonderful time at MassCUE 2012 — we truly enjoyed seeing old friends and are thrilled to say we made many new ones! Conference attendees gathered on the Gillette Stadium field to watch Peter H. Reynolds animate live on the Jumbotron — using Animation-ish, our K–12 animation software! Here are just a few photos:

One of Peter's animations on the Jumbotron

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This year also marked a special anniversary for the conference. Watch this short video of Peter H. Reynolds and FableVision Learning President Becky Conners as they congratulate MassCUE from Gillette Stadium.

You can learn more about MassCUE at their

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Comment to let us know which educational conferences you enjoy. Is there anywhere in particular you'd like our team to visit?

Free Animation Activity for Students: Create a Political Cartoon

The upcoming election offers great opportunities for your students to explore politics. Inspire them to express their ideas through a clever political cartoon! Here's an example of a short student film made with Animation-ish, our K–12 easy-to-use animation software:

Try making your own political cartoon with Animation-ish!http://www.fablevisionlearning.com/animationish

Encourage your students to make their own films! Start by downloading this free Animation-ish Political Cartoon activity PDF.

We love to see what teachers and students create, so please email any exported films to us at info@fablevisionlearning.com.

Lastly, feel free to comment with any other creative ideas you may have for exploring politics and current events with your students!