FableVision Learning Spotlight Blog

Kathy Loukos 8/11/16 Kathy Loukos 8/11/16

Let's Have a High-Tech Dot Day!

Want to incorporate technology into your Dot Day festivities but don't know how to get started? Check out these high-tech-inspired projects! And be sure to share your own ideas with us on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter:

Facebook: FableVision Learning, International Dot Day, #DotDay

Pinterest: International Dot Day Board

Twitter: @FableLearn, @DotClubConnect, #DotDay

1. Fabricate Dot Day Projects With FabMaker Studio

Students can use FabMaker Studio to make their mark. Try your hand at creating a Dot Day pop-up or assembling an automaton (found in the ready-mades folder). They can also let their creativity run free by creating their own Dot Day projects!

2. Make Your Mark Move With Animation-ish

Have your students create animations using Animation-ish. Already have the program and ready to get started? Download Peter H. Reynolds' official International Dot Day starter animation for Animation-ish here.

3. Experience Augmented Reality With QuiverVision's 3D Coloring App

Imagine turning your 2D Dot Day dot design into a 3D sphere. With QuiverVision's coloring page and 3D Coloring App you can do just that! Print the coloring page, download the app (Apple App Store, Google Play), and you'll be all set to start making your mark!

Celebrating Dot Day this year? Remember to register here!

Kathy Loukos 8/1/16 Kathy Loukos 8/1/16

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!!

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!

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.

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!

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!!

Kathy Loukos 7/11/16 Kathy Loukos 7/11/16

FableVision Learning is Ready for a FAB-tastic Boston Mini Maker Faire

Artists, Engineers, Tinkerers…Oh My! Where can one find these people and many other AWESOME-ly creative things? At the Boston Mini Maker Faire, of course!

On July 23, Boston Children’s Museum will host the city’s first ever Mini Maker Faire from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the FableVision Learning team will be there with hands-on STEAM projects fabricated in Fab@School Maker Studio.

What's a Maker Faire? Picture a science fair like the ones you would go to as a kid but hands-on. People of all ages will come together to witness and interact with new forms of creativity and the new technology used to express that creativity. From traditional to technologically-produced works there’s no innovative limit at the Maker Faire.

Since the launch of the first Maker Faire in 2006 in the Bay Area, there have been many others happening all across the globe including cities like Seoul, Berlin, Lisbon, Tokyo, and Oslo. In addition, there have been over 120 independently organized Mini Maker Faire events and we are SUPER thrilled that Boston is hosting one.

So, come join us and get hands-on with Fab@School Maker Studio - make an animal mask, pinwheel, pop-up creation, and so much more! We hope to see you there.

For more information about Boston Mini Maker Faire, click here. Interested in attending? Click here to buy a ticket.

Kathy Loukos 6/23/16 Kathy Loukos 6/23/16

New Storybook Transports Kids & Grown Up Kids To Meet Massachusetts' Famed Conservationist Who Saved State's Most Precious Places

Massachusetts’ Best-Selling Author/Illustrator Duo Commissioned to Create Commemorative Storybook to Celebrate The Trustee's 125th Anniversary - the Commonwealth's Largest Conservation & Preservation Non-Profit

What kind of child grows up to change the world? The Trustees of Reservations, the Commonwealth's largest conservation and preservation organization, knows the answer. As part of their 125th anniversary celebration they commissioned FableVision co-founders Peter H. Reynolds and Paul A. Reynolds to write a commemorative-edition children’s picture book as a tribute to a little boy named Charley Eliot—who would grow up to be Massachusetts’ visionary preservationist and founder of The Trustees of Reservations—now known simply as The Trustees.

The story, written by Paul and illustrated by Peter, features ten-year old Charley Eliot, who enlists his friends to protect a grove of ancient oaks that are being cleared to make way for a road. He dubs them "The Knights of the Woods," and together they come to the rescue of their beloved trees where they always played. As Charley announces at the end of the story, they vow to protect and preserve all special places—the fields, the mountains, the beaches and the woods for all—and for all time.

Along with family-friendly programs, camps, events, and activities, the new storybook introduces the Trustees’ mission to carry on Eliot’s legacy to a whole new generation. As Trustees President and CEO Barbara Erickson notes, “We hope that this inspirational story of our imaginative and forward-thinking founder from the talented Reynolds brothers will spread the passion for conservation to the younger generations and encourage them to visit and find magical moments and inspirations at our scenic, recreational, natural and cultural sites.”

FableVision’s founder and New York Times best-selling author/illustrator Peter H. Reynolds is excited about the book’s impact. “At FableVision, we’re very fond of visionaries—and Charles Eliot truly was one. I’m thrilled to be able to draw attention to his vision and mission that allowed The Trustees to protect so many of Massachusetts’ most precious sites for 125 years,” shared Reynolds.

Reynolds’ twin brother Paul, who recently landed the Library of Congress MassBook Award for Best Picture Book of the Year for his storybook collaboration with Peter called Going Places, was deeply touched by this project. “In researching, I learned that Eliot’s life was tragically cut short at age 37 by spinal meningitis, after which his father Charles W. Eliot, who was President of Harvard University, wrote a 770-page biography of his son’s life. Reading it, I felt as if Eliot’s father transported through time and was sitting next to me sharing about his remarkable little boy. Building on those details, I tried to create a story that would capture his son’s love for nature and history—a passion that would propel little Charley into a lifetime of conservation advocacy. The landscape of Massachusetts was impacted for generations because of this man’s vision. I hope this story inspires all ages to continue Eliot’s vision through the work of The Trustees, and that it will foster the next generation of stewardship of our natural and historic resources.”

Peter, Paul and Julia stand with a picture of Charles Eliot.

The endpapers at the front and back of the book feature full-color illustrations by the Reynolds’ longtime colleague and fellow FableVisionary Julia Anne Young who is also a writer, illustrator, and designer. Young’s drawings feature a handful of The Trustees’ signature properties around the Commonwealth.

Attendees of The Trustee’s 125th Anniversary Gala in May received advance copies of the storybook. Released in a limited-edition printing, the Charley Eliot and the Knights of the Woods storybook was carefully hand-bound by FableVision’s print partner, Bridgeport National Bindery (BNB) in Agawam, MA.

BNB’s Michele Brennan explains, “Our most seasoned hand-binder from our library division, an immigrant from Moldova who has been with Bridgeport for nearly 35 years, used the time-honored technique fan binding. This is a centuries-old skill, one we decided to use once I shared the mission of The Trustees. Bridgeport preserves these skills and passes them on to our younger interns. It seemed appropriate to bind the books in this way to honor The Trustees’ 125th Anniversary.”

Limited quantities of the collectors-edition book are also available at 12 sites, including The Trustees’ most visited National Historic Landmarks: Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich and Naumkeag House and Gardens in Stockbridge. Additional Trustees locations carrying the limited-edition book include Appleton Farms Dairy Store in Ipswich, KITCHEN at the Boston Public Market, Appleton Farms’ booth at the Boston Public Market, The Old Manse in Concord, Powisset Farm Guest House at Field Farm in Dover, Tully Lake Campground in Royalston, and Dunes Edge Campground in Provincetown.

Celebrate this special book with Peter and Paul during special book signing events this summer, including a public unveiling and birthday party at the Boston Public Library on Saturday, July 23, as well as special teacher/librarian event at The Blue Bunny Books in Dedham later this year.

The Trustees’ 125th anniversary celebrations will continue throughout the year with other public events and celebrations. Festivities include a Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra concert on Aug. 6, hosted for the first time ever at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich.

Kathy Loukos 6/16/16 Kathy Loukos 6/16/16

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:

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."

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!"

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!!"

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!"

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!"

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!"

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."

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."

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

Kathy Loukos 6/6/16 Kathy Loukos 6/6/16

Henry Herz Interviews FableVision Founder Peter H. Reynolds

Have you ever wondered how FableVision started? Well your questions will soon be answered. Henry Herz, a writer for children's fantasy and science fiction, recently sat down with FableVision founder Peter H. Reynolds to ask him a few questions regarding his experience in writing and illustrating children's books. The following article first appeared on Henryherz.com.

H: For what age audience do you write?

P: I create picture books–often referred to as children’s books, but I write them for all ages.

H: Tell us about your latest book.

P: Playing from the Heart was recently published by Candlewick. It’s a story about a boy named Raj who discovers a piano in his house. His playful and joyful explorations are followed by years of lessons. Many years later he rediscovers the original joy of his childhood “playing.”

H: What do you hope readers will get from reading that book?

P: I hope the book encourages us to hold on to joy we knew as children, but also to encourage parents and teachers to allow kids play–as well as themselves. Kids don’t need instructions in the sandbox. They can play for hours with no guidance and no assessment. There is no pressure that their sand playing abilities will be tested. We don’t have to be great at things that bring us joy and conversely, sometimes the things we are good at don’t bring us joy. These are ideas that fascinate me.

H: What aspect of writing or illustrating do you find most challenging?

P: My biggest challenge is to keep the energy and looseness of my original sketches. Traditional publishing involves a team and a process of sketches, comments, editing, revisions, finals, revisions to finals–it can yield some polished results, but it can also wear down the original, raw energy. My challenge is to shelter that spark through the process.

H: I’ve experienced the same thing with my picture book manuscripts. I have to be careful not to allow critiques to mask the original voice and heart of the story.

H: What is a powerful lesson you’ve learned from being a writer/illustrator?

P: Creating a moving and memorable story is one of the hardest math problems you’ll ever solve. The logic of a story is the backbone. Keeping the art and text lean and sparse allows the backbone to stand strong and not get lost.

H: I write, but do not illustrate. I remember, when I first started writing, how hard it was for me to let go – to not include much scene description, to not add copious art notes. It’s hard trusting someone (the illustrator) you’ve never met.

H: What has been a memorable experience that you never would have had if you had not been a writer/illustrator?

P: A 6th grade girl reached out to me and shared how my book Ish changed her self-identify. She had struggled with being a perfectionist. My book had helped her see things in a whole new way. This made me aware of the impact my work could have on people around the world. It amazes me that I can touch peoples lives without ever meeting them.

H: Yes, the amazing power of books and the internet.

H: What advice would you give to aspiring authors or illustrators?

P: Let it flow, not just work hard. In fact, the “working hard” can often dull your instincts. Just let it flow. Your way. Your journals belong to you. You never have to share them unless you find something in those pages that you feel needs to be shared. My other advice: keep going, never stop.

H: Yup. Never stop learning. Never stop writing. Never stop submitting.

H: Do you have any favorite quotes?

P: “Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity.” — Horace Mann

“Pessimism is destructive. Realism lacks imagination. Optimism inspires and opens doors.” — Bert Jacobs.

This is a little poem I heard when I was 15 and it has stuck with me all these years: I Meant To Do My Work Today by Richard LeGallienne

I meant to do my work today,
But a brown bird sang in the apple tree,
And a butterfly flitted across the field,
And all the leaves were calling me.
And the wind went sighing over the land,
Tossing the grasses to and fro,
And a rainbow held out its shining hand,
So what could I do but laugh and go?”

H: Beautiful. Plus, ode to ADHD.

H: Do you have any strange rituals that you observe when you work?

P: I like being barefoot while I draw and write. I haven’t really thought too much about it, but I suppose it could be connected to the freedom I felt when we moved to the grassy suburbs of Chelmsford, MA from the city of Somerville, MA when I was 6 years old. The first thing I did when I jumped out of the car at our new house was to take my shoes and socks off and run through the dewy grass. By the way, lot of my character are shoeless.

H: If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

P: Instant transport. Blinking my eyes and being in a new place. I am eager to experience the entire planet, meet as many people, experience as many cultures as I can, but traditional travel is exhausting and time consuming. I’d love to blink and be in India. Blink: Iran. Blink: South Korea. Blink: Brazil. Blink: the International Space Station. I am certain the experiences would inspire new insights and stories.

H: That WOULD be handy. Plus, no waiting in airport lines.

H: If you could have three authors over for dinner, who would it be?

P: DEAD:
Aesop – I’m a big fan of fables.
William Steig – I had the pleasure of one dinner with him. We painted together. I’d love to do that again.
Charles Dickens – He was a champion of the underdog. His books captivated me as a young boy.

ALIVE:
Tom Robbins – I’m a huge fan of his quirky, brilliant brain.
Judy Blume – I have had the honor of meeting her and creating covers for some of her books, but I’d love to have a meal with her.
Any elementary school kid – They are natural storytellers. Honest. Funny. Inspiring.

H: Next day, 4,329 elementary school kids show up at Peter’s house…

H: What is your favorite creature that exists only in literature?

P: My recent favorite is the Snatchabook (featured in the book by Helen and Thomas Docherty)

H: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

P: I love being with my kids. My 29 year old daughter, Sarah and my almost 5 year old, Henry Rocket. I also love spending time in my wonderful downtown of Dedham, MA and more specifically, in my bookshop: The Blue Bunny.

H: I approve wholeheartedly of the name Henry Rocket and an author owning a bookshop.

The Blue Bunny bookstore located in Dedham, MA

H: What would you like it to say on your tombstone?

P: That is one project I’d prefer not to think too much about. I am absolutely stunned thinking that this blessed journey on Earth has to end. I don’t think the tombstone needs to say anything. My books, films, work will do that for me. You DID make me imagine a tombstone that was designed by kids. OR a big stone dot that people would be encouraged to write on, paint on, make their mark. That would make me smile.

H: Giant stone dot with paint set it is – hopefully a long time from now.

H: Where can folks find your work?

P: All sorts of places. My bookshop in Dedham, MA. Your local library and indie bookshop, I hope. For more info, see my website.

Thanks, Henry. I enjoyed pondering your questions and sharing my thoughts with your readers.

H: Thanks for spending time with us, Peter. This interview is also posted on the San Diego Children’s Books Examiner.

Can't get enough of Peter? Click here to read more about FableVision's founder.

FableVision Learning 5/26/16 FableVision Learning 5/26/16

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 5/24/16 FableVision Learning 5/24/16

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 Schoo l 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!

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!

FableVision Learning 4/21/16 FableVision Learning 4/21/16

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?

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!

Kathy Loukos 4/6/16 Kathy Loukos 4/6/16

FableVision Learning Teacher Spotlight: Maryann Molishus

Maryann Molishus is not just any fifth-grade teacher, she is an advocate for hands-on, experiential learning and a champion for the importance of a positive classroom experience in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).

Many students learn to dislike these subjects in elementary school; Maryann is inspiring her students at Goodnoe Elementary School in Newtown, Pennsylvania to love them using Fab@School Maker Studio.

Maryann rallied a few colleagues and three amazing fifth-grade students to apply for a grant from their district’s Council Rock Education Fund to develop a makerspace-type program. With the grant in hand and the support of their principal they were able to get started.

“Our principal gave the OK to purchase a class set of accounts for Fab@School Maker Studio, and it is the perfect fit for elementary students,” she shared. “The last piece, the creativity and collaboration needed to design interesting products, comes from our fantastic students! Our intent is to spend at least this school year learning how the grant materials can best be used by our school population and then put together a program we can share with all our elementary schools.”

Maryann, a FabAwesome FableVision Learning Ambassador, was kind enough to share her and her students’ experiences using Fab@School in their classroom. Read on!

How did you hear about FableVision Learning and then become an ambassador?

In 2004 it seemed that wherever I went I was crossing paths with Peter and Paul Reynolds and the folks at FableVision. In quick succession I heard Peter speak during a virtual author visit with hundreds of students across Pennsylvania, then at a live meet-up in Philadelphia at what was then NECC (now the ISTE Conference), and we had a mutual connection to the Pennsylvania Keystone Technology Integrators Program that had just begun. Soon after I volunteered to be part of Paul Reynolds’s graduate research project, The North Star Virtual Community. I began using The North Star Classroom Program in my classroom and we even did a performance of The North Star Musical Journey with one of my second grade classes. It was some time later that I connected with the amazing Terry Shay and the ambassador program and began participating in fun events such as International Dot Day.

Tell us a bit about your classroom and what the students are working on.

I am currently teaching fifth graders at Goodnoe Elementary School in Newtown, Pennsylvania. It’s my fifth year in fifth grade, after teaching second grade at the same school for eleven years. Additionally, I moderate a grades 5-6 STEM Club once a week during recess and lunch. The 5-6 STEM Club students are working on a variety of projects and are learning new skills such as computer programming and digital fabrication. Currently, our fifth graders are working on an interdisciplinary project. They are combining math, engineering, art, and some very much needed collaborative skills to create a “solid sculpture” that will be displayed on our hallway bulletin board.

How are you using Fab@School Maker Studio into your classroom?

There are a couple of ways we are using Fab@School Maker Studio. First, my homeroom is working on their “solid sculptures.” Small groups have been given the challenge of collaborating to create an interesting sculpture that includes a cone, cube, two rectangular prisms, a cylinder, a square pyramid, and one other solid shape. The total volume of each sculpture needs to be between 60-250 cubic inches. The colors, patterns, and configuration of shapes is their creative choice. The small groups are working hard to learn how to use Fab@School, how to calculate volume, and how to design the various shapes. We began the project by assigning student trainers that took on the role of ‘team leader’, introducing their group members to the new program and guiding them on how to use it. Team leaders are also responsible for keeping the group organized, maintaining the design notes, and making sure everyone in the group is participating.

Students are also using Fab@School in our new “STEM Special”. This STEM Special has been put in place in lieu of our weekly computer lab block. Students work on independent digital projects, some of which involve electronics and cardboard, and many that include designs students are creating using Fab@School.

Finally, we also offer a weekly STEM Club to all students in a more informal setting. The students are just beginning to learn Fab@School and are so excited to start planning their projects!

What are some of the challenges/lessons you are tackling with Maker Studio?

One of our primary challenges at the moment is setting up our hardware to work as effectively and efficiently as possible. As the class begins to learn and use Fab@School Maker Studio, we are working out how to get the printing and cutting process to work optimally using our current district hardware. We are learning what works best and what our major hurdles are so we can sort those out with our administration and tech support. We want to make the best choices in our setup so we can hopefully share the program with all of our students.

Can you share one wonderful aha teaching moment you’ve had this week?

Yes, a wonderful aha moment occurred when I first introduced Fab@School to my class and they began their Solid Sculpture project. The small groups busily assigned jobs, got some training on the program, and began researching volume formulas they would need for their solid shapes. After a little over an hour, time was up. As I instructed the students to clean up their materials, one student called out, “What, time’s up? We didn’t even do any math today!” After spending an hour focused on geometry and measurement, it was quite surprising that the students didn’t realize that they were, in fact, doing math. I took the opportunity to explain once again just what they were doing and its connection to our math program. Project-based learning is a great way to learn as it allows students to become fully invested in their work, so much so that they forget they are even doing “school work.” I can honestly say that the students are actively and happily engaged in mathematical conversations at a fifth grade level and more!

Kathy Loukos 3/31/16 Kathy Loukos 3/31/16

Fab@School Team Joins Global Early Childhood Fab Lab Partnership

To help tackle the disruption in the STEM education/career pipeline, FableVision and The Reynolds Center have spent the past five years collaborating with University of Virginia’s successful Fab@School Initiative to bring meaningful STEM teaching and learning to many younger learners and their teachers.

This past January, after years of development, testing and research led by Dr. Glen Bull and Dr. Peggy Healy Stearns, the FableVision/Reynolds Center teams released Fab@School Maker Studio digital design and fabrication software, which is the keystone tool in the Fab@School initiative. Made possible in large measure by the generosity of the Cisco Foundation, Fab@School Maker Studio is an easy-to-use web-based digital design and fabrication tool, which invites students in grades 3-8 to experience STEM and STEAM learning in a more engaging, personally meaningful way.

Maker Studio offers a unique onramp to creating with cross-curricular activities from simple to sophisticated and support for a variety of materials and a range of tools from scissors to inexpensive 2D cutters to 3D printers and laser cutters – all with a single tool. Beginning with paper, cardstock, and cardboard, Maker Studio provides an accessible, low-cost way to imagine, design, invent, and fabricate 2D designs, pop-ups, and 3D projects like geometric constructions and working machines. Maker Studio is part of the national Fab@School research initiative and committed to championing equity & access to quality maker education.

Last year, our Fab@School team was also tapped to join the global Early Childhood Fab Lab Partnership, led by the Teaching Institute for Excellence in STEM (TIES) and MIT Fab Foundation to bring the Fab Lab learning experience to early learners (PreK to Grade 2). Other Early Childhood Fab Lab partners include the Bay Area Discovery Museum, the Center for Childhood Creativity, Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology. To support the Early Childhood Fab Lab mission, with generous support from the Noyce Foundation, the FableVision/Reynolds Center teams are now working to create an early education version (PreK-2) of the recently-developed Fab@School Maker Studio software for both formal and informal spaces.

Kathy Loukos 3/29/16 Kathy Loukos 3/29/16

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!”

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.

Story Time Singalong, Volume 1, is now available! — *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."

Emily Arrow reading her first inspiration, The Dot. — 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.

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

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