September 15 is International Dot Day, a celebration of the power of the creative spirit in all of us! International Dot Day is inspired by Peter Reynolds’ classic children’s book, The Dot, which shows how making just one little mark can begin a journey of surprise and self-discovery. RIF is proud to support this initiative, and in the spirit of the occasion we’d like to share some fun ideas from the Dot Day Educator’s Handbook on how you can take part, in your classroom and beyond!

Make a Guest Dot Sign-In

Get a large sheet of paper on an easel next to a collection of markers and crayons. Make sure that everyone who comes in makes their own special dot on the paper, and encourage them to get creative!

Group Dot

Cover a round table with craft paper to make a giant “dot” and ask students to work in groups to fill-in the dot together! See what emerges as students negotiate the use of space and relationships among shapes and colors within the dot!

Make Dotty Name Tags

Have kids decorate dot-shaped name tags for their lockers by making a collage of pictures that say something about themselves.

And Finally… Don’t Forget to Read The Dot!

Peter Reynolds’ delightful book tells the story of Vashti, who is convinced that she can’t draw. To prove her point, she jabs at a piece of paper to make one simple, angry dot. But that one little dot is just the beginning, in this delicate fable about the creative spirit in all of us!

Help spread the word about International Dot Day by registering at http://www.thedotclub.org/dotday/register

posted by Jon Purves

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Tags: activities, partnership