Dot Day is an International Day meant to encourage the global community to celebrate creativity. Dot Day is inspired by the children's book, The Dot by Peter Reynolds. This day started in 2009 when teacher, Terry Shay, brought this book into his classroom. The book challenges us to 'To Make Your Mark'. The Dot Day celebration of creativity, individuality and inspiring other to believe in their mark started in one classroom and has grown to be celebrated in 195 countries by over 19 million people.

If you want to participate in Dot Day with your students, start by visiting the International Dot Day webpage. Here you can sign up, read posts, have access to the Teacher Handbook and posters to promote Dot Day in your classroom. This site has all sorts of materials they have prepared for you to get started. I have highlighted some of these resources in this newsletter, along with inspiration from others, too. As you scroll down, you will find lesson ideas you can use with your classes.

The Dot is the story of a caring teacher who dares a doubting student to trust in her own abilities by being brave enough to “make her mark”. What begins with a small dot on a piece of paper becomes a breakthrough in confidence and courage, igniting a journey of self-discovery and sharing, which has gone on to inspire countless children and adults around the globe. Purchase the book HERE, listen to it HERE, OR try pairing this book with the app Novel Effect. Using Novel Effect, various sound effects and background music will be played.

Join FableVision, Reynolds Center TLC, and Candlewick Press in a VIRTUAL global celebration of creativity, courage, and collaboration: International Dot Day! In this event, students will meet Peter H. Reynolds–New York Times best-selling author and illustrator of The Dot–and his twin brother Paul A. Reynolds who will challenge everyone to believe in themselves and find the courage to “make their mark.”

Sign up now to join this exclusive, live-streaming event from Boston’s historic Shubert Theatre at the Boch Center. Get Tickets Here

• Dot Color Mixing
• Dot Grid to Make a Drawing
• Dot Challenge. It's not a dot, it's a...
• Coffee Filter Art
• Dot Day Pixel Art
• More Art Inspo
• But wait... there's more!
• Even More (14 more to be exact) Ideas!

• Discussion Questions, Vocabulary Words, Story Sequencing, Characterization, etc.
• Tons of other books about Dots!
• Animate a Dot using Chatterpix Kids

• BreakoutEDU - Borrow a Breakout EDU Kit from our IU6 STEM Lending Library and use The Dot escape room game with students
• The Dot Conversation Starters & SEL Prompts
• The Dot Hop!

• Dots in Nature

(Note: Click and scroll down on the page to find each of these activities):

• Dot Structures
• Dot Sticker Testing
• Dot Stacking
• Dot Day AR w/ Quiver

• Caterpillar Ordering Numbers
• Dot Math
• Dot Plot of the Day

• The Dot Song
• The Dot Song Lyrics

The Dot Central

Here you can see other books written by Peter Reynolds and get some Dot Day Merch, if you want...

Check out this blog with dots created by authors, illustrators & celebrities who wish to encourage creativity. See dots created by Sharon Creech, Amy Krouse Rosenthal, Kristin Tubb, Julie Andrews, as well as Carole Hart of Sesame Street fame and Craig Bartlett, creator of Hey Arnold! & PBS KIDS’ Dinosaur Train.

Follow along with the rest of the Dot Day community and feel free to share your work on Instagram, Facebook, and X. Some hashtags or pages to follow include: #InternationalDotDay #MakeYourMark @dotclubconnect @peterhreynolds @fablelearn @fablevision @tjshay @fablepaul and the Dot Day Facebook Page

• Cassie Stephen's Dot Day Blog Posts
• Cara Beth McLeod's Pinterest Collection is something to see!

Tablecloths

Polka Dot Wall Stickers

Free Dot Day Sign Download

Poster Collection