The Dot (Creatrilogy)

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I had just read the book Ish, also by this author/illustrator, and then was alerted to this book, which was published first.

The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds | Goodreads

The story is what art should be about, it’s how art should be taught. Given that many children have negative experiences that discourage them from expressing themselves creatively, maybe they’ll at least come across this book and get inspired again. In this book, a youngster who is convinced she can’t draw is given encouragement by her teacher, and then passes on what she’s been given. Use the words ‘Just make a mark and see where it takes you,’ as inspiration for your own artwork. What type of mark will you make? Where will it take you? What materials will you use?

Go right to the source: At the beginning of your International Dot Day celebrations, it is a good idea to let your kids know where it all started. You can do this by reading your class the story of “The Dot”. Through this, kids will learn the meaning behind the holiday, and be inspired to get involved with the celebrations. Share your creativity: International Dot Day is celebrated all over the world, and you can share your artwork with everyone observing the holiday by posting your pictures with the hashtags #InternationalDotDay and #MakeYourMark on social media. Resources to Support Your Teaching of International Dot Day The story doesn’t feature the other children in Vashti’s art class, it is about her personal journey, not comparing herself to others but challenging herself to do better. It seems to be human nature to constantly compare ourselves to others, but this often gets in the way of our own personal progression. When you begin to focus on your own individual milestones it can be much easier to get on with moving forward, rather than wasting energy on worrying about what everyone else is doing. You can find out more about this growing movement, and what Terry Shay and Peter H. Reynolds have to say about it, in our blog What is International Dot Day? It's got teacher-made resources created especially for this day. Reynolds’ simple lines, hand lettering, and water color and tea illustrations make this a charming book of primitive art. His illustration style matches the text, the story, and the theme.

Dot To Dot Book For Kids Ages 8-12: Challenging and Fun Dot Dot To Dot Book For Kids Ages 8-12: Challenging and Fun Dot

What is more important: that Vashti is a good artist, or that Vashti is happy and able to make other people happy? That might've been the end of it, except that the teacher frames Vashti's piece and hangs it on the wall. Thinking she can do much better than a simple dot, Vashi gets out her paints and begins to experiment. Eventually, she gains the confidence to help inspire other young artists who think they can't draw. Vashti doesn't believe she can draw, when her art teacher urges her to just make a dot and sign her name it changes Vashti's entire view of herself and others.And then there is The Dot Project by a class of first graders and their teacher, Mr. Colosi: http://www.thedotproject.org/ The world is invited into their project as well. Lots of fun!! As of right now, International Dot Day is celebrated in a whopping 192 countries around the world, with more than 19 million people taking part. Why Do People Celebrate International Dot Day? Vashti goes from being a sad and angry child, with no confidence, to someone who has the maturity and ability to help someone else to believe in themselves. The creativity in each of us needs encouraging. I truly know that. From just a word, a push, a smile, blossoms can bloom. It is not just about drawing or painting either. Writing, sculpting, playing a musical instrument, weaving, any form of art can show up with just that nudge.

Dot book - Wikipedia Dot book - Wikipedia

Vashti experiments with different colours. Can you try to mix colours to make new ones? Make a chart that shows what happens when you mix different groups of colours together.Use the paintbrush tool in painting software to create a ‘dotty’ picture. Look at examples of pointillism for inspiration. I'm sure we all know someone (or we are someone) who says they can't draw. In this story, Vashti is one of those people. She thinks she can't draw, so she doesn't even try... until her teacher gets her to start with a dot. Just a dot.

The Dot by Peter Reynolds - Read and Create

Are you looking for ways to spark your students’ creativity? Take a look at some of our favourite artistic resources: Terry Shay, a teacher in Iowa, USA, was so inspired by the story of Vashti in Peter H. Reynolds’ book that he started International Dot Day. Now, every year on the 15th of September, creativity is encouraged and practised in classrooms around the world. International Dot Day is celebrated by both adults and children all around the world as a way of boosting confidence and encouraging creativity, through observing this holiday, people can learn the power of creativity and how just one small dot can make a huge impact on the world around them.

Vashti believes she cannot draw, but when her teacher gently tells her to “just make a mark,” she jabs at a blank sheet of paper and signs her name. The next week, her art teacher has framed the dot, and the action sets Vashti on a journey of artistic freedom and self-discovery that culminates in the little girl passing on her new-found creative spirit.