What is Dot Day?
Every day is a good day to celebrate creativity in the classroom and all that it unlocks and unleashes for students and teachers. But since 2009, one day – September 15 -- has become a great day for teachers, students and people everywhere to re-commit and re-connect to the power and potential that creativity brings to all we do.
International Dot Day was launched by teacher Terry Shay when he introduced his classroom to Peter H. Reynolds’ book The Dot on September 15, 2009. (Fun Fact: Terry chose September 15 because the original publishing date of The Dot is September 15, 2003!) The Dot tells the story of a caring teacher who reaches a reluctant student in a remarkably creative way. The teacher 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.
And each year on International Dot Day – with the help of people just like you - the inspiration continues. What started as a story in the pages of a book is transforming classrooms around the world as teachers and students celebrate creativity in the classroom. Even with just a few hours of participation, educators are helping to ensure that every student – whether in pre-school, K-12 or college -- knows that he or she has what it takes to make a mark on the world.
An International Dot Day celebration can be whatever you want it to be – from a 30-minute moment to week-long series of activities or even a year-long theme for you classroom, school, or District.
To get started, sign up to download our Educator’s Handbook and visit our gallery of past projects. And don’t forget to get connected to people just like you who are committed to teaching and learning with creativity.
Register Now!
Click here to register for International Dot Day 2012! Registering will ensure that you receive periodic news, information and resources to help make creativity a cornerstone in your classroom on International Dot Day and every day.
