September 15 is International Dot Day, the day when kids all over the world take time to enjoy the book The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds and then "Make their Mark" in all kinds of creative ways. You can read more about Dot Day, and sign up for next year's event here.
In our school, the specials teachers teamed up to make it a week long celebration for the kids. Our fabulous art teacher read the book to each class and then introduced them to artists who have made their mark using different forms of dot art. The kids then got to try their hand at making art in a similar style and we hung all their dots in huge dots that lined the hall. They so enjoyed seeing the different styles of dot art! Our wonderful music teacher took pictures of dots as parts of musical instruments and then made a slideshow where the kids had to guess which instrument the dot belonged to, when they guessed correctly they got to experiment with that instrument. In PE they did all kinds of moving on HUGE dots. The kids loved seeing dots in interesting new ways and having a common experience to talk about.
In the library, we focused on the idea that EACH person has a unique mark to make. I painted a huge dot with blue and green to look like an abstract world. Then after we read the book and talked about many different ways to make a mark on the world, each student got to paint their thumb and make a mark on our giant "world". We chatted about how all of the unique dots work together to make the world a really cool place.
While they waited for their turn to paint, each child drew or sketched about the specific ways they could make a mark on the world. Some of my favorite ideas were things like, "I will use my height to make a mark on the world by helping others." "I will make my mark by playing fair in all my sports." "I will make a mark by being a good friend." "I will make the world more beautiful with my art." It was really fun for the kids to have space to think and dream about their own talents and interests and how they could use those to make a mark on the world. It took all week to work each class through, but the end result was a mural that we are still enjoying today!
I love that we can share our celebration with kids around the world and that this project creates space for kids to enjoy and value the creative process and begins a conversation that takes flight in their minds and hearts and allows them to dream BIG!
No comments:
Post a Comment