Autumn Adventures: FableVision's 2022 Back-to-School Guide

After a sunny and spectacular summer vacation, returning to school or starting school for the first time can be scary. Whether your family traveled, relaxed, spent time outdoors, or simply had a different schedule, it takes time to shift back to your school and fall routines. To help your children combat the “school scaries” and enjoy the fall, we’ve compiled a list of resources to ensure that they have a fantastic year full of educational and engaging learning. 

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International Dot Day

Empower kids to make their marks by celebrating International Dot Day on September 15-ish. Based on FableVision’s Co-Founder and New York Times bestselling author/illustrator Peter H. Reynolds’ book The Dot, International Dot Day encourages kids to connect and collaborate as they re-discover the power and potential of creativity in all they do. This year, join Peter at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City or watch the livestream of the event. September 15 doesn’t work for you? Here’s a little secret: you can celebrate Dot Day whenever you want! 

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UCAR’s SkySci for Kids

As we gradually add sweaters, scarves, and fuzzy hats to our wardrobe, check out UCAR’s SkySci for Kids to learn about weather, climate, and sky science. With humor, bright colors, and a clear breakdown of topics, FableVision-made animated videos and minigames featuring Yolanda the palm tree, Jeff the yeti, and Snacks the dog will teach kids about tornadoes, hurricanes, heat waves, and more. Visit the website to encourage your child to fight climate change.

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Cyber Fashion Challenge

Another great way to fight climate change – upcycling! Based on Cyberchase’s season 13 episode “Sustainable By Design,” born-accessible Cyber Fashion Challenge, created in partnership with FableVision, The WNET Group, PBS KIDS, and Bridge Multimedia, teaches 6-8-year-olds about avoiding fast fashion and encouraging the creative reuse of materials. Practice counting and shape identification by creating a sustainable fashion line for Fabio DeZine.

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Museum of Science “EiE Families” Website

Spark your child’s interest in engineering and computer science by checking out the Museum of Science “EiE Families” microsite, built by FableVision, with interactive features to support STEM learning at-home and on-the-go. Play Bye Bye Bug and create a way to lead a ladybug to safety, or explore the other activities, in both English and Spanish. Bonus: if you’re in Boston, take a field trip to the Museum of Science to see science in action.

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“Our State and the Nation: A Georgia Studies Course”

History fanatics – we have a treat for you. FableVision created a host site for Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB)’s online textbook, developing an online experience for eighth-grade students. In the revamped George history course, students can examine images, define vocabulary words, watch videos, and go on virtual field trips from the classroom or the comfort of their homes. 

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Pinna Original Yes No Audio Adventures

One of the best parts of fall? Halloween! Immerse yourself in spooky season by answering yes or no to questions in Escape the Haunted House, a Pinna Original Yes No Audio adventure, produced by FableVision’s audiyo-yo. Listeners are the main characters as they interact with the show and create their own story. If your kids aren’t fans of haunted houses, they can listen to Escape the Marshmallow Dream Forest or Escape the Sinking Ship. The 5-minute, voice-activated audio adventures provide a perfect, creative outlet during car rides, before bedtime, and more.

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Boston vs. Bullies Academy for Internet Champions

Join Bobby the Badger and his friends Ivy, Jordan, and Felix to score a touchdown, make a basket, and hit a home run with The Sports Museum’s bullying-prevention game. As kids continue to use the internet at younger ages and run into in-person and online bullying, Boston vs. Bullies Academy for Internet Champions, created by FableVision, helps kids navigate tricky situations, make smart choices online, and combat bullying. Learn how to stay safe by checking out the free game.

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“Friendlets” Animated Shorts

Besides stopping bullying, children should also see the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships to avoid abuse, love better, and find true friends. Created in partnership with One Love Foundation, “Friendlets” animated shorts showcase familiar, humorous scenarios to help elementary-aged kids understand the importance of communication and appropriate responses in healthy friendships. Visit One Love’s Education Center for the shorts and associated resources.

Nine FableVision Resources for 2019 Back to School

Back to school season is upon us, so you know what that means—shopping for a new backpack, mapping out the bus route, and gathering the newest tools for learning! FableVision is here to help teachers, parents, and students make this school year the best one yet. Check out some of the many resources we have available to support learners of all ages, both in the classroom and at home.

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Zoombinis (TERC, Learning Games Network)

In this relaunch of the nineties classic game, players can practice their logical reasoning, pattern finding, and problem solving skills with 12 puzzles and four levels of increasing difficulty. In Zoombinis, middle schoolers  strengthen and implement their algebraic thinking, data analysis, and theory formulation skills in a fun and engaging setting, helping the Zoombinis, groups of small blue characters, on their logical journey home. The game is available for use on mobile and desktop applications, and can be played both at home and in the classroom.

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Different Kinds of Hurt: Isaac’s Story
(Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, Walker Cares)

It can be hard to open up to the people around you about how you feel. But Isaac and Mia are here to show you that it’s okay not to feel okay! Different Kinds of Hurt: Isaac’s Story, a multimedia campaign to promote conversations about mental health, destigmatizes these conversations by highlighting the similarities between mental health issues and physical injuries. Additional resources on how to identify signs of mental health issues in children and who to contact for support can be found on the Isaac’s Story website. 

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Keenville (Georgia Department of Education, Georgia Center for Assessment)

Keenville, a game-based assessment we created for first and second grade students in the state of Georgia, changes what the traditional classroom looks like by making tests more fun and engaging. Students are faced with tasks and questions and are rewarded with beans, which they can exchange to buy items in the game. While students play through the games and improve their math and literacy skills, teachers can assign games and track their students’ progress through a specialized teacher dashboard. 

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Project Here Games (The Office of the Attorney General of Massachusetts, Health Resources in Action, and the GE Foundation)

Created as a part of Project Here, a Massachusetts state-wide initiative to promote substance use prevention and healthy decision-making, Project Here Games is a useful tool for teaching social emotional skills. This game-based app consists of minigames and quizzes that allows for the user to practice skills such as standing up to peer pressure, coping with stress, and making healthy choices. Project Here Games is designed for grades 6 through 8 and can be used in an independent or collaborative setting, both at home and in school.

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Digital Citizenship Music Videos
(Common Sense Education)

With the rise in internet and technology use in our daily lives, the next generation of young leaders need to learn how to navigate and use technology responsibly. With the help of the “Digital Citizens,” students will learn how to make safe decisions online. As a part of Common Sense’s re-vamped Digital Citizenship curriculum, FableVision created lyrics, songs, and animation for three music videos about media balance, being safe and respectful online, and more. Produced with students K-2 in mind, these videos will have you singing along while learning how to build good digital habits. 

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Lights, Camera, Budget!
(Georgia Public Broadcasting, the Georgia Council on Economic Education)

Ever wondered what it takes to be a big shot Hollywood film producer? Lights, Camera, Budget! teaches key personal finance skills to middle and high school students as they navigate the process of creating a hit movie without going over budget. In this Common Core Standards aligned game, students learn financial literacy concepts by distributing an initial $100 million production budget and correctly answering multiple choice questions on a variety of personal finance topics to earn even more money. A virtual advisor provides expertise in one of three popular film genres, as well as money management throughout gameplay. Implement this game in your math class to help your students understand the importance of budgeting and managing your finances. 

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The Paper Girls Show (Global Tinker) 

Join Caily and Reese on their journey of discovery, fun, and creativity! Inspired by STEAM education and the Makers Movement, The Paper Girls Show follows the two best friends as they explore Confetti, a world made of paper. Inspire the young scientists and inventors in your life to learn about art, science, computer programming, engineering, and friendship through the animated video series, maker projects, and additional resources available on The Paper Girls Show website here.

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The Word Collector Animated Film
(Weston Woods)

Kids like to collect things like stamps, baseball cards, and even bugs! But what does Jerome collect? Words! Learn more about Jerome’s story as he discover new words and learns more about their power and magic in The Word Collector, an animated film based on FableVision founder and best-selling author/illustrator Peter H. Reynolds’ book of the same title. This film shows learners of all ages the ability words have to connect, transform, and empower. Follow along with your copy of the book, and share your favorite words on the Word Collector website here.

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FableVision Learning CTE

Looking for a way to implement animation into your classroom? FableVision Learning’s Animation CTE Program is here to help students experience animation through Animation-ish, an animation training program that provides them with the skills needed to be successful beyond school. The Animation-ish software, designed by award winning author/illustrator/educator Peter H. Reynolds and the FableVision team, enables students to develop their creativity, collaboration, and communication skills.

FableVision’s Digital Backpack!

New clothes, crisp notebook pages waiting to be written in, the smell of freshly sharpened pencils. There’s nothing quite like the excitement of going back to school. The start of school promises a fresh set of opportunities to either keep on track or think about ways to do things differently.

Here at FableVision, we’re gearing up for the back-to-school season with our own list of must-have tools for new-year success. From the top techie to the new old schoolers, this list has something for everyone! What’s on your must-have list this fall?

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For the Task Keepers

Unabashedly into organizing information, you need just the right digital tools
and management systems to keep you on-track from deadline to deliverable.

Trello
Mitul Daiyan, Marketing Coordinator
Trello is a project management tool that helps me track the various projects on my plate. This is just the right app for people like me who prefer to have a digital checklist of their tasks that they can access from anywhere. I use it at FableVision for events I’m managing and for my personal life with boards for meals I’m prepping for the week! I can add due dates and team members to different cards for collaborative work. I can't cheer about Trello enough, I use it in tandem with Gmail Tasks and I’m ready to tackle every week.

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Wunderlist
Brian Grossman, Technical Director
Everything I have in my life, I owe to my task list. Without it, I wouldn’t get anything done. I have a surprisingly bad memory and as a result, I have trained myself to write everything down in a task list — everything. I am currently using an app called Wunderlist as my task list. It allows me to keep multiple lists, assign due dates, and synchronize them between my computer and phone. I find it to be just the right amount of functionality for my needs. What about spontaneity? How about doing something fun that’s not on the list? I couldn’t agree more… I guess that why I never finish everything on my list.

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For the Nifty DIY-ers

There’s nothing more satisfying than using something you made with your own hands.

DIY Pencil Case
Jordan Bach, Senior Developer
Making your own pencil case is the perfect way to counter the end-of-summer blues. Hand make a little pouch using your favorite fabrics and add a matching or non-matching zipper. Use it to carry around your pencils, colored pencils, markers, and maybe even a little notepad or an iPad Pencil. When life gets hectic, you can write or sketch it out. And you'll have a pleasing reminder of your creative side. Here are some ideas to help you get started!

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For the Pro-gamers and Programmers

Gaming is serious business and you can’t wait to help others gamify their projects to get their noggins ticking!

Game Design Toolkit
Peter Stidwill, Senior Producer
FableVision Studios and Learning Games Network (LGN) partnered to create the Game Design Tool Kit (GDTK), a free online resource designed to help teachers incorporate game design strategies in their curriculum. This comprehensive handbook is offered at no cost for educators and includes a lesson plan guide, research and design prompts, step-by-step instructions, and discussion guides.

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Scratch
Margarita Dekoli, Senior Developer
Scratch is a free programming language and online community where kids can create their own interactive stories, games, and animations. Learners are able to explore, tinker, or play with different parameters and permutations. By allowing kids to write their own code, you allow them to explore what they are building and to refine their thinking over time through experimentation and tweaks. Plus it’s really accessible and fun!

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For the Top Techie

You get misty eyed thinking about your old Trapper Keeper
and you’re big on new gadgets with that old-school cool.

iPad Pro, Apple Pencil, and Moleskine App
Leigh Hallisey, Creative Director
There are few thing in life that make me happier than new school supplies. I loved them as a child, and I’m so happy that having a kid gives me an excuse to enjoy the start of the year at least nine more times. My favorite BTS bundle this year is an iPad Pro, Apple Pencil, and Moleskine App. The Moleskine App allows me to choose from multiple styles of paper notes, sketches, and storyboarding. I use my Apple Pencil for digital notetaking and sketches. I love having all of my stuff in one place. (Not Lisa Frank folders and smencils love, but close.)

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Wacom Cintiq/Companion Portable Tablet
Keith Zulawnik, Lead Artist
One thing that has been super beneficial to my work has been using a Wacom Cintiq Companion. I've been using an Intuos for years and wanted to switch over to a Cintiq but always felt they were a bit unwieldy on the desk. Wacom released the mobile version a few years ago (the Companion) and I've been hooked ever since! You can't beat being able to work anywhere; it makes drawing digitally feel more natural, like a sketchbook. I get to work on the train, and most importantly, not be locked down to my desk all the time. The past month I actually switched over to their newest model, which has been rebranded from the Companion to the Mobile Studio Pro. It's really an amazing machine. If you’re looking for an alternative then the Apple iPad Pro with the Apple Pencil or the Microsoft Surface Pro are great options. Keep in mind that the iPad does not offer full versions of some software including Photoshop, but you can download an app called Procreate which is an excellent alternative.

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For the New Old Schoolers

You favor the analog way of documenting and make no apologies for
your love of physical lists, notebooks, and shiny office supplies!

Bullet Journaling
Sarah Ditkoff, Marketing and Client Services Manager
I've always used a combination of my digital work calendar and written lists to stay organized. Bullet journaling is a customizable analog system that's gotten pretty trendy over the last couple years. I recently started using a simplified version of the logging system in a grid-style Moleskine. On the left page, I map out my week to help prioritize tasks: meetings, important deadlines, and larger announcements or deliverables. On the right, I "bucket" my tasks into categories that change depending on what I'm working on. Right now, I'm organizing on-ramping tasks for our new marketing interns and planning workflows for upcoming events this fall. Brightly colored sticky-notes let me add informal reminders for myself.

David Welsh, Marketing Intern
I like to keep organized in a notebook, so I’ve adopted some ideas from bullet journaling. I like the Moleskine Professional notebooks because each page is segmented into three areas. I keep the current day’s tasks at top, future tasks along the side, and use the body for lengthier notes and thoughts. With the start of the new semester, I need notebooks for writing, schoolwork, and my internship here at FableVision. I found a budget spiral bound notebook at Target (a medium Miquelrius Hemisphere) that is separated into four color-coded sections. I use blue for my calendar, red for FableVision, gray for school, and green for everything else. There is no substitute for dependable pen and paper.

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MUJI, Tea, and Totes
Samantha Bissonnette, Producer
Although most of my work is digital, my physical tools are just as important in keeping me organized! Like Sarah and David, I love my trusty Moleskine notebook. I also love the notebooks and stationery at MUJI — they have tons of classic lightweight notebooks and fun stamps too! In addition to my notebooks, I like to have one trusty bag that’s large enough for me to carry everything I need, but small enough that it won’t weigh me down when I ride my bike or take the T. This leather bag is the perfect fit! And although my little tea infuser shown here broke, I love loose leaf tea, so a fun tea infuser will be the best addition to my work space.