International Dot Day is almost here, and we’re looking forward to the festivities! Though Dot Day may look different for many this year, we’re keeping the spirit of this important holiday alive with a remote celebration encouraging everyone to #MakeYourMark no matter where you are in the world.

This global celebration of creativity, courage, and compassion began in 2009 when creative educator Terry Shay introduced his students to FableVision founder and award-winning children’s book author and illustrator Peter H. Reynolds’ The Dot, a book celebrating self-discovery and letting your creativity bloom. Since then, Dot Day has been a way for millions of people around the world to connect, collaborate, and celebrate each year.

The theme for this year is “Connecting the Dots!” to show that even when we’re physically apart, “we’re all in this together.” This year is also particularly special because Dot Day 2020 will be held in honor of longtime Dot Connector and Dot Day champion Bill Norris. This year’s remote celebration, “Dots for Light,” will be dedicated to Bill, celebrating the mark he made around the world with his love and creativity.

In his honor, everyone is invited to join in on the “Dots for Light” activity, which will not only allow families and friends to be connected during these unprecedented times, but also honor the memory of Bill and the light he brought to the world.

Click the image above to download the Instagram template.

Click the image above to download the full page template PDF.

Here’s how you join in:

1. Download a template above and create your dot (digital or on the printed sheet).
2. Upload a photo or the digital dot to a social media platform. Be sure to tag @dotclubconnect on Twitter, @internationdotday on Instagram, or their Facebook.
3. To add your mark to the Dot Day grid, please use the hashtag #InternationalDotDay and #DotsforLight.

Are you ready to celebrate International Dot Day 2020?

To learn more about this year’s Dot Day celebrations and the history of Dot Day, visit the Reynolds Center for Teaching, Learning, and Creativity’s blog and register at The Dot Club.

And don’t miss Skype in the Classroom and Candlewick Press’ virtual Dot Day celebration! Join for a live event and Q&A with Peter.

Event details:
September 16 at 10 a.m. PDT (1 p.m. EDT)

Click here to join.

Comment

I had the same teacher for second and fourth grade: Mrs. Cooper. When she wrote her name on the chalkboard, she turned the double O’s into the eyes of a smiley face. Her favorite word was cooperation. In fourth grade every student wrote a story, which we sent away to be “published;” it came back laminated with a spiral binding. I wrote my story about a beached whale named Meiko (pronounced MEE-ko). We made illustrations for our books out of dyed paper we made in art class. I put little whales on every page. During parent-teacher night, Mrs. Cooper told my parents that she loved my book because I always “put a little something special” into my stories.

Which in hindsight was a funny thing to say to the parents of a student who wrote a story about a beached whale, but my parents relayed that feedback to me and I remember feeling special. I was good at telling stories. I always put in a little something special – that was my mark.

Dot Day feels special this year too. An international celebration of creativity inspired by FableVision founder Peter H. Reynolds' book The Dot, the worldwide phenomenon encourages people to make their mark and celebrate it! FableVision is celebrating our 20th anniversary this year, so we’ve been a little nostalgic. It got me thinking about who inspired me to make my mark. And there was Mrs. Cooper with her seasonal sweaters, encouraging smile, and her love of cooperation.

This year at FableVision, we decided to pay tribute to the people who have helped us make our mark. Each dot that you’ll see from our team commemorates all those who have helped us reach our creative potential and continue to inspire us every day. Be it teacher, friend, parent, celebrity, historian, or creative thinker, we hope that our dots inspire you to make a dot for your creative mentor and muse.