Washington Elementary School, New Hampshire

There’s something special about the little New Hampshire school at the top of a steep dirt driveway. Inside the doors of Washington Elementary School kindness, creativity, and curiosity flows. Recently the school welcomed Paul and Peter H. Reynolds and the FableVision Team for a Family Night, school visits, Animation-ish workshops and teacher PD.   

---

If you are interested in learning more about custom programs, family nights, and author visits email the team at info@fablevisionlearning.com

Peter H. Reynolds Inspires Young Writers at Nourse Elementary School

Julie Durmis, the Library Media Specialist at L.G. Nourse Elementary School might be Peter H. Reynolds’s number one fan. Having connected the dots with FableVision Learning in the spring of 2020, she had one goal - to bring the joy of Peter to the students in Norton, Ma. This school year her dream was realized. 

Third-grade students explored storybook writing and character development through The Peter H. Reynolds Storybook Academy. As a special treat, FableVision Learning’s Andrea Calvin, a former newspaper journalist, hosted a One Minute Book workshop with the students. This set the stage for the special guests - Paul and Peter H. Reynolds. 

On a sunny April morning, the Nourse School welcomed Peter H. and Paul Reynolds in song … The Dot Song, by Emily Arrow. The day was filled with stories, drawings, and laughter. Paul and Peter had a special lunch with bookmark contest winners and ended their visit by meeting with each third grade class. 

Rounding out the day, Andrea Calvin hosted Nourse educators for a Creativity PD with tips on how to use Divergent Thinking in the elementary classroom. 

---

If you are interested in learning more about custom programs, family nights, and author visits email the team at info@fablevisionlearning.com

Peter H. Reynolds Joins Creativity Celebration with Norwood Extended Day

Creativity overflowed from the Savage Center Gym on Friday, June 16, as Norwood parents, kids, and Extended Day staff joined the celebration with Peter H. Reynolds and the FableVision Learning team.

Soaking in the artwork and animations, Peter H. Reynolds toured each station that highlighted student projects done around his beloved picture books.

Starting with a PD session in February, FableVision Learning worked with Norwood Extended Day to develop a custom program to activate the works of New York Times Best-Selling author and illustrator Peter H. Reynolds through SEL/STEM projects. During the after-school program, K-5 students across the six elementary schools (Balch, Callahan, Cleveland, Oldham, Prescott, and Willett), engaged with creative tools, including Animation-ish (a leveled animation program) and FabMaker Studio (a 3-D design and engineering tool) as they practiced the skills of communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity.

The audience at the Friday night celebration were treated to an interactive reading of The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds. Riordan, a young girl from the audience, enthusiastically played the role of Vashti as Peter read along. Following the presentation, families lined up to meet Peter and have their books signed.

This entire night was made possible because of the vision of Debbie Holzendorf, director of the Norwood Public Schools Extended Day Services and Nevine Gadalla, assistant to the director. 

---

If you are interested in learning more about custom programs, family nights, and author visits email the team at info@fablevisionlearning.com

Dalton Schools Create Bravely with Peter H. Reynolds and FableVision Learning

Dalton Public Schools in Georgia opened its doors and arms to Peter H. Reynolds and the FableVision Learning team for three days of creativity starting with a family night.

Family Night with the Dalton Community

Hosted at the impressive Junior Achievement Discovery Center & The Hammond Creek Middle School Theater, the evening included a film festival, a reading of Peter’s new book “When Things Aren’t Going Right, Go Left,” and “dot and dots” of family activities. This unique evening brought together the entire community and inspired bursts of creativity.

School Visit: Westwood Elementary

Westwood Elementary IS a Peter H. Reynolds-inspired school! During the daylong visit that included two assemblies, student tour-guides led Peter through the hallways filled with projects based on his books. 

PD: The Creative Classroom

Rounding out the week in Georgia, Sara Smith, FableVision Learning’s Director of Creative Education, led 50 district teachers in a day of creativity. They dove into creativity research, played games, and explored their own creative strengths, leaving ready to ignite creativity in their classrooms.   

Educators also got a chance to explore FableVision Learning’s tools, FabMaker Studio & Animation-ish. 

The team was sad to leave the warmth of Georgia, but as we like to say - our dots are connected.

---

Curious about how your school can host a family night and PD? Send an email to the team at info@fablevisionlearning.com, we would love to connect the dots.

FableVision Learning Connects with Gifted Educators in Georgia

FableVision Learning’s Sara Smith, Director of Creative Education, and Andrea Calvin, Vice President, roadtripped to Athens, Georgia to connect the dots at the Georgia Association for Gifted Educators conference. Held on the beautiful University of Georgia campus the conference saw over 500 educators from across the state. 

During three hands-on-sessions educators dove deeper into the works of Peter H. Reynolds and creativity skills.

At the Start With A Story session, participants explored the SEL and Creativity themes of Peter’s book The Dot as they made their mark in Animation-ish. 

Later in the day Sara encouraged attendees to Unbox Creativity and stretch their creative muscles as they explored divergent thinking and tools to bring into their teaching practice. If you weren’t able to attend the session, we encourage you to explore FableVision Learning’s Certified Creative Educator Course.

A special thank you to Lisa B. Hackney at the Georgia Department of Education for being an amazing host during the conference and  beyond. And to Desiree Isis Sharpe and the team at the Torrance Center for Creativity and Talent Development (housed on the university’s campus), for hosting the FableVision Learning team, Georgia Department of Education’s gifted program manager Mary Jean Banter and program specialist Lisa Hackney, and Dalton gifted educator Molly Carlson for lunch and conversation.