Creativity Flows at Hartland Elementary in Vermont

Peter H. Reynolds is often asked for advice on how to start drawing. His answer – put a pencil on a piece of paper and move it around. The same tip can be applied to animation as young animators at Hartland Elementary School in Vermont discovered during a recent program with FableVision.

The school launched its Create Bravely extravaganza with a Family Night filled with animated films and activities for all ages.

The following day students met Peter H. Reynolds virtually, setting the stage for the animation workshops that filled the rest of the day. Using Animation-ish, Peter’s leveled online animation-tool, students discovered how three frames with slight movements can create movement.

Check out some of their work:

Would you like to host a Create Bravely Family Night or animation workshops?
Send an email to Andrea Calvin at andrea@fablevision.com.

Going Places Family Night with Portland Public Schools and The Portland Art Museum

Young creatives revved their engines at Maine’s Portland Museum of Art in October for the Portland Public Schools/FableVision Going Places Family Night featuring author Paul Reynolds. 

Paul welcomed families to the museum and started the night with a reading of Going Places, the perfect picture book for any STEAM library, and then launched into a showing of the animated film version of Ish, written by Peter H. Reynolds and animated by FableVision Studios. As a bonus the museum purchased a copy of Going Places for every child. These stories set the stage for what was to come. 

WIth books in hand, families journeyed to another part of the museum for dots and dots of activities that were centered on sparking creativity and collaboration. Every Family Night hosted by FableVision is customized for the schools and this one was no exception. The first-ever Going Places Build-Your-Own Go-Cart station was a hit with young engineers as they built a moving vehicle with recycled materials. 

Check out the photos from the night.

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Would you like to host a Create Bravely Family Night? Send an email to Andrea Calvin at andrea@fablevision.com

Nebraska Educators Preview Peter H. Reynolds SEL Program

When Nebraska educators joined together July 17-19, 2023 for the Nebraska State Education Association -University 2023 summer conference, they were joined by Peter H. Reynolds and his team to share his powerful message on resiliency and bravery. His team included his sister, Jane Reynolds, from England, Deanna Braunlin from Wyoming, and Sara Smith from North Carolina, who all enjoyed seeing Nebraska!

Earlier in the year, NSEA President Jenni Benson visited Nebraska elementary schools reading Peter’s book Be You! for Read Aloud America and was amazed at the impact of the book with students.  

Jane Reynolds, President, FableVision Learning with Jenni Benson, President, NSEA

Peter joined virtually from Paris projected on two enormous screens in the ballroom.  He reminisced about the time he was at NETA (2004) when he was asked to step in as keynote speaker.  He had an advance copy of the newly created animation of his book The Dot which he shared with the audience.  So they were the first to see the animation before it was released. 

Just as Nebraskan teachers were the first to see The Dot animated film back in 2004, this time they were the very first to see Connect & Thrive: Story-Powered Circles, launching this week.  Developed in conjunction with Partnerships in Education Resilience (PEAR), this new program provides off the shelf activities to use with elementary students in morning meetings or circles, using 4 of the books by Peter H. Reynolds to strengthen the students' sense of belonging. 

This time Peter read his book Say Something and shared his inspirational story of being invited to think differently about math by his 7th grade math teacher, which opened his eyes to a career in animation.  He emphasized that we often do not know the impact we make on students, even life changing impacts.

Following the keynote, Peter’s team delivered 3 sessions, each one with a different way to use storytelling to make a difference in student lives.  Teachers who attended received copies of Peter’s books as well as the chance to use FableVision Learning programs for the next academic year.  These included:  

• Start with a Story - storytelling, journaling, SEL and STEM cross-curricular activities linked to Peter’s books

• The North Star Classroom - help students discover their potential and map their personal journey using Peter’s first book The North Star

• Connect & Thrive: Story-Powered Circles - strengthen students’ sense of belonging within elementary school using Peter’s books, lessons and activities in morning circles

The FableVision Learning team enjoyed meeting the amazing teachers of Nebraska. We hope to soon be in a city near you!

Peter H. Reynolds Creates Bravely with Students at The Conley School

The halls were filled with artwork and laughter could be heard from every room as Peter H. Reynolds walked the halls of the Conley School with the principal Karen Downey.

Organized by the school’s art teacher Cassie Horton, Peter H. Reynolds made a special trip to the elementary school in Whitman, MA. He was overwhelmed by the kindness that poured from every student and the creativity that sparked from the staff. During his two assemblies that included a reading, draw-along, and a Q&A session, Peter got to know the students of Conley. 

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

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.   

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

Deans Mill Elementary in Connecticut

Deans Mill Elementary School in Connecticut is overflowing with writers and animators following a visit from FableVision Learning team members, Andrea Calvin, Mary Johnston, and Avivia Schreiber. The elementary school welcomed the team for hands-on, in-person student workshops using Animation-ish and The Peter H. Reynolds Storybook Academy and cheered when Peter H. Reynolds joined virtually for a book reading and Q&A. 

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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. 

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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. 

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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.

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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 Launches After-School SEL/STEM Program with Norwood Public Schools

It may have started as a simple purchase of The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds and a stop to his bookstore The Blue Bunny in Dedham square, but Debbie Holzendorf, director of the Norwood Public Schools Extended Day Services, saw something more. 

A few phone calls and meetings later, FableVision Learning officially launched the after-school program with an educator PD on Saturday, Feb. 4. During this hands-on session, 40-ish teachers explored this unique after-school program that has been designed for K-5 students across Norwood’s six elementary schools: Balch, Callahan, Cleveland, Oldham, Prescott, and Willett (Kindergarten), Middle School and The Savage Center for school vacation programming. 

This custom program activates the works of New York Times Best-Selling author and illustrator Peter H. Reynolds through SEL/STEM projects. Through this program, students will engage with creative tools, including Animation-ish (a leveled animation program) and FabMaker Studio (a 3-D design and engineering tool) as they practice the skills of communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity. 

As a culminating event for this school year, Norwood Public Schools Extended Day Services will host a creativity celebration with Peter H. Reynolds. During this time students and families will meet the author and be able to share projects from the after-school program.

FableVision Learning partners with school districts across the country to develop custom programs. If you have any questions send us an email at info@fablevisionlearning.com.

Peter H. Reynolds and FableVision Learning Create Bravely at the Detroit Institute of Arts

Our third collaboration with the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) brought excitement and laughter as we were in person celebrating the world of Van Gogh. Peter H. Reynolds and FableVision Learning teams’ time at the DIA in November included a visit with students followed by a PD day with teachers, as we connected the dots between digital storytelling, creativity and STEM.

Kicking off the event, eager Detroit-area students filtered into the DIA’s gorgeous, vintage theatre to spend an hour with Peter H. Reynolds. The room was filled with delight as Peter shared one of his most recent books, Our Table. Then, the students surprised him with a book they had created, inspired by his art and stories! 

Peter drew his favorite characters on large easel paper and passed them out to each class, and then the students got a turn with the microphone to ask questions. To everyone’s surprise, the question-and-answer time turned into a joyful singalong! Peter’s message to the students and teachers was encouragement to be brave, create, and never stop. The unanticipated message from the students ended up being just as important: a reminder that collaboration and creativity are always there, waiting to be uncovered, and that amazing things can happen when we are together.

The following day, despite the cold and snow, over 70 teachers came to participate in workshops aimed at creativity and digital storytelling, with the backdrop of the DIA’s new Van Gogh exhibition providing lots of inspiration along the way!

In the Animation-ish workshop, teachers were inspired to use animation as a new and motivating way for students to express themselves and show what they know. Teachers got to dive right in and create their own animations and experiment with ways to bring stories and concepts to life in the classroom.

The Creative Classroom workshop challenged teachers to think about creativity outside of the realm of art. They engaged a creative mindset, practiced creative skills, and learned creative tools to bring out the best in their students. The group collaboratively brainstormed ways to use the “5 magic words of possibility thinking” to foster divergent thinking in the classroom, no matter the subject, and they also played games and drew some silly pictures along the way!

Fortified with paper, glue, and digital fabricators, teachers joined the FabMaker Studio workshop to create a magical 3D world of art and engineering. Using the online, STEM tool, they designed 3D objects inspired by Van Gogh’s work and discovered the brain benefits of seeing objects with an engineer’s eye. Teachers left with tons of ideas for bringing hands-on creation into the classroom.

It was a great day, but don’t take our word for it! Here are some comments from participating teachers:

“What a very enjoyable and creative day we had together. Thank you for sharing your new inspirations and ideas for our classrooms and even our personal growth.”

“Thanks so much for the inspiration yesterday! I had so much fun.”

“I liked that the workshop introduced many new ideas but we also had time to talk to others, relax and create.”

“It was the most fun and useful PD that I have ever attended!”

Interested in bringing a dash of creative PD to your school district or program?

Contact the team at info@fablevisionlearning.com.

About DIA

The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), one of the top 6 museums in the USA, has an absolutely amazing collection of works and currently has a magnificent Van Gogh exhibit on until January 23, 2023. They also have a fantastic educational program providing professional development for teachers and trips for students.

New Hampshire's SAU 6 Celebrates Dot Week With FableVision Learning

I  Am Brave!

This special message was celebrated by every student in Claremont/Unity New Hampshire during the FableVision Learning week of creativity that launched with the Creatrilogy Family Night and continued during the week with a coding activity at each elementary school. 

To activate the district’s goal of student growth, the team at FableVision Learning helped SAU #6 kick-off the year with energy and joy through a hands-on student activity to remind them that they are brave and they can do hard things. By creating and deciphering binary code necklaces, students carried the important message of bravery with them around their necks.

The most exciting part of the week, though, was The Creatrilogy Family Night. All of the families in the district were invited to come to the high school for a Stories that Matter, Stories that Move animated film festival followed by activities all related to Peter H. Reynolds’s Creatrilogy of books The Dot, Ish, and Sky Color. Families worked on collaborative art, searched for hidden dots, and stretched their minds with brain teasers and challenges.

There is a lot more in store for SAU#6 Claremont/Unity this year. We are so happy to be part of their year of growth. If you’d like to bring exciting programs like this one to your school or district, contact us at info@fablevisionlearning.com.