Free WAVE on 11/3

EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Virtual Events

September

Get back into the swim of things in the new school year

September 15, 2025, 1:00 pm ET

Recommended for Ages 4–8

Celebrate #InternationalDotDay with Mote Marine Laboratory in this creative, interactive program. Inspired by Vashti’s artwork, we’ll explore the vibrant world of the ocean to discover the dazzling patterns and colors of marine life. Find out how fish and other sea creatures use spots, stripes, and camouflage to thrive beneath the waves. Then, follow along in a guided art activity to create your own ocean-themed masterpiece.

Connecting is as easy as 1, 2, 3, 4...

1. SCAN

Before

Register for free
Getting started as an OnZoom attendee
Once confirmed, your confirmation email will include the virtual link to join the session.

If you have any questions, or would like more information about booking, please contact us:

📧 Email: marven@mote.org
📞 Call: 941-388-2904

2. ZOOM

On September 15 at 1:00 pm ET

Log in to the Zoom desktop client using the same email account you used to register.
Click the ticket link in your confirmation email. Other users will not be able to join the event using your link.

3. FOCUS

During

Make the most of it. Prepare questions, such as:

❓"What color are sharks?"
❓"What is camouflage?"

Play Dot Day Bingo:

Play virtual bingo using a computer, smartphone or tablet during your encounter.

Online

4. REFLECT

After

Explore more:

Write a short reflection or have a discussion about your encounter. Do you think everything in the story could be true? Do animals really think or imagine things as do humans?
Visit our Online Animal Encyclopedia to learn about our animals and exhibits.

The Dot

💲 Price: FREE
🕚 Duration: up to 30 minutes
🎂 Audience: Grades PK–6, homeschool groups, learning pods, and public libraries.
🛜 Format: Live video meetings

Book It!

Program Description:

During your 30-minute session, we read The Dot aloud and share a learning segment that supports social-emotional growth, literacy, and science learning. Learners build reading comprehension and oral language skills while discovering ocean animals. We also reflect on how real sea creatures survive, behave, and interact with each other. Time is included for live Q&A.

Learning Goals:

Discover how ocean animals use spots, stripes, and patterns to survive in their environments.
Identify adaptations such as camouflage in creatures like the diamondback terrapin.
Explore creativity and self-expression through the story The Dot and guided art-making. Draw your own spotted eagle ray or use our coloring page
Make connections between art, science, and storytelling by comparing fictional dots to real-life marine patterns.
Practice observation and communication skills by participating in interactive quizzes, virtual tours, and Q&A discussions.

Interactive Features:

Read-aloud with a Mote educator.
Optional: Play Virtual Bingo.

🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 Dialogue

🟩 🟩 ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ Physical Motion

🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 Hands-on

For Educators

🎓 Audience

Education: Grade(s) PK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, Homeschool/Family, Learning Pod, Library Patrons

🐾 Topics

Language Arts/English, Literacy, Reading, Science, STEM, Social and Emotional Learning( SEL)

🗂️ Format

Segment 1 - Read Aloud: The program begins with a read-aloud of The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds, setting the theme of creativity and connection through dots and spots in nature.
Segment 2 - Spot that Dot Quiz: Participants engage in a fun quiz where they guess the names of creatures with spots or dots, learning about their unique features and adaptations.
Segment 3 - Virtual Aquarium Tour: A virtual tour showcases various undersea creatures with spots, dots, patterns, and camouflage. We meet a live diamondback terrapin and explore its adaptations for survival.
Segment 4 - Art Activity: Participants follow along in an art activity, learning how to draw a spotted eagle ray while incorporating the patterns and colors discussed in the program. Draw your own spotted eagle ray or use our coloring page.
Segment 5 - Q&A Session: The program concludes with a question-and-answer session, where participants can ask about the creatures, their adaptations, and the art activity.

🎯 Objectives

Read along with The Dot and reflect on the connection between creativity and nature, sharing insights during the Q&A session.
Explore the patterns and colors of various creatures through interactive quizzes and virtual tours.
Engage in a discussion about the adaptations of diamondback terrapins and ask questions about its camouflage and survival strategies.
Create their own artwork by drawing a spotted eagle ray, applying concepts learned about marine patterns.

✏️ Standards this program supports

Common Core

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.1.RL.1 -- Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.1.RL.7 -- Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.

Next Generational Science Standards

LS1A 3-5 -- Structure and function
LS1A K-2 -- Structure and function
LS1B 3-5 -- Growth and development of organisms
LS1B K-2 -- Growth and development of organisms
LS3B K-2 -- Variation of traits

☑️ Evaluation Link

When answering these questions, please focus on the quality of the content and not the technology. You can answer anonymously. After clicking Did the program take place?, choose if you are you an Educator or Parent.

cilc.org/ContentProvider/Evaluation

Vocabulary list

Nouns

Words that name animals, body parts, places, or things.

adaptation: A body part or behavior that helps an animal live in its environment.
animal: A living creature that moves, breathes, and eats.
aquarium: A place where an aquatic animal is cared for and where people can learn about it.
camouflage: The ability of an animal to blend in with its surroundings to hide from predators or sneak up on prey.
creativity: Using your ideas, skills, and feelings to make something new, such as artwork.
Diamondback Terrapin: A turtle that lives in salt marshes and estuaries, known for the diamond-shaped pattern on its shell.
habitat: The place where an animal lives and finds everything it needs to survive.
imagination: The ability to create new ideas, images, or stories in your mind.
observation: The act of looking carefully at something to notice details and learn about it.
pattern: A repeated design, such as spots, stripes, or shapes, seen on animals or in art.
Spotted Eagle Ray: A large, flat ocean animal with wide fins and white spots on its dark body.
trait: A characteristic or feature of an animal, like color, size, or markings.