Brookside Dot Day

It all starts with a dot.

That’s the concept behind International Dot Day, which is a celebration of the idea that everybody – regardless of their abilities – can be a creative artist.

Celebrated every year in mid-September, International Dot Day is inspired by Peter H. Reynolds’ picture book, “The Dot,” which tells the story of Vashti. At first, Vashti believes that she cannot draw. However, her teacher encourages her to “make a mark and see where it takes you.”

Vashti draws a simple dot and her teacher asks her to sign it. When Vashti then sees her dot framed and on display in her teacher's office, she's motivated to make an even better dot. Eventually, she grows in confidence and realizes she is indeed a creative artist.

Mrs. McNamee’s kindergarten students in Brookside were introduced to “The Dot” on Tuesday. After listening to Vashti’s story, the students colored in their own dots and signed their names to their artwork.

Mrs. Arroyo, a YCSD educational tech specialist, then taught students how to bring their dots to life using the Quiver app on their iPads. By scanning the code on their worksheets, the students created an augmented reality version of their dots, which could be bounced, stretched, popped, and more. Students even discovered how to move their dots through a maze.

When asked by Mrs. McNamee if they would like to have similar lesson plans in the future, the students responded with an enthusiastic “yes!”

International Dot Day will be celebrated throughout the week in classrooms at Brookside and Mohansic.