There is always something “new” happening at FableVision Learning! Read about the latest happenings with our products, customers, and company. For email updates, sign up for our FableFlash e-newsletter here. You can also check out our recent issues of FableFlash below.
Every year on September 15, innovative educators around the world celebrate International Dot Day by making time to encourage their students’ creativity. This year, we encourage even more kids and grown-up kids to “make their mark” in new and exciting ways! Learn about this special day and "outside-the-box" activities you can do with your students at our official International Dot Day website.
Looking to connect with other educators participating in this one-of-a-kind event? Visit our International Dot Day Facebook page. Share your own stories and what you’ll be doing to celebrate!
Save the Date! Creativity Retreat With Peter H. Reynolds
Collaborating with innovative educators at last year’s highly successful MassCUE pre-conference was one of the highlights of our year. We’re thrilled to announce that we’ll be hosting the MassCUE pre-conference a second time. This October’s "Make Your Mark" retreat from FableVision Learning will further explore the best current teaching practices, innovative technology tools, and ready-to-roll ideas to help you infuse creativity into your classroom.
Acclaimed New York Times best-selling author/illustrator Peter H. Reynolds returns to lead this unique creativity retreat, along with highly skilled educators who share the mission of making the classroom a more wonderful place.
Where most workshops inform, our commitment is to inform AND inspire.
Date: Tuesday, October 26th
Time: 8:30 to 3:30 pm
Includes: Lunch and select FableVision Learning software.
Please join us! Come ready to create with your laptop, your ideas, and an open mind.
Registration opens soon—please check back in. We’ll keep you posted!
FableVision, U.Va, & Cornell Celebrate Big Win in MacArthur Foundation/HASTAC's
Digital Media & Learning Competition - Fab@School Project Named Winner of
“21st Century Learning Lab Designers” Award
Facing stiff competition from over 800 entries, the Fab@School initiative has been selected as one of only ten "Learning Lab Designer" winners in the MacArthur Foundation/HASTAC's Digital Media and Learning Competition. FableVision's CEO Paul Reynolds was in Washington, DC at the awards presentation with partner Dr. Glen Bull of the University of Virginia's Curry School of Education.
The Fab@School initiative, which starts at the elementary school level, features an inquiry and project-based curriculum/toolset which allows students to create three-dimensional objects - everything from model skyscrapers and bridges to pop-ups, gears, and working mechanisms - using a digital fabricator. Students design the objects on a computer and then send it to the fabricator to "print." When finished, a student has in physical form what they created on the screen. The FableVision team, led by Dr. Peggy Healy Stearns (who co-created FableVision Learning's award-winning Stationery Studio K-5 writing software with Peter H. Reynolds), will be producing and publishing the classroom software with long-time ed tech partner MacKiev Software, under the leadership of Jack Minsky.
Along with lead partner Dr. Glen Bull of the University of Virginia's Curry School of Education, some of Fab@School's other project partners include Cornell University Computational Synthesis Laboratory, Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education (SITE), Hofstra University, and the International Technology and Engineering Education Association (ITEEA).
Watch the short video below to learn more about how Fab@School is aiming to revolutionize elementary STEM learning with its engaging constructivist/constructionist approach. For more information, check out the Fab@School Project on the Digital Media and Learning Competitionwebsite.
Narrated by FableVision Learning’s Sarah Reynolds.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! Peter H. Reynolds will keynote at ASCD 2011 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. The keynote will take place on March 27, 10:00 am, at the second General Session. For information on ASCD 2011, click here.
WHAT MAKES YOUR CLASSROOM WONDERFUL?
LET US KNOW, AND ENTER A DRAWING FOR
FREE SOFTWARE.
We're writing a book called The Wonderful Classroom, designed to help educators create a 21st Century teaching and learning environment. Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds the book will include a library of practical tips that teachers can apply immediately to build on what works well today.
Would you like to help? Please click here to share tips, strategies, and examples from your "wonderful classroom." We welcome input from you and your students! All submissions will be entered into a free drawing for a five-computer license of Animation-ish, Stationery Studio, OR SmartMoves. Click here for more information.
August 2010
Peter H. Reynolds art from the North Star Never-Ending Calendar. Click image for more information.
FableFriends,
I'm dashing off this welcome note in a cafe in Argentina. (It's winter here, by the way - hand me my official FableVision scarf!) I'll be sharing creative strategies for the classroom with educators while I'm here. I'm raising a cup of good South American coffee and making a toast: "May this upcoming school year be the best yet!"
We've got a fun contest for you in this issue! The contest is designed to encourage you to dive in and find out more about FableVision Learning. Let us inspire you to make the beginning of this school year special! Be sure to check out our award-winning vocabulary acquisition program, Words And Their Stories™, and the newly revised Mapping the World by Heart™ geography curriculum.
Continued success on your journey!
Peter (and Paul & the FableVision Learning Team)
. . . .
Peter H. Reynolds Founder, FableVision Learning 888.240.3734
Join Us for Our First Ever Catalog Scavenger Hunt!
We're packing as much fun as possible into this final month before the school year swings fully into action. Journey through our catalog PDF to answer the five questions below. Email your answers to us. If your answers are correct, you'll be entered for a chance to win your choice of a copy of SmartMoves™, Mapping the World by Heart™, or a single user license download of Animation-ish™ or Stationery Studio®!
Who was the inspiration for Peter H. Reynolds' latest book?
What is FableVision Learning's Twitter username?
Name three vocabulary words featured in Words And Their Stories.
What does Peter say about drawing with a Wacom tablet?
How many curriculum-based borders are available in Stationery Studio?
Have fun, and make sure to email your answers to us no later than August 31st! We'll announce the winner in next month's FableFlash. Download the catalog here.
NewWords And Their Stories™ Poster: Courteous
Being considerate of others is important in the classroom - and everywhere! Showcase this month's Words And Their Stories mini poster by Peter H. Reynolds in your classroom and expand your students' vocabularies while reminding them to be polite and thoughtful. Download the poster and invite your class to learn the story behind the word.
Visit our website to learn more about Words And Their Stories, our web-based vocabulary acquisition program for grades 5-12. For a customized quote, call 888.240.3734 or email us today!
Mapping the World by Heart™ is Here and Flying Off the Shelves!
On Friday, July 16th we received the freshly updated, much anticipated Mapping the World by Heart. We had so many pre-orders our entire team had to pitch in to help them all get out the door! We're extremely proud to welcome David J. Smith and his amazing geography curriculum to the FableVision Learning family. This innovative product has inspired students to become global thinkers for nearly two decades.
The FableVision Learning Team Celebrates on the Release Date
Visit our website to learn more about the newly revised and extended edition of Mapping the World by Heart, and don't miss this short intro video narrated by
David J. Smith and animated by Peter H. Reynolds. If you have any
questions, email us or call 888.240.3734 today!
Gigantic Grants PDF
This may be a Mini Flash, but there's nothing mini about this document of grant information for educators. In fact, this is one of our most extensive collections of grant opportunities to date!
Take a minute to see if you qualify for any funds for your school. In this challenging financial climate, grants can provide funding or resources to benefit your students.
Keep the creativity flowing and keep your batteries charged! Together we can make a difference!
Peter and your friends at FableVision Learning
Words and Their Stories™: Cool Word of the Month
Courteous
This adjective comes from the Old French corteis, meaning "courtly." In Middle English, a "courtier" was someone invited to the king or queen's court, where he displayed his best behavior. The modern use of courteous is closely related to its historic origins.
Now you know that courteous means "gracious or showing polite consideration toward others."
Help your grades 5-12 students learn the stories behind words. Check out a FREE trial of Words And Their Stories (formerly Get A Clue), our award-winning web-based vocabulary program.
Celebrate International Dot Day, 2010
Collaborating with innovative educators at last year’s highly successful MassCUE pre-conference was one of the highlights of our year. We’re thrilled to announce that we’ll be hosting the MassCUE pre-conference a second time. This October’s "Make Your Mark" retreat from FableVision Learning will further explore the best current teaching practices, innovative technology tools, and ready-to-roll ideas to help you infuse creativity into your classroom.
Facing stiff competition from over 800 entries, the 
WHAT MAKES YOUR CLASSROOM WONDERFUL?
