THE DOT

When I graduated from college a professor of mine gave me a book called The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds.  It was exactly what I thought an art teacher should be to their students and so by the time I was hired as an elementary teacher I knew exactly what my first lesson would be about!

The first week of school every class that came into my room heard me read The Dot!  I wanted all of them to know that they are artists!

So flash forward a few years and guess who comes to the Dallas Museum of Art? Peter Reynolds!

He recently illustrated a new book called The Museum which I will definitely have to pick up for my classroom this summer!  Here are a few things that he said that really caught my attention:

"Art is a way to show what we know and make meaning in whatever grade, whatever subject you are in."

"There are two kinds of big people, adults who love fluorescent lights and standardized testing and then grown up kids that like to play, make art and have fun."

"The Dot is about being brave, Ish is about being proud of your mark and not such a perfectionist, Sky Color is a story about knowing there is more to learn: open your eyes and really see."

-Peter H. Reynolds

"Memorizing is a cool human trick, but creation that's amazing to be able to make something out of nothing."

"Be ready for your great idea to happen in an unexpected moment."

After his talk my friend Andrea and I got his signature and had a chat with his twin brother Paul Reynolds.  These are two awesome men who have devoted their lives to sparking and cultivating creativity in children and adults! If you haven't read The Dot or any of Peter's other books search his name on amazon to find them all.

Paul, me, Peter!

Tomorrow is back to school for me! What are you doing with your class or children the first day back?