International Dot Day Centers

International Dot Day Center Ideas with STEM and Art (STEAM)

Have you heard of International Dot Day?

Dot Day takes place on September 15th. The inspiration for the day comes from the book, The Dot, by Peter H. Reynolds. In the story, the main character, Vashti, doesn’t believe she can draw. Vashti’s teacher encourages her to just make a mark and see where it takes her. After the encouragement from her teacher Vashti begins drawing dots, making them bigger, better and more creative with each iteration and inspiring others along the way.

International Dot Day is a great time to encourage students to be creative, curious, brave, and risk takers. In order to cultivate a spirit of creativity and curiosity with students on International Dot Day we ask them:

How will you make your mark?

What can you make with a dot?

We have put together a list of six Dot Day themed center ideas to share with your students that are sure to help inspire their creativity!

1. Dot Pixel Art

Introduce students to pixels (the small elements that make up a larger image). Pixel art is a way for kids to use their creativity to create a larger picture using small details (in this case dots). Using the dot pixel art printable and dot markers, students can create their own artwork. There are three versions of the printable available. Use whichever size fits best with your markers.

2. Dot Structures

For the dot structures challenge students will use play dough or clay with toothpicks to build structures. Before students build have them break their play dough or clay apart and roll it into small dots. Challenge students to build the tallest freestanding structure possible.

3. Dot Drop Experiment

Laminate or put the Dot Drop Experiment printable in a sheet protector to make it waterproof. Add a drop or two of food coloring to a cup of water. Coloring the water will help students see the drops better. Using a pipette or eye dropper, students will count how many drops it takes to fill each dot. Results should be recorded on the answer sheet.

4. Dot Painting

Using acrylic paint and round sponge foam brushes students will dab paint to create a design. This center can be set up in two different ways, painting on a rock or a paper plate. The Dot Day centers include cards for each option.

Extension: Use the rocks to create a collaborative rock garden at your school.

5. 3D Dot Designs

For this activity students get to create their own dot designs using the included dot template. Glue multiple dots together to make a collaborative 3D dot.

Optional Extension Activity:

If your class has access to iPads you can download the free Quiver app. Students can design their dot on the Quiver printable from the website and follow the directions to make their dot pop off the page. https://quivervision.com/coloring-packs/Celebrate-Dot-Day

6. Dot Spinner

Trace and cut a cardboard circle or purchase precut ones (Amazon has a set of cardboard coasters that work well). Instruct students to draw a design on the circle. Cut a slit in the center of the circle a little smaller than a penny. Push the penny through the slit and add some hot glue to strength the connection. Spin the penny and watch the design transform.

Want the book and all of the materials sent to you?

We collaborated with Pitsco Education to create some fun hands-on Read-Aloud STEM Kits. Each kit contains a student booklet and materials for two different STEM challenges. Check out The Dot Read-Aloud STEM Kit!

Have more questions or need additional resources?

You can get all 250+ STEM Challenges by Carly and Adam as part of the STEM Teachers Club Membership. Save $5 on your first month using coupon Code: CarlyAndAdamBlog.

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