Students at Willoughby-Eastlake Schools build confidence in their creativity and imagination, all stemming from a simple dot

By Mimi Vanderhaven

“Make your mark and see where it takes you.”—The Dot, by Peter H. Reynolds

The transformative picture book The Dot tells the story of Vashti, a little girl who doesn’t think she can draw. She’s only able to make a dot on a piece of paper. To her surprise, the teacher asks her to sign it and displays it proudly the next day. With that teensy bit of encouragement, she begins to draw beautiful designs around the dot and discovers she is indeed a gifted artist.

Peter H. Reynolds’ magical tale was published in 2003 and much like Vashti’s simple dot, it produced a profound effect. Today teachers all over the world celebrate International Dot Day on September 15 in honor of the story’s uplifting lesson.

This fall, Michelle Stitts, Melissa Arezone and Melissa Rosin—kindergarten teachers at Thomas Jefferson Elementary—took their 65 students on an enchanted journey through the book, with activities that culminated in a chalk painting party out on the playground.

“The book spurs a plethora of activities that our school takes part in at every grade level,” says Michelle, noting that they’ve worked on this annual project for more than ten years. “Sometimes kindergarteners struggle with feeling confident. These activities help them take the initiative and they pleasantly surprise themselves with what happens.”

The students build a community through discussing the book, exploring the meaning of the dot and circles, and doing paintings.

“On a practical level, while they are engaging in these imaginative pursuits, they are also building hand strength and finger strength, honing fine and gross motor skills, growing their vocabulary and above all, polishing their social skills by working together,” says Melissa A. “It’s amazing to watch. These 5-year-olds have spent a lot of their young lives in the pandemic, being kept home and not benefiting from the social interactions most kids have had. It’s wonderful to hear them talking amongst themselves long after class is over, asking each other how they plan to make their mark.”

All it takes is a little belief.

Look for these monthly stories to cover topics from grades K-12 in the Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools System. Find out more at WESchools.org.