Happy New Year, Creative Educators

As we look forward to 2019, we take a brief look at the past year.

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DISTRICT PARTNERSHIPS

Our NYC District 75 Middle School After School Program is in year 5! We love working with the largest special needs district in the country and seeing how the digital storytelling program increases student self-worth and confidence.  

Our annual June Gala with author/illustrator Peter H. Reynolds allows students to share their books and animations with him.

This summer, we also inspired transition students with new ideas for careers in our customized animation CTE program.  As one student said, “I didn’t know you could have a job doing this!”

In Yuma, AZ, we are in our third year of partnership, developing programs for creative solutions.  This year’s goal is to focus on district identified math and reading skills with systematic implementations of design and fabrication using Fab@School Maker Studio.

In Wake County, NC, we are collaborating on campaigns aimed to increase creative play in the classroom, focused on specific reading and math skills in addition to the whole child.

In Miami-Dade, FL, we have kicked off a middle school animation CTE pilot providing equity of access to creative education opportunities for ALL students.

If you are interested in exploring a partnership with FableVision Learning, please contact us!


Art by Peter H Reynolds, FableVision Founder, Author and Illustrator

Art by Peter H Reynolds, FableVision Founder, Author and Illustrator

NEW CREATIVITY RESOURCES

2018 saw a new spin in how we encourage teachers to uncover the meaning of creativity, and explore how to implement it in the classroom: from our Creativity FLOW (FableVision Learning Online Workshops) online, self-paced course to a virtual, 5-day challenge enjoyed by so many teachers this fall.

The challenge brought together educators from all over the world aiming to boost the creativity in their classrooms with one simple idea per day. One teacher commented:

“This time of year is tough, and sometimes teachers get bogged down and stressed. This challenge inspired activities to add to my planning and curriculum for the five days and even gave me ideas for supplemental activities in the future. A five-day challenge is very manageable for teachers. I loved it!”

For a deeper dive into creativity, Sara Smith has created an online workshop for teachers called The Creative Classroom. This course is an exploration of what creativity is and how it can be incorporated into any lesson - in any subject. It presents a research-based model from the prolific creativity researcher E. Paul Torrance and includes fun activities, practical tools, and top notch resources along the way.

Read more and check out a Q and A with the course creator.


Illuminated city constructed by Oak Ridge School, MA students using Fab@School Maker Studio.

Illuminated city constructed by Oak Ridge School, MA students using Fab@School Maker Studio.

EQUITY of ACCESS

FableVision Learning is able to extend our STEM/STEAM program to need-based and rural communities—such as the Berkshires in Massachusetts—with the help of the Reynolds Center, CISCO Foundation, and the Morgridge Family Foundation.  

The results of such programs can be powerful. Drawing from three school districts, the results of Harvard’s PEAR evaluation in schools showed that “96.9% of students reported positive gains in STEM interest” after using Fab@School Maker Studio

And, in further good news, we will be extending to New Hampshire and New York in 2019.

We look forward to reaching new populations of students, who will expand their creativity and STEM learning.

If you are interested in partnering with FableVision Learning to bring Fab@School Maker Studio and other STEAM/STEM programs to your school or classroom, please contact us!


Click through to see FableVision Studios animation clip for the 2018 Boston Pops! Image from FableVision Studios.

Click through to see FableVision Studios animation clip for the 2018 Boston Pops! Image from FableVision Studios.

EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP WITH FABLEVISION STUDIOS

FableVision Learning’s groundbreaking animation CTE program for middle school, already accepted by Florida’s Department of Education for their Digital Tools list, receives support from the team of professional animators at FableVision Studios.  

Students are able to do virtual “visits,” as well as have virtual mentors.

These connections provide students and teachers with an exciting, first-hand glimpse into the operations of an animation studio. They are able to learn about and discuss the collaborative roles that team members play in producing unique, meaningful, and delightful final products!

FableVision Studios creates award-winning games and animated content. This winter, they did the animated holiday backdrop for the Boston Pops! Click on the thumbnail image to the left to be directed to the Studio’s full news release, and watch an excerpt of the animation that they produced.


FableVision Founder, Peter H Reynolds, at his bookshop/cafe in Dedham MA.

FableVision Founder, Peter H Reynolds, at his bookshop/cafe in Dedham MA.

FableVisionaries across our family of companies truly represent what it means to be thought leaders.

FableVision co-founder Peter H. Reynolds released his new books The Word Collector, and I Am Human: A Book of Empathy, both New York Times Best Sellers.  He received the 2018 Children’s Literature Award from the Massachusetts Reading Association.

Jane Reynolds and Dr. Denine Jimmerson introduced middle school animation CTE at the Florida Association for Career and Technical Education (FACTE) event in July, 2018.

Across the companies, we can be found speaking at conferences around the world.  This past year included:

  • CUE 18 Conference

  • International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)

  • The Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC)

  • National Council of Teachers of English Annual Convention (NCTE)

  • Keystone Literary Association (KSLA),

  • Connected Learning Summit

  • Massachusetts Computer Using Educators Conference MassCUE 

  • and SXSW EDU

    …..to name a few!

FableVision Studio’s Creative Director Leigh Hallisey was featured in a Funimation article on Women in Game Development.

FableVision Studio’s Senior Developer Matt Brelsford brought his expertise in programming to his workshop Animating with Code: Making Things Move for Fun & Profit.

Associate Director of Technology Jordan Bach led his own workshop focusing on teaching game development skills.


Bring Peter H Reynolds into your classroom and invite your students to become writers and illustrators.

Bring Peter H Reynolds into your classroom and invite your students to become writers and illustrators.

WELCOME 2019!

New Tools!
We are ready to launch our latest online software product on January 1st: Get Published hosted by Peter H. Reynolds!  Get ready for classroom publishing.

BETT
Peter H. Reynolds will be in London on January 25th to speak at BETT about how each and every teacher CAN make a difference in improving essential creativity skills.

Why Middle School CTE is Essential
Hear Jane Reynolds and Dr. Denine Jimmerson at Pearson’s NOW/Next in Learning Conference, this April in Scottsdale.

STEAM Events in January 2019
Paul Reynolds will speak at iSTEAM 2019 on January 11th.  This expo will also have Fab@School Maker Studio in the "playground." 

Discover Fab@School Maker Studio paper prototyping at multiple hands-on sessions at FETC, Ed Games, and more.

See all of our EVENT INFO here.