Monday, September 16th was International Dot Day. Dot Day was created by a teacher who wanted to celebrate the Peter Reynolds book The Dot. It’s a story about a young girl, Vashti, who doesn’t think she can draw. She is encouraged and inspired by a teacher’s confidence in her. “Make a mark and see where it takes you.”
This year I wrote Zeno poems with my students and encouraged them to create a Zeno Zine.
A zine is a foldable book that can be made with a single sheet of paper. See a YouTube video here.
A zeno poem is a form created by J. Patrick Lewis using the syllable pattern of 8, 4, 2, 1, 4, 2, 1, 4, 2, 1. The one syllables all rhyme. For me it works best if I decide on my rhyming word. I was thinking about the idea that you are never too old for Dot Day, so I chose old, gold, and bold.
When making your mark shine this bright,
you are never
too, too
old.
Remember who
creates
gold:
They are the ones
who live
BOLD!
@Margaret SimonI also read aloud Laura Purdie Salas’s Dot Day poem.
Here are some sample zine pages from my students:
“Think creative. Be creative.
When you want to
make a
dot.
Maybe you could
use this
spot.
Or mix them up
in a
pot!”
Dot Day is fun, and for purposes of gifted standards, it also encourages creativity, critical thinking, and problem solving. Win! Win!
Reflections on the Teche 
Your students creativity shines–and how great that their teacher plays along with them! (Your zeno is one I need to take to heart.)
Fascinating perspectives on dot! Whoda thunk? So much out of so little. I love your poem, and Laura’s too!
I saw lots of dot celebrating on X, and now I love yours & Laura’s, too, especially the being “bold.” And I love the students’ zines. We made them when I taught & my youngest granddaughter makes them a lot! You do so many wonderful things with students, Margaret! Hoping you have some cooler days, soon!
Fascinating and fun! Ways great to see your students’ work!
Thanks for the joy and the inspiration, Margaret.
I didn’t know about Dot Day but I love it, Margaret!
Margaret, your Dot Day celebration offers a wonderful project for your students. The mentor texts you created are delightful, the zine activity is a fun project and all this led to a creative opportunity for your students to excel. Avalyn’s poetry writing is always so creative. James’ zine is delightful also.
A zeno zine! Sounds fun! I love Dot Day!
Love the student work, Margaret! I will definitely try a zeno zine!
Awwwww, Avelyn. What a great poem–so perfect to illustrate the card and represent kid creativity!
Love this celebration, Margaret, and you know how I adore that golden shovel. Zenos are hard for kids to right. Sending a standing o to you and your students! I tried doing zenos with kids in a Young Authors Conference one year. Epic fail. 35-40 minutes just wasn’t nearly enough to introduce the concept, do a group one, and then have kids write their own. Your students are so lucky for the time they have with you!
Absolutely a delight to see what you and your students did for Dot Day! Did you wear your dot dress or was it a skirt? I keep thinking I’ll do something with the grands for dot day, but September’s such a busy time.