| There
is always something "new" happening at FableVision! Our
What’s New page now features a web version
of FableVision’s FableFlash – our monthly
e-newsletter. Read about the latest happenings in our company,
on our website and with the FableVision team in general.
For
email updates, or to subscribe to our FableFlyer, our semi-annual
“snail mail” newsletter, simply sign our Guestbook.
To receive the most current news, check out the Flashes
below, and sign up to receive the FableFlash here! |
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| February
2008 |
FableVision's
FableFlash |
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A
FableFlash Message from Peter H. Reynolds |
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Campaigning
for Creative Growth 
Hello,
FableFriends!
The presidential campaign seems to have energized the country.
People are feeling inspired and hopeful. They are engaging--engaging
in deep thought, in their communities. People are thinking
strategically and creatively.
This approach to living is what we have been embracing for
over a decade. Our "campaign" will continue. Thanks for helping
us make classrooms--and homes--more wonderful places to be,
learn, live, and engage.
Enjoy this latest "Flash" to see what we've been up to in
the past month, and ways we can collaborate to move the world
to a better place.
Your friend on the journey,
Peter
Peter H. Reynolds, CEO/Founder
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Rewire
Your Brain, From the Outside In |
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FableVision
and Thinking Moves Introduce SmartMoves DVD 
Pencil
tapping, finger drumming, tuneless humming--the noises of
an inattentive classroom can be distracting, if not deafening.
For teachers who feel like orchestra conductors, FableVision
has the solution. On February 12, we joined Wisconsin-based
Thinking Moves to introduce SmartMoves (TM), a DVD
featuring "body puzzles for the mind." These puzzles take
the form of movements, designed to improve the ability to
focus and remember and to create an optimal learning environment.
Based on growing research that links movement to learning,
SmartMoves aims to rewire the brain--from the outside in!
SmartMoves is suitable for ALL students in grades 3-12, regardless
of academic skills or attention span. And it only takes minutes
per day in your classroom!
If
you couldn't come to our February 12 event, check out Peter
H. Reynolds' video message and meet SmartMoves creator Roberta
Scherf
here. You can also find Peter and Roberta at FableVision's
ASCD booth (see article below) in New Orleans this March.
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Reynolds
and ISTE Get Teachers Wired for Technology |
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"Pointing
and clicking" is fast joining reading, 'riting, and 'rithmetic
as a necessary classroom skill. The International Society
for Technology in Education (ISTE) serves to help educators
enhance their lessons with technology--a mission FableVision
is glad to support! On January 22, Peter H. Reynolds joined
ISTE's new Webinar series, the Innovative Educator's Express
(IEE), by contributing his unique thoughts and ideas about
ISTE's newly revised Creativity and Innovation Standards.
(See Peter's artistic rendering of the Standards here!)
Peter kicked off the Webinar with a virtual tour of FableVision's
Boston studios, before offering tips for integrating ISTE's
standards into everyday lesson plans. Peter asked folks to
bring their crayons, markers, pencils, and paper to doodle
along with him!
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Butcher,
Baker, Family Tree Maker? |
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FableVision
Creates 'Training Kit' for The National Archives 
Elementary
and middle school classrooms are usually full of aspiring
doctors, lawyers, astronauts, and rock stars...but archivists?
FableVision's work with The National Archives promises
a new answer to the question, "What do you want to be when
you grow up?" The National Archives asked us to create a colorful,
easy-to-read book that would present the institution in an
exciting, kid-friendly way. Leading the creative process,
FableVision produced a 48-page "Archivist-in-Training Kit,"
full of archiving how-tos and hands-on activities, along with
fun facts and photos from The National Archives. The book
is given to middle school students who complete a site-visit
lab experience, and it is sold in The National Archives' on-site
gift shop. Look for its nationwide distribution soon!
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Mass
Gov and Peter Collaborate on Youth Civic Engagement |
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Governor
Deval Patrick Promotes Civic Engagement with Reynolds' Design
Peter
H. Reynolds and Deval Patrick, the Governor of
Massachusetts, share a common belief: Civic engagement is
one of the cornerstones of school success.
Recently, Governor Patrick offered the annual "State of the
Commonwealth" address to the citizens of Massachusetts. On
the day after his speech, the Governor visited the Greenlodge
School in Peter's hometown of Dedham, Massachusetts. At
the request of State Representative Paul McMurtry,
Peter joined the Governor in helping promote the state's education
plan with a particular focus on taking action.
In
his remarks, Governor Patrick talked about the need to educate
the whole child, and specifically, how the Massachusetts
Readiness Project will meet that need. Knowing that
he and the Governor share a similar educational philosophy,
Peter created a Civic Engagement poster, which the Governor
gladly signed and Peter donated to the Greenlodge School.
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23rd
Annual Learning Differences Conference: Executive Function
in the 21st Century Classroom |
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Featuring
Dr. Lynn Meltzer of ResearchILD, Co-Developer of Brain
Cogs and Essay
Express
Once
again, FableVision will be exhibiting at the exciting Learning
Differences Conference, which will examine the latest
theory and neuropsychological research on executive function.
The conference focuses on recently developed methods for assessing
and teaching executive function processes. Throughout, cutting-edge
approaches are discussed for integrating these methods into
the teaching of reading, writing, math, and other content
areas.
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Aha!Math
Makes Achievement Easy as 1, 2, 3 |
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Learning.com
Taps FableVision for Interactive Math Software 
As
most teachers can tell you, the equation for classroom math
success contains numerous variables. Multiply solid curriculum
by student and teacher math confidence; divide by instruction
time; add differentiation for varying skill levels...and a
huge dose of fun! Learning.com recently tapped FableVision
to simplify this formula and create an interactive learning
environment for mathematics that kids will find irresistible.
The result is Aha!Math, a Web-delivered, supplemental
math curriculum for grades K-5, which contains over 60 immersive,
real-world-applicable math lessons.
Dr.
Barclay Burns, chairman and founder of Learning.com,
praised the collaboration: "Our partnership with FableVision
allows us to provide educators with a product that incorporates
Learning.com's expertise in Web-enhanced curriculum with
FableVision's deep understanding of performance-based learning,
and its unique strengths in animation, storytelling, and
game-based learning solutions."
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A
Big Education Event in the Big Easy |
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FableVision
Exhibits at ASCD Conference in New Orleans
We
can already hear the jazz music and taste the gumbo. FableVision
is heading to New Orleans! Our bon temps will rouler
from March 15-17, as we attend the Association for
Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) Conference.
ASCD is an annual, professional development event for educators,
school administrators, civic leaders, and anyone else with
a passion for promoting better schools and stronger learning
communities. This year's speakers include long-time labor
activist and former National Education Association President
Mary Hatwood Futrell, and popular Oklahoma Observer
editor Frosty Troy.
If
ASCD is on your calendar, look for FableVision at booth
819. We're excited about debuting our latest educational
product: SmartMoves (see article above). Access a
personal invitation from FableVision and Peter H. Reynolds
here.
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North
Star Points Toward Children's Ramble |
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Kids'
Mini Marathon Planned to Support Literacy and Dana Farber Cancer
Institute 
Groundhogs
might advise otherwise, but FableVision is already preparing
for the spring! Our 10th annual North Star Children's Ramble
has been scheduled for April 27, 2008 in Dedham, MA.
Not familiar with the Children's Ramble? It's a literacy-themed
mini marathon for children ages 4-12, held in association
with the annual James Joyce Ramble. Proceeds benefit
the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and all participants
receive a book--or books--as many as we can offer!
Your
donation of new books would help us tremendously. If you'd
rather donate money for book purchases, we promise to select
page turners! Checks can be made payable to the Dedham
Youth Commission. Designate your donation as for the
North Star Children's Ramble.
All
donations--literary and monetary--can be mailed to: Dedham
Youth Commission, c/o Tom Clinton, 26 Bryant
Street, Dedham, MA, 02026.
For
more information about the Children's Ramble, see the link
below or email FableVision Mission Specialist Jesse
Haines.
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FableVision's
Portland Team Gets Pint-Sized Addition |
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FableVision
is buzzing about the newest member of our Portland, OR
team! Torin Robert Gastich arrived on February 13,
2008 to FableVision's Portland Director Doug Gastich
and his wife, Kari. We hear that Doug and Kari are
already training Torin in Flash animation and Web development.
At this rate, he'll be programming before he can walk!
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A
Postscript for Patriots Fans: Keep Believing! |
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As
a Boston-based organization, we can't help but cheer for the
New England Patriots. Naturally, we were disappointed
on February 3, when the New York Giants beat the Pats
in Super Bowl XLII. We extend our congratulations to
the Giants and their supporters. For Pats sympathizers, we
offer an original poster by Peter H. Reynolds. Keep
believing, and get your Red Sox cap ready--baseball
season approaches!
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Back
to the What's New
Main Page
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| GET
A CLUE® SPOTLIGHT WORD OF THE MONTH - haughty |
Haughty
comes from the Middle English haut, meaning
"noble; excellent." It also comes from the Old
French word haut, meaning "high." The
spelling of the English haut was changed
in the late 1500s to haughty, in order
to resemble words with similar sounds, such
as "caught" and "taught."
To learn more about FableVision's web-based
vocabulary program, visit: www.getaclue.com
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to explore our site
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