And I know many of you are back to school - launching another year of learning and inspired journeys. I love hearing how many of you are using our books, software and films to kick off the new year. Getting students to "chart their constellations" with the North Star Mapper from The North Star Classroom Resource Guide is a great "learning journey starter." This activity is free online at http://www.fablevision.com/northstar/mapper.html.

Wishing you the best for a stellar year ahead. Please stay in touch and share YOUR stories of how you're sparking potential in those learners you serve. Those letters, calls and emails inspire us and the whole FableVision community.

Onward!
Peter
Peter H. Reynolds, CEO/Founder

As our friends at Parents Choice point out, "Stationery Studio is useful to those working in a wide range of handwriting styles and over several years of handwriting development. The software is easy to use, if not absolutely seamless."

Congratulations to Dr. Peggy Healy Stearns, who designed the software with the FableVision team!

The guide, created by award-winning educator Sue Pandiani (who started the very first North Star Classroom a decade ago!), brings the philosophy of Peter H. Reynolds' The North Star book into the classroom in a practical, engaging way. Designed to support individualized learning, the resource-rich guide (art, posters, templates, printables, etc.) now includes tools that support the new, more enlightened ISTE and 21st Century Skills "standards" that foster creativity, innovation and self-expression.

The Guide's companion product, The North Star Musical Journey, is also now available as an e-book with MP3 downloadable music. This means you can save money and start using them in your classroom right away! NOTE: Purchase either Guide or Musical through December 31st and 10% of the proceeds will go to the Seymour Papert Recovery Fund (see below.)

The good news is that he is making amazing progress in his recovery despite the traumatic injuries. The Seymour Papert Recovery Fund has been established to help the family defray the considerable costs of the daunting recovery care. Along with some other support efforts, FableVision is also donating 10% of sales of The North Star Classroom Resource Guide or The North Star Musical Journey.

Seymour's wit, deep intelligence, creativity, and life-long concern for young people and their education has made a tremendous difference in the world, one child at a time. We hope you can join us in this important effort to support Seymour and his family.

While all of Peter's trips are special, this one had particular significance. Peter's unique abilities to connect and communicate with children were stretched in new and meaningful ways. "These amazing children challenged me as a storyteller to rethink how people who can't see or hear experience a story," said Peter.

The culmination of two wonderfully full days of meeting, drawing and sharing with teachers and students was the student's' "choral reading" of The Dot. "Truthfully, they taught me more that I taught them," Peter remarked.

The second edition of The Dot, published in Braille, is now available from our good friend, Bruce Curtis, at BrailleInk: http://www.brailleink.org/dot.php. This new edition has a sturdier binding and is not as big or heavy as the first one.

Read what writing campers had to say about Essay Express!

· I am a better writer now than I was before attending writing camp and learning things like QUEST to do your best, Question the Questions, and BOTEC.

· Essay Express was my favorite thing at camp. I really liked BOTEC and learning the songs.

· Essay Express was a fun and easy way to learn how to write better.

Participants reflected upon state and national standards including ISTE, the reality of what happens in the classroom, and what teachers need today to effectively integrate technology in their teaching. The institute also included sessions on podcasting and whiteboard technologies.

Karin Strasser, Institute Coordinator, shares, "Despite differences among respective backgrounds and classroom configurations, Institute participants fully embraced FableVision's products with both interest and relief." She added "We've been looking for years and have never found anything that comes close to these programs. Thanks to FableVision, the search is over!"

Aurora University participates in FableVision's Theory2Practice Program, which licenses the School of Education to use FableVision products at a significantly reduced price to matriculated undergraduate and graduate students.
For more information on Theory2Practice, please contact Carol Donahue at carol@fablevision.com or 781.742.0306. For details on the Institute: Applied Learning: 21st Century Tools for the K12 Classroom, visit: http://auroracourse.com.

FableVision's President Paul Reynolds notes, "Drive to Thrive is hugely important as it focuses on the individual strengths of every learner - and that is core to FableVision's mission." Reynolds adds, "With Drive to Thrive we have what we hope will become a national solution that will rescue the kids we're losing to the "tune-out" and "drop-out" rates."

Please visit the Teacher's Corner(below) to read what Douglas School teacher, Cathy Cherkerzian had to say about the experience.
You may also be interested in the in-depth article, The New Term, published in the Sept 4th issue of The Boston Globe, by staff writer Barbara Meltz. Visit: http://www.boston.com/news/globe/living/articles/2007/09/04/the_new_term/

Initially, the focus was on the "Remembering" and "Organizing" cogs. After it was clear that the students understood the concepts of each cog, they were expected to start using them in their daily work. Crazy phrases and acronyms were a particular favorite of the students, particularly as a way to review for science MCAS, which include four content strands: Earth and Space, Biology, Physical Sciences, and Technology/ Engineering. Many of the pupils loved adding their artistic talents to the projects; and created cartoons, webs, and diagrams of such diverse topics such as metamorphosis, mineral testing, and electricity.

Due to the high interest level of the software, the students willingly watched review lessons as they were then gradually introduced to new cogs. For example, students created strategies for homework and were also expected to use strategies as part of the requirements of classroom projects. The Strategy Bulletin board also motivated the students to share their strategy creations. When the Brain Cog Squad was trained, these children enjoyed coaching the other students in strategy use and became the "driving force" behind our Strategy Fair. The students confidently demonstrated their new understandings of how to study and approach tasks in an organized and efficient manner.

Students of all types of learning styles embraced the BrainCogs program. Artistic, creative children loved cartooning and webbing, while more language based learners gravitated to creating crazy phrases and acronyms. Almost every pupil could see the benefit of creating his/her own personal checklists, and the concept of switching pencils for checking was a hit! Children with strengths in technology blossomed as they were able to demonstrate their expertise to others, and became looked at as leaders. The program certainly provides scaffolding for students who need extra support, but it also gives opportunities for enrichment and "extra credit."

During the event Peter spoke about his mission to make the world a better place through his art, his words, and involvement in his community. He also invited its 500 participants to draw with him, and had the opportunity to meet children from all of the Boston Public Branch Libraries as well as The Epiphany School, Beacon Academy, Josiah Quincy Upper School, Mother Caroline, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston.

And Peter is in excellent company! Previous award recipients include Marc Brown, Matt Tavares, William Steig, Mary Pope Osborne, Eric Carle, Lois Lowry and David Macaulay. Congrats Peter!

October 7-9
ITEC Conference - Des Moines Marriott Downtown.
FableVision Ambassador Terry Shay will be presenting a session entitled: Stationary Studio, Brain Cogs, Essay Express- Software that Works!
Description: Stationary Studio, Brain Cogs, and Essay Express are three wonderful pieces of software for grades K-8 from FableVision. Terry will share proven lesson ideas for each of the programs, and attendees will have the opportunity to win free software! Day, Room, and Time: Monday, Salon A, 8:30

October 10th
A Creative Journey for Teachers and Grownup Kids with Peter H. Reynolds at the The Blue Bunny Bookstore in Dedham, MA. 4-6 p.m. Get your creativity on with ideas about how to inspire the children and adults around you, while exploring your own gifts and talents. Treat yourself and see why educators around the country have been so motivated by Peter. $60 includes signed book by PHR and other materials. Click here for more information.

October 12th
Peter H. Reynolds will receive the Rhode Island Children's Book Award for Stink, the Incredible Shrinking Kid, at the Charlestown Elementary School in Charlestown, RI at 2:00 pm.

October 13th
Rhode Island Festival of Children's Books and Authors- Providence RI at the Lincoln School from 9:30 to 5:30. Features a performance and book signings.

October 18-20
Closing the Gap, Sheraton Bloomington Hotel, Bloomington MN.
Visit FableVision Reseller, CCV Software, at booth 296. For details, visit: http://www.closingthegap.com/conf.

October 28th
Watercolor Workshop for the Artistically Challenged Adult with Peter H. Reynolds at The Blue Bunny Bookstore in Dedham, MA. Relax with an evening of creativity with Peter, and let your inner artist out. 7-9 p.m. $40 includes materials and refreshments. Don't say you can't draw! Click here for more information.

November 15th
Everybody Wins! Metro Boston's 5th Annual Fundraiser- Fenway Park, Boston. Event will include exclusive VIP reception featuring local artists, book signing with sports & children's authors and a live & silent auction. For more information, visit: www.ewmb.org/event2007.

We are very proud to call Dedham "home" for our education group, as Dedham opened the first publicly funded school in the United States - back when the town was actually called "Contentment." We think that's still a PERFECT name for our new home! Do come and visit us when you are in town, at:

FableVision - Educational Publishing
16 School St.
Dedham, MA 02026

We can be contacted at: 1-888-240-3734.