The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds
The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds is a cumulative picture book that deals with self-esteem, perseverance, growth mindset, and creativity. It is also a great book to teach about:
- inspiring others
- celebrating differences
- having the confidence to give something a go
- open-mindedness
- self-reflection
- character traits
- point of view
At the end of art class, Vashti stares at her blank piece of paper. Her teacher encourages her to make a mark to “see where it takes you”. She angrily jabs the paper with her pencil and makes a dot. She is surprised when her teacher asks her to sign it and then hangs it on the wall of the art room.
The encouragement from her teacher leads Vashti to make a better dot, and then another and another. She gains pride and confidence in her artistic abilities and displays all her dot artwork at the school art show. She sees a young boy admiring her work and he tells her how he can’t draw. Vashti encourages the boy, as her teacher did to her, to “make a mark and see where it takes you.”
Book Series
The Dot (1); Ish (2); Playing From the Heart (3)
The Dot by Peter Reynolds
Illustrator: Peter Reynolds
Publisher: Walker Books (2004)
ISBN: 9781844281695
Peter Reynolds Official Website
The Dot Resources
These resources relate to the book, author and illustrator. The number of resources varies book to book. Please check they are appropriate for your specific needs before using them with children. If you have any suggestions please get in touch!
I have created a bundle of literacy graphic organizers for The Dot. You can find them at my Teachers Pay Teachers store. Click on the image to go directly to the pack.
- Candlewick Press: Creatrilogy Classroom Guide
- The Highland Council: Equality and Diversity Lesson Plan
‘The Dot’ - Prindle Institute for Ethics: Guidelines for Philosophical Discussion
- Reading is Fundamental: Support Materials
- Read Works: The Dot 1st Grade Unit
- Teaching Ideas: Teaching Ideas and Resources
- Walker Books: International Dot Day Classroom Guide
The Dot Graphic Organisers
I have created a literacy pack for The Dot which includes 285 NO PREP graphic organizers. There are many activities for each literacy area to differentiate depending on your student’s ability/age. They include activities for:
- Asking Questions
- Author’s Purpose
- Cause & Effect
- Character Traits and Analysis
- Compare & Contrast
- Comprehension Questions and Writing Prompts
- Inferring and Predicting
- Main Idea and Theme
- Making Connections
- Point of View
- Problem and Solution
- Retelling, Sequencing and Summarizing
- Story Maps
- Visualizing
- Vocabulary
*Click on these links to discover book recommendations on these topics.
The Dot Read-Aloud Questions
Read aloud sessions are a wonderful way for children to understand the connection between written text and spoken language. You can model reading habits and strategies, reading fluency, tone and eye contact. You can also introduce different genres, authors and illustrators.
- What do you think Peter H. Reynolds wants us to learn from reading The Dot?
- Describe the problem faced by Vashti and how it was solved.
- How did the illustrations help you understand Vashti and her emotions?
- How did Vashti’s mindset change throughout the story?
- What did Vashti learn from her experience?
- Do you think Vashti’s first dot was art, or did it only become art when it was signed and framed? Why/why not?
- What do you think would have happened if the teacher hadn’t framed her art?
- Why did seeing her first dot displayed encourage her to create better dots?
- Look through the book to see how Vashti’s emotions change throughout the story.
- What was the main event that helped Vashti feel better about her art? Explain.
- Explain why Vashti encouraged the boy to make his mark?
You can find a full set of 64 comprehension questions for The Dot available in my TPT Store.
The Dot Videos
Related Posts
Books by Peter H. Reynolds
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