International Dot Day

International Dot Day

September 15th 2026

Do you know what #InternationalDotDay is? 

International Dot Day, on September 15th, gets your creative juices flowing. The day was established to celebrate creativity, courage, and collaboration. This celebration is easily done and one of the most fun days of the year!

Celebrated by children and adults, International Dot Day is a day to connect, collaborate, and create. It’s also a great day to foster self-expression. Participate by writing, drawing, painting, taking photos, videography, dancing, and making music. Because a real-life teacher sparked this day, educators worldwide celebrate International Dot Day. They hold a variety of activities in their classrooms.

#InternationalDotDay History

A book called The Dot by Peter. H. Reynolds inspired International Dot Day. The book is about a caring teacher who encourages a student named Vashti to “make her mark.” Vashti couldn’t draw, so she simply made a single dot on a piece of paper. This little dot was just the beginning of Vashti’s journey of self-discovery.

On September 15, 2009, a teacher named Terry Shay introduced his classroom to The Dot. The rest, as they say, is history. Since its first observance in 2009, the day has become a global sensation. It is currently celebrated by nearly 16 million people in 181 countries.

How to observe #InternationalDotDay?

There are many ways for you to take part in International Dot Day. 

•  Listen to the The Dot book. the dot by Peter H. Reynolds, read aloud by Mrs. Blantz and ASL interpretation by Allison Carr (Thank you, Allison)

• Visit the official  International Dot Day website.

• Register to join Peter& Paul Reynolds for all the instructional materials and handbook. 

• Have students create their own “dot” by using this document 
• Grab ideas and learn all about #InternationalDotDay with this teacher lesson guide and resources from #InternationalDotDay
• Write a poem or make a video to celebrate.
• Listen and sing along with “The Dot Song”. 
• Don’t forget to share #InternationalDotDay, #DotDay, or #MakeYourMark on social media.
• Novel Effect App (we all have accounts ask Lori or Giovanna) is a great resource for sharing about Dot Day by reading the book with sound effects.     Contact us for access to the checkout code to get all items free with our IU13 site license. 

• BreakoutEDU has lessons in both digital and kit formats. Breakout EDU | Login, reach out to Giovanna or Lori to learn what your login information is. Breakout Dot Day Lesson

Please do not hesitate to reach out for help with STEM and Instructional Technology by using our ecses-it@iu13.org email. 

Frequently used links:

CLEVER

STEM and Technology Hub

Maker Space Inventory of Materials 

Maker Space Sign-out