#SOL22: Anatomy of a Twitter Chat
And so it begins …
“Would you … Could you …?”
Shared Expectations
“Possible dates are: ___, ___, or _____. Would any of those work?”
Back and forth:
Quotations, questions and a deeper understanding from authors about their goals. Ordered, proofed and developed in Canva.
Pretweeting prep by #g2great (usually @drmaryhoward)
Rest of team is responsible for RT and “likes” as tweets pop up.
Anticipation builds . . . the day of the chat. Questions, questions, quotes, and time speeds up.
…
The chat opens with welcoming comments. An opening quote. The pace quickens as more folks join the chat. Conversations. Friendships. Literally chatting.
And then questions begin to drop. Replies. Volleying RTs and likes. Conversations deepen. Threads develop. Multiple answers. Sometimes with additional pictures, quotes or links for more clarification.
Q1. A1.
Q2. A2.
Q3. A3.
Q4. A4.
Q5. A5.
Q6. A6.
Just when the chat is getting interesting, a final quote pops up. An announcement for the next chat and then a flurry of goodbyes and Thank Yous.
Time’s up!
….
But wait,
There’s a Wakelet where Mary collects the Tweets.
And then a blog post on LiteracyLenses.com
Last week was our chat for The Gift of Story with John Schu.
Wakelet Link
Blog post by Kitty Donohoe link
And then tweeting out the links to share the wisdom.
But there’s always more …
What motivated you to write this book? What impact did you hope that it would have in the professional world?
Oh, so much motivated me to write The Gift of Story: Exploring the Affective Side of the Reading Life. In truth, I think more about who motivated and inspired me to write this book than what.
For sake of space, I’ll share three bullet points.
*Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo inspired me to look at my heart and the hearts of others in new ways through her books, the
conversations we had at conferences, her Facebook updates, and the inspirational text messages she sends me.
*Terry Thompson helped me dig down deep through his thought-provoking questions and compassionate heart. He’s a brilliant
editor and friend. I’m so lucky and grateful!
*Most importantly, every child I’ve interacted with over the past 20 years motivated me to write The Gift of Story. The impact
they had on me and my heart inspires me every day. I hope The Gift of Story inspires readers to talk about the affective side of
reading and learning and life.
What are your BIG takeaways from your book that you hope teachers will embrace in their teaching practices?
1. Read aloud every day.
2. Talk about the affective elements of story with their students.
3. Encourage their students and colleagues to finish the sentence starter Story is…
4. Celebrate Poem in Your Pocket Day with everyone on the campus.
5. Host an author or an illustrator.
What is a message from the heart you would like for every teacher to keep in mind?
Thank you for this wonderful question. I hope every teacher walks away from The Gift of Story feeling encouraged to read and read and read and evaluate wonderful children’s books. When we share our hearts in authentic ways, we inspire those around us to do the same. I hope they think about how every child who walks into their classroom has a story. I hope they establish opportunities fortheir students to tell their stories and find themselves in the stories of others. I hope they smile.
What chats have you been a part of? What part of a chat is intriguing to you?
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Thank you, Two Writing Teachers, for this weekly forum. Check out the writers and readers here.
Thank you to #G2Great and John Schu for sparking this topic and the quotes.
#SOL22: Talk
Oversell? Undersell?
The waiter was charming. “It’s the best. As a third generation LA resident, it’s the best.”
Tempted to scoff at the claim, I didn’t. And yet, “Tell me more,” did emerge from my mouth.
As a Midwesterner, I was doubting the claim. I was expecting “the sell” on the sea bass so close to the ocean. Seafood, yes. Or the pasta, in an Italian restaurant. Beef, not so much.
A bone-in ribeye, on a patio, with friends, a celebratory dinner.
Tender, flavorful, perfectly done.
Every morsel eaten.
Best steak in Santa Monica!
What talk matters? What talk is convincing? Who are the experts? How do you know the anticipation matches the outcome?
I can’t imagine that I will ever stop asking waitstaff about menu items. It’s truly a pleasure when the “sale” matches expectations. And now my chagrin. After googling beef production, my state lags behind California in beef production. We’re seventh and CA is fourth. Oops. A traveler with arrogance about quality beef is now apologetic. However, I do know quality steak! And you don’t have to be in a steakhouse to find a superb steak. Thank YOU, Il Formo! Thank YOU, Santa Monica!
And this week’s adventures will continue!
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Thank you, Two Writing Teachers, for this weekly forum.
Check out the writers and readers here.
#SOL22: Weekend Recap
Being patient in order for a topic to separate and rise to the top from the busy weekend is difficult.
What should I “slice” about today?
6 seniors on a panel for a Q and A session with the whole group 6 hours of excitement at LFA.
5 years of participating in the Ladies Football Academy at Iowa. 5 family members playing Hand and Foot.
4 family members together most of the weekend. Saturday dinner = 4.
3 football player “lifts” at LFA. LFA and 3 Marek women
2 gooseberry pies made and devoured this week. 2 elder Ruth sisters. 2 Baby Ruths. 2 sisters. 2 from FL 2 winners at Hand and Foot.
1 French toast breakfast created by a chef. 1 glorious day of fun. Best place to relax and unwind.
Which story to tell? Which one wins the story “lottery” for this week?
Revising my list of six. You’ve already seen some of the revisions above.
Revisiting.
Wondering.
Which story?
Maybe it’s not really one of those.
Maybe it’s about being on the front page of the sports section for both the Iowa City Press Citizen and the Des Moines Register on Saturday, June 11, 2022.
Moi? On the front page? Of the sports section?
Yes, the Front page of the Sports Section
Do tell!
Here’s what the article looked like in the Des Moines Register.
(picture from the field on the north side of the indoor practice field … 2019)
Here’s a link to the Iowa City Press Citizen. Scroll down to the second picture.
You may have noticed that the picture looked like a pose in the video from last week’s post. Yes, that 2019 photo of us lifting up AJ Epenesa at the LFA with the help of teammate Chauncey Golston made the front page of the sports section in two major Iowa newspapers. (And it was AJ’s idea)
So the new pics from 2022. Riley Moss. Notice that no assist was needed.
Back 2021
Eric Epenesa – (brother of 2019 liftee AJ)
Fun
Camaraderie
Community
Learning
Tours
Drills
Autographs
Petras / Moss Duet of “Piano Man”
Favorite foods, stadiums, coaches . . .
Thank you, #IOWALadiesFootballAcademy #ForTheKids #UIHC
How do you choose just one small moment from a day fillled with joy and occasional raindrops?
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Thank you, Two Writing Teachers, for this weekly forum.
Check out the writers and readers here.
#SOLSC22: 29
Day 29 of the 2022 Slice of Life Story Challenge
Then and Now
THEN
Three girls
Book lovers
Talkers
Cooks
Farm living
And all spaced out
A gap of five
and then a gap of seven –
Twelve from top to bottom
Sharing a room
Similar but not exactly alike
NOW
Mothers
Friends
Book lovers
Talkers
People connectors
Flower lovers
Cooks
Quilters
and crafters
Connected with texts, emails, Twitter and phone calls.
Pictures, jokes, and news flow back and forth.
Similar but not exactly alike.
Today I thank my two sisters who have allowed me to “get it done” when they were more inclined to approach tasks more collaboratively or at a different pace. You’ve taught me so much. Thanks, Sherry and Pat, for being models of grace, a source of inspiration, and the best sisters possible.
How do you describe your siblings? How would you describe them at different points in your life?
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Thank you, Two Writing Teachers, for this daily forum during the month of March.
Check out the writers and readers here.
#SOLSC22: 27
Day 27 of the Slice of Life Story Challenge 2022.
Who Am I?
What stories do you know about me?
I have no idea why the “cloud creator” added an “s” to teachers and books lovers? That doesn’t make sense. However, what does make sense is that these are a few of the words that describe Erika.
Thank you, Erika Victor, for your love of family whether it’s your family in the US, your family at your international school or the family of readers and writers that you navigate here!
How have you stayed connected with your family (personal or professional) the last couple of years?
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Thank you, Two Writing Teachers, for this daily forum during the month of March.
Check out the writers and readers here.
#SOLSC22: 26
Day 26 of the Slice of Life Story Challenge 2022.
Today it’s a format that will lead to the reveal of an educator.
Six Word Stories
Best Maine guide for clam chowder.
Sparking writing and student literacy.
Using quick writes to improve literacy.
Midwesterner transplanted Maine literacy teacher coach.
Thank you, Paula Bourque, for your books, your passionate coaching, and your instructional expertise.
What formats help you determine the “most important information” to share? How do you know the format is effective?
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Thank you, Two Writing Teachers, for this daily forum during the month of March.
Check out the writers and readers here.
#SOLSC22: 25
It began on Twitter.
That’s not a surprise.
It began on Twitter with an #ILA chat.
Also not a surprise as#ILA routinely has chats.
It was my first introduction.
So I researched her on the ILA page here.
We discussed the “Power and the Promise of Independent Reading.”
And then I met her again through work with the Book Love Foundation as she interviewed authors and helped with book selection.
Again, we worked online, at a distance.
In February of 2022, I had the privilege of seeing and hearing Julia in two powerful back to back in person sessions at #CCIRA22. What a joy! And so many new books to consider.
In the beginning . . .
Respect for a master librarian (and teacher) envisioning new possibilities, Julia E. Torres. Thank you for opening up new worlds!
And watch for her book from ISTE out this summer with co-author Valerie Tagoe,
How do you connect with literacy professionals? How do you strengthen and grow those connections?
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Thank you, Two Writing Teachers, for this daily forum during the month of March.
Check out the writers and readers here.
#SOLSC22: 24
It’s day 24 of the Slice of Life Story Challenge for 2022. (one week remains!)
One highly researched and effective reading intervention is Reading Recovery. I’ve calculated the cost savings when one student is successful in Reading Recovery and does not enter into special education.
I’m going to use $4900 as the per pupil allotment for each resource student in Iowa. It’s a rounded number for illustrative purposes.
If Reading Recovery helps one student be successful in reading, the student saves:
- grade 2 $4900
- grade 3 $4900
- grade 4 $4900
- grade 5 $4900
- grade 6 $4900
- grade 7 $4900
- grade 8 $4900
- grade 9 $4900
- grade 10 $4900
- grade 11 $4900
- grade 12 $4900
Cumulative savings from grade 2 through grade 12 = $53,900.
Of course there are costs associated with Reading Recovery, but if two students are successful each year, Reading Recovery has paid for itself in savings.
A teacher leader in Reading Recovery leads professional development, teaches behind the glass, and observes teachers teaching. In some ways that work is similar to a consultant’s work: PD, demonstration teaching and classroom observations.
Yay, commonalities.
Our lives also intersect on Twitter, sometimes in chats, or also just some random retweets!
We’ve participated in multiple book studies: Including What Readers Really Do as well as online groups.
We’ve attended institutes where we’ve enjoyed the sights and sounds of The Big Apple.
We’ve shared stories of our families.
We love to learn.
Thank you, Sandy Brumbaum, for helping me strive for both joy and balance in my personal and professional life.
How do you find both joy and balance at work? At home? Who do you use as sounding boards?
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Thank you, Two Writing Teachers, for this daily forum during the month of March.
Check out the writers and readers here.
#SOLSC22: 23
Today is Day 23 of the Slice of Life Story Challenge.
As I started writing this post, I wondered if I needed a chart to mark similarities and differences between the honorees for this March blog series. I quickly discovered MANY similarities.
Blogs? Check
Presents at NCTE? Check
Have personally presented with her? Check
Numerous zoom sessions? Check
An author featured on #G2great? Check
So many ideas were swirling in my brain, but I had already decided on “Supporting Writing” as my focus.
Today’s “Thank You” goes to an author who shares similar thoughts about students leading their own writing seminars for their fellow students. We’ve tweeted about this often. We promote student independence as much as possible.
Current books:
Available later in March, 2022 . . .
Drum roll . . .
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Thank you, Melanie Meehan, for your expertise as a writer and as a teacher of students and supporter of writing teachers,
What questions do you have about writing? What writing do you support? What writing do you do yourself?
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Thank you, Two Writing Teachers, for this daily forum during the month of March.
Check out the writers and readers here.
#SOLSC22: 22
This book.
This book had a profound impact on my personal and professional life. This book brought together folks who continue to impact my personal and professional life.
So much of reading is invisible. So much of reading is complex. So much of reading takes a deep understanding. A reader who slows down and spies on themself as a reader can learn about the process of meaning making.
This book was the center of a book study on Twitter. #WRRD We spent time discussing the contents and the application. But additional highlights were in meeting with, chatting face to face, and having dinner with the authors. Approachable authors. Authors who share their thinking. Authors who model their own learning.
Dr. Mary Howard wrote this post after Dorothy and Vicki were on a #G2Great chat about What Readers Really Do in 2017. Now more than ever the invisible processes of meaning making must be a part of the goal setting and discourse of educators.
Beyond celebrating the authors … Thank you, Ryan Scala, for organizing what began as a book study and actually evolved into a community of scholars with common interests in improving learning, literacy and leadership.
How do you build community that endures beyond a single goal/purpose? Who leads the work? Who does the work?
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Thank you, Two Writing Teachers, for this daily forum during the month of March.
Check out the writers and readers here.
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