Telling Our Stories In 6 Words

My love affair with 6-word memoirs or 6-word stories began with the National Writing Project at one of the first Summer Institutes I attended as a National Writing Project Site Director (before I was in the business of leading one). Ever since that first introduction I have loved #6words as a writer and a teacher and I have written several blog posts to chart that love and my journey using them in the classroom: Building and Using are just a sample!

As my students snap and draft their way to a deliverable they are invited to craft 2-4 different #6words to focus their thoughts and arguments and I often see those #6words again in the titles of their essays. Sometimes we craft #6words as part of our feedback and discussion of others’ work. And sometimes we craft #6words to reflect on exit slips. How do you (or could you) use #6words in your classroom?

In March I was inspired (by a tweet that has since been lost in the ether) to start writing #6words every day. I have always been a sporadic journaler so I despair that many events and moments are lost forever because I didn’t get the opportunity to write that day. But I can manage to write six words (and locate an appropriate image because 6-word story posters are my jam!) and even if I miss a few days it is not hard to catch up. I expect these 6-word story poster calendars to be a great writing inspiration as well as a record of my life, work, and struggles. The original tweet also recommended writing a microstory that summarized the month and this is where I landed for March and April:

The back half of the spring semester is always a roller coaster ride as is clear from these March and April #6words. Here are some May highlights! How could you use this process for your own reflection or writing? How could you use it with your students?

So many powerful pedagogical and writing tools in just #6words! What’s not to love? What can you do in #6words?

Featured image: Adapted image by tuku from Pixabay