#100wcCHAT Archive

#100wcCHAT links teachers and educators from around the globe to get together and discuss exciting and engaging opportunities for writing, with particular reference to the 100 Word Challenge (100wc.net). This simple, free online project provides a weekly a prompt of a picture or a series of individual words and students respond, ideally using 100 words to produce a creative piece. This is posted on a class blog and then linked to 100wc.net. The link is open from midday on Sundays until midnight the following Saturday. A team of volunteers are assigned posts to comment on and it is these comments that give writing a purpose and change writers into authors. Do join the conversation on Twitter every Wednesday at 9pm GMT, 4pm ET, 3pm CT, 1pm PT, Thursday 5am SGT/WA (Perth), Thursday 8am AEDT, Thursday 8am NZT.

Wednesday November 22, 2017
4:00 PM EST

  • 100wcCHAT1 Nov 22 @ 4:00 PM EST
    Welcome to this week's #100wcCHAT. Please introduce yourself, use the tag & have a go at the introductory question about class readers
  • irockey - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:01 PM EST
    Good evening #100wcCHAT friends. Ian here, co host of the chat. I read to every class I teach when I am in class. Today it was a Mr Gum story.
  • TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:02 PM EST
    Hello I'm Julia a retired HT in Bristol. I didn't have a class but used the Mr Men library that sat on my shelf for assemblies. #100wcCHAT
  • irockey - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:03 PM EST
    I love the Mr Men stories. I could never read Mr Clumsy without collapsing into fits of laughter #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @TheHeadsOffice
  • boyceoc Nov 22 @ 4:04 PM EST
    Hell all, Mary here. I read most days - At the moment I'm reading Little Croker by Joe O' Brien. It's a football story and the boys love it. #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @100wcCHAT1
  • TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:04 PM EST
    They got me out of many a panic when I was covering assembly for an absent teacher! #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @irockey
  • 100wcCHAT1 Nov 22 @ 4:04 PM EST
    Evening Mary! did you get lots of notifications today? #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @boyceoc
  • irockey - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:05 PM EST
    Evening Mary. Good to see you. I hope you've had a good week. #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @boyceoc, @100wcCHAT1
  • 100wcCHAT1 Nov 22 @ 4:07 PM EST
    Question one on it's way! #100wcCHAT
  • 100wcCHAT1 Nov 22 @ 4:08 PM EST
    Q.1 How do you assess 100WC & use it as part of the whole assessment of writing? #100wcCHAT
  • irockey - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:10 PM EST
    A1: Our staff use the #100wc to assess against our big writing objectives and it provides evidence for populating each child's online tracker #100wcCHAT
  • Inpi Nov 22 @ 4:12 PM EST
    Good evening #100wcCHAT friends. I used to tell stories I knew by heart, once a week, to my classes, and I would read aloud some more special moments. 🌼My students loved "The Hobbit" and "The Chronicles of Narnia"
  • 100wcCHAT1 Nov 22 @ 4:12 PM EST
    Hello Inpi! How are things in Portugal tonight? #100wcCHAT
  • irockey - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:12 PM EST
    Hi Inpi. Good to see you. I expect your class enjoyed you telling them stories #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @Inpi
  • boyceoc Nov 22 @ 4:13 PM EST
    I assess informally. Doing the 100wc each week, there is an online "portfolio" of their writing and their progress is evident to all. #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @100wcCHAT1
  • irockey - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:13 PM EST
    It's such a good way to gather evidence for writing. #100wcCHAT
    • boyceoc Nov 22 @ 4:13 PM EST
      I assess informally. Doing the 100wc each week, there is an online "portfolio" of their writing and their progress is evident to all. #100wcCHAT
      In reply to @100wcCHAT1
  • MissNicoleA78 Nov 22 @ 4:15 PM EST
    Nicole here from Pennsylvania! #100wcCHAT
  • Inpi Nov 22 @ 4:15 PM EST
    I did it just once a week, but I would make up grammar exercises with the followings events in the story, and it keep my students attentive. #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @irockey
  • TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:16 PM EST
    I'm hoping to get some researchers interested in the data we have. It would be good to get some concrete evaluation of all that writing #100wcCHAT
    • boyceoc Nov 22 @ 4:13 PM EST
      I assess informally. Doing the 100wc each week, there is an online "portfolio" of their writing and their progress is evident to all. #100wcCHAT
      In reply to @100wcCHAT1
  • 100wcCHAT1 Nov 22 @ 4:17 PM EST
    Hello Nicole! How lovely of you to join us! #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @MissNicoleA78
  • MissNicoleA78 Nov 22 @ 4:17 PM EST
    A1: I assess if the students can think creativity and outside the box. Then if they can take those ideas and combine them into their assignment #100wcCHAT
  • TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:18 PM EST
    Do you use 100WC? #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @MissNicoleA78
  • irockey - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:18 PM EST
    I think that's a great idea. I'm monitoring how well the #100wc impacts on boys writing in particular through assessment data #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @TheHeadsOffice
  • 100wcCHAT1 Nov 22 @ 4:18 PM EST
    Question two nearly here! #100wcCHAT
  • irockey - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:18 PM EST
    Hello Nicole and welcome to #100wcCHAT Great to see you.
    In reply to @MissNicoleA78
  • 100wcCHAT1 Nov 22 @ 4:19 PM EST
    Q.2 Do you 'mark' 100WC posts & if so how? #100wcCHAT
  • TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:20 PM EST
    A.2 This is one aspect that puts teachers off because they don't see how it can be 'marked' & therefore evidenced #100wcCHAT
  • Inpi Nov 22 @ 4:20 PM EST
    In my writing workshop, I assess informally, as Mary @boyceoc . We live in Edublogs Community but with rare exceptions we write in Portuguese https://t.co/XKgFmov86w #100wcCHAT
  • boyceoc Nov 22 @ 4:20 PM EST
    I'm very happy when my boys include some of our WOW words in their stories and if they use a variety of our sentence starters. #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @MissNicoleA78
  • irockey - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:21 PM EST
    A2: If I can I comment, or ask other professionals to comment on children's posts to give feedback and constructive areas for improvement #100wcCHAT
  • TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:22 PM EST
    Do your Ss have to learn English? #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @Inpi, @boyceoc
  • MissNicoleA78 Nov 22 @ 4:22 PM EST
    A2: I assess informally too like Mary and Inpi! I can't really assess my students creativity ability, but I can assess if they minds are devoted to the task and if not, then I have to think about what I can do differently (change the assignment criteria) next time #100wcCHAT
  • TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:23 PM EST
    I'm interested in 'minds devoted'. Is that about concentration? #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @MissNicoleA78
  • Inpi Nov 22 @ 4:25 PM EST
    Julia, @TheHeadsOffice 🌾Perhaps it could be "marked" as an "extra" piece of work, amounting to a certain percentage in the global evaluation. #100wcCHAT
  • boyceoc Nov 22 @ 4:25 PM EST
    I don't mark per say but I comment on all my posts and choose 2 "GEMS" each week - taking into account effort and improvement. #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @100wcCHAT1
  • TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:26 PM EST
    That is so interesting! I love the different ways folks use 100WC & adapt it for their own Ss. #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @Inpi
  • TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:27 PM EST
    Do you use your 'gems' to motivate as well as reward progress Mary? #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @boyceoc, @100wcCHAT1
  • irockey - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:27 PM EST
    Lovely idea. I like celebrating achievement too #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @boyceoc, @100wcCHAT1
  • Inpi Nov 22 @ 4:27 PM EST
    Our kids in Portugal start their English at Primary School, than they come to Middle School in 5th grade, (10 years old) and have about 3 hours a week of English Lessons #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @TheHeadsOffice, @boyceoc
  • MissNicoleA78 Nov 22 @ 4:28 PM EST
    Not so much about concentration but about dedication. In creative writing, the students need to be devoted, or love what they are writing. #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @TheHeadsOffice
  • TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:28 PM EST
    The appeal that the showcase has with Ss fascinates me. #100wcCHAT
  • irockey - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:29 PM EST
    That's a great idea, Inpi, contributing to the overall writing picture #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @Inpi, @TheHeadsOffice
  • TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:29 PM EST
    Do they have to write in English? Does their blogging help? #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @Inpi, @boyceoc
  • TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:29 PM EST
    Do the prompts help that creativity? #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @MissNicoleA78
  • boyceoc Nov 22 @ 4:31 PM EST
    Yes and I do my best to choose "GEMS" from as many children as possible throughout the year. It's not always about the best! We then print off these stories & out into a folder which the boys love reading. #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @TheHeadsOffice, @100wcCHAT1
  • MissNicoleA78 Nov 22 @ 4:31 PM EST
    I see that prompts do help, especially when they are evasive so the students can interpret it any way they want #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @TheHeadsOffice
  • Inpi Nov 22 @ 4:32 PM EST
    They would be ready to pick the challenge of five sentences, but we have no infrastructure for them to blog: I copy and post everything they write, at night, at home. I show them the posts and print them in colours to give them. #100wcChat
  • irockey - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:32 PM EST
    i was fascinated by the responses to this week's prompt - so much variation! #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @MissNicoleA78, @TheHeadsOffice
  • 100wcCHAT1 Nov 22 @ 4:33 PM EST
    Q.3 This one is about spreading the word to colleagues. How do you get colleagues to do 100WC?#100wcCHAT
  • TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:33 PM EST
    I can give you a simple blog Inpi for 5 Sentence Challenge #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @Inpi
  • irockey - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:34 PM EST
    A3: This has been a real success at our school. All staff have seen the power of #100wc through INSET and staff meetings that I've done and they now teach it regularly #100wcCHAT
  • MissNicoleA78 Nov 22 @ 4:35 PM EST
    A3: Show your colleagues the positive effect it has on your students, in terms of their writing ability. #100wcCHAT
  • TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:36 PM EST
    Music to my ears Ian! What was the one thing that made the difference & got the commitment? #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @irockey
  • TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:36 PM EST
    Have you got your Ss to talk to other classes? #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @MissNicoleA78
  • boyceoc Nov 22 @ 4:36 PM EST
    With difficulty! But I'm proud to say another colleague of mine has taken it on board this year and is loving it. #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @100wcCHAT1
  • Inpi Nov 22 @ 4:37 PM EST
    What I mean by infrastructure is that in my writing workshop we also study for the tests of every subject matter; thus, we could not be free every week to participate in the Challenge. #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @TheHeadsOffice
  • irockey - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:37 PM EST
    The opportunity for children to write without boundaries and to be creative. Also, the enthusiasm that it creates among the children #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @TheHeadsOffice
  • boyceoc Nov 22 @ 4:39 PM EST
    The enthusiasm of the children is a huge factor! #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @irockey, @TheHeadsOffice
  • MissNicoleA78 Nov 22 @ 4:39 PM EST
    Yes! This is also a great way to get the word out about 100WC. #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @TheHeadsOffice
  • TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:39 PM EST
    Oh that is a shame. It is always time that is our enemy with creative subjects I think #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @Inpi
  • TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:40 PM EST
    Do you boys go visiting other classes Mary & talk about blogging / 100WC? #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @boyceoc, @irockey
  • irockey - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:41 PM EST
    We talk about our blogging a lot, even in assembly where we share #100wc posts #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @TheHeadsOffice, @boyceoc
  • 100wcCHAT1 Nov 22 @ 4:42 PM EST
    Nearly time for a sneak peek at next week's prompt! #100wcCHAT
  • TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:42 PM EST
    Do you do lots of blogging Ian or are you blogs mainly for 100WC?#100wcCHAT
    In reply to @irockey, @boyceoc
  • boyceoc Nov 22 @ 4:43 PM EST
    No but this year we all moved classes and the seniors were used to doing it. So their teacher took it on board then. But we constantly share our stories, GEMS & showcases on Twitter & on the school website. #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @TheHeadsOffice, @irockey
  • Inpi Nov 22 @ 4:43 PM EST
    It's a beautiful project though, and perhaps I could try to start it with just one or two kids blogging in our writing workshop blog. I have two students writing along with me on my english teacher blog and they love to have comments. #100wcChat
    In reply to @TheHeadsOffice
  • irockey - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:44 PM EST
    Both Julia. Our blogs are used across the curriculum but they are also full of #100wc posts! Just this week I have will have over 50 posts to link #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @TheHeadsOffice, @boyceoc
  • TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:44 PM EST
    That 'taking it on' did that come from pressure from the boys or interest in 100WC? #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @boyceoc, @irockey
  • TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:45 PM EST
    Goodness! Thank goodness there is no charge! :) #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @irockey, @boyceoc
  • 100wcCHAT1 Nov 22 @ 4:46 PM EST
    Here is your sneak peek at the next prompt. Share how you will use it! #100wcCHAT
  • irockey - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:46 PM EST
    Indeed! ;-) #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @TheHeadsOffice, @boyceoc
  • mazmitchell Nov 22 @ 4:46 PM EST
    #100wcCHAT Hello, I'm Marianne Y3 NQT from Herts. Have just stumbled into this chat by chance. I'm really interested in having a go at the 100wc. So go ahead and encourage me people!
    In reply to @100wcCHAT1
  • boyceoc Nov 22 @ 4:46 PM EST
    From the boys and the general expectation that for the last 5 years that age group have been doing the 100wc( with me!) #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @TheHeadsOffice, @irockey
  • irockey - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:47 PM EST
    Hi Marianne and welcome to #100wcCHAT great to see you, you will love it!
    In reply to @mazmitchell, @100wcCHAT1
  • boyceoc Nov 22 @ 4:47 PM EST
    I link all our schools posts as well! #100wcCHAT Again usually over 50!
    In reply to @irockey, @TheHeadsOffice
  • irockey - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:49 PM EST
    A4: That prompt is making me hungry! I will approach this as I do with all of the word prompts and that is to ask the children to try to visualise the words in sentences within a story or piece of writing and how it would fit together #100wcCHAT
  • TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:49 PM EST
    Yay! It was all worth it then! #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @boyceoc, @irockey
  • 100word Nov 22 @ 4:50 PM EST
    Do join us on Weds at It'll be great! #100wc #100wcCHAT 9pm for another great chat about writing, blogging & get a sneak peek at the next prompt on 100 Word Challenge!
  • TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:50 PM EST
    Do join us on Weds at It'll be great! #100wc #100wcCHAT 9pm for another great chat about writing, blogging & get a sneak peek at the next prompt on 100 Word Challenge!
  • TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:50 PM EST
    Hello Marianne. These folks are bonkers about 100WC & will tell you why! #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @mazmitchell, @100wcCHAT1
  • TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:50 PM EST
    Can you train digital leaders to do it? #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @boyceoc, @irockey
  • mazmitchell Nov 22 @ 4:51 PM EST
    #100wcCHAT I tested it out on my daughter (Y5) last weekend and she really enjoyed it. I'm really keen to incorporate some 'writing for pleasure' in class. Freedom to simply write without success criteria or planning. How long do you recommend giving a child to write it?
    In reply to @irockey, @100wcCHAT1
  • irockey - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:51 PM EST
    Yes and I have done. I made ours authors last year which enabled them to approve posts #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @TheHeadsOffice, @boyceoc
  • boyceoc Nov 22 @ 4:51 PM EST
    Have a read of some of ours! https://t.co/qISVLdzKDv I couldn't recommend it highly enough - The cheers from the boys when I say 100 wc. #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @mazmitchell, @100wcCHAT1
  • TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:52 PM EST
    Mary @boyceoc & her fellow Irish teachers have a formula & make it quite regulated #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @mazmitchell, @irockey, @100wcCHAT1, @boyceoc
  • irockey - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:52 PM EST
    I can do two classes in an afternoon from beginning their writing to submitting for review on the blog. They love it and are so keen to see their work online for the world to see! #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @mazmitchell, @100wcCHAT1
  • boyceoc Nov 22 @ 4:53 PM EST
    We are taking small steps...#100wcCHAT
    In reply to @TheHeadsOffice, @irockey
  • irockey - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:54 PM EST
    I know! The children ask me at lunchtime before i even enter the classroom to check we are writing #100wc! #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @boyceoc, @mazmitchell, @100wcCHAT1
  • TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:54 PM EST
    You are doing brilliantly! #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @boyceoc, @irockey
  • 100wcCHAT1 Nov 22 @ 4:55 PM EST
    What about next week's prompt? 5 words. The Ss love these so I'm told! #100wcCHAT
  • irockey - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:57 PM EST
    Yes they do! It's the challenge of trying to create a stunning piece of writing with unconnected words #100wcCHAT
    In reply to @100wcCHAT1
  • TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Nov 22 @ 4:58 PM EST
    @mazmitchell Have you any other questions? #100wcCHAT
  • boyceoc Nov 22 @ 4:59 PM EST
    I'm not always a fan...#100wcCHAT
    In reply to @100wcCHAT1