#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 October 11, 2017
4:00 PM EDT

TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:00 PM EDT

It's 9pm, Weds so welcome to #100wcCHAT. I'm Julia & here is your introductory question
irockey - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:01 PM EDT

Good evening #100wcCHAT I'm Ian, head teacher who still teaches! I read the news every day online.
In reply to @TheHeadsOffice
Trystan_Russell Oct 11 @ 4:02 PM EDT

Hi #100wcCHAT first time contributor. Trystan, teacher, Ireland
irockey - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:03 PM EDT

Hi Trystan, great to see you. Thank you for joining us. #100wcCHAT
In reply to @Trystan_Russell
Trystan_Russell Oct 11 @ 4:03 PM EDT

Don't read daily newspapers - sensationalist headlines, bad news, bad news, bad news. Do read online news sites sometimes #100wcCHAT
In reply to @TheHeadsOffice
Trystan_Russell Oct 11 @ 4:04 PM EDT

Evening Ian - multi tasking! Who says that men can't multi task!!! #100wcCHAT
In reply to @irockey
irockey - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:04 PM EDT

Are you on air tonight?? #100wcCHAT
In reply to @Trystan_Russell, @TheHeadsOffice
irockey - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:04 PM EDT

Good man, that is some serious multi-tasking! #100wcCHAT
In reply to @Trystan_Russell, @TheHeadsOffice
Trystan_Russell Oct 11 @ 4:05 PM EDT

Yes, sure am. Multi tasking man. Mark the date on your calendar!!! It can be done! #100wcCHAT
In reply to @100wcCHAT1
irockey - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:05 PM EDT

That's so interesting. I really don't like getting my fingers inky! #100wcCHAT
In reply to @TheHeadsOffice
TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:06 PM EDT

Do you think papers will ever go out of print? What about fish & chips? :) #100wcCHAT
Trystan_Russell Oct 11 @ 4:06 PM EDT

They won't go totally out of print, although in the next few years we could see a good many cease to be #100wcCHAT
In reply to @TheHeadsOffice
irockey - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:07 PM EDT

I think there is still a large enough demand but in a digital age I think it's the immediacy of online news. #100wcCHAT
In reply to @TheHeadsOffice
100wcCHAT1 Oct 11 @ 4:09 PM EDT

Question one on it's way! #100wcCHAT
irockey - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:09 PM EDT

I also think social media plays a huge role in news these days #100wcCHAT
Trystan_Russell Oct 11 @ 4:09 PM EDT

Absolutely. Twitter is so immediate it's my first stop for news. About anything #100wcCHAT
In reply to @irockey
irockey - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:10 PM EDT

So true. Often then leads to the news source too to check how factual it is. Nice lead in to tonight's chat! #100wcCHAT
In reply to @Trystan_Russell
TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:11 PM EDT

Here is Q1. Please Use Q1/A1 format How do you teach the difference between fact & opinion? #100wcCHAT
Trystan_Russell Oct 11 @ 4:11 PM EDT

Must beware of fake news. And people who constantly tweet about fake news!!! #100wcCHAT
In reply to @irockey
irockey - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:12 PM EDT

A1: Initially by writing lots of statements on the board and discussing with the children which are fact and opinion and why #100wcCHAT
Trystan_Russell Oct 11 @ 4:13 PM EDT

A1 Look at news articles, showing main stories, show opinion columns too. Look at language used. "I think" as opposed to facts #100wcCHAT
In reply to @TheHeadsOffice
Trystan_Russell Oct 11 @ 4:14 PM EDT

A1 Also by writing some outrageous statements on board and some factual ones; discussing which are dependable and why #100wcCHAT
In reply to @TheHeadsOffice
irockey - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:14 PM EDT

Great point. I think discussing the language is key to knowing the difference between the two #100wcCHAT
In reply to @Trystan_Russell, @TheHeadsOffice
irockey - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:15 PM EDT

I love writing outrageous statements on the board and seeing the reaction! #100wcCHAT
In reply to @Trystan_Russell, @TheHeadsOffice
irockey - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:15 PM EDT

We had a fake news story on our radio show that we had to clarify recently #100wcCHAT
In reply to @Trystan_Russell
Trystan_Russell Oct 11 @ 4:15 PM EDT

Isn't it just. Language is the key differentiator I think between the two. I also insist that the source must be verifiable too #100wcCHAT
In reply to @irockey, @TheHeadsOffice
TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:16 PM EDT

Do you often catch the class out?#100wcCHAT
In reply to @Trystan_Russell, @irockey
irockey - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:17 PM EDT

Indeed. But then the challenge is to ensure that the source is verifiable and trustworthy. Another skill in itself #100wcCHAT
In reply to @Trystan_Russell, @TheHeadsOffice
Trystan_Russell Oct 11 @ 4:17 PM EDT

Fake news is so easy to happen - it happened in 1912 too so this is not a new phenomenon #100wcCHAT
In reply to @irockey
irockey - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:17 PM EDT

Sometimes, yes. But then there is the wonderful discussion as to why they thought it was fact or opinion #100wcCHAT
In reply to @TheHeadsOffice, @Trystan_Russell
irockey - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:18 PM EDT

Oh that's brilliant! What a fantastic resource! #100wcCHAT
In reply to @Trystan_Russell
TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:18 PM EDT

Are some children hard to convince? #100wcCHAT
In reply to @irockey, @Trystan_Russell
100wcCHAT1 Oct 11 @ 4:19 PM EDT

I suppose the best time to do this is April 1st! #100wcCHAT
irockey - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:20 PM EDT

Yes they are and equally some children find it difficult to understand the difference between the two #100wcCHAT
In reply to @TheHeadsOffice, @Trystan_Russell
irockey - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:21 PM EDT

Yes! Then see whether the children will make the link! #100wcCHAT
In reply to @100wcCHAT1
100wcCHAT1 Oct 11 @ 4:21 PM EDT

Q.2 What do pupils find hard? #100wcCHAT
Trystan_Russell Oct 11 @ 4:21 PM EDT

Here's a great example, this website is a work of fiction, but newspapers carried it in the 90s as real: https://t.co/rSsQuTPckI #100wcCHAT
In reply to @irockey, @TheHeadsOffice
irockey - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:21 PM EDT

A2: I think pupils often find the chronology aspect of recount writing hard. #100wcCHAT
irockey - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:22 PM EDT

That's fabulous! #100wcCHAT
In reply to @Trystan_Russell, @TheHeadsOffice
Trystan_Russell Oct 11 @ 4:23 PM EDT

Shows what can happen if you take information at face value. We live in an age where information is at the tip of our fingers. #100wcCHAT
In reply to @irockey, @TheHeadsOffice
Trystan_Russell Oct 11 @ 4:23 PM EDT

We need to teach children to be critical and to evaulate information, verify it, before using it. #100wcCHAT
In reply to @irockey, @TheHeadsOffice
JfB57 Oct 11 @ 4:24 PM EDT

There are lots of adults that could do with that! #100wcCHAT
In reply to @Trystan_Russell, @irockey, @TheHeadsOffice
irockey - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:24 PM EDT

Yes & I think that is a big part of the issue. Information is so readily available now, yet when in an age when most was in books #100wcCHAT
In reply to @Trystan_Russell, @TheHeadsOffice
irockey - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:28 PM EDT

@Trystan_Russell , do you find that you need to teach not to copy and paste in digital literacy? #100wcCHAT
TRonTheRadio Oct 11 @ 4:30 PM EDT

Absolutely - and I demonstrate by typing the content into google and the jaws drop as it returns Wikipedia as the source! #100wcCHAT
In reply to @irockey, @Trystan_Russell
Trystan_Russell Oct 11 @ 4:30 PM EDT

Absolutely - and I demonstrate by typing the content into google and the jaws drop as it returns Wikipedia as the source! #100wcCHAT
In reply to @irockey
100wcCHAT1 Oct 11 @ 4:30 PM EDT

Question teach the need for a summary somewhere? #100wcCHAT
irockey - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:32 PM EDT

It's interesting isn't it? Wikipedia seems to be at the source of everything! #100wcCHAT
In reply to @Trystan_Russell
Trystan_Russell Oct 11 @ 4:33 PM EDT

Easily editable by anyone though, so I always insist on a second source of information. Just to be sure that ti can be verified. #100wcCHAT
In reply to @irockey
Trystan_Russell Oct 11 @ 4:33 PM EDT

I tell them I know nothing about it & they need to tell me to bring me up to speed. They like "teaching" me about the topic/book. #100wcCHAT
In reply to @100wcCHAT1
irockey - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:34 PM EDT

A3: I completely agree, particularly in being succinct and concise with the words that they use #100wcCHAT
In reply to @Trystan_Russell, @100wcCHAT1
100wcCHAT1 Oct 11 @ 4:36 PM EDT

That's where 100 Word Challenge comes in! #100wcCHAT
In reply to @irockey, @Trystan_Russell
irockey - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:36 PM EDT

A3: Also, taking a longer text and asking the children to pick out the five main things that they think should be reported #100wcCHAT
Trystan_Russell Oct 11 @ 4:37 PM EDT

We are reading 'Kid Normal' at the moment. We do silent reading and read the next chapter, and then I need to be "caught up". #100wcCHAT
In reply to @irockey, @100wcCHAT1
irockey - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:37 PM EDT

So true, which is why the 100 word challenge is so perfect for being concise! #100wcCHAT
In reply to @100wcCHAT1, @Trystan_Russell
TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:38 PM EDT

Sounds much better than the presie work I had to do at secondary sch! #100wcCHAT
In reply to @irockey
TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:38 PM EDT

That's a great idea! #100wcCHAT
In reply to @Trystan_Russell, @irockey, @100wcCHAT1
irockey - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:38 PM EDT

That's a good idea. Do you feel that it improves their understanding of the story? #100wcCHAT
In reply to @Trystan_Russell, @100wcCHAT1
Trystan_Russell Oct 11 @ 4:39 PM EDT

Obviously to us, I already know what it happening as I too have read it, but it gives the pupils a sense of importance to explain #100wcCHAT
In reply to @TheHeadsOffice, @irockey, @100wcCHAT1
Trystan_Russell Oct 11 @ 4:40 PM EDT

I think so - it's a good book anyway, but I ask q's like "why did x do that" or "what happened after that!" and they love telling #100wcCHAT
In reply to @irockey, @100wcCHAT1
irockey - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:40 PM EDT

Yes and for those who are perhaps lacking in confidence and have a strength in summarising, this is an ideal opportunity #100wcCHAT
In reply to @Trystan_Russell, @TheHeadsOffice, @100wcCHAT1
Trystan_Russell Oct 11 @ 4:41 PM EDT

It also allows you to ask "what do you think will happen next" which is a help for writing @100word stories #100wcCHAT
In reply to @irockey, @100wcCHAT1, @100word
TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:41 PM EDT

Q.4 All about resources. So apart from Wikipedia (!) what do you use? #100wcCHAT
irockey - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:41 PM EDT

You have got some great teaching methods. Your class must love being in your class #100wcCHAT
In reply to @Trystan_Russell, @100wcCHAT1
Trystan_Russell Oct 11 @ 4:41 PM EDT

Exactly, and no pressure as teacher "doesn't know" either. Can be a great boost for confidence too #100wcCHAT
In reply to @irockey, @TheHeadsOffice, @100wcCHAT1
Trystan_Russell Oct 11 @ 4:42 PM EDT

Off the cuff methods but ones that I have found that work. #100wcCHAT
In reply to @irockey, @100wcCHAT1
Trystan_Russell Oct 11 @ 4:42 PM EDT

You would think, wouldn't you! Not always the case though #100wcCHAT
In reply to @irockey, @100wcCHAT1
TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:42 PM EDT

They do & parents love it too! #100wcCHAT
In reply to @irockey, @Trystan_Russell, @100wcCHAT1
Trystan_Russell Oct 11 @ 4:43 PM EDT

One of my fav's is if a reader makes a mistake, I ask them to repeat, apologising for losing my place on the page. #100wcCHAT
In reply to @irockey, @100wcCHAT1
irockey - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:43 PM EDT

I'd enjoy it! #100wcCHAT
In reply to @Trystan_Russell, @100wcCHAT1
TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:43 PM EDT

Have you claimed deafness too? #100wcCHAT
In reply to @Trystan_Russell, @irockey, @100wcCHAT1
irockey - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:43 PM EDT

Nice. Reinforcing and consolidating summarising skills #100wcCHAT
In reply to @Trystan_Russell, @100wcCHAT1
100wcCHAT1 Oct 11 @ 4:44 PM EDT

Come on then Resources please! #100wcCHAT
Trystan_Russell Oct 11 @ 4:44 PM EDT

Yes! "Oh sorry, I'm getting old and didn't hear you. Could you read that last bit again?" Saves the reader from embarrassment #100wcCHAT
In reply to @TheHeadsOffice, @irockey, @100wcCHAT1
irockey - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:44 PM EDT

Excellent. I play on my age often too, particularly with younger learners! #100wcCHAT
In reply to @Trystan_Russell, @TheHeadsOffice, @100wcCHAT1
Trystan_Russell Oct 11 @ 4:45 PM EDT

Takes all blame off the reader and on to me. I often make a joke out of it too. Poor teacher can't keep up #100wcCHAT
In reply to @irockey, @100wcCHAT1
TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:45 PM EDT

A ploy I use constantly but in my case it is accurate! #100wcCHAT
In reply to @Trystan_Russell, @irockey, @100wcCHAT1
Trystan_Russell Oct 11 @ 4:46 PM EDT

All about the children and increasing their confidence. If I need to be a figure of ridicule, then so be it #100wcCHAT
In reply to @irockey, @TheHeadsOffice, @100wcCHAT1
TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:46 PM EDT

Before we get to Q5 can I ask what do you regard as digital literacy? #100wcCHAT
irockey - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:46 PM EDT

Not at all! #100wcCHAT
In reply to @TheHeadsOffice, @Trystan_Russell, @100wcCHAT1
TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:47 PM EDT

Only in your Gunners shirt! #100wcCHAT
In reply to @Trystan_Russell, @irockey, @100wcCHAT1
irockey - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:47 PM EDT

Last year wasn't good for you! #100wcCHAT
In reply to @TheHeadsOffice, @Trystan_Russell, @100wcCHAT1
Trystan_Russell Oct 11 @ 4:48 PM EDT

Teams in League One can't be poking fun now, Mrs Skinner!! #100wcCHAT (Are we really going to go down this road!)
In reply to @TheHeadsOffice, @irockey, @100wcCHAT1
irockey - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:48 PM EDT

I'm keeping a distance......#100wcCHAT
In reply to @Trystan_Russell, @TheHeadsOffice, @100wcCHAT1
Trystan_Russell Oct 11 @ 4:48 PM EDT

Wise man! And early for Christmas too! #100wcCHAT
In reply to @irockey, @TheHeadsOffice, @100wcCHAT1
TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:49 PM EDT

Someone has to provide the entertainment. Now digital literacy! #100wcCHAT
In reply to @Trystan_Russell, @irockey, @100wcCHAT1
irockey - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:49 PM EDT

Anyway!!...digital literacy I teach through online safety and how and where we use our text appropriately #100wcCHAT
irockey - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:49 PM EDT

Never too early for Christmas.....#100wcCHAT
In reply to @Trystan_Russell, @TheHeadsOffice, @100wcCHAT1
Trystan_Russell Oct 11 @ 4:50 PM EDT

I consider digital literacy to be having pupils media savvy and knowing how to effectively search for and evaluate info online #100wcCHAT
In reply to @TheHeadsOffice, @irockey, @100wcCHAT1
TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:51 PM EDT

What makes a successful online reader? #100wcCHAT
Trystan_Russell Oct 11 @ 4:51 PM EDT
I know it's a mouthful but in a nutshell thats what digital literacy is. Abundance of info, need to be able to sift through it #100wcCHAT
- Trystan_Russell Oct 11 @ 4:50 PM EDT
  
  I consider digital literacy to be having pupils media savvy and knowing how to effectively search for and evaluate info online #100wcCHAT
  In reply to @TheHeadsOffice, @irockey, @100wcCHAT1
irockey - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:52 PM EDT

Someone who doesn't take everything at face value and researches from a range of sources #100wcCHAT
In reply to @TheHeadsOffice
100wcCHAT1 Oct 11 @ 4:52 PM EDT

Q.5 Next week's prompt is to write a report about this photograph Where do you start? #100wcCHAT
Trystan_Russell Oct 11 @ 4:53 PM EDT

A5 How did this happen, what has happened, what might happen next. Spider diagram for ideas #100wcCHAT
In reply to @100wcCHAT1
TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:55 PM EDT

Is that the same as a mind map? #100wcCHAT
In reply to @Trystan_Russell, @100wcCHAT1
irockey - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:55 PM EDT

I think that's the best approach. Make it into an incident also, maybe. Create something exciting & even mysterious to report on #100wcCHAT
In reply to @Trystan_Russell, @100wcCHAT1
Trystan_Russell Oct 11 @ 4:56 PM EDT

Picture at centre, lines coming out with ideas. Then to story mountain to plan out the sequence #100wcCHAT
In reply to @TheHeadsOffice, @100wcCHAT1
Trystan_Russell Oct 11 @ 4:56 PM EDT

Have to go, long drive ahead. Thanks for the opportunity to talk and share tonight #100wcCHAT
irockey - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:57 PM EDT

Thank you for joining us tonight Trystan. Safe journey home #100wcCHAT
In reply to @Trystan_Russell
TheHeadsOffice - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:58 PM EDT

Thank you both. The time has flown by. Drive carefully Sir! #100wcCHAT
In reply to @Trystan_Russell
irockey - Moderator Oct 11 @ 4:59 PM EDT

It really has tonight. What a great chat! #100wcCHAT
In reply to @TheHeadsOffice, @Trystan_Russell