Overview of the April 2022 Classroom SOLSC

I am dreaming of April. In these dreary, freezing January days where everything feels so uncertain and so…heavy….I am dreaming of April. Green grass, walks outside, sun shining, spring in session….and all the stories our students will share in the 10th Annual Classroom SOLSC!

On Monday, Beth posted the Overview of the 2022 March SOLSC, which is for adults. If you sign up and participate in that challenge, your students are eligible to be part of the Classroom SOLSC. Last year, I announced the Classroom SOLSC and wrote, “Blogging is a way to help students develop voice, a sense of audience, build digital citizenship, sharpen writing skills and connect to each other in new ways. It is also a way for students to process all their emotions and capture their questions during these uncertain times.” I know we teachers have our plates overflowing this year and blogging can feel like “one more thing” but I still believe what I wrote last year- blogging is a valuable and useful experience for students.

Here are some questions and answers about the TWT 2022 April Classroom SOLSC!

What exactly is the Classroom Slice of Life Story Challenge?

The Classroom Slice of Life Story Challenge is modeled on the Slice of Life Story Challenge. Students take on the challenge to write a slice of life story each day of the month, which will now be April. Some students may choose to do this in a notebook, but students who wish to connect with other classes will write their stories as blog posts. The teacher provides the link to the class blogs on a Padlet. Teachers who are participating can visit the Padlet, click on the link to other classes’ blogs, and read and comment on student writing. In the past, some teachers have teamed up their classes and students have been able to comment on other students writing!

Who can participate in the Classroom Slice of Life Story Challenge?

Two Writing Teaches is a community that believes in the power of educators writing. Therefore, only educators who take part in the March 2022 SOLSC are invited to sign up their students for the Classroom SOLSC. The Classroom Slice of Life Story Challenge is for students 18 & under. Individuals who are not part of a classroom community must have an adult sponsor to participate. That same adult sponsor should leave a link to their child’s/student’s blog on their behalf. (We expect anyone under 18 to have an adult sponsor and reader.)

Will TWT post each day in April about the Classroom SOLSC?

No. Beginning on Sunday, March 27th, Classroom SOLSC posts will come out each Sunday in April. The posts are meant to provide inspiration and encouragement for educators who are coaching students in the challenge. The link to the Padlet will be part of the post. The Padlet will be the place to find other classes who are participating in the challenge.

Will there be prizes for the Classroom SOLSC?

No. TWT does not award prizes for participants in the Classroom SOLSC. Individual teachers have often chosen different ways to celebrate students who have taken part in the challenge. Some teachers have awarded students badges for accomplishing different writing challenges on the way to blogging for the whole month.

If you plan to participate in the SOLSC in March, you may sign up for the Classroom SOLSC by entering your information into the Padlet. The Padlet will be open for educators to add their information, beginning today on January 13th. ( If you do not take part in the March SOLSC, your classroom information will be removed from the Padlet.) You can sign up on the Padlet anytime before April 2, 2022.