Should I Develop This Further?

By Thomas Hammerlund -
I came across the above Tweet this morning.

At first, I was thinking about how this artist was using Twitter to elicit feedback on his idea. I thought it was a good way to use the platform and one that I try to use myself. Then I wondered who might be giving him feedback.

The next thought that appeared in my head was about my own class. I recently introduced a "Seed Journal" to my students for ideas they want to keep, but don't have time to write during our Writing Workshop time.

I wonder how this Tweet would work as a provocation for when it would be time to drop ideas or develop them further.

I imagine my line of questioning might go something like this ...


  • Take a look at this image, what do you see? 
  • This artist's comment says he is wondering if he should give up on this idea, or develop it further. 
  • Have you ever felt like giving up on an idea you had?
  • What did you do?
  • What advice would you give this artist?

I am certain my questioning would divert from this in the classroom - my students usually have interesting and unexpected answers as well as their own follow-up questions. 

But that's what makes teaching so fun for me; the unexpected nature of the classroom.

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