Larry Smith - 6 Word Memoirs | Episode 92

Coffee cup beside a pen and paper on a table
I do like the fact that sometimes people send me six word texts and six word emails, because they get right to the point and that’s the point of the six word concept.
— Larry Smith, Six-Word Memoir® Project


Welcome to the PBL Simplified, brought to you by Magnify Learning, where we help teachers, school leaders, and afterschool workers find their sweet spot through PBL!

Make sure you follow us on Twitter: @magnifylearning, @ryansteuer


SHOW NOTES

Can you sum up your life or express your feelings in six words? Surprisingly, a simple six-word statement can be used to share your story, emotions, dreams, or just what you’re thinking about right now. Larry Smith is the founder and editor of SMITH Magazine and the man behind Six-Word Memoirs®. This movement has evolved into books, an app, a game, and a great way to get people to write.

Larry is incredibly passionate about education and shares great insights into his Six in Schools program that supports teachers with guides and resources for using this concept with their students. There is even a pilot program where this method eventually leads to a book. Larry breaks everything down in his own words, and his passion for the program is contagious. 

Episode Highlights: 

[02:14] Larry started this movement to get the essence of any or all of your life. He wanted to create an entity that's about regular people telling stories. He created Smith Magazine. A story project that worked as describing your life in six words or less. 

[06:44] What started as a way to tell a story became a method to get people started with telling their story. It blossomed as a writing prompt in the education space. 

[11:00] This method inspires success! Blank pages are scary for everyone. Six words will get you through the blank page. 

[16:43] It's one more tool in the tool box for teachers.

[19:27] The Simplicity of six words is also great to onboard kids with disabilities. Show examples to get kids started. It's just one little slice of life.

[23:51] You can also theme out the six words or use it as an ice breaker.

RESOURCES & LINKS RELATED TO THIS EPISODE

  1. What is PBL?

  2. Ask Ryan

  3. Magnify Learning YouTube

  4. Project Based Learning Stories and Structures: Wins, Fails, and Where to Start

  5. Magnify Learning

  6. Ryan Steuer Twitter @ryansteuer

  7. PBL Workshops For Schools & Districts

  8. Community Partner Resources

  9. Six-Word Memoirs

  10. Six in Schools

  11. larry@sixwordmemoirs.com

  12. Six Words Are The Way In | Larry Smith | TEDxMarionCorrectional

  13. SMITH Magazine

  14. Six in Schools


STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT EPISODE OF THE PBL SIMPLIFIED COMING SOON!


SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW US!