For the last two weeks, IRA staff responded to writing prompts each day with a six-word story as part of the ILD 60-for-60 mission. This activity proved to be more difficult than some of the others we’ve completed since September.

“It was more challenging than I thought it was going to be,” said Jean Wright, marketing coordinator. “You want to think of something good and you want to be funny and you’ll have something in your head. Once you start typing it, though, with ‘of’ and ‘the,’ you realize it’s hard to just use six words!”

While educators are putting the activity kit (which you can still get online) to work in the classroom, we wanted to participate, too. Just 60 extra seconds of literacy each day has made us here at IRA stop and practice what we preach—while having fun and getting to know each other a little better.

Wright admitted she “probably spent more than 60 seconds” on some of her six word stories.

Of the questions, “Describe your first job,” was a standout to her. “That one was hilarious. I loved reading the responses because you learn more about people and the funny way they do things.”

“Cleaned up after horses. ‘Twas dirty,” responded Jayme Gravell, social media manager.

“Served hungry bowlers hotdogs and nachos,” said Dawn Roberts, human resources associate.

“It took me back to my teenage years when life was more relaxed and less complicated,” Roberts said of her “first job” response.

Prompts ran the gamut in subject and other highlights included “I’ve been bitten… I’m tainted meat!!!” from Stephen Sye, IRA’s associate executive director, and “How many walkers have you killed?” from Becky Fetterolf, acquisitions editor, both referring to The Walking Dead as their favorite television show. Also, on how she feels about Mondays, Stephani Sipps, IRA customer service associate said, “Blah, Blah... Is it Friday yet!!”

Just four weeks are left as we head into a new activity. We’ll continue flexing our story-telling muscles with “Tweet it Loud, Tweet it Proud,” where we’ll respond to a writing prompt in 140 characters. Compared to six words, this may seem like a breeze.

Or is it? Our first question, as we get used to darker days and colder weather, is “How did you adjust to the end of daylight savings?” Share your answer with @iratoday on Twitter or email us at social@/.

April Hall is editor of Reading Today Online. She can be reached at ahall@/.