Yesterday we started reading The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger. Today we were reading a selection where characters talked about learning to dance the Twist by Chubby Checker. After asking the class, I was shocked to learn that no one had heard of the twist or realized what was going on in the book when they danced the Twist. So...I searched YouTube and found a recording of the Twist and had the students dance to it, just like the characters in the book were doing.
While we danced, I took a picture of the screen and tweeted (yes, I utilize Twitter as a teaching resource!) the picture to the author, Tom Angleberger (@OrigamiYoda). Within a few minutes, he responded back and I was able to share, although it was short, with my students how easily we can connect with authors and experts. I think it is a great opportunity to show students how quickly and easily our voices can be shared in appropriate ways. Below is the short exchange between myself and the author of Origami Yoda!
@DerekBraman Perfect!!
— OrigamiYoda (@OrigamiYoda) September 26, 2014