B LOGS, B LOGS, B LOGS Meredith Nelson January 30, 2008

S O WHAT ’ S A BLOG ANYWAY ? Blogs in Plain English

L ET ’ S L EARN A BIT ABOUT THE PARTS OF A BLOG BY CHECKING MINE OUT

N OW THAT I UNDERSTAND THE PARTS OF A BLOG. I WANT TO SEE ONE THAT MIGHT HELP ME OUT. This website lists blogs by grades and how they’re used. Take sometime to explore them and brainstorm how you might use a blog yourself. Also, check out:

“I KNOW WHAT A BLOG IS NOW, BUT WHAT DOES IT HAVE TO DO WITH MY KIDS AND MY CLASSROOM.” Uses: Posting Assignments with a Twist sentences-with-new-twist.html sentences-with-twist.html Discussions about Current Problems for-handling-bullying.html

Book Recommendations mend-books-here.html Post Study Guides ys-around-world-study-guide_11.html Students Study Together two-quiz-questions-and-answers.html

Research and Safe Navigation of the Web owl.html Reading Response arize-legend-of-your-choice.html A class website for spelling list, helpful websites, and even polls.

“T HERE ’ S SO MANY WAYS TO USE IT. H ERE ’ S SOME I HAVEN ’ T TRIED YET !” Online Book Clubs or Literature Circles Blog Buddies with Students in another classroom …maybe even another country? Publishing Student Work Student create Math Word Problem and go on to answer ones created by their classmates. Post photos from class events Use it to post collaboratively on literary concepts Post Videos and have student reflect on them Older Grades: Students create their own blogs as online journals and writing portfolios

“I S YOUR HEAD BRIMMING WITH IDEAS I DIDN ’ T MENTION ? S HARE THEM !”

“A LRIGHT I CAN POST A COMMENT ON A BLOG, BUT HOW EASY IS IT TO MAKE MY OWN ?” Create a blog in 3 easy steps: Create an account Name your blog Choose a Take a look at my “dashboard”

B LOGS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS THE PROS AND CONS (I’ M BIASED ) Running record for conferences Social learning (girls- collaborative) Authentic Audience Different Medium for Homework (NOT ALL THE TIME) Increased Student Motivation Teaching web safety A Positive Way to use Computer Time Specific Praise Typing skills Preparing Kids for the future This is new. Change isn’t easy. I don’t have time for it…especially monitoring it. Safety? Parents They’re too young. PROSCONS