I would like to get my students involved but I am not sure that is possible at this time. I teach 2nd graders who still have a difficult time logging into the computer. I plan on showing them this blog and others when we return to school next week. If they seem interested, I want to include some input from them and show them how to post if they want to. I will mostly use this blog to showcase the students’ work and what goes on in the classroom that the parents don't always hear about. Parent asked, "What did you do today?" Student answers, "Nothing." This is what many parents hear about the classroom activities. I want to show them some of the great work being done by their children because many times the work doesn't make it home. I think it may encourage some of my students to take more pride in their work if they know that good work will be displayed on the blog. There are also a lot of great projects and activities that I would like the parents to know about so they can have a discussion with their children about what they have learned. I will also include links to websites that the parents and students might find helpful.
Once I get a real feel for this and a little experience, I would like to try blogging with other classes. I see how this could eventually grow to be an awesome classroom experience. I hope to get many ideas from fellow classmates too. There are still so many things going on in my head. Stay tuned to see what happens next.
You can always blog with my class.
ReplyDeleteI agree that a blog would be a great communication tool for parents. I would encourage you to continue with ideas and put them into practice. I see social networking the new school newsletter. Schools will be sending parents tweets about upcoming events, instead of the traditional note in the backpack. I also agree that second graders would not be in a position where they could easily participate in a discussion blog. However, using the space to display their work would be a great school to home connector. I am going to enjoy hearing how your blog is working with your students. I hope to set a blog up for my students to increase my communication.
ReplyDeleteUsing the blog to inform parents is a good idea. You can still use it with your students. One idea is to choose a topic, an animal for example. Students can then research the animal together, decide what information to post on the blog and create images to post. You could then have another class in the building post comments so students learn to have feedback and give it. This project would be great to display for parents at conferences or open houses.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have a pretty good plan in place to introduce blogs to your second graders. You could also find some blogs that are kid-friendly and appeal to your students, and have them work collaboratively to contribute a post. Then, you can check back periodically to see if the class received any responses.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI agree that it may be difficult for second graders to catch on to the blogging idea...but maybe not? Youth always seem to amaze us with how tech savvy they are! Jennifer commented that using a blog to inform parents is a great idea-I agree 100%, it would be a great way for parents to keep up to date on what is going on in the classroom...maybe even save a few parent/teacher conferences and/or a phone call or two!
Ken
I too am experimenting with blogs. I recently used KidBlog.org to create a site on my web page for grades 3 - 5. As the technology enhancement teacher for grades K - 5, I collaborate with classroom teachers to see what curriculum skills are being taught. I then try to create lessons that will integrate curriculum, current events, and technology. The students love it and enjoy having the opportunity to voice their opinion on various topics as well as compare and contrast their thoughts will their peers. I just added a new post that relates to the recent tsunami in Japan. Review the link to my blog to get an idea of how we're blogging in the computer lab. Please share your feedback. I've created a guest account on the log-in page. Scroll down to "Walden" Enter "guest" as the password.
ReplyDeletehttps://kidblog.org/MsBlackwellsBloggers/wp-login.php?redirect_to=http%3A%2F%2Fkidblog.org%2FMsBlackwellsBloggers%2Fwp-admin%2F%3Fview%3Dadmin