Blogging

Blogging opens the door for teachers and their students with endless possibilities. Blogging promotes reading and enhances writing skills. It allows children to sharpen their communication skills. Students are motivated and inspired as they communicate with "real" audiences. They feel that their thoughts are valued and purposeful. Blogging allows me to evaluate my student's work and provide them with almost immediate feedback.

There are several activities that came to my mind to use with blogging. First, in the past, I have distributed weekly newsletters. This newsletter was composed of current classroom activities, future important dates, the next week's lessons, and student news. Each student would contribute a current event to the newsletter. Blogging would be a great way for my students to collaborate with one another to compile a newsletter. Second, instead of using a bulletin board for my "Star Student," I could have one student each week compile their information on a blog. One great advantage here is that each student can create a blog that fits their character and personality. Also, their peers could make positive comments or ask them more questions. Finally, my students and I spend a lot of time focusing on themes surrounding our reading stories. Using a blog, I could post questions related to these themes and have my students post responses. We could have an ongoing discussion.

Finally, I would like to add that blogging is another way that every student can participate and feel successful. It gives each student the opportunity to use their voice and be heard.