Here is what I have noticed about the blogs I follow...
- large pictures on every post
- realistic projects
- honest and real stories
- short entries
- new entries every week
- one writer
This past year I recently started following some wonderful 1st grade teaching blogs. About once a week the bloggers post what they did in their class, pictures, and sometimes free printables! The printables are amazing! I am so impressed by the quality of work- so much better than any workbook I have found at a teaching store.
One of my goals for next year is to start my own teaching blog. On the blog I would post what I am doing in my class, printables, and share pictures. I am excited to join the blogging world and hopefully inspire other teachers.
I would also like to begin a blog for my students. I would like to figure out a way to have the students contribute to the posts and provide access for them to comment. Brain Pop Jr has a great section all about blogs that I saw one of my students looking at the other day. This could be a great way to introduce them to blogs. I am just a little iffy about if first grade is too young for them to start writing their own entries. Maybe I will be the one to write the entires and provide them with the chance to post comments.
I think letting them post would be awesome! Imagine the possibilities! It ends up being a great spell checking device for them, and they might learn about spelling in a more authentic way. It becomes an online portfolio that they can go back and review at the end of the year. They can read what their friends write and have their parents go on and read. You have the power to approve any posts and comments or not. I think you should go for it!!
ReplyDeleteI love teaching blogs! It's amazing what people are willing to share. I can easily lose hours at a time jumping from one blog to another. There is a 2nd grade teacher at my school that has her students create blogs. I think there are enough options for monitoring that they could easily be the authors and contributors.
ReplyDeleteIf I can remember correctly, edublogs has a safe environment where you can connect classrooms across the world via blog.
ReplyDeleteHow amazing that your students will be learning and growing with technology that most high schoolers aren't using in school? What an edge your students will have!
ReplyDeleteI'm jealous you have the time to read all of those blogs! I think it would be really fun to put the time into creating an amazing blog. I guess we'll have the time come May! Have you ever read the blog, http://hannahjustbreathe.wordpress.com/
ReplyDeleteIt's about the only one I look at! She's a great writer, like you!