...not enough answers...

Thinking about creating a blog for my 7th grade Language Arts students is really quite exciting. There are so many different possibilities for using a blog in class, and I really need more information, tips, suggestions, etc., from those that have done this, but I find myself mulling over some of the different things that can be done. I really like what Will Richardson says in his book, Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms on page 29, “…bloggers that write in this way [connectively] learn to read critically because as they read, they look for important ideas to write about….[it]requires critical thinking skills as they consider their audience and clarify the purpose of the writing” (2009). Having just completed a unit in class about identifying the audience and writing with a purpose, this seems to be a great tool to reinforce and continue what my students have learned.

We are about to start reading a novel in class and I would really like to come up with a way to use the blog with this. I am not sure exactly how, as I am still so new to this, but in the novel, Tangerine, by Edward Bloor, the main character writes in a journal and I know there has to be a way to connect this to the blog. I think perhaps, if I can figure all this out, I could set up the blog to resemble a journal (?), or not (!), and assign something like two entries per week, per student. Maybe one could be an original posting and one a response to another student. Perhaps they should be required to write in the voice of one of the characters, or even the main character. There are so many questions, and I just don’t have all the answers to this right now. I would love to hear from some other teachers that have already begun incorporating blogs into their classes. I welcome any ideas and suggestions that could be offered.

Now I really am excited about starting this adventure. My students (as probably most) get tired of the typical writing assignments and this offers such a new and different venue for them. I can even see their parents getting involved, which could only reinforce the blogs success. Hopefully this is something that I can become experienced and comfortable with, so that I can effectively share it with my students.

Jane

Reference

Richardson, W. (2008). Blogs, wikis, podcasts, and other powerful web tools for classrooms (Second Ed ed.). California: Corwin Press Inc.,U.S..