One way I would use a blog in my classroom would be to display examples of students’ work. I teach fourth grade Science and Social Studies to 94 students. Students work on different projects through the year for each unit we are studying in both subjects. While I have examples of completed projects to show students what I am looking for, parents do not have the opportunity to see these examples. Utilizing a blog to post pictures of examples would be one way to help parents have a visual of a project their child is working on. I receive numerous letters, phone calls, and emails about projects even after sending home rubrics and detailed directions of what each assignment requires. Therefore, I would use my classroom blog as another way to communicate with parents.
Another way I would like to use a blog in the classroom would be to post a question of the week that deals with what we are studying at the moment. Students could respond to the question and each other’s responses. One way this enhances the lesson is that every student will have the opportunity to respond to the question instead of two or three students. Also, by reading each student’s response I will be able to make a quick assessment of who understands what we are discussing in class and who does not.
I enjoy your idea for posting the examples of completed assignments for parents to see. Think that could really help. I have done a couple blogs through our schools website this year. The most recent one was asking students about healthy resolutions they made. They are able to tell me all that they want without taking up valuable class time. So far it has worked well so I could see this working in a fourth grade class. What weight will their responses hold on their grade?
ReplyDeleteYour question of the week idea is a great way to reach learners outside of the classroom. How would you keep parents or siblings from posting? Or would it matter? You would know the time because it will show on your site the time the blog was posted, so that way you could keep up with who was actually posting. I can see this in my classroom as parents "helping" a little too much unless I let them know ahead of time that I would be able to tell if they helped. Great idea!
ReplyDeleteI teach 5th grade Math and Science and have recently set up a blog for them. I am using it in two ways. The first way is just like you posting a question of the week. Currently, I am using questions as review and I am giving them a week to respond either in class or at home. As of right now we are still working out the kinks, but they have enjoyed their first experience with the blog. I have also set up another blog for communication with each other and myself. In this particular blog students can discuss class topics with one another and I am also going to have them post comments for my fifth graders next year. I plan to build on this blog and when my class enters the sixth grade, they will be able to communicate with my new fifth graders. Blogging is very new to me. So, I am hoping through my colleagues I will learn more strategies of how to incorporate blogs into the classroom.
ReplyDeleteI am interested in the web showcases and picture galleries. Posting excellent student work on the internet allows global recognition! Is there a difference between posting student work on this site versus posting to a picture gallery?
ReplyDeleteIf I were able to set up a blog and used it for students responses they would receive homework credit for their answers. I really do not have a problem with parents doing students homework because they get points for trying and turning it in. We go over answers in class before I collect it. Students are required to fix any answers that are wrong.(To prevent students from filling in the papers as we go over them, I walk around the room to check individual work as we are going over papers.) This has worked for me the past two years.
ReplyDeleteUsing a class blog to communicate with parents and students would be great! I especially like your ideas of posting student work and asking questions for students to respond to. When I first began blogging with students I was amazed at how my quiet students who otherwise would most likely not have raised their hands to participate - suddenly had a voice! It was really a great way to get them more comfortable with sharing their ideas!
ReplyDelete(Sorry if this has been posted multiple times) These are great ideas. I really needed some ideas on how to get used to using my new blog space and getting studnets to use it. Posting a question every week is something easy that should help me get going.
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