Classroom Blogs

I took a look at 3 different classroom blogs. Here's what I found:

Grade 5/6 - Ottawa, Canada - Elementary
http://mysm2000.edublogs.org/

Very interesting blog. Using edublog and Studio 22, the teacher conducts a book club where students either read a book (or part of a book) and respond by blogging or interact with a book they are reading by writing a letter to the author or character in the story and recording and reading it. There are several excerpts here to preview.

In addition, students conduct news programs, things they find interesting and record them as well. It's a great way to conduct projects within various units and use technology to complete the projects in a new and exciting way.

Collaboration Nation A Middle School Social Studies Blog - Middle School
http://pbogush.edublogs.org/

Another very interesting way to tackle the blog. The teacher sets up a series of topics/questions that the students can post to. Each theme incorporates a Social Studies topic or objective (for example, what is a hero and provide some examples throughout history. why are they heroes).

A great assignment on its own right? Well the teacher goes a step further by actually creating a blogging club that links to the main blog site. Each student member designs his/her own blog page and responds to the topics. The users are accessible from the main page to see what each student is blogging about.

http://grade11fld.edublogs.org/ - High School

An 11th grade Foreign Languge Blog that has resources such as links to studying grammar to glogster poems that the students wrote in the class---GREAT IDEA!!!!This blog also has a link to an international collaborative project (an exchange with Portugal) that this class is engaged in as well as the class calendar and other useful links.

I really liked what I found in these 3 classroom blogs. I loved the Glogster Poem idea. What a great way to not only have students write poetry but have them engage using technology. It's also a fantastic way to archive information and share with parents, families, administrators, teachers, etc.

I particularly like the aspect of using blogs almost as a class guide and diary. You get a real sense for what the class is involved with throughout the year. I do like the international exchange opportunities here (penpal blog).

Blogs can also be as simple as a way to de-clutter students by storing information electronically.