Teaching 5th grade, one idea for using blogs in the classroom is being able to post websites, and other resources for the students. In many instances students are always "losing" the paper in which they wrote down the websites. by having them posted on the blog site, students will now have access without worrying about trying to find the site from memory. This is helpful because, I can also post the user name and passwords for the students, as well as specific directions for them to get to the particular assignment or resource necessary for them to complete.
Second, the blog would be used to post and comment on research that the students have conducted. I teach science, and students are constantly asking questions, which there are in many cases not enough time to answer. With the blog I can pose the question(s) that were asked in class, and students can now post their findings. The students can now comment and share information about what they have found on the question. This interaction between the students can help to facilitate the discussions for the following classes.
Lastly, the blog site would be used to share information about upcoming events, and assignments for the class or school. One comment that I have received from parents, and students, is that the district and school websites are too plain, and have no originality. By using the blog, students can take the lead role in helping designing the site. By taking ownership of the site, students will more likely use the site, and will want their parents to share in their joy as well.
Below I have posted three 5th grade blog sites. They are full of information and I hope that will be useful to fifth grade or elementary teachers. Enjoy and thanks!
http://www.sdesfifthgrade.blogspot.com/
http://www.5thgradestars.blogspot.com/
http://hdtm5.blogspot.com/
I like your ideas about how you will utilize blogs in your science classroom. I think that your idea to allow students to "own" the project is awesome because kids (and all people, really) tend to have a lot more interest in things they help to create!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you in that many of the school/class websites are.... well, boring. I think we have a hard enough time persuading students to visit websites, even one like this that you worked so hard on. Students are definitley not going to visit plain websites, despite how helpful the sites are. This igeneration is NEEDS visuals!
ReplyDeleteOh, and I teach high school. Teenagers have trouble keeping track of their papers too. I like the idea of posting important information here too.