Although I am fairly new at this, I am becoming quite a big fan of implementing blogs in the classroom. Since a large part of working with children is motivating them and helping them find themselves and their passion, what better way to do that then use resources that are fun, exciting, and familiar! One way I would use a blog in my classroom is by creating a community of learners. A class home page would be established and children could post current book interests, places they would like to travel, questions regarding homework, etc. Children may find common interests with others which they would not have known otherwise, or students who are more reserved may feel more comfortable interacting this way. It would also of course serve the purpose as a "go-to" when children forgot the homework, need class worksheets, helpful links, etc. Another way I would use a blog in my classroom is by having a question of the week, which would be an opinion question, challenging students to think outside of the box and let their voices be heard. This would be related to a topic covered during the class and they have until Friday night to post their response. Children will learn that we are all entitled to an opinion, and sometimes there is no right way of thinking about a certain topic. Students can learn from the intricate thoughts of others, along with challenging the authors opinion as long as it is thoughtful and respectful.
Writing and reading go hand-in-hand, and blogs are a great example of this. Children often feel that "why should I learn to write well, I'm not an author." These feelings will do a complete 180 once children have real-life experiences with blogging. They will be authors for a plethora of readers, encouraging them to do their best work. Whether students are reading independently or a book as a whole, questions which they must respond to will be posted and a cyber portfolio will begin to grow. They will enjoy seeing how their writing improves over time.
A blog I am interested in joining is a teachers blog of helpful websites, creative ideas for curriculum, management techniques, and of course, a piece titled "kids say the darnedest things." (Because we all know they do). This would be a great blog to look at for resources and to talk about common do's and don'ts in the classroom. An occasional laugh every now and then helps remind us why we all decided to become teachers in the first place--the kids.
My first idea relates to Standard 4:
Students will read, write, listen, and speak for social interaction.
Students will use oral and written language for effective social communication with a wide variety of people. As readers and listeners, they will use the social communications of others to enrich their understanding of people and their views.
My second idea relates to Standard 3:
Students will read, write, listen, and speak for critical analysis and evaluation.
As listeners and readers, students will analyze experiences, ideas, information, and issues presented by others using a variety of established criteria. As speakers and writers, they will present, in oral and written language and from a variety of perspectives, their opinions and judgments on experiences, ideas, information and issues.
My third idea relates to Standard 1:
Students will read, write, listen, and speak for information and understanding.
As listeners and readers, students will collect data, facts, and ideas, discover relationships, concepts, and generalizations; and use knowledge generated from oral, written, and electronically produced texts. As speakers and writers, they will use oral and written language to acquire, interpret, apply, and transmit information.
