Weblogs Blogging in the Elementary Classroom By: Danielle Pappalardo

What is a Weblog? A weblog is an easily updated website that allows an author (or authors) to publish instantly to the Internet. Can be update several times a day Also known as a “blog” for short Can contain links, video, and audio

A weblog is an easily updated website that allows an author (or authors) to publish instantly to the Internet.

Can be update several times a day

Also known as a “blog” for short

Can contain links, video, and audio

“ Blogs engage readers with ideas, questions and links. They ask readers to think and respond. They demand interaction.” Richardson, W. Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools. Corwin Press. 2009

Let’s Get Started! Become a registered user to a blogging site, like 21classes.com. Enter a valid e-mail address, user name and password to register

Become a registered user to a blogging site, like 21classes.com.

Enter a valid e-mail address, user name and password to register

Create individual accounts for students to start blogging Click “Student Accounts” tab On drop down list click “Manage and add student accounts”

Click “Student Accounts” tab

On drop down list click “Manage and add student accounts”

Select the number of students accounts you want to create Under “Member data” enter login names and passwords for your students Then click “Save” E-mail is not required for students on 21Classes

Select the number of students accounts you want to create

Under “Member data” enter login names and passwords for your students

Then click “Save”

E-mail is not required for students on 21Classes

Remember to keep students’ identities safe. Only use initials or pseudonyms. Follow district guidelines to ensure students’ safety. Safety Reminder!

Remember to keep students’ identities safe.

Only use initials or pseudonyms.

Follow district guidelines to ensure students’ safety.

Create a Welcome Page Select the Class Homepage tab Then choose “Welcome text/about” from the drop down box Introduce your class blog to your students

Select the Class Homepage tab

Then choose “Welcome text/about” from the drop down box

Enter a headline and welcome text then

Creating a Homepage Click the “Classroom Homepage” tab On the drop down list select “New entry” Enter assignments and announcements on your homepage

Click the “Classroom Homepage” tab

On the drop down list select “New entry”

Developing the Homepage Enter a title for your post in the “Entry title” box Begin to type an assignment or post in the “Entry body” box You can edit text color and alignment. Also can include links or pictures

Enter a title for your post in the “Entry title” box

Begin to type an assignment or post in the “Entry body” box

You can edit text color and alignment.

Also can include links or pictures

Choose who can see your page and content: Public, Private or Members of your page Publish your entry to your blog or Save as a draft if you are not finished Select a category where you would like your entry to be placed

Select “Student accounts” Then select “Students’ blog settings” from the drop down list Here you can enable features such as : Email Teacher review before publishing post Approval of comments And much more! To ensure student safety create settings for students’ blogs.

Select “Student accounts”

Then select “Students’ blog settings” from the drop down list

Here you can enable features such as :

Email

Teacher review before publishing post

Approval of comments

And much more!

Your All Set! Make sure you choose a purpose for your class blog After you set up your class blog, introduce the concept to your students Start blogging! The following are a list of weblog project ideas to get you started…

Make sure you choose a purpose for your class blog

After you set up your class blog, introduce the concept to your students

Start blogging!

Weblog Project Ideas Class Writing Journal : Teachers can post weekly journal questions which students can answer. Reinforces students writing skills. NJCCCS: 3.1, 3.2, 3.5 Math Problem Analysis : Post weekly math teasers. Students will answer and describe their process to solving the math problem. This will help students develop the skills to adequately explain the strategies used when acquiring their answer. NJCCCS: 3.1, 4.4, 4.5

Class Writing Journal : Teachers can post weekly journal questions which students can answer. Reinforces students writing skills.

NJCCCS: 3.1, 3.2, 3.5

Math Problem Analysis : Post weekly math teasers. Students will answer and describe their process to solving the math problem. This will help students develop the skills to adequately explain the strategies used when acquiring their answer.

NJCCCS: 3.1, 4.4, 4.5

Novel : Read a novel such as Number the Stars. Answer reflections questions, critique characters, and analyze the plot on the class blog. NJCCCS: 3.1, 3.2, 3.5 Current Events : Provide a weekly video on a current events topic. Students can summarize the particular event each week. Teachers can also include links to news websites that will allow students to find similar information on the topic each week. NJCCCS: 3.1, 3.2, 3.5

Novel : Read a novel such as Number the Stars. Answer reflections questions, critique characters, and analyze the plot on the class blog. NJCCCS: 3.1, 3.2, 3.5

Current Events : Provide a weekly video on a current events topic. Students can summarize the particular event each week. Teachers can also include links to news websites that will allow students to find similar information on the topic each week.

NJCCCS: 3.1, 3.2, 3.5

Healthy Living : Create a blog centered around healthy living. Students posts can be related to healthy eating habits and exercise. Include links, pictures, videos and graphs about healthy habits. NJCCCS: 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 3.5 Vivid Vocabulary : Introduce vocabulary words each week. Students can post sentences about vocabulary words. Also include study guides for student availability. NJCCCS: 3.1, 3.2, 3.5

Healthy Living : Create a blog centered around healthy living. Students posts can be related to healthy eating habits and exercise. Include links, pictures, videos and graphs about healthy habits. NJCCCS: 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 3.5

Vivid Vocabulary : Introduce vocabulary words each week. Students can post sentences about vocabulary words. Also include study guides for student availability.

NJCCCS: 3.1, 3.2, 3.5

Blogs are helpful tools because they… Increase student responsibility Complete assignments on time Develop writing techniques Enhance computer usage skills Contain relevant information that is readily available Rubrics, Announcements, Assignments, Study guides Decreases paper use

Increase student responsibility

Complete assignments on time

Develop writing techniques

Enhance computer usage skills

Contain relevant information that is readily available

Rubrics, Announcements, Assignments, Study guides

Decreases paper use

Education Based Blogging Sites www.21classes.com edublogs.org www.classblogmeister.com www.thinkquest.org www.blogger.com List of sites to get you started!

www.21classes.com

edublogs.org

www.classblogmeister.com

www.thinkquest.org

www.blogger.com

A class weblog will introduce your students to a collaborative classroom setting which will provide a communication space to share ideas, thoughts and opinions. Students will strengthen their critical thinking, writing and communication skills as they participate in the class blogging experience. Enjoy Blogging! Enhance Your Classroom Environment

A class weblog will introduce your students to a collaborative classroom setting which will provide a communication space to share ideas, thoughts and opinions. Students will strengthen their critical thinking, writing and communication skills as they participate in the class blogging experience.