The document is a presentation by Maria Michalakos, a 2nd grade teacher, about using blogging to engage students. It discusses the benefits of classroom blogging, including motivating students and providing opportunities for collaboration. It provides examples of successes, such as students becoming independent bloggers. The presentation provides tips for starting a blog, such as choosing a kid-friendly theme and making regular posts of student work. It also covers potential challenges and getting parents involved.

1. Maria Michalakos
2nd Grade Teacher
Wescott School- District 30
mmichalakos@district30.org
Reaching Your
Students Through
Blogging

2. Quick Survey About Us
About Me
Feedback- http://wallwisher.com/wall/Torch-MM

3. My experience…
Blogging amateur
Google site/ student portfolios

4. Why have a blog?
To showcase student work.
To communicate with parents “window
into our classroom.”
To publish student writing.
To reflect on and spotlight student
learning and achievements.
To increase social interactions within
the classroom and school community.
To collect student data.
The possibilities are endless!

5. Benefits
Motivates students, especially those who
otherwise might not become participants
in classrooms.
Excellent opportunities for students to
read and write.
Effective forums for collaboration and
discussion.
Every student has an equal opportunity to
share their thoughts and opinions.
It’s a digital portfolio! Since it is being
published for the world, students want to
produce their best work.

6. Successes Seen this Past Year
Because of our blog, my first graders
are now
 Independent bloggers.
 Confident on the internet.
 Aware of “quality writing.”
 Enthusiastic about sharing their thoughts and
ideas with the world.
 Capable of writing incredible things!
For the first time EVER I have kept in contact with most of
my class over the summer.

7. No Experience Necessary!
Quickly created
Easily maintained
Convenient
Accessible anywhere

8. Choose a kid-friendly theme
Should be user friendly and easy to
navigate.
Not too busy (especially for primary
students).
Colors are fun!
Themes can be changed at any time
 Caution: students will have to re-learn how to
navigate.

9. Make it exciting!
User Avatars Lego person
Widgets- widgetbox.com
 Countdown, pets, weather
Data Collection

10. They will keep coming back…
Student artwork/writing
Spring Word Clouds
Presiden't Day Google Presentation
Pictures/videos of students
Snow Dance
Traffic Ticker
• Clustrmaps.com

11. The success of your blog is in your hands…
Show enthusiasm
 Your attitude is contagious. Visit often with your class.
Explore the web
 Don’t be afraid to borrow ideas!
Show dedication
 Sick Day
 Celebrity Substitute

12. Let’s take a look…
Mrs. Cassidy's Classroom Blog
Mrs. Quigley's Classroom Blog
Mrs. Harju's Classroom Blog
Ms. Ross' 5th Grade
Ms. Lund's Classroom Blog
Feedback- http://wallwisher.com/wall/Torch-MM

13. Common Mistakes
Your blog is your garden…
Minimal activity
• Moderation
– Appropriate comments
– New bloggers
• Posts
• Replies

14. Leaving Comments
Teach students how to leave appropriate
comments
• Model
• Practice
• Evaluate
Set guidelines for acceptable and
unacceptable comments.
• Allow students to help you decipher between the two.
Teach students how to be specific and
productive with their comments.

15. Publicize!
 You can spend tons of time on it and have the best
blog, but without readers—it’s a waste!
 Email everyone you know
 Encourage parents to subscribe to RSS feed or
Google reader.
 Be specific—don’t be afraid to ask for exactly what
you want. Email the direct link.

16. My Plans for This Year
Assign a weekly “guest blogger.”
Encourage more feedback from parents
Use Tags and Categories
Try to get other team members
involved.

17. Common Complaints (I have heard)
Students can’t log on.
Too many students for one teacher to
help.
Students can’t type.
Not enough computers.
Other thoughts on possible difficulties
or obstacles??

18. Questions? Comments?