i just wanted to let you all know i appreciate the discussions we have in blogworld...and the advice...and the support. despite not knowing one another face-to-face, i feel like i've got a support system all over the place.
i was talking to another teacher today, and i realized why i'm such a big fan of the blogworld: i love to teach, and i love to talk about teaching. i know others at my school, when they leave the building, they want nothing to do with education...but i'm the opposite: i could talk about my job and my kids and what i'm doing until the cows come home. and this blog gives me an outlet for it. and you all give me a responsive audience.
whether through advice or criticism or just general discussion, i've learned a lot about myself and what kind of teacher i want to be through this blog...
so, on to the purpose of all this hallmark stuff: for my junior composition class next year, i'm asking them to keep a blog. i have to find a more manly way of putting this, but basically i'd like them to keep a record of their feelings...and i'm not talking mushy, kodak type stuff. but their feelings on what they read, what they see, what they know, etc. this is still an idea in the works, but i think it's a good one. i'd be incorporating technology and writing and also reading.
any ideas or helpful hints on making this successful? (it's for a lower-tracked, junior composition class. there will be mainly boys in the class, and a lot of them will have learning or behavior problems).
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9 comments:
As long as you can get past the school internet filter, you're gold. Every site I've set up for my classes has been blocked several times, and it takes a process to reopen it.
I'd love to do something like this with my classes, and I think the hardest part would be getting the students writing their own reflections -- that'll take a little time.
Find a few examples of student-blogs (like Anne Davis' Edublog Insights) and how they work. Surely you'll do well. Can't wait to see how it all turns out.
I want to do this as well for my students but reflective teacher is right...my system blocks anything with blog in the url. It would seem our filter is air tight. Blogs would be such an interesting way to to get kids to write since they can comment back and forth about each other's work and isn't that part of the writing process we keep drumming into their heads?
I want to do this as well for my students but reflective teacher is right...my system blocks anything with blog in the url. It would seem our filter is air tight. Blogs would be such an interesting way to to get kids to write since they can comment back and forth about each other's work and isn't that part of the writing process we keep drumming into their heads?
i'm thinking i can finagle my way into having sysadmin unblocking blogs. also, we have a travelling cart of laptops with wifi access, so possibly he can just unblock them for those particular computers.
if not, maybe i'll do wikis instead of a blog...
AT, here I am to give you advice again. I'll bet you can't wait.
I really identify with what you say about your interest in your job. It's great for you as a teacher because you'll get better and better. But make sure that you try to pursue other interests, too. I say that because it is something that I've failed to do. I love my job, and I think I'm good at it, but retirement is getting closer and closer. While all of my colleagues who are my age are looking forward to it, I'm actually afraid of it. I guess it's never too late to find other interests, I wish I'd have started a little earlier.
Yeah, talking to sysadmin will help you unblock those unblocked areas of the web. That shouldn't be too much of a problem.
Which blogging platform are you going to use ('cause I might just steal your idea in the coming year)?
Just as a backup to your plan, check out this post by Chris Lehmann at Practical Theory. His words will support your idea to use blogs within the classroom.
I’ve been thinking of doing this same thing as an elementary book club. We could post predictions, summaries and pictures of artwork associated with the book. Thanks for asking the questions!
I also love having a community of professionals outside of work. I’m amazed by the diversity of teaching styles/ ideas/ beliefs expressed in the various blogs I read. I’m sort of curious about what the summer will bring, having just discovered blogs a few months ago.
thanks for all the feedback!!
dennis, i learned the hard way during student teaching and early this year that i have to take time out to do things i enjoy for myself. while i love teaching, i do need to have a real-life, as well. my love outside of teaching is my bike...i've recently discovered the thrill of trail biking. (biking in general is something i'd recommend to anyone. so good for you, and so relaxing...and you're never too old to start, right?)
reflective teacher, thanks for the article in support of blogging in education. i'd have to prove to sysadmin that it's worth it before he'd unblock. and i can't decide if i want to stick with blogger or use xanga. i know a lot of my students already have xanga sites, so they'd be familiar with it. but i'm partial to blogger...
and ms. teacher, this would be such a good activity for elem. students. they'd be learning, but they'd feel like they're just having fun.
I am right there with you about the love of the EduBloggesphere...it is awesome to read about what other teachers are doing and what is working and even the obsticles in their way.
I actually caught a lot of flack on a recent post that I made on my site where I simply encouraged others to every now and then try to post a possitive comment about their love of teaching as there are many blogs that simply vent. Now this is a great way to vent and I do so myself but as a relatively new teacher I sure do love hearing about the good and the funny as well.
Great job on your blog...welcome to the community!
Strausser
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