Thing #3

In kindergarten I think a class blog would be a great way to embed journal writing into daily activities.  The end of the day, while waiting for dismissal, would be a perfect time to review the events of the day.  Students could work in groups to decide on one important thing that happened during the day.  They would then share their thought with the class and why they decided it should go on the blog.  The ease of blogging allows me to immediately type their responses. By the time students arrive at home the recap of the day is already posted online.  Parents would no longer have to settle for an ambiguous answer after asking their child what they did at school today.  The blog would keep parents updated and promote conversation at home about the happenings of the school day, which can greatly enhance student comprehension!

Another way blogs could be used in my classroom and throughout the school is to track student progress toward book clubs.  There were many different book clubs at my previous school, Century Club, Caldecott Club, TN Volunteer Club, etc.  Previously students kept track of the books they read for each club on a paper log, blogs could easily replace these logs.  In younger grades teachers could encourage parents to help their child set up a Book Club Blog but in older grades students could be taught to manage their own.  Book Club Blogs would greatly enhance this program as students could provide their responses to the books they've read as well as links to sites that are relative to the books.  I think a program like this would create a rich community of book lovers within a school that would encourage students to continue book clubs throughout life.