What a Start…
The past two weeks in the sixth grade hallway have been glorious! It’s not only the new leadership class, or the tablet computers, or even the fabulous team of Mrs. Bauer, Ms. Howard, Mr. Parrish, and Mrs. Steinberg, but it’s something else…
It’s what the sixth grade students are doing.
Connecting. Reflecting. Reading. Writing. Discussing. Blogging.
This year, all sixth grade students will be responsible for maintaining their own blog. The build-up has been intense. Students used inspiration and created a web that showcased their “introductory” knowledge about blogging. All 46 sixth graders tried to answer three questions: What is a blog? What words can be used to describe blogging? What are the subjects of blogs?
Next, students were given a chance to explore two excellent blogs. Tait Davidson, an Atlanta native and friend of Ms. Howard, is a Peace Corps volunteer in Tanzania. Her blog, Tait’s Tanzania Journal, serves as a solid example of the power of reflective writing. Students noticed the deliberate use of photographs to help tell a story and were even able to comment on a few of her posts. For homework, students were invited to peruse Mr. Kjellstrom’s blog, Edubabble for Technolytes.
As of today, all 46 sixth graders have spent a significant amount of time exploring the blogosphere. They have read blogs about soccer, horses, Africa, water, the environment, Harry Potter, lacrosse, science, and Japan. They have commented on posts and thought about the question: What makes an effective post? They seem like they’re ready. They act like they’re willing to take the plunge. It’s definitely going to be a wild ride…
September 20th, 2007 at 5:33 pm
You are approaching this learning opportunity in such a systematic, well-informed way. I know that there are some teachers across the road that would definitely love to hear how you “teach collaborative writing/blogging.” In fact, I think that you might have a few teachers posting some comments…
At some point I would like to show you some additional resources (once you catch your breath).
September 20th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
This is so cool sense we did this in class
September 20th, 2007 at 7:25 pm
This is amazing, all of our work in class there. This is one e-mail I wont delete. I know I will have trouble and this could help me so much.
September 20th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
Ms. Howard is right on– the 6th graders have been actively engaged in learning about blogs and blogging, and are just about ready to post on their own blogs. I can’t wait to read all of their thoughtful and unique ideas, opinions, and insights! Yay, 6th grade bloggers!
September 20th, 2007 at 7:34 pm
I can’t wait to start blogging!! I’m so excited we actually get to make one of the blogs, we’ve been reading all of these blogs and now we finally get to make one. I can’t wait!!!!!!
September 20th, 2007 at 7:56 pm
Blogging sounds like so much fun. I think that leaving a reply on a trinty blog is so cool. I can’t wait to make my own blog.
September 20th, 2007 at 8:35 pm
I can’t wait to start blogging. I really like the ones we read in class. Blogging I think will really be fun. I like leaving replys. I also like reading other people’s comments.
September 20th, 2007 at 8:41 pm
I can’t wait to start blogging because the blogs we read in class today were really interesting and I already have an idea of what I would like to write about. Awesome post Ms. Howard!!
September 20th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
I also love to read what other people write about the blog. It can be very inspirational sometimes.
September 20th, 2007 at 8:45 pm
WOW how exciting!!! It is almost our turn
I have been waiting to blog for so long. I thought it was very cool how you put our classwork on here. Go Blogging!!!!
September 20th, 2007 at 8:55 pm
OMG! I love this blog ! I am so anxious to get mine! It sounds like sooooo much fun!!Readin gother peoples blogs was like pheobe said inspirational and i think it wiil be a really cool expierience!
September 20th, 2007 at 10:19 pm
Oh wow…
What a treat to log on to so many interesting comments. I am so excited that YOU are so excited about blogging. Remember when you are commenting to only use your first name! It’s an internet safety thing.
September 21st, 2007 at 5:09 pm
You are all inspiring to me! Thank you for thinking, learning, and sharing with us. It makes my heart happy!
September 22nd, 2007 at 11:25 am
I can’t wait till I get to blog. I am also excited to read my fellow sixth grade friends post on there blog. Ithink there are going to be some pretty cool post.
September 24th, 2007 at 6:52 pm
This is amazing how you put this class work on the blog
September 26th, 2007 at 6:14 pm
We all learned about this in class. It’s a good blog to remind us about the information.
September 26th, 2007 at 6:28 pm
I can’t wait till I start my own blog! This will help me a lot on starting my own blog. I thought that the web we did in class that you put on your blog was a good idea.