Blogs can take many forms, from personal online journals to professional news sites. They allow students to publicly share their thoughts on classroom topics in an engaging way. Setting basic blog rules around respect, inclusion, learning, and safety can help students have positive discussions. Blogs motivate students to practice reading and writing skills in a familiar online medium and see their work published.

1. BLOGGING

2. What are blogs? There are probably as many definitions as there are bloggers. People use blogs as online journals to share their "stories" -- anything they find interesting or newsworthy. Some authors use blogs to get input on their story ideas! Professional and amateur journalists use blogs to publish breaking news.

3. Short for Web logs – are online journals or diaries Can be public or private, entertaining or educational, eclectic or subject specific

4. What are the Benefits of Classroom Blogging? Students love blogging Students who lack the reading and writing skills they need to succeed also may lack the motivation to practice those skills. Many are motivated to chat virtually with their friends Seeing your words published on the internet is a great student motivator Blogs offer an innovative way for students to engage in reflective writing on classroom topics in a familiar medium

5. Blogs provide each student with the opportunity to publicly present his or her thoughts and opinions Blogs allow others to respond, providing feedback to the student In short, blogs can bring today’s students into the world of writing – even at 2am, even in their pajamas.

6. Blog Rules Just the basics, 4 rules based on Respect, Inclusion, Learning and Safety

7. Respect We are polite, kind and appropriate at all times. Remember that many students and Mrs. Spata will view your comments.

8. Inclusion Anyone is welcome to comment or join a discussion as long as they are respectful.

9. Learning (in this forum) You can have fun in this space, but if others are having a learning conversation either add to it positively or make your comments in a new post.

10. Safety DO NOT REVEAL ANY PERSONAL DETAILS in any posts. Never use any students' last names.

11. Ways to blog Go to this site. The first page is a rubric we are not using, but look at the levels of the examples. Page 2 shows a Level 1 and look at the minimum effort. Level 4 is well thought out and is much more engaging, http://edorigami.wikispaces.com/file/view/blogging+rubric.pdf

12. Visit the links below – see just what a blog can be! http://www.classblogmeister.com/blog.php?blogger_id=51798 http://classroom209.blogspot.com/ http://langwitches.org/blog/2009/02/22/top-ten-elementary-learn-by-playing-sites/ http://elementary-school.blogspot.com/ http://www.americantowns.com/il/joliet/news