A Blog About Blogging

As Dr. D mentioned during our session on Friday afternoon, writing across the curriculum is a SIP goal.  Tied in with his comments about homework, a review of the day’s lesson, and checking for understanding, I would like to comment on a web 2.0 tool that I think teachers, across content areas, could utilize to achieve the above-mentioned ideas: blogging as a classroom.  The basic premise is this:  teachers can post a question for which students can write a response.  The responses are visible by everyone else in the class and students and teacher can comment on the students’ responses.  Different blogging services give different control over the permissions of posts and comments.  One that I like and have used is Kid Blog at http://kidblog.org/home.php 

The features of this site are: being able to view posts and comments from students before they are published, importing your class list from an excel spreadsheet, password protection from anyone outside the class to view posts, and the ability to add guests from outside the class (like your LMC specialists!) to take part in the conversation.

Possible blog topics taken from opener/closer handout:

• Do you know anything about . . .?  How does it compare to . . . 
• Describe . . . using your sensory words and new content words
• Explain what is meant by . . . How does that compare to what you or others believe/see/explain?
• What is an example of . . . ?
• Compare and contrast . . . 
• What is the cause or effect?
• What is the most important idea and why?

Susan and I would be more than happy to facilitate the use of a blog in your classroom.  It can also be linked to your teacher web site for easy student and parent access.  Happy blogging!

Collaboration with Literacy Department

Hello fellow literacy colleagues and welcome to the 2011-12 school year.  In my new role as one of Hadley's Library Media Center (now known as the LMC) Co-Directors, I am happy and eager to collaborate with you in meeting the needs of your students.  One way that I will be communicating with all staff is through this blog.

I just want to share some ideas that might be points of collaboration between us if there is an interest.


Book Trailers
This is a great 21st century way for students to demonstrate synthesis of a finished novel and is an excellent example of an alternative to the traditional book report format.  

Vocabulary 
With vocabulary study as one of many priorities and initiatives, here is an example of a short visual presentation that I made in Christina Graves's class last year to facilitate discussion and study.  We could work with students to create their own presentations.

Another great way to reinforce vocabulary study is through the use of digital flashcards.  Students can create these digital cards and study them on a computer, a tablet, or even their own mobile phone.

Graphic Novels

One of the initiatives that the LMC will work on this year is expanding on our collection of graphic novels.  These novels are a great way to reach struggling and reluctant readers as well as proficient readers.  I am happy to collaborate on a graphic novel unit with you if you are interested.

iPads

Yes!  There will be a classroom set available.  E-books and graphic novels on the iPad are just two out of numerous possibilities that they might have for literacy teachers.  I look forward exploring their potential impact on teaching and learning with you.

I don't want to overload you in my first blog, but please look forward to more throughout the year.  You can subscribe by inputing your email to the right, or you can subscribe through Outlook in the RSS folder.

Or, you can subscribe using your favorite RSS subscriber program (if you want to know what RSS is and how you can utilize it, just ask!)

Once again, I want to say how I am looking forward to developing a collaborative relationship between you, your students, and the LMC.  Please feel free to leave a comment below.  Have a great start to the year.