Blogs can have so many different uses in classrooms. I teach in a Title I room and generally see students for half an hour at a time. The students I see are in kindergarten through second grade. This can make it even more difficult to determine a use for blogs in my classroom. Since I work with such young students and only see them for a short amount of time, I did not feel it was appropriate for them to have their own blogs.
After some thought, I decided that I would like to use a blog as a place to showcase our work and share what we learn. This would allow students to reflect on what they learned each week. It would also allow students to get input from the community. I would be able to post newsletters and event reminders as well. A classroom blog could also be a place where the other Title I teachers in the building and I could give parents suggestions for home support.
Great post this week. I think that your idea of a blog would be great. I especially like how the blog could be used to give the parents suggestions for home support on their students. It is so important for teachers to have a good relationship with parents, and to get those parents involved in the classroom. I feel a blog is a great way to have the parents involved and develop relationships with them, as so many parents work different shifts, that it is hard for them to come to the schools to see what their students are doing.
ReplyDeleteThe only challenge I see from this is showcasing the students work. You might get some students, that don't feel comfortable or don't think that their work is good enough to be showcased on the Internet. This can be overcome, praising the students on their work and showing them examples of others students work that is on other blogs.
I agree that some students may not be sure about posting their work online. It will also be a challenge to obtain parent permission, but I think I would do this at the beginning of the year when they sign forms for Title I. I also may post pictures of the activities and lessons we are doing, not just student work.
ReplyDeleteTori,
ReplyDeleteI am so thrilled about reading your upcoming blogs. As a intervention teacher you will have ideas and projects I could possibly do in my own classroom. Sharing these ideas through the use of blogs is a great connection for teachers. Because both of us will be showcasing student work I look forward to helping you and gaining new knowledge as well.
You mentioned getting input from the community through the use of your blog. How might you do this? From other teachers, classrooms, and schools?
This sounds like a very successful start to your blog. I'm looking forward to following you!
Thank you Whitney, I hope we are able to give each other ideas!
DeleteI am in a similar situation as you are. Between the other PE teacher and myself, we teach 982 students per week (K5-5th) so it is more beneficial to use my blog to showcase skills and activities as well as student work. Obtaining parent permission can be an obstacle unless you have a system in place. Our school sends a packet at the beginning of the year that includes yearbook and publication permission forms. I think this is an easy way to handle the situation.
ReplyDeleteLynn,
DeleteI will have to check with our school secretary and principal to find out what our permission forms cover. I would like to focus on one class or intervention group right now until I get my feet on the ground with blogging. So, I will still send a letter to parents. Thanks for your input!