My 4th grade, 95% ELL class write book letters to me each week. These letters must include how they used the reading strategy and the focus skill being addressed as well as 3 events or ideas in the book and their thinking on at least 2 of them. Sometimes this can be overwhelming to keep up with. They write their letters in their composition books which are relatively small but for me adding them to the other load of paper I take home has been somewhat discouraging. I do enjoy reading these letters and responding to my students who in turn must respond to any questions I may ask and then write another book letter (about a different book) which will be due in 7 days. I could create a blog site where students post their book letters and I could post a return letter as a comment to them. Initially, I wanted to give them the liberty of writing to their classmates but realized that this may pose a challenge for me to keep up with. Now that we have been doing this for several weeks, some students have still not turned in a book letter. Perhaps being able to write their letter on a blog might peek their interest. Also they could address their classmates and I would still be able to check their work and comment. Finally, I would not have to take home 5 composition books each night (many times I am not free to read them after school due to meeting, trainings, and the like). I could simply access my blog site to read away and respond to their letters. What a wonderful idea!!!
I wonder if my class wiki workspace can handle blogging since I already have the students registered with access id assigned by the workspace. I do remember having to determine if I wanted them to be able to simply read or read and write. I will have to check this out tonight. In the mornings for bellwork or during independent study time they could use the computers in the classroom being that I have 5 computers for each student in the group and post a book letter blog. I can’t wait to get started.
Kaladia:
ReplyDeleteI think you have a great idea for your ELL students. By having your students writing to on your blog site would be convenient for you and your students. You would be able to access from any computer. I think you would have more students involve because they like to get on the computer any way. This would save your students and you time too. You said you couldn't wait to get started--have you started? What do your students think? I am looking forward to hearing from you and how things are going? Nice idea, Kaladia!
Lori
Hi Kaladia,
ReplyDeleteThe idea of your students working on blogs as opposed to composition paper will redefine their purpose in writing. They will be more aware of their word choice, their spelling, and their audience. When you agree to allow your students to reply to each other, maybe you should try setting a grouping so that each of your students get a response.
Dreanna Dallas
Lori
ReplyDeleteI was not able to start yet because the weblog is blocked at my school. The newtwork teacher is working on getting it unblocked from the district office. After reading our class text - Blogs, Wikis, Podcast and other powerful web tools for the classroom, I realized that I need to get permission from parents, discuss the safety issues. I had planned to present the site to the students and model examples of appropriate responses to the assignment. This week I plan to move forward with the groundwork procedures. I do have the site listed so that outsiders can not leave comments, and the site is listed as not searchable so I have put in place a lot of restrictions. I simply want to get my students involved in the blogging process while improving on their processing skills, writing skills, and enjoy it along the way. Hopefully, I will have good news by the end of this week and maybe we will be able to get started after the Thanksgiving Holidays.
Dreanna,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the suggestion I will definitely incorporate it into my plans. Blogging is definitely a benefit:)
Hi.
ReplyDeleteI use www.kidblog.com with my grade 1 students who reply to reading comprehension questions on the books they take home to read.
Initially, I was nervous about using blogs with such young children and I had to check that the students would all be allowed regular access by their parents. The parents liked that on this website I had to invite users and that I could approve or delete inappropriate material before the kids would get to see it.
I didn't want the kids to feel that it was "just another chore" so I did two things. The first was to allow the students the choice of respond on paper (as before) or "trying something new". Then I set them up on the blog as a "chatroom" where the students could get used to the system by sending messages/asking questions/helping each other with homework advice. Slowly, and as the children began to get used to "checking in regularly" I began to introduce the comprehension questions.
This way I found that those students who were nervous about using technology could continue to turn in paper and pen work but soon became keen to try something new as the "buzz" from the other students made its way around the classroom.
No-one likes to be told what to do, right? Not even kids so I always try to think of it from their point of view. "What motivates me to write my blog?" Choosing content and being able to share ideas with friends so I introduced it the same way to the kids.