As I began this assignment, I searched the internet looking for blogs created by teachers of young children. I had a hard time finding any. Then I tried looking for blogs that were created for young children to use. Again, I found very little. Most of the blogs I found were created for students in upper elementary grades or teachers of these children. I can honestly say that I spent over 4 hours looking at many, many blogs. The experience gave me a much better understanding of blogs. I found blogs that review children's literature (mainly for young adults), character education, safety for children using the internet, poetry blogs, literature response blogs, family activities, home schooling, children with special needs, and so on. I realize that the using blogs with young children (grades k and 1) is an untapped resource.
I will be looping with my kindergarten class next year. I have been thinking about the idea of traveling across the United States as a central theme for my first graders. I will be using read-alouds as a way to bring these places into our classroom. I believe blogs will be a useful tool as well. Creating pen pals across the country will provide them with first hand information about each destination. Pictures and podcasts can personalize the experiences and interactions. Does anyone else have other ideas for how I can use the blog to support this theme? How could I connect with students from different places? I look forward to comments on this. I am very excited to use blogs next year. It is as if I am exploring a new frontier.
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7 comments:
I love your idea of a cross country blog. You might want to contact Wendy as she did a neat penpal blog for a tech. project this yeear. Maybe we can get the primary blog train rolling...
Erin I was thinking of how some of the teacher do the traveling paper man thing...do you know what I mean??? I wonder if you could do something similar but make it virtual? Connect with other schools, friends or family in various states in the union and send a man....they print him out and take a picture of him with a prominant land mark, describe the area, climate, etc... Just a thought. :-)
I also think this is a fantastic idea. Let me know when you are ready to roll and I'll contact my colleague at BOCES who is our Distance Learning Specialist and see if she can suggest teachers in other states that we can connect with.
Since I have been focusing on middle school I never even considered blogs for the lower elementary level.
I love the idea of blogging across the country what a great way to make the USA real to 1st graders.
Good luck, I would love to know how it goes!
I absolutely love the idea about a cross country blog also! What a way to get kids learning about geography. Even though we live in the same country, school, activities and home life are different in different parts of the country. I think Linda was referring to Flat Stanley. A few years back, my neice and nephew from NJ sent me a Flat Stanley. We had a blast with it and my neice and nephew's classes got a great deal of information from us (hopefully, they kept all that knowledge them). I know they have brought it up a couple of times, so it must have been important. But...I think it could be so much better electronically! More people could be involved! Wow, the information that your class could collect! I'm excited for you.
Erin I know what you mean about having trouble finding other blogs for primary students. I am sorry to say that I haven't come across many either, but just think you can be a blogging pioneer. I think your idea about a cross country blog is fabulous. I am thinking of trying something similar to get my students excited about books and reading! Keep us posted.
Erin,
I know what you mean about having difficulty finding other primary blogs. I haven't come across many either, but just think you will be a blogging pioneer and how lucky your students will be! I am also thinking of trying something similar with my struggling readers to get them excited about books. Keep me posted.
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