Kids Can BLOG Too!!

I've been thinking about incorporating a blogging program
into my classroom and then I had an epiphany....

Kids can BLOG about the books they READ!!

We all know that responding to reading increases reading comprehension and we always have our students respond in a reading journal using paper and pencil.

BUT........

Why not have our students respond to their stories in the form of a blog post??

Blogging about the stories they read will allow collaboration between students and even parents. Students will be able to reflect on their stories and get excited about learning.  See below for resources on how to use reading responses as blog posts.

I will be using Kidblog (a free blogging site for students) this year and let me just tell you that the set up process is super easy.  It doesn't take long at all but if you start it now, then once you get your class list, you'll be able to get your students blogging sooner.

Click on this picture for set up instructions:

Technology makes anything fun!! We have to get our students to read and have fun at the same time. Blogging about reading will allow us to do that.  Set up an account with Kidblog and get your students started early so they can blog independently by the end of the school year.  

I know that starting anything new is always scary, especially when it involves technology, so.....

I have created a few products to help you with the process. 

Blogging for Little Learners will help you implement the blogging program.  You can give your own blog prompts, use the ones included in this product, or just let your students blog about anything they want.  Just be careful to set your blog settings where the teacher has to approve blog posts before they are public.  

Click on the link below to take a closer look at Blogging for Little Learners.  

You can also download the preview for some FREEBIES.

 

"Blogging for Little Learners" provides you with everything you need to start blogging:

Purposes of blogging - explanation about why blogging is beneficial
About blogging - information for parents about blogging
Teacher duties - everything you need to know to get the ball rolling
Parent permission form - you must have permission before starting
Internet safety guide - students need to know how to be safe online
Blogging guidelines - instructions about how to blog
Password cards - students need to know where to go to log in
How to make a blog post - labeled picture showing how to post
Guidelines for commenting - instructions for how to comment
Blogging Rubric - grading blog posts will keep students accountable
4 Choice boards - ideas for blogging about reading
Graphic organizer - "My First Blog Post"

If you want your students to be consistent with what they're blogging about, then you could have them blog about what they are reading.  Students read a book, respond to the reading using reading response sheets, and then use that sheet to drive their conversation for their blog post. 

Your students can use these Reading Response Sheets before heading to the computer.  They can be used individually (if you prefer not to do the blogging thing) or along with "Blogging for Little Learners" (if you decide to take the blogging plunge).  

The reading response download contains:

4 choice boards along with response sheets for each choice:
Back to school - easy "make a list" prompts
Fiction - 9 responses to any fiction text
Nonfiction - 9 responses to any nonfiction text
Opinion - opinion prompt template

 I have the BUNDLE available as well:

 I encourage you to step into the 21st century and give your students the opportunity to write their VERY FIRST blog post!!  I'm sure it will make your students feel important and parents will have something to brag about as well.  :-)