No, a "Blog" (noun) is not the same as "The Blob" the American science-fiction film from 1958 depicting a giant amoeba-like alien that terrorizes the small community of Downingtown, Pennsylvania.
Imagine a classroom where students eagerly await responses to their writing prompts, where they learn to write with skills that solicit responses from others, where they can become skilled, published writers. It can't be...say it ain't so?...oh my gosh....its...its...its...aghhhhh..its a BLOG!
Yes, a blog can be as mesmorizing for students in it's ability to capture their attention and curiosity as a good movie which is why it works. Teachers are discovering that blogs are an effective tool for capturing the attention, imagination and creativity of their students.
Bloggers (verb for those who blog) can be found everywhere on the web. There are political blogs, social blogs, knitting blogs, college blogs, dog and cat blogs, and yes K12, classroom blogs, and yes , even blog blogs.
The examples below demonstrate that placing as much emphasis on how we teach as well as what we teach makes blogs and blogging great additions to any literacy rich classroom.
Secret Life of Bees Study Guide
http://weblogs.hcrhs.k12.nj.us/bees/
Sarah, Plain and Tall
http://sarahplainandtall.blogspot.com/
Book Club or Summer Reading
http://teachers.emints.org/FY04/youngj/bookclub/
Book Reviews
http://marykreul.teacherhosting.com/blog/
Learning & Reflection Forum
http://plowe91.bravejournal.com/
5 comments:
Thank you for explaining blogs and bloggers in terms that are easy to understand.
Hi Sarah,
Can you please post a list of good political blogs that I can pass on to the high school social studies teachers.
-Mrinalini
In addition to The Blob, here are some other memorable Steve McQueen movies:
The Magnificent Seven
The Great Escape
The Towering Inferno
The Thomas Crown Affair
I just want to make sure any blog I create is an interesting Blog and NOT a Blah-blah-blah-blah-blog.
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