"Nothing is impossible as long as you
put your thinking cap on!"
Well, I have been getting excited about how I could use blogging in my classroom this year. I know there are endless ways! In fact, Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Tools for Classrooms offers a variety of uses for blogs in the classroom, but I'm a little worried about using it in a first grade classroom. I have been a fourth grade teacher for the past several years and I just found out that I will be teaching first grade this year. So, as I sit here contemplating possible uses...this is what I have come up with:
I could create a classroom blog called "Koneman's Kats". The tiger is our mascot so I thought I would "cutesy" it up a bit. On our blog I could create a place for my students to practice their dolch site words. By clicking on the link I would provide them, they could practice their words by interacting with the flash words that blink at four second intervals. They could also just read the lists without the flash activity. I could also provide them with review activities and a way to play math games.
For the parents of my students, I found a really good site called The Parents Guide to First Grade that could provide some very useful information for them. I think it would be a great way to keep my parents informed of events that are going on in our classroom. It would also be a very useful way for parents to interact if I provided a way for them to do so.
My "techno" wheels are turning. I'm sure that I will come up with some very useful ways to use blogging in my first grade classroom. My kids might even surprise me with their knowledge of technology.
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6 comments:
Sabrina,
I really like the idea of using a blog in your first grade class. Kids love to get on the computer and having school work that is fun on the computer is sure to be a great succes. I like the name "Koneman's Kats" it is cute and I think the kids will really enjoy what you already have thought up.
Besides the website for parents, it will also be a great tool for parent contacts.
Have a great week.
Kate Jorgensen
Sabrina
I really like the idea of having a blog for 1st grade students and parents. This is such an important year for parents to be involved in their child's education. Not only will parents be able to receive important information, but they will also see assignments the students were given and ideas of what to continue working on with them at home. While you may not be able to do as many writing assignments with your young students, introducing them to this collaborative medium of communication will benefit them as they continue to grow.
Sabrina,
I like your blog set up! How did you get the comic strip in? Did you use the picture selection? I am learning the process as I view most of our blogs!
I know that in order to set up a blog for grade 1, it is going to take a lot of creativity (Thornburg, 2008) on your side. Teaching older students has its advantages, in that, they already know how to read and write and we can do a lot with these basic skills. So perhaps your blog will mostly showcase what they have been doing in your classes. You could create a photo gallery, but then, as Richardson (2009) states, safety is key and as far as possible, we are to expose minimal information on our students. Will you use a system that will cater only to the students of the class and school so that your gallery will not reveal information to unknown persons?
I was thinking that when we learn about podcasting, then you could use this in your grade one blog, so that parents could hear how their children are performing in their reading in your class.
Mostly, however, I see you posting information for parents, keeping them abreast of what is going on in your class.
Grade one is a challenge and yet, it may just turn out to be one of your best years. Looking forward to hearing more from your blog.
Jewel
Katyjorg,
Thanks for the comment. I know that I am probably in for a surprise as to just how much my "little people" are going to know about technology. I'm used to working with 4th graders, so utilizing "blogs" in a 1st grade classroom will be a learning experience for my students and myself.
Katie,
I agree that by introducing my first graders to the most basic aspects of technology that I will be giving them that "enduring understanding" that we discussed in one of our previus courses. It will prepare them for learning more the next year and the next.
Jewel,
Hi! I had actually saved the comic strip picture on my computer a while back. I don't even remember where it came from. I just used the "picture" task and inserted it there.
Thank you for your input about my blog. I would probably just keep my blog available to only my students considering they are first graders.
I LOVE your idea about the podcasting! I think that would be a great way for parents to hear how their children are doing. I think it would also be good for the students to hear themselves read as well. Thanks for the idea!
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