Blog Write

Let's Blog!

I have to start the session off with a great surprise for you all!  Our class blog (BlogWrite) has already recieved several wonderful comments!  Mrs. Davis from Georgia State University who started our blogging projects at JHH along with Wilfred Rubens from the Netherlands and Iris from Brazil commented on our blog!  Let's read them! 

Now, today is the day all of you officially become bloggers!  Although you have had lots of practicing commenting to blogs over the last year, today you will see your very own blog that you named and picked a design for last week. 

Before we begin your first attempt at blogging, we need to take a few minutes to do something VERY important!  We need to proofread our work.  Begin proofreading your own work by reading your introduction outloud to yourself in a soft voice.  This will help you make sure that everything makes sense.  Make changes and corrections as you need.  After you proofread your own work, I would like for you to swap papers with one of your classmates.  This peer-editing process will help make your writing piece clean as a whistle! 

Now that your writing is ready to be published to the world, let's blog!  Enter typepad and type your username and password.  Then choose your weblog and click new post and begin typing your work.  You are now blogging!  Can you believe it?  Are you excited?

Once you have finished your first post, I would like for you to search some of the Current Events Rescources and find an interesting article.  After I check and approve the article, print it out to take home.  For homework, I would like for you write about the topic you chose.  Remember our process we discussed last week when composing your post:

• Pick a topic that is relevant and interesting to you.  Read more about it.  Also re-read to clarify your knowledge.  Use books, interenet, TV, and other resources to extend your learning.
• End your post with a thought-provoking question that will encourage others to comment.
• Proofread your work! 

And the blogging begins!

Introducing the Web Writers!

What a fine group of students!  We got off to a great start this morning!  Unfortunately, the internet was moving at a snail's pace which altered our plans a bit.  A lot was accomplished during our time together, and the journey begins!  The students typed a quick paragraph or two explaining how they feel about writing.  Here are a few things they had to say:

Angel...

I like to write because it makes me show my feelings and expressions.

Derrick...

The way I feel about writing is excited.  When I start to get in the zone I flow like a river.  Nothing can get in my way.

Diana...

I love writing.  Writing is a subject you will enjoy if you don't already enjoy it.

Graciela...

I love writing; it's one of my favorite subjects.  I'm looking forward to having a web log.

Jason...

I like writing because it's very inspirational, fun, and relaxing at times.  Writing can also be hard at times and complicated.

Jose-Juan...

I like to write because you can express yourself.  Also because it's your personal thoughts.  Also because sometimes it doesn't have to be real. 

Marisela...

I love to write because I can express myself.  Writing is one of my favorite subjects.  It's special to me because I can use descriptive words.  It's a way for me to be creative.

Matthew...

I like writing because it helps me learn.  It is a good way to help you practice on words you don't understand and you can write better.

Zachary...

I like writing because it helps me tell who I am.  I also like writing because it gives me time to relax, comfort my mind.  I think it shows your feelings. 

Here we go!  Let the blogging begin!

Whoa...We're Webloggers!

Hello boys and girls!  Are you as excited as I am about being a part of this writing project?  You should be very proud of yourself for being chosen to participate in this fun and exciting group.  However, it will take a lot of hard work and time on your part.  So make sure you are committed to the task before you jump on the bandwagon! 

What does it mean to be a weblogger?  Each week you will follow this process:

1. Think about what you are learning in and outside of school.
2. Pick a topic that is relevant and interesting to you.  Read more about it.  Also re-read to clarify your knowledge.  Use books, internet, newspaper, TV, and other resources to extend your learning. 
3. Write about your learning experience on your blog.  Remember to give credit to the people or sources you used on your learning journey. 
4. End your post with a thought-provoking question that will encourage others to comment.
5. Proofread your post.  Have a peer edit it and get help from the teacher if you need it.
6. Pubish your post on your blog to the internet.

In order to become a blogger, you first need to learn what a weblog is and look at some student samples.  Let's look at some definitions of weblogs.  The Wrinkles weblog group from JHH who worked with Mrs. Davis from Georgia State University created this wonderful "ABC Blook on Blogging" that will help you understand how students use weblogs to learn.  Now let's read some teacher and student views on weblogs.

Take a few minutes to explore some student blogs.  Be ready to share items you found that piqued your interest, made you curious to learn more, made you pose a question in your head, and/or made you really think and start to form an opinion.

What are your reactions to what you have read so far?  How do you feel about weblogs and blogging?