Blog Write

Blog Inquiry

Good morning Web Writers!  Guess what?  This morning when I got to school, I checked my email to find a message with the subject Blog Inquiry.  I couldn't wait to open it up to read about it because I just had the feeling it was going to be something good.  As it turns out, the message was from a writer at CNET News.com, an online technology news site bases in San Francisco.  The writer is working on a story about blogging in the classroom and she wants to interview me about our weblogs here at J.H. House!  She stumbled into our blogs while researching on the internet.  Isn't that cool?  I am going to email her back to try to set up the interview for tomorrow. 

Now, we have to get to work on our writing tips so that we can blow the readers away with our outstanding blogging!  Today, I want you to bump up your thinking and writing skills a notch! 

Testing is Over and Blogging Resumes

I am so glad that testing is finally over!  I know you have had a long week and a half of testing, but now we finally are able to start back blogging.  Yay!

Now that you have had two weeks to complete your homework assignment, I am expecting some pretty amazing posts to be published today!

We are going to follow this routine this morning as you come in:

1. Turn in your homework, check your comments and respond to them.
2. Post comments to a A School of Voices.
3. Find your article for next week's current event post.
4. Publish your edited homework assignment.

As we finish up our post, we are going to discuss some tips for good writing?  What are some writing tips that you follow when writing your posts? 

Until We Meet Again...

Unfortunately, we aren't meeting today due to the ITBS test.  I hope you all have been following our test taking tips by getting good rest, eating a good breakfast, and concentrating on each question.  Maybe we will have time to blog about your feelings on testing next week.  How do you feel about testing?  Do you get anxious or nervous before and/or during test time?  Do you think that you have to take too many tests?  Why do you think elementary students take tests such as the ITBS and CRCT?

In the mean time, I was pleased to see some of you following along with your blog.  Derrick has already responded to his comments!  And did you others get a chance to read Zachary's posts from last week.  Yes, he actually published two posts!  He was as busy as a beaver, and his hard work is catching.  His second post is titled "Should Elementary Students Blog?"  What do you think?  Do you know that some schools aren't allowed to let their students blog?  Why do you think weblogs aren't allowed in some school districts?  Aren't you glad we can blog at J.H. House?  I think we are the best blogging school in Georgia! 

A Hard Days Work!

I don't know about you all, but I am exhausted from all the hard work this morning!  I loved seeing the expressions on your faces as you read your comments for the first time.  Your voices are being heard! 

I think you are all realizing the importance of blogging now, and we will continue our focus on writing and sharing your voice throughout the year.  As the weeks pass and you have time to practice, you will start publishing your posts faster to give us more class time for group discussions and other activities. 

We will continue to comment to A School of Voices as time permits.  What a great project from Mrs. Davis at Georgia State University! 

Remember to include a title, lots of details, and a thought-provoking question as you work on your homework this week! 

I can't wait until next time!

Showing off our Blogs

I have to start the session off sharing my excitement!  Jason, Zachary, and myself had a great time showing off our weblogs Tuesday night at the PTA meeting.  Parents rotated in and out of the lab for 10-15 minutes.  They had a chance to look at your weblogs, and some even commented to your posts!  One parent asked me if all JHH students will eventually get their own weblog like the nine of you.  What do you think about that?  Do you think all elementary students should have their very own weblog?

Most of you have probably checked the comments to your first post by now.  Look at this great advice Jason received from a commenter on his blog:

Blogging can be a lot like rappin'.  Just keep it real and express yourself.  Give people your message and talk about it with them. 

Yes, you really have an audience!  How did you feel when you read your comments for the first time?  Now that you have a weblog, you have an audience to hear your voice!  Make sure you continue to work hard as people from all around the world read what you have to say.

Today, put your thinking caps on and get busy as we have lots to do!  We will post, comment, research, and discuss tips for writing. 

Go Blogs!

After a morning of hardwork, our blogs are up and going!  They look great!  I know your parents will enjoy reading your first post Tuesday night at our PTA meeting.  I will definately have fun showing them off with you!  Don't forget to bring me those permission slips back so can you can participate in the program by showing off our JHH Weblogs! 

Today was a successful day as I read your homework assignments, watched you proofread and peer-edit, and blog away.  I could tell you were as excited as I was to be part of such an outstanding group!  We are only going up from here.  Each week, your writing will improve as you continue to sharpen your skills.  Next week, we will go over some writing tips to help you bump up your writing pieces. 

In the meantime, concentrate on completing your homework assignment.  I want you to proofread before you come to class! 

Go Web Writers!  Go Blogs!