There are several ways in which I could use my blog. Unfortunately, we are not allowed to have 4th grade students access blogs in our school. Therefore, I would use this blog more for an informational website for parents.
One way I would use this blog is to inform parents of upcoming events each month. I could create a calendar that they could access. On this calendar, I could update when tests will be given, when field trips would occur, early dismissal days or days that the students do not school, etc. I can post my classroom schedule for parents if they want to visit during American Education week. This way, they will be able to modify their schedule in order to attend a specific subject that they would like to see their child in.
Another way to incorporate my blog is to post class averages for recent tests that were given. If I post the minimum and maximum test scores of a test, then parents can get an idea of where their child has performed in comparison to the rest of the class.
Our math curriculum is quite challenging, even for parents. Many of the ways we teach how to do multiplication and division are much different than the way the parents, or even I, had learned. Therefore, this blog could be a perfect opportunity to share some step by step strategies that could help parents assist their children in manipulating these algorithms. I could eventually create a podcast of these strategies so that the parents could listen to instructions on how to complete various problems using these different methods. If students were allowed to interact with the blog, this could also be beneficial to them. Many students easily forget what is taught during the day. If this is the case, they could visit the blog at night, and refresh their memory of what they learned in class that day, hence becoming more successful completing homework.
Lastly, I could use this website to request for volunteers for parent helpers during the week. This could be for making photocopies, posters, and cutting items. I could have parents sign up for upcoming field trips, to help organizer holiday parties, and for special events such as our Agricultural Laboratory that visits in December year.
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I like this idea about keeping up with current district, school, and class information. This is a great way to keep families and prents informed about upcoming events. I send out a daily e-mail to my parents with daily homework assignments and other pieces of information, but I still have those parents who feel uninformed. Thsi could be a great way to reach even more parents.
ReplyDeleteKeep in mind that although your students are not able to blog at school, they can blog at home. This can result in a road block because not all students have computers and many are not on-line at home, but you can still have blog discussions with those who are. You could then use the blog info with your class on your LCD projector or with copies of notable information.
You have really good ideas and you are creative in getting around some of the obstacles that we, as teachers, must overcome. Nice work!
I am also experiencing some difficulty with my school having access to blogging. I will be trying to get limited district approval. In the meantime, our technology teacher suggested that students could write their blog in Word at school, then email to me and I could post it on my blog. Not positive this will work, but I'm willing to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteUsing blogging as a parent news letter is a great idea. I would love to see the finished project when it's up and running.
Great idea, I never thought of having the blog as an informational resource for parents. One question I have is, as is the case within my classroom, what could be a solution for families who do not have internet access or access to the internet at home? I have a families and students who lose access to the internet once they leave the school. I realize this is a issue that goes beyond blogging but was just curious on how you felt you could compromise the situation.
ReplyDeleteI think that you have some really good ideas. I especially love the idea of having the blog as an informational resource for parents. However, what if a household does not have internet access? How do you plan on getting the resources to those households?
ReplyDeleteWhat if a parent does not want their child to be able to access the blog because they do not feel it is appropriate at that age?
Using your blog to post your calendar of events is a great way to communicate with parents. I'm planning on using my blog to dispay student's work and I might also adopt some of your ideas.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of doing a podcast to explain how to solve math problems. You are right about parents learning math in a different way. And what about those parents who didn't received an education? Perhaps you can have a link for extra-practice sheets so parents can print them as needed.
A classroom blog to inform parents is a great use of technology. It is a shame that your students are not permitted to blog on the internet. As you said, they can still view the blog at home if they have internet access. Do you teach in an area where most families have computers and internet access? Unfortunately, where I teach, most families do not have computers or internet access. I think your idea is phenomenal, but it wouldn't work in my situation.
ReplyDeleteI think that you have some very neat ideas of using a blog to get around what the district will allow you to do! I think that communication with parents is so important at school! Unfortunatley at my school it is hard to communicate in that form because of families having limited access to computers! I send home a newletter weekly to keep parents updated on what is going on in the classroom! You have great ideas and I am glad that they are working!
ReplyDeleteHello Donnel,
ReplyDeleteI really liked your idea of having students post their comment in a word document. That is great way to have students still share their ideas and thoughts. If you try this, please let me know what you think and how successful it is. One thing I have a question about is how will students see what other students have written? Could you eventually make this work like a blog? Did your technology teacher suggest a way in which this could work?
Hello J. Salomon and Corey,
ReplyDeleteThe obstacle of not all students having internet or computer access at home is something that would hinder these ideas from becoming more successful. However, I could always print out the information for those students who do not have access. It wouldn’t be anything different than what I would be doing now. Yes, it does make more work for me, but I guess this is an accommodation that I would have to make for those students. Unfortunately, I haven’t thought of any other easier ways to get around this issue.
Hello Yolanda,
ReplyDeleteYour thought about adding a link for extra practice dittos is a nice touch. I think that my kids and the parents would benefit from this idea. My podcast could entail an explanation of several problems that are on the worksheet that they can download. This way, the parents and child can complete the problem while I am verbally explaining it on the podcast. Thank you for the great idea!