Current events, connections & kids!
Making curriculum connections to current events is one of my favorite ways to use weblogs with students. Discussion of what’s gong on in the world promotes critical thinking and dialogue. We teachers need to foster the development of that voice. It’s the beginning of developing good citizens and brings the world right into our classrooms. Then, through weblogs, we can let kids see that they can make a difference with their writing.
There are many good sites on the web now that can be used for springboards to let students view various sources, learn about different perspectives and see how their writing voices can be heard.
Here are some I have used and plan to use with my students (3rd, 4th & 5th grade) to promote discourse and thinking before blogging “on their own”.
- Global Gang
- Time for Kids
- KidsPost
- CNN Student News
- Science Daily
- Fact Monster From Information Please
- The Weekly Reader
- New York Times Learning Network: Student Connections
- Scholastic News
- Yak’s Corner
- CBBC Newsround
- Kids Search Tools
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