Reflective Voices
“Reflective Voices” is the name of the class blog I am using this year with the elementary bloggers. The classroom teacher’s blog is “5th Grade Reflections”. This is a great group of kids. I can tell it’s going to be a good experience. Drop by and welcome the students to the world of blogging!
I will be working with the class each Tuesday. We’re really focusing on “bumping up” the reflective skills of the students. Mrs. Emmert talks more about that here. I have been reading every thing I can get my hands on in that area. We’ll learn a lot from these students this year! Join us on the adventure!
Photo Credit: Through a child’s eye from Downtown Pictures’ Photostream
October 2nd, 2008 at 11:06 pm
It was nice reading thru your blog. I also envied your first graders since I am also a first grader in terms of just starting on the venture of blogging. Reflective writing is very good in helping a person to review his thoughts. I have just taken my first steps, at the age of 50.
October 4th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Hi Anne-
As a “student” learning how to integrate Web 2.0 applications in my second grade classroom, it was very helpful reviewing your class’s blog. It is clear that your students are engaged and invested in this learning experience. (Isn’t this a teacher’s dream?!) As I scanned through their individual blogs, I found myself captivated by how unique and special each one was. What a great way to promote self-expression, personal “voice,” and reflective thinking. Your blog has inspired me! Though I have much to learn, I now more fully appreciate the significance of this tool in our curriculum today.
October 5th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
I love the idea about reflective voices and I truly enjoyed reading the “I am” poems of the students. What amazing work! Giving the students space to be free with their ideas is marvelous! I look forward to reading more, and hopefully getting my own students to reflect in a similar way!
Mrs. Tajima, Douglas Elementary School, Acton MA
October 5th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
I thought the idea of reflective voices was great! I read several blogs from your students and was impressed with their thoughts and insights. I am curious, what is the student’s response to the updating and adding to the blogs? Are they enthusiastic? I would think it would be far better than writing a paper on the same topics.
October 30th, 2008 at 10:56 am
I love the format of the student blogs - very clear and easy to follow - and consistent, though individualized in their appearance. I was wondering what blog format you’re using with your students? Do you moderate the comments and posts that come through? I really want to have my 7th graders create blogs, but I’m worried about safety/privacy issues. Do you have a post on your blog that outlines your process for the initial set-up of the blogs with your students? Thanks!
October 31st, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Student blog will be cool to implement, and its can improve their innovative and invoke creative thinking.
November 13th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Marie,
Good on you! I think you are making grand first steps! Try not to let the amount of things overwhelm you and just know that you can focus on one or two later that are meaningful for you! It is a wonderful way to learn!
Best,
Anne
November 13th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Hi Karen H.,
Take a look at this WebQuest that I created to initially introduce the students to blogging. It is geared to elementary but you could just change some of the links to middle school blogs or make a separate list. Hope this helps!
http://www.webquest.org/questgarden/lessons/34308-060831081120/
Best,
Anne
November 13th, 2008 at 10:32 am
Hi Judy,
Thanks so much for you very nice comments. I have found blogging with students to be one of the best activities ever! I have learned so much with them and they love having others comment on their writing and their thoughts. It is really empowering for them.
Best,
Anne
November 13th, 2008 at 10:42 am
Hi Karen,
The students are extremely enthusiastic about blogging. They love it! Here are some comments from past students sharing how they feel about blogging:
http://itc.blogs.com/newsquest/2003/05/fifth_graders_r.html
http://itc.blogs.com/thewriteweblog/2005/05/the_tag_bloggin.html
http://itc.blogs.com/thewriteweblog/2005/05/the_tag_bloggin.html
Hope this helps!
Best,
Anne