So, what is a blog? Is there a right way or a wrong way to blog? What are some ideas for starting a blog? This webquest below will tell you everything you need to know about blogging! Begin following directions right below...
Click here to watch a quick video about blogging.
Read the short definition paragraph below.
The term “blog” is short for web log.
Although this sounds like a public diary, it can include more. Blogs not only provide a place for the author to write, they invite readers to COMMENT on what has been said. They can also include LINKS to web sites, other blogs, news articles, or anything on the web. Blog tools today make it easy to include pictures, videos, polls, maps to show where readers come from, and other "widgets."
Blog writers can also "tag" their entries with keywords. For example, if I write a blog entry about the book I am reading, The Cat in the Hat, I could "tag" it with the following tags: Suess, Cat in the Hat, reading. Tags are like categories for my entries, so I can view them by tag/category as well as by date.
Blogs allow people to "share" in unique ways. Instead of simply using the Internet for reading information to "look something up," blogs let people WRITE, REACT, and SHARE, using the web as a participant.
Copied from: http://www.teachersfirst.com/content/blog/blogbasics.cfm
Although this sounds like a public diary, it can include more. Blogs not only provide a place for the author to write, they invite readers to COMMENT on what has been said. They can also include LINKS to web sites, other blogs, news articles, or anything on the web. Blog tools today make it easy to include pictures, videos, polls, maps to show where readers come from, and other "widgets."
Blog writers can also "tag" their entries with keywords. For example, if I write a blog entry about the book I am reading, The Cat in the Hat, I could "tag" it with the following tags: Suess, Cat in the Hat, reading. Tags are like categories for my entries, so I can view them by tag/category as well as by date.
Blogs allow people to "share" in unique ways. Instead of simply using the Internet for reading information to "look something up," blogs let people WRITE, REACT, and SHARE, using the web as a participant.
Copied from: http://www.teachersfirst.com/content/blog/blogbasics.cfm
Read the Blogging Rules below.
Click this link to read about Safe and Responsible Blogging. Consider this our F.AVE Blogging Policy as well.
Want to know more? Click on at least one of the links below to learn more about how to be a successful blogger:
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To watch this video, go to the media center activboard and watch it there. You do not have the correct permissions to watch it on your iPad.
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Activity
Post an answer to the purple question on the collaborative bulletin board below by double clicking on an empty spot on the board. DO NOT interfere with other classmates' posts or you will lose all internet privileges.
After looking at the sites above, what do you think the 2-3 most important rules are?
If other students in your class have posted, read their posts and try to find NEW guidelines!
If other students in your class have posted, read their posts and try to find NEW guidelines!
Activity
Click a few of the links below to see different examples of blogs. Look at at least 3 of the sites and READ at least one blog post per site! Use the rubric to evaluate two of these blogs. Compare your results with another person at your table who reviewed a different blog.
Animal Blog
Scholastic Ink Splot 26
Food Blog
Science Buzz Blog
Tech Kid's News Blog
Before you go further and learn about commenting on other people's blogs, check to make sure you've completed these assignments:
- Rubrics evaluating two of the online blogs
- If you've finished those two things, then read the Commenting Guidelines below and watch the short video.
When you finish your evaluation, use the Blog Practice sheet to practice writing your own blog. Your "blog" should be on this topic: If I were to write a personal blog, it would be about......because......
Commenting Guidelines - How to Effectively Respond to Another Student's Blog
As you read your classmate's blog do the following things:
Copied from: http://www.teachingquality.org/content/blogging-resources-classroom-teachers
- Gather facts: Jot down things that are interesting and new to you.
- Make Connections: Relate and compare things you are hearing to things you already know
- Ask Questions: What about the comments that have already been made is confusing to you? What don’t you understand? How will you find the answer? Remember that there will ALWAYS be questions in an active thinker’s mind.
- Give Opinions: Make judgments about what you are viewing and hearing. Do you agree? Do you disagree? Like? Dislike? Do you support or oppose anything that you have heard or seen? Why?
- Be Respectful: Make sure you always respond in a polite and respectful tone. Even if you disagree, you should do it without being personal or insulting.
- This reminds me of…
- This is similar to…
- I wonder…
- I realized…
- I noticed…
- You can relate this to…
- I’d like to know…
- I’m surprised that…
- If I were ________, I would ______________
- If __________ then ___________
- Although it seems…
- I’m not sure that…
- While commenting, try to respond directly to other readers or to the blogger.
- Begin by quoting some part of the comment that you are responding to help other responders know what it is that has caught your attention.
- Then, explain your own thinking in a few short sentences. Use evidence from your reading/experience to support your response, not just general statements. Elaboration is important when you’re trying to make a point.
- Finally, finish your comment with a question that other responders can reply to.
Copied from: http://www.teachingquality.org/content/blogging-resources-classroom-teachers
Activity
Trade practice blogs with a classmate. Read their blog entry. You will use the rubric to evaluate their blog, then use the COMMENT box to write a comment on their blog. Remember the commenting guidelines and write a thorough and effective comment!