Student Blogging

We are beginning to use student blogs in the classroom.  These blogs will serve as online portfolios of students' work for the remainder of the year.  They will be posting their Quarter 3 Rock Stories for their peers and family to see.  Students will also use this publishing tool to post reading responses and opinions about our class read-aloud, as well as the shared novel, Sign of the Beaver, that we will begin reading soon.  They will also be posting food, movie, and book reviews that they will create during our next writing unit.  Blogs are such a powerful tool for your child to use in the classroom, because it allows them to have an authentic, real-world audience to showcase their writing and work.  

I do take a very cautious approach to using blogs in the classroom.  During our morning meetings for the next couple weeks we will have many discussions about blogging.  Tomorrow students will be taking home a "Blogger's Contract" for you to read and sign.  I would appreciate you having a conversation with your child about blogging as well.  

The following are expectations that are written out in the contract: 

To be a responsible online writer, I promise that when I write, I will:

q  Honestly express truthful thoughts and ideas. If someone asks, I will be able to prove that what I write is true

q  Always treat all people with respect.  I will never write to cause harm or to hurt the feelings of others

q  Never do anything to cause harm to the computers I am writing on. I will set a good example for others

q  Do my absolute best to write truthful and useful information. If I make a mistake, I will fix it

q  Always write in a way that protects the identity of my classmates, my family, and myself; I will never use my last name when writing

q  Always write in a way that brings respect and honor to my school, my family, and myself.

I ask that you sign and have your child return this contract by Monday of next week.  If you have any questions, as always, feel free to contact me!