Thing #3

Using the blog as a journal to record lessons and the students' reactions to the plans is one way to improve instruction. Blogging about different lesson ideas and the actual outcomes will allow me to see what went well and what needs a little more improvement. If the blog were available to other teachers, this would be a great opportunity to share and get ideas. I would also like to use this blog for parents. They can use the blog to ask questions or to talk to other parents. This will allow them to feel more involved with their child's work, projects, and overall progression in the classroom. Lastly, I think the students' would find blogging useful. If they had questions, they could ask one another using the site. I also think setting up a reading circle and/or book club would be an interesting thing for the class. I think this would unite the entire class, and it might motivate them to become more involved with the different lessons. The blog would also provide students' with the opportunity to share thoughts about daily lessons- what was interesting, what they didn't understand and what they have questions about. I would be able to look at these blogs and be able to modify instruction to strengthen any areas or concepts of weakness. In addition, I really liked the idea about contacting another class through the blog site. It reminded me of the pen pal concept. I think that would be a lot of fun and a great learning experience for the students.