Writing Time: Let's start a blog!
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Journal Writing is an activity that is implemented very early in the Shurley English curriculum. Students are taught how to create a written journal to record their thoughts and feelings. Then, throughout the school year, they are encouraged to respond to specific prompts in their personal journals. (If you’re wondering about the benefits of journaling, please check out my previous blog, “The Value of Journal Writing (…and how to get started).”)
Today, I’d like for you to think beyond the written journal and consider developing a classroom wall blog. This type of activity affords you an opportunity to support your classroom instruction and teach your students how to become responsible writers.
To begin, here’s a blog for you and your students to read:
Hello, students! Have you ever been in class and felt as though you had something important to say, but you just couldn’t raise your hand to speak up? Me too!
Sharing your voice is not always easy. Writing in a journal is an excellent way to get your thoughts out of your mind and onto paper without speaking in front of anyone. When you journal, you can record your thoughts and feelings about people, places, things, or events that are important to you. Journaling gives you an opportunity to express yourself!
Did you know that you can also journal online? It’s called blogging, and it can be a lot of fun! A blog is a journal that you share with others. When you write a blog, you express your own thoughts and experiences, knowing that others will be reading your words.
A fun way to start blogging is to participate in a Classroom Wall Blog! It is a great place to practice and improve your communication. Remember, when you write your blog….
Always take responsibility for how you express yourself when writing in a place that others can read.
Don’t write anything private, rude, or unkind.
Have FUN sharing your voice!
Activity Time: Classroom Wall Blog
Teachers, this Wall Blog activity is an awesome way to get your students more engaged in journaling, support your grammar and writing instruction, and create a closer sense of community in your classroom.
1. Define your wall blog space with butcher paper or poster board.
2. Create a fun name for your Wall Blog.
3. Discuss what topics are appropriate for student blog entries.
4. Encourage students to express their thoughts about what is going on in their classroom, family, school, and community as blog topics.
5. Have students write their blog entries on notebook paper and hang them on the wall.
6. Incorporate time in your weekly schedule to discuss hot topics posted on the Wall Blog.
After your students practice their blogging skills by contributing to the wall blog, you may consider creating a private, online classroom blog. This will afford your students the opportunity to develop good digital citizenship while under your supervision.
