Blogging: Learning Blogs - The Activities

Rather than viewing the blog as a series of content-area writing activities, consider the specific critical and creative thinking that will occur in this learning environment. Also consider the role of the student in making posting and comments. What are the expectations and how do these reflect the learning goal? What assignments will be made within the blog? Will the teacher or students make the initial postings?

Analyze. Ask students to analyze a book, article, or other posting.

• Example (Elementary): Media Matters

Brainstorm. Pose problems and create a collection of ideas.

• Example (Elementary): Name our New Pet
• Example (Elementary): Adopt a Soldier
• Example (Elementary): Talk About It

Collaborate. Work collaboratively with another class in the same school or another school.

• Example (All): Daffodil Delight - Growing Daffodils - project blog on growing daffodils.
• Example (Elementary): Maryland, My Maryland
• Example: National Cuisines
• Example: What's in a name - students explore the history of schools.

Communicate. Interact with an expert or conduct an interview.

• Example (Elementary): Spilling the Beans - professional author comment
• Example (Elementary): Jackie and Me Connection

Compare. Make a comparison.

• Example (Elementary): Fairy Tales and Tall Tales
• Example (Elementary): Compare Midwest and Southeast

Discuss. Examine a problem, question, drawing, photograph, or diagram. Then, write captions, analyze elements, speculate, or create.

• Example (Secondary): Pre-Cal

Explain. Ask students to learn and demonstrate their understanding.

• Example (Elementary): Water Cycle

Imagine. Ask student to imagine a situation or scenario.

• Example (Elementary): What do you think the world will be like when you grown up?
• Example (Elementary): If you had a robot...
• Example (Elementary): Visiting Another State

Observe and Log. Observe human interactions, scientific experiments, or other activities and post a record (i.e., kindness journal, plant growth, survey results).

• Example (Elementary): Meal Worms

Persuade. Ask students to make a persuasive argument.

• Example (Elementary): Persuading a Friend
• Example (Elementary): I want a lizard

Predict. Read or watch then predict what will happen next.

Problem Solve. Pose a problem and discuss solutions.

• Share the process of solving a tough problem

Question. Get students involved with asking questions.

• Example (Elementary): Meat we can eat? Why are people vegetarians?
• Example (High School): NBA transactions

React, Think, Act. Connect in-class learning to blog entries. Transfer learning to new situations.

• Example (Elementary): Got Math? - think, write, and read about math
• Example (High School): Bridge Basics - read about bridges and share

Read and Jigsaw. Read or use online resources and discuss (i.e., quote, website, poem, historical document, problem, literature circles). Then, analyze, evaluate, and create. Add a comment.

• Example (Elementary): Mrs. H's Log
• Example (Elementary): Dragonwings Literature Circle

Remember and Reflect. Think about an activity and reflect on it.

• Example (Elementary): Dr. Suess's Birthday
• Example (Middle School): Being Researchers

Share Teacher and Student Work. Share materials in a digital format including documents, PDF files, photographs, charts, graphics, written work, audio, video, and presentations.

• Example (Middle School): PDF file
• Example (High School): Geometer's Sketchpad Projects
• Example (High School): Word document
• Example (Elementary): Dioromas - share habitat animals.
• Example (Elementary): Pictograph
• Example (Elementary): The Write Weblog - share student projects
• Example (High School): Alex Dodge's DNA video linked from his blog.
• Example (Elementary): Writing in Math
• Audio/Podcasting
  • Radio WillowWeb (Elementary)

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