Blogging in the Classroom

Blogging in the ClassroomAuthentic Writing for an Authentic Audience

Tracy Kriese and Lorie SchochWest Ridge Middle School

Eanes ISD

2016 TCTELA ConferenceAustin, Texas

Blogging begins here, in the writer’s notebook:

…and it continues here, on a published site:

Why do we blog with students?

• to affirm the unique voice of each writer

• to help each writer grow in confidence and ability

• to practice skills and principles of digital literacy

• to provide authentic revising and editing opportunities

• to connect with authentic audiences and contribute to a wider community

What happens when students choose their own topics?

Free topic posts show evidence of writer’s craft lessons:

The study of mentor texts inspires student writing:

The prologue to Michael Crichton’s Jurassic Park influenced both of these students, one in her fiction writing and the other in her personal expressive writing.

Individual student blogs are linked to a class blog.

Class blogs can shine a spotlight on student work:

Use the class blog to get kids thinking:

Everyone shares an idea…even the quiet kids who never raise their hands.

Family and friends are invited to subscribe to student blogs.

With the teacher no longer the overly predominant active reader and responder of student texts, students, as a community, take more ownership of their writing.

--Charles Lowe and Terra Williams Moving to the Public: Weblogs in the Writing Classroom

Twitter connections and student blogging challenges bring visitors from all over the world.

Our blogging has enabled us to collaborate with far away classrooms.

teachstudentblogging.weebly.com

Visit

for resources and information

Tracy Krieseedublogs.eanesisd.net/tkriesetkriese@eanesisd.net@mrskriese106

Lorie Schochedublogs.eanesisd.net/lschochlschoch@eanesisd.net