The icon to click to get to the student blog looks like this:
Currently, we are working on persuasive writing. The students are using their writers notebook to practice strategies, make new entries, brainstorm ideas and flash draft quick essays which they will then choose from to take to publication and the editing process.
Why would someone blog instead of write it on paper? I don't advocate for doing everything online and through typing but this is rather a compliment to our program. Below I list 5 reasons why I think blogging is helpful for these young writers.
5 Reasons To Use Blogging To Help Your Writing
1. Built-in Audience
Students can see the visitors to their posts and this inspires them to write. Writers need an audience and are motivated to improve when they know their writing has value and can make a difference.
2. Feedback
By using the comment section, I am able to give the student immediate feedback on what they have produced. These posts are not final products that they will publish but are good examples of what strategies they are using and what they are thinking. The comment section allows other students to ask questions through a short dialogue with the author of the post.
3. Editing
In Writing Workshop, we have been learning to edit as we write. This is difficult at times because we want to finish and write all our thoughts and ideas without stopping to check for grammar, punctuation and spelling. When typing a post, the blog indicates where there are mistakes by underlining the word. This is a great visual reminder for the student to go back and check what they have written and forces them to reread before hitting the "Publish" button.
There is also a check spelling feature similar to what you would find in a word document.
4. Labels
Labels allow the students to filter posts. The students have learned how to make a label for their post by clicking on the labels tab on the right hand side of the New Post screen after they have finished typing/editing.
It looks like this:
I always encourage them to put their name as a label as they can click on the label on the right hand side of the main blog page to only see posts that they write or another classmate writes. If they are blogging in the persuasive writing genre, they use the label "Opinion". If they are blogging narratives, they use the Label "Narrative".
5. It's fun!
Students love the features in the blog and enjoy using the blog for writing purposes. With the right parameters and controls, the blog can be a creative space for them to express themselves. Listen to the video below to see what a few students had to say about blogging in writing workshop.
