Why Blog?

Many of you are probably familiar with blogs, a personal website or web page on which an individual records opinions, stories, links to favorite sites, etc. This week, each of you will set up your own personal blog. Some of you are probably thinking why is she making us start a blog? Well there are many reasons but check out a few below:

Reason #1 Blogs help writers find their voice. A blog gives you the opportunity to write about things that matter to you. We will be writing about things that we are learning about in class, but we will also write about things we are passionate about, wonder about, question. Your blog will allow the potential for your voice to be heard all over the world! That's pretty amazing!

Reason #2 Class blogs provide an archive or record of the things that you have learned in this class. Just like a digital portfolio, a blog can provide evidence of learning. The evidence is forever available on your Google Blog. That's alot easier than keeping up with a bunch of papers, folders, or binders.

Reason #3 Blogs provide an authentic audience for you as a writer. How many of you agonize over your ideas, words, and sentences when you are writing a paper to be turned into a teacher? Probably not too many. It seems counterintuitive to put that much effort into something that will be read by one person. Not only will your blog be seen by me, but it will also be seen by your classmates. We tend to do a better job as writers when we know people are going to be reading the things we write.

Reason #4 Blogs give you the opportunity to practice writing. Just like riding a bike or playing a sport, you will never become a better writer if you don't practice, practice, practice!

I could give you many more reasons why blogging will be beneficial to everyone in our class including me, but instead I want you to look at some examples of blogs written by kids.

Links to Student Blogs
Katrine's Blog
This and That