How am I going to use this blog with students?

At this point in my career, I am unsure how exactly I will use the idea of blogging in my classroom because I do not have a classroom of my own and I sub in various grades. I was asked if I thought it would be possible to use blogging in my substitute teaching and my answer to that is probably not with the students. Although it is a neat idea to have students from various schools and grades post messages and respond to each other, I don't see how it could possibly work. I would need permission from parents as well as computer and Internet access for the students in each placement that I go to. Also, I would need to find time to have them do the assignment while also fitting in what the teacher wants me to get done. My final concern would be explaining to the students how to blog if they have never done so. In the future when blogging becomes more widespread I think that it would be a great idea for substitute teachers to use, however, I don't think that it is possible at the present time.

Getting back to how I could use a blog in my classroom, I will just choose one grade and subject to base my idea on. I will base these ideas on 4th or 5th grade ELA (reading). I think that I would use blogging in my classroom with students as they read novels. I would post a discussion question for them to answer or an idea to think about as they read. I think that it would be a lot easier to have students comment on each others' posts than it would be to sit in class and try to get each student to participate in the discussion. I will admit that I was a very shy student in school. I would do all the reading, but did not enjoy participating in class discussions. For students who are uncomfortable sharing in class, the idea of a blog allows them to still get their participation grade.

"Did You Know 4.0"

I'm sure many of you have seen the Shift Happens video on YouTube. I have posted a link for the most recent update to that video. This new video is about the new technology that seems to be taking over the world. It is amazing how fast technology can expand!

Welcome!

Welcome to my first ever blog! As with many of my classmates, I am new to this, but very excited to begin the process of blogging. I am a new teacher and am in the process of looking for a full time position. I am currently subbing at local districts in upstate New York. I look forward to keeping all of you updated on my subbing experiences as well as my job search. I am very glad to be starting this blog because once I do have a full time position I would like to incorporate blogging into my curriculum and by starting now I will have more experience and will be able to start right away with my students.