Blogging Books

Begin in Google sites, show students the style options and how to customize their site. Cover the basics of adding text, image or video material, links, and how to keep posts organized logically for readers.

Establish a reading program for individual choice reading where students are expected to post about their reading weekly. Model entries that show writing from before, during and after reading a novel.

Once students establish a routine with their writing about reading, add comments on other blogs, partner reading and link blogging, loved it/hated it book reviews, books turned movies, and other ideas for allowing students to stretch their writing as individuals and in collaboration with other students.

Be sure to share site addresses with parents and staff so they can also provide comments and encouragement for their writing.

Continue to build literary analysis skills and use the blogs for student practice. Continue to provide support for grammar correctness; when it can be seen by the "world" we should be sure to write our best work before publishing. This can also be a time to teach digital citizenship and safety.