Challenging Elementary Students

I recently attended a workshop that really broadened my eyes and thurst of knowledge regarding the internet. I have not participated in blogging and didnt see a real way to bring it into my classroom. The thought of juggling paperwork, meeting the demands of the the "standards" and the limited learning experiences of my students didn't allow time for me to just figure it out. I am excited now about joining this site and am interested in talking to any of you out there who are willing to share with me your great ideas or practices that I might try in my classroom.

As I have been reading some of the blogs that I have been on, I noticed lots of collaborative sharing among middle school and high school educators, and while I love hearing what students have to look forward to, I have to spend some time in the here and now. Share with me please!!!!!!

Technology in my opinion is almost non existant at th elementary level and this is really when they are sponges, I am like a kid in a candy story at this point and I am so anxious to get my own children started as long as they are able to be responsible and understand that the internet has its benefits and pitfalls. I want my students to be excited about learning. What are some of the ways you all have introduced blogging or podcasting to your students?

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Permalink Reply by Katy on March 16, 2008 at 4:53pm

This is so great. I am excited about this technology journey. I added you as a friend indigo. I look forward to chatting with you.

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Permalink Reply by Katy on March 16, 2008 at 4:52pm

klaine2@yahoo.com

Thanks alot.

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Permalink Reply by Matt Hoenshell on March 13, 2008 at 8:38pm

In my school some of us have 5th grade students blog about books they are reading in Language arts. I teach fourth grade and have had my students participate in a collaborative story using a wiki. I also have setup a wiki page for each one of my students for them to work on and discuss problems together, I also added a section where they can use as a journal of their learning each day. I have used podcasting in my class before letting students explain to others about different subjects. One of my fellow teachers dedicates each Wednesday to podcasting and he has some great ideas. His website ishttp://web.mac.com/joependleton/Site/Homepage.html
most of my examples are within my classes MOODLE site.

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Permalink Reply by Katy on March 16, 2008 at 4:56pm

I am headed over this check out the site. Thanks for the information. I am starting this process gradually and going to start wtih one class. I am fortunate that I have some freedom to work with teachers individually so while I have my classes to teach, it definately think this is a collaborative effort. I love bouncing ideas off others. Thanks for sharing.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin H. on March 16, 2008 at 5:57pm

My class of sixth graders (11 and 12 year olds) has been involved in the Many Voices for Darfur project and now they want to do something meaningful with their interest, and move their writing into social action.
One plan now afoot with my students is to have them all write short stories, use the Lulu Self-publishing site to put out a book, and then use proceeds to support a relief agency for the Darfur refugees.
I would love to make this a Web 2.0 project and have other students in other schools around the world contribute stories.
If anyone is interested (and I am just now fleshing it all out), please let me know -- either by replying to this post or direct email through Classroom 2.0.
I think it could be a way to showcase published writing and do some good in the world.
Kevin Hodgson
Southampton, Massachusetts, USA
Class Blog: http://epencil.edublogs.org/
My Blog: http://dogtrax.edublogs.org/

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Permalink Reply by Or-Tal Kiriati on March 17, 2008 at 8:04am

Hi
I volunteered to help the school my kids attend create the school's web site.
You can take a look at thesite - but it's in Hebrew.
In short - this site is not only image or school promotion. The chief target was communications. To enhance connections between the school and the parents, ths school and the students and also between the students - use it as a social tool.
Through google affiliation we started to give out email addresses on the school domain. My partner in this project is another parent. He manages a network of hi-schools web sites, and our school is an elementary one.
We suggested to create an event were the first and second graders will be awarded their email address and get an initial intorduction to it. But the school rejected the idea. I think it's a pitty.
I think that kids can absorb whatever they can get if you get them enthusiastic and interested. And that's what we wanted to do. Most kids here are familiar with computers from the age of 4 at the latest.
At the third grade we want them to be able to exchange information regarding their school projects through the email. So it seems wize to introduce email addresses as soon as they can write.

The classes portals on our web site - see this for example - include a private discussions area, a mesage board, a newsflash - all for short texts, and also a links index and a photo gallery which don't require writing skills at all. We thought that since most of the kids have good command of pretty complexed games, we can easily teach them how to add items to the classes portals (those are pending approval of an adult) - and get them interested in the site and familiar with web social media at the same time.
What do you think?