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Launch Complete!


Friday was a big day in room 734. We launched our blogs. Sixth-grade writers are now sixth-grade bloggers. We've started later than ever...I was frustrated with the late start, usually, I like to launch blogs in the fall. 
(Learning Snapchat, but this is how launching blogging feels sometimes.) 

Everything was ready. I managed to procure a cart of laptops. Instructions were clearly published in google classroom. We were ready!


This day is one of my favorite days of the whole year. I know what my students are capable of and how creative they are, but by the end of this process...many of them know it too. 
    
I guide them through the creation of the blog path (the URL) and the naming of the blog. I leave clear instructions for creating and submitting a post, but everything else is up to them.
 
My instructions are simple: PLAY. Discover. Investigate and share what you're learning. For some students, those instructions are scary. They want to find the "right" answer and there is no right answer. Instead, they need to be persistent and collaborate to create a unique blog that represents them and their story. 

 Earlier I mentioned my frustration with beginning so late in the year. This is a brand new school and blogging was something that fell through the cracks for me. I was annoyed at myself for not following through on blogging in November. I tried to launch in December and January and found I wasn't able to get it done, so here we are in February.

 I noticed a big change in launching this year. Students were more confident in their problem-solving skills. They were able to work together and on day one they were working on some advanced blogging skills, like personalizing their blog and adding images they created themselves.

 The energy in the room on launch day is palpable. There's a buzz. Everyone is engaged and busy. I love the moans and groans I hear when I announce class is ending in 10 minutes or 8 minutes or 5 minutes. They don't want to leave. "I can't believe I made my own blog today." That's a statement I hear over and over again!

 Some students have been blogging all weekend and a few even blogged on our snow day yesterday. They are sharing their stories. I'm proud. I love to read their blogs. Once we've blogged for a few days, we will open the blogs to the public. Audience motivates writers.

Interested in seeing some of what my sixth-grade writers created?!?! Here are a few screen shots...enjoy!
Book recommendations! YAY!


Look at all of these posts!
Telling the story of our classroom & Bob the fly!

Love this blog header!

Post inspired by mentor text post.

Our blogging journey has just begun! I can't wait to see where it takes us!

Thank you to the Two Writing Teachers for this amazing platform to write and share writing! What a wonderful community you've created! I'm honored to be part of it. Join us at Two Writing Teachers.    
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Comments

  1. AnonymousFebruary 6, 2018 at 5:29 AM

    Whenever they start the energy is great! I love the individuality of each one. The synergy is clear.

    ReplyDelete
  2. DogtraxFebruary 6, 2018 at 6:05 AM

    yeah!

    ReplyDelete
  3. JessFebruary 6, 2018 at 6:13 AM

    This was so helpful as I’ve been talking to a few classrooms teachers about the possibilities of trying this with students. This may give us the push we needed. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  4. elsieFebruary 6, 2018 at 9:46 AM

    What a great start! I look forward to reading more from your kids.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Margaret SimonFebruary 6, 2018 at 5:38 PM

    Yes! Blogging is such a valuable tool for students. They encourage writing, ownership, and collaboration (Actually all of the Cs: Creativity, Communication, Critical Thinking, and Collaboration)

    ReplyDelete
  6. StaceyFebruary 7, 2018 at 12:28 AM

    Play... discover... investigate... report back your learning. Isn't that a great recipe for the launch of anything!??!

    Well done, Mrs. H.!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Kristi LonheimFebruary 15, 2018 at 6:43 AM

    "The energy in the room on launch day is palpable." I find this to be true at whatever point in the year they start blogging. Their blogging excitement helps to refuel my blogging as well.

    I also want to encourage you. You feel like you are behind, but it isn't March 1st yet - there's loads of time. :)

    ReplyDelete

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