Reflections on Classroom Blogging

I am somewhat ashamed to admit that I have only recently started learning about blogging. A few weeks ago, I didn't even know what a blog was. Apparently, I have been missing out on a great tool that can be utilized at almost any grade level, with the exception of pre-k and kindergarten, maybe. (Although, if you have ideas about how to use blogging successfully with students at that level, I would love to hear them!) In my own classroom, a multiage primary classroom, I think it would be beneficial to use blogging to practice their writing and communication skills and share their learning across the content areas. My students are very motivated by the opportunity to use the computer for their writing and having students post to a blog or comment on a classmate's post once or twice a week during our Writer's Workshop would not only motivate my kids to write, but also provide them with valuable opportunities to use new technology in meaningful ways. (As a side note - if someone had told me as a high schooler that kids at the primary level would soon be using computer programs and tools that I was only just learning, I would have thought they were crazy! I am absolutely amazed by what children can do!) This school year, I'd like to include a blog on my classroom website where I can share my thoughts and post information about what's going on in the classroom and encourage parents to repond with their thoughts. Ultimately, my goal would be that our classroom blog will creater an even greater sense of classroom community and its interconnectedness to the outside world.