Saturday, September 01, 2007

Blog

Well friends,
I've got the blog up and hopefully will have the kids up on it by Wednesday. The permission forms and safety training and everything has been a scramble because another teacher and I weren't exactly on the same page, but hopefully things will work out. I've been using it for about a week now, to show the students some of the capabilities.
Keri, please notice you have significantly influenced the language used. 5 extra credit points to anyone if you can find examples and shoot me a comment.
Please, if you see problems or possibilities, let me know. I'm connected right now to the 8th grade Comm. Arts teachers at Cherokee, and would love to have my students connect with theirs. If you have ideas, let me know.
Maerke's blog
Thanks for teaching me so much.
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8 comments:

Liz Salchow said...

Thomas, Your blog really is great...and I saw the words "reformulate" and "google docs"...did I get my bonus points? You are using the blog to give information and to post great pics and work from students. I am going to steal from you. I love what you have done and your students are probably impressed as well. What do the parents think? I'm sure you'll have some nay-sayers, but you are the educated authority in your room so keep doing what you know to be good for your students. Your blog is off to an impressive start, Thomas. My 2nd graders aren't quite ready to blog yet, but when we are going and I'm stealing from you, I'll be sure to post and let you know so you can see how you've influenced how my class blog will be set up. Nice job...can't wait to see you soon! Liz

5:15 PM
Unknown said...

This is quite beautiful. I'm jealous and impressed. :) If it's okay, I'll post the link to our blog.

7:55 PM
Ms. James said...

Wow, Thomas, This is not only impressive, it's downright motivational. I just spent about an hour enjoying your links (there's a great New York Times travel slide show)...wandering around your blogs. I can't wait to see what your kids do. Lucky, lucky kids! How rich...how wonderful...Thanks!

7:52 AM
Unknown said...

Amen to that motivational part, Barb. I did the same thing--traversed around for over an hour--and then had an adrenaline rush to try to finish my classroom blogs.

It really is awesome, Thomas. And it will only get better. Thank you.

9:21 AM
tmmaerke said...

Thanks for the comments friends. Liz, I sent a permission slip home with the kids explaining the whole eMints thing, and how we wanted to use the blog to share student work and photos. Parents either gave us permission to do this or not. Those who don't have permission unfortunately won't be invited to contribute, and won't have pictures posted, but will still be able to read and view what is going on. It is absolutely important to honor the parents' wishes, but I figure if we get this thing rolling the kids who don't have permission will be bugging their parents to have permission.

10:53 AM
Liz Salchow said...

Absolutely, you must honor the parents wishes...there may be a safety-issue thing in their family we know nothing about. I send home a permission slip for my classroom website and newsletter, since my newsletter is also posted on my website. I always have some who say their child cannot participate, but sometimes they change their mind when they see there is no danger to the child (pics and names are never posted together). If they don't, then okay...no sweat. Keep doing what you know is good teaching and provide the kids with strong leadership and guidance.

I love the links you posted and the pics of the kids and their work is great. You have obviously worked hard on this, or else you are just very good with technology...either way, your blog is serving as a model for my class blog, once my kids are all ready to get going.

I am looking forward to hearing your stories when we meet in September.

11:26 AM
Mr. Neuburger said...

Nice work Thomas. I have been trying frantically to get our class blog up and cranking. I have a class with 14 students and all but 2 just tested basic or below basic on the MAP. I had them last year, and so far the quality of the writing is vastly improved over what they would write last year. I knew they would work on improving their writing if they knew their peers would be reading what they write. They are truly engaged in the activity. I would love to have you take a look at it, but I have it locked up so no one can view the blog can see it except for people I invite. I may be too paranoid, but I am trying to be cautious about outsiders infiltrating. Post your email here in a comment and I'll send you an invite. I might have it in a saved email. Anyway, great job!

6:29 AM
tmmaerke said...

Larry, my email address is tmmaerke@spsmail.org.
By the way, it's nuts hot in classroom today, and if I get anything done, I will be really happy. And there is my random information for the group.

7:38 AM

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