Blog Bling - Activity One

Woo hoo!  The first week of summer camp.  It has been fun to explore some of the features within Blogger.  I can tell already I will be playing with colors, fonts, designs, etc. as we go.  This is one of the aspects I find very fun about blogging and websites.    As for classroom applications...  Last year, I taught Technology to grades one and two and will do the same for part of my position next year.  I felt like I was kind of stumbling around in the dark much of the time as everything was new - being a specialist (as opposed to a classroom teacher), working with first graders, teaching on a cart, etc. etc.   I can't wait for a second year of Technology to refine what I did.  As for which blog site I will utilize, I will probably stick with Blogger since it is already connected with my gmail account.  Last year, I had a technology blog (through Blogger) and posted "think about" types of questions once a week.  Kids could respond online and earn "CARES" incentive coupons.   I plan to continue this next year and would also like to figure out a way that second graders can create their own blogs.  Blogger was blocked on kids' gmail accounts so I want to explore other blog opportunities this summer that primary kids can utilize.  Ideally, I would like kids to be able to connect this with curriculum from their classrooms and help them create a space where they can learn in a different way.

Here is a video about internet safety for kids.  It is a great way to get them to understand how "anybody" can be "anybody" on the web.  There is a picture book that goes along with the video.  Faux Paw was one of our favorite characters last year!