Thing #4

After playing with the features of Blogger, and finally making myself stop so I could post and move on, I have come up with a few ideas on how I might use a blog within the library program. Creating and maintaining a blog is something I would have loved to try in the classroom. The scale might be different in the library setting, but it is definitly possible!

Teachers are always asking for read aloud suggestions but when they come asking on Monday mornings, my mind goes blank. Creating a blog used for read aloud suggestions would give teachers a place to go find titles and much more. Each post could include the book title, interest and reading levels, a short summary, and how it can be used within the curricuclum. After reading the post, teachers would be able to comment on the suggestion by giving feedback on the actual story or by telling how they used the book.

Another blog idea with teachers is an Online Book Club. Many times teachers can't find the time to get together to plan research, much less chat about a book. Each post could pose a question or thought from the book and teachers would be able to respond. This online book club would allow discussion all times of the day and if a reader fell behind on the reading, that's ok, the posts remain and can be commeneted on at any time.

I feel like using blogs with students would be a little harder than using them with teachers. Since computer and Internet access is essential, you would need to make sure all students have the tools necessary. If students do not have the tools they need at home, time during the school day would have to be devoted to working on the blogs.

Students could create and use blogs for research units. Starting a blog and keeping it updated, by adding what is learned during the research study, could be the final research product. If you didn't want each student to create their own blog, they could comment on teacher created posts that relate to that days study.

Another idea is for students to give feedback on books that they have read. The librarian could post several book titles and summaries each week and advertise those books. If a student checks out and READS that book, they would be able to make comments and rate the book.