Teacher Inquiry

How will the use of blogs affect the voice in their writing of "at risk and regular education

students in a grade 6 class?

BLOGSGiving students a voiceA website where individuals or groups

generate texts, photographs, videos and links.

Blogs in SchoolsBlogs are tools and like any other tool can be

used appropriately or misused.Misused blogs occur in an educational setting

most likely when there is a lack of direction.Blogs properly used can demonstrate proper

online behaviour and address issues of online safety.

Blogs also play an important role in literacy.

Why students should blog!

People will read their workGives students a chance to share what they

have learned with othersParticipating in collaborative learning projectsInspire them to learnGive shy students a chance to communicate

with other students/individuals

Getting StartedTo create your blog:First check out my blogGo to “site”Create a user name and passwordStart to experiment with your blog

First Assignment for your blogPlease post your response to the following

question:Persuade the board of education supporting

your opinion on whether you should or shouldn’t have to wear school uniforms. Please use your own voice in your response.

Second TaskWhen finished your response go on to three

classmates blogs and respond to their persuasive piece on school uniforms.

Please be cautious of others feelings and remember writing on a computer does not have facial expressions and students can not sense sarcasm. So be polite and thorough.

Post ArticlesPlease scan the Internet for articles or

examples of persuasive writing.Read through these examples and then post

one on your blogTo post simple cut and paste onto your blog

Teaching Show examples of persuasive writingPoint out the voice in the examplesDo a class example of persuasive writing with voiceEdit the class exampleHave students write a persuasive piece on their own

choosing their own topic (give them choice)Post their piece on their blog for the rest of the class to

see.Complete a performance wall (see details in the inquiry

paper) with your students

Final Task Using all that you have learned, researched

and the rubric provided please respond to the following question:

Write a letter to the board of education persuading them to build us a bigger gym. Please use your own voice in your response.

Post your response in your blog. Reflect on what you noticed was different

from your first response to your second and now your final response.

Rubric

ReflectionPlease reflect on what you liked and didn’t

like about this activityAlso go to three other classmates blogs and

reflect on two things they improved on and two things they could still work on. (2wishes and 2 stars)

Blogs are unlimited for literacy Blogs can be use to: Write book reviews with voice Persuasive letters Communicate with different counties and schools through

writing Share opinions on up to date facts about the world Web assignments Help your special education students with assignments by: computer having the option of software that reads all the

text Modify and accommodate lessons Programs like Dragon can be used to complete assignments ,

where you talk into the computer and it writes what you say The possibilities are unlimited in what technology can do for

your students that are “at risk” or regular education.

Organizers

Teacher Tracking Sheet