I started blogging this past Spring Break as a way to express myself, get feelings out, share a quirky perspective on things, and just try something new. After I started, I enjoyed it so much that I thought, wow what a great tool to use for school. It will be so easy to manage, the kids will be able to design their own page, and share their own thoughts, without having to use paper and pencil. They can read mine, and respond. I can read theirs and respond. All they have to do is make one entry a week of at least 3 paragraphs, etc. I really thought it would be a great way to express Leadership ideas, and just get them to journal a little bit in a new cool way.
Well, I can tell you for sure that it has been the biggest assignment management-wise, I have ever given. First of all, they couldn't all get their blogs set up. There were all kinds of mishaps and hurdles to making that happen for some of them, so they just gave up. Some of my kids weren't old enough to set one up, so I had them start writing me on facebook, or e-mail, or even hard-copies. Now, I'm searching for URLs that no one can remember, facebook messages, e-mail messages, and papers floating aimlessly through my classroom, which is already such a delicate balance of chaos that it can't be described.
Some kids just decided that they couldn't do it, so they didn't, even with oodles of class-time allowed. Some kids figured it all out, but decided not to finish. Some kids have figured it out, but somewhere in the shuffle have forgotten the actual length of a paragraph. Some kids have done exactly as I asked. Some kids have gone overboard, and post all the time, and have really embraced the spirit of the assignment.
Out of all of this craziness, I have discovered some things about some of my students that really surprised me. I have discovered that some of them are excellent writers, and can express themselves so eloquently that it gives me shivers. Some of my students write as if they could already be published. Some of my students, although not as smooth with the written word, have expressed feelings that I never knew existed before this assignment, as they have perhaps never been comfortable enough to say them aloud.
When I'm frantically searching each week for every entry or assignment, and I've asked them all 300 times where their blog is, or what is the name of their URL, I forget the actual spirit of the assignment, and that is not the number of things they've written, but that they've taken the time to embrace the assignment and they've put a little piece of themselves out there on a silver platter for others to share, read, and possibly judge. That takes quite a bit of sincerity, passion, and guts. I know that the assignment has been therapy for some, a platform for some, a shoulder to cry on at times, and nothing but a burden for others. The truth is, as is with all teachers, if the assignments I give change the life of even one student for the better, than I've done what I'm supposed to do. This assignment has really rocked the world of several of my kids, and it is my hope that they continue, and I can continue to follow their blogs through school, college, and life. What a cool way to be blessed and rewarded on a daily basis.
You are so wise, Brenda. I love blogging and I hope all of your students will learn to love it too, but as you have already discovered they will not all do it. I started a blog for the ladies of my graduating class and it is like pulling teeth to get them to send a brief bio for me to post for them...and they are adults. I can tell you are a great teacher. I do find that I am more willing to express myself in writing rather than speaking it too. I am glad you see the value of your students words they do share. It is a good thing! Keep up the great work you already do.
ReplyDeleteLaNell
Mrs. Severson you've really given me a new perspective to look at about blogging. it is really helpful and helps when things are hard to tell my parents. i know that i don't have the 'best' sense of writing ability but i do enjoy your assignments. and think it let me enjoy the writing and get more into the topic when you gave us the topic. it seemed to help me because at times i don't have a clue of any good topics! so i end up talking gibberish!((:
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you came up with this assignment for many reasons. Number one being i am always on the computer anyways before i go to bed because it makes me sleepy. I also love it because when i dont feel like doing it in class or get too busy i can always make it up at home very easily by just typing. It saves my hand from even more writing that i have to do.Last but not least i love it because we all have those really bad weeks at school and this is a really good way to vent and get everything out or help others learn from your mistakes. Very creative of you:)
ReplyDeleteOh i forgot to add something very important. It really helps that you are doing it as well. We all know you have a much busier life than any of us others. If you can find the time to sit down once a week and write a blog and also read and grade all of ours, then i am definatly sure we can find time to write a blong once a week and only read yours.
ReplyDeleteWell I'm sorry if some of my blogs have been late or not even that good but I guess that I can say that I try. I'm not that great at expressing myself but I try that too. Sometimes I like that we have this project and then other times it seems like something that I don't want to do because of limits on time. But I do them and sometimes I have lots of fun doing them Thanks for getting us started!!!:)
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