Students+blogs+on+novel

 ** Journal ECOMP355- ** When I first introduced to the concept of blogging I really did not understand the usefulness of such an activity. However, after blogging myself I realize that it is a podium for people of all ages and backgrounds. It is a forum where judgement really has to be in the eye of the beholder or in this case the writer. As a blogger you just hope that when someone does read what you write they will either relate to what you are writing and encourage you or politely never return to your post. As a shy non out spoken person a blog allowed me to think through what I wanted to say and than express myself. I felt that a blog in a classroom could also do this for many shy and non outspoken students as well. For outspoken students it encourages them to think through what they want to say before they speak it. After hearing the testimony of the grade one teacher who uses blogging to teach literacy with seven year olds had me thinking of all the uses blogging can have in a classroom. For my wiki space I chose to include a blogging page as an updated version of the written response journal done with most novel study units. I thought that the blog spot would provide the students an outlet for their thoughts and ideas about the novels hey are reading while allowing their blogs to be viewed and responded to by more than just their teacher. I think if I was to do this in my own classroom I as the teacher would ask students to comment on each others blogs with questions, answers and thoughts on how each could improve their writing voice. It would also be nice to partner with other classes from all over the world who are also reading the same novel and have them comment on the blogs being written. This idea can be used for numerous literature activities because a wiki space blog or writing spot allows students work to be peer read and edited without the risk of lost paper work. It also allows all the students at once to read the same piece of writing and than peer edit. The wiki space blog or writing spot allows the writer to receive feedback from more than one student or teachers. It also allows older students in the school to practice editing skills on younger student’s written work thus practicing their skills with the rules writing.

Purpose: This page contains the the thoughts and ideas of the students in response to the novel being studied. It is meant to be a weekly assignment where at set times in the novel the students will be asked to respond the part of teh novel that has just been read. The teacher will outline for the students how the novel will be broken up into parts and will correspond teh deadlines for the blog accordingly.

Assignment: Students must complete a blog for each of the parts of the novel. The deadlines and their corresponding parts are listed below. By the deadline the student must have completed reading the portion of the book assigned for that week and responded to the part of teh book in a blog. *The teacher may choose to add extra or bonus blogging assignments at any time through out the novel study. These will based on questions or discussions had in class around the novel being studied.


 * [[image:Snapshot_20090612.jpg width="126" height="94" align="left"]] Munchinsky's blog on Zlata's Diary- June 13 20** 09- I chose to read the novel Zlata's Diary for one of my eductaion classes last semester. I found myself realy enjoying the novel because it made me think big and ask meaningful questions of myself adn the world in which I live. I was definatley left asking myself what would I do if my world was changed because of war ? Would I be able to survive both physically and emotionally as well as Zlata or would I give up? The story truley is that of the resislience and strength of the human spirit. The story of Zlata is a testimony to how tough we as humans can be when needed. However, this novel may speak to the courage and strength of children more than adults. Our society really does underestimate the bravery and thoughts of children. I think that there is a lot to be learned from how Zlata overcame and battled against the destructive nature of war. She was able to display the power of the written word and its ability to preserve and enhance all that is good when hate and evil threatens to destroy. This novel is truley about how it doesn't matter what age you are one always has the option of being an advocate for great big things. For Zlata her teenage diary which seemed of little significance at the time became a world wide message of peace. I will definaltly being using this novel in my future classrooms. I believe it will appeal to both boys and girls as long as the teacher integrates subject matter from the book that will be interesting to all students. Related subject matter that would be of interest to all students and applicable to other classroom subjects are: War, Bosnia, Sarajevo, United Nations, Humanitarian Aid, Memoirs & Journals, Conflict, Politics are just a few directions a teacher could enhance this novel study.