Kidblog...A.MA.ZING!

So, Kidblog has been on my to-do list since this summer when I first read about it in bloggy land.  Last night I finally decided to get it up and running.  I was nervous about how it would work out, but let me tell you that it was a smashing success!!  The students were buzzing with excitement when they found out what we were doing in the computer lab (24 ELA kiddos).  It was the GOOD kind of quiet buzz and excited talking, not the crazy chaos of excitement like when our crayfish arrive in the classroom:)  haha!

I demonstrated the steps to login on kidblog first on my SMART board and then we went over to the lab.  I made a post about the novel we read, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing.

This was their assignment:

Hi students!  For our very first blog discussion, I would like to know what you thought of  the book we just read, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing!  

Share your rating of the book on a scale of 1 to 10 and at least one favorite part of the book as well as one least favorite part.  Use details from the story to explain your answer and your blog entry must be at LEAST four sentences for your first comment.  You may come back later and comment on other student’s comments if you follow good classroom blog etiquette.

• Include a topic sentence
• Include a rating 1-10
• Include a favorite part with details
• Include a least favorite part with details
• Include a conclusion

Have fun blogging!

Mrs. Snyder:)

Here are the screenshots of the page with my post:

Next, I wrote an example entry (in yellow) of what I would expect as an excellent response.

Students' comments were not displayed until I "approved" them as the admin of the kidblog.  This was tedious during class because I wanted students who finished theirs to be able to read other comments but that meant I had to have my computer open and approve comments.  It worked out well though because the students were so engaged that they were not raising their hands asking for help and were very independent.  Students did have to "refresh" the page to see the newly approved comments and many did not know how to do that.

The gray is a comment from a student on another student's reply to my post.  They loved this!

 My favorite part was that tonight I read all my students' comments (at least 4 sentences) about how they felt about the book and I replied to each one of them!  I would much rather type than handwrite and I gave them pointers and praise for their work!  My reply is in blue because I checked the little box to keep my reply private to everyone except the author of the comment.  Genius!!

 My students can go back tomorrow, read my reply, and then make the changes by easily "editing" their post!

When students are directed to the URL of your kidblog page, they simply select their name from a pull down bar.  The teacher enters all the student names in advance and sets the password.

I made all the passwords something they already use and it was SO easy to login!!  The blog is completely PRIVATE to the public and you need to login to see a post!  

I cannot tell you how engaged the students were and the excitement of learning that was taking place.  The students really worked on making a good topic sentence and using details too!  If you haven't checked out using blogs in your classroom, I highly recommend it.  I am going to incorporate it into a Work on Writing choice sometimes in my ELA class.

I will be starting my 200 follower giveaway on Saturday!  I am so thankful for the generosity of many fellow bloggers who are donating items from TPT for this giveaway.  If you would like to be a part of this giveaway too, leave me a comment!  Thank you, Thank you!!