Blogical Minds

A Tribute to the Blogicians

Every year for the past five years  I have been most fortunate to work with students on blogging and how it affects their literacies. You all have been a fantastic class and I have admired your perseverance and your joy in learning.

Last week when we were having the Gizmo Talk with your high school Canadian blogger friends I loved the way Aichelle ended the session. She asked this profound question: 

"How does blogging advance your learning as a fifth grade student?"

Now Eddie gave an excellent answer on the  podcast. (see previous post for the podcast) I was soaring inside though because I knew each of you could answer that question so well. I am so proud of you.

 You have been a most amazing group! I know that in the future I will be reading something you have written or something written about you and your accomplishments. It may be on blogs or other media but I think you will make your voices heard in good ways that will make a difference in our world.

Here's my prediction for the future......

 

Remember to read, read, read....
Then reflect, think, contemplate, and ponder.....
And write,write, write or blog, blog, blog!!!

I would like to say a special thanks to every parent. Your children have been an absolute pleasure to teach.

Canada/Georgia Connection - Podcast 8

For the final podcast the blogicians asked the high school students if they had any questions they would like to ask them. Aichelle made them think with her excellent question:
How does blogging advance your learning as a fifth grade student?

Eddie was only too happy to answer!

Download EddieAichelle.mp3

What a grand experience! Hope you all enjoy listening to the podcasts. We wish our fellow Canadian bloggers the best! Maybe we'll cross paths again in the future. We hope so!

Canada/Georgia Connection-Podcast 7

Johnny questions Richard and Danny about the chat box and how the high school students use it. I think both groups learned a lot from each other on this one.

Download JohnnyRichardDanny.mp3

Canada/Georgia Connection-Podcast 6

Tina posed this thought-provoking question: What are the best and worst parts about blogging?  Vincent spoke to the worst parts and Graham addressed the best part. Both spoke eloquently. Tina added her thoughts about blogging.

Download TinaVincentGrey-M.mp3

I really enjoyed this part and wished we had time to hear from everybody!

Canada/Georgia Connection-Podcast 5

M.V. had two questions. Chris and Craig gave great answers. The blogicians were very curious about the B.O.B. posts (Blogging on blogging) and then they received detailed information on how to convince their middle school teachers to let them blog at school next year.

Download MVChrisCraig.mp3

I saw a great video by Rachel Boyd entitled "Why Let Our Students Blog?" It fits right in with the suggestions given. I thought you might enjoy viewing it. Thanks Rachel for sharing such a terrific video! If you like it  go give her a comment of appreciation!

Canada/Georgia Connection-Podcast 4

Emmy posed a question to Danny about Flickr. This prompted quite a bit of discussion. Some solutions and possibilities emerged that will really interest you. Leave a comment if you have some thoughts about this issue. We'd love to extend this conversation.

Download EmmyDanny.mp3

Canada/Georgia Connection-Podcast 3

Eddie asks about being responsible while blogging and Vincent gives a terrific answer and says it's an "interconnected chain that everyone else can read."

Download EddieVincent.mp3

Flickr photo credit to benghan.

Canada/Georgia Connection-Podcast 2

Chris gives Eddie and the blogicians good advice on how to be safe on the internet.
Download EddieChris.mp3

Click on the graphic to check out this online safety quiz from SafeKids.

A special bond is noted on the first Gizmo podcast

I am going to be posting some podcasts as I finish them from our "Gizmo Conversation" with Mr. Kuropatwa's class last week. How I wish we had more time together  because I would love for you blogicians to be doing this. It would be so much fun and you would learn a lot!

I am listening to the wav file that came when I recorded the session. I plan to pull excerpts and post them for you to hear.  I have a strong feeling that many of you will be podcasting in the very near future and I look forward to hearing those.

This first podcast is about the special bond between our two classes and is a short conversation between the teachers. It leads into the future ones where the students will be asking and answering questions! Enjoy!

Download IntroCanadaGeorgiaStudents.mp3

I'll close this post with a special tribute to Lani. What a difference she makes in the lives of our blogging students! I can just imagine and  hear both teachers and students from both Canada and Georgia cheering in agreement!

Tribute to Harley