This past Thursday more poetry in the news was posted on the student sites! They are getting good at this!
The students were delighted to find their discussions were now posted as comments! They thought this was sooooo much better. Then added joy when they discovered how easily they could post links on their site. They like the thought of just click and go to the various links they chose to put on their sites.
Students had already reviewed the lead mini lessons - Feature Leads, Writing News Leads, and Writing Other Leads. I have to say that having all these mini lessons is MOST helpful. Thanks again to Will's students!!
Next we all viewed the Asking Questions section of the mini lessons created by Will's students. Since our time is limited and we only have a few more times together we decided that each student could invite a guest from their classroom to come with them next week. They will be introduced to weblogs and how much fun learning is with them! They are going to simulate an interview with their classroom teacher. Each pair will conduct this "pretend interview" with their teacher - they will work together on the questions and answers. OK, how well do they know their teachers? We will see. I am sure their teachers will get a kick out of this. Today the group brainstormed questions on their website. They are going to meet with their partner this week and discuss answers they think their teachers would make. They came up with some thought provoking questions. Then they practiced with each other interviewing and answering the questions. I was impressed! I'm looking forward to next Thursday. If you get a chance, take a look at their questions and make comments, suggestions. The students like nothing better than having responses to what they write.