When I walked into Mrs. Mateling's class Thursday morning it was obvious that there was a whole lot of thinking going on! I was greeting with these protests "You should have seen the report on CNN Student News about blogging. They got it all wrong. And they didn't even ask any kids!" They updated me on the clip which you can read here. I suggested they write about it so I gathered up the group and we scurried down to the instructional lab. The kids opened up their laptops. They were eager to write. They had things to say!
In this group we have three students who were in last year's group who have a good grasp of what weblogs are all about., The others are just beginning to learn about weblogs. Also, we have varied ability in stages of writing. All are good thinkers! The ESL students are at varied levels of being able to write their thoughts. Remember that we are posting "as is" and for now, we are concerned with content. I am so thrilled with the thinking that is going on!
Derrick missed the clip and gets an update from Emily......
Today we heard from Emily about CNN talking about blogs and how people use them in their lives. She said that 50% is used by teens and the rest of the people use them for diaries. I would use it for the news and for" surfing the web "and more. Do you have a favorite place in the internet to visit? My favorite web site is Kungfu0.org/stickmen.
Going back to Cnn they said that almost everybody uses them. We use them for education ,thinking and learning.They didn't even say how kids use them because if they did they might think we might use them for a better reason. If you had your own weblog then what would you have on it?
Keith questions CNN.....
A web log is a place to write on the internet. That is not what CNN said. They said that it is an online diary. 50% of the people that use web logs are teens. That is what CNN said. Kids use it too. CNN didn't think about asking kids about web logs! Kids all around the nation use web logs! We don't use it as diary we use it to learn. They are used for other things too. People use it for buisiness and reports.
Jerry asks.....
Do you know what a weblog is? I'm still trying to learn about them but I know a little. When I get to write weblogs I just write from the heart and try my best. Mrs.Davis is helping us learn more about weblogs and more about the computers. Writing weblogs are really fun. And when you write weblogs you think alot sometimes. One day on CNN they were talking about weblogs and how many people use them. 50% of the teen population uses the weblogs on the internet. And one other thing was that they were using them as diaries and there was that marcial arts person that talks to the people when there on the weblogs on the internet.
Jennifer titled her piece "They could have said a little more!"
On Cnn yesterday they was a topic about weblogs. The topic was about how 50% of teens use them as diaries. I think that weblogs are used to explore thinking, writing, and things that matter. There are all kinds of weblogs like newsblogs, edublogs, and all other kinds.
Yoceline expresses her thoughts......
I think a weblog is a web to express yourself. A weblog is where you write how you feel about life and what had happen so far. Many people benefit from weblogs in many diferent ways. For example, they can just put photos they take and they think are important . People also used weblogs like diaries. In our weblog we use it like a web that we are exploring, thinking, and writing. So far we had write about how we feel about life, and what is our favorite thing to do. In the topic I made in the weblog for homework it was about How Do You feel About Our Busy Life? Well no more words!!!!!!!!!!!
Juana puzzles over the concept of weblogs and works at expressing her English....
What is a weblog? It is like a place when go see and you like too much. Weblog is write and you feel a little happy.
Luz thinks all this is "very cool".....
A weblog to me is like a place were you can ride about different things you want to. And putting express and thinking about what you are doing I think is beri cool .
Emily exclaims that there is missing information.......
You've probibly saw CNN before. But have you ever thought they need more information on some topics? Well I sure do, after I saw one of the stories on CNN about weblogs. All the reporter said was that 50% of all weblogs are used by teens and that most are teens using them as online diaries. Can you believe that?! My teacher said that anyone in the classroom could have given a better explanation! They didn't even say anything about education based weblogs which many people are starting! Last year our group made a blog about current events and interesting topics. This year we are creating a more advanced weblog with news and interesting topics. Why aren't they talking about different kinds of weblogs! Ok let me calm down now. Lets hope sometime there will be a news report about education blogs.
Cristian, who is just learning English, dictates these thoughts.....
I talk with other people.I like coming to this group because I use the internet and like to type.I also like to be with the other people in here . I am leaning more English with Mrs. Davis..I am talking to other people about things I like.
Jacqueline says at first she had no clue, but is learning about weblogs......
On CNN I heard a short story about weblogs. Weblogs are sites where you communicate wth others, and write stuff that happens to you .It helps us with writing and exploring new things. At first I had no clue, but then when I started coming to this group, I learned what weblogs are.
Mrs. Davis marvels....
Wow, whole lot of thinking going on!
I also heard the item on CNN and thought of you! Mrs. Davis has told me about your work on Wrinkles and even showed me how to comment last year. I think CNN should interview your group to find the "real news" about weblogs. Ms. Davis and your work with Wrinkles has inspired me to use weblogs with my university students who are studying to be teachers.
I enjoyed being at J.H. House Elementary School yesterday with my 36 students. We felt very welcome at your school because Mrs. Davis, Ms. Hooper, Ms. Poole, and Ms. Barajas all took time to serve as our guides at the school. My students will graduate in May 2004 and will be teachers in elementary schools. We saw many good ideas at your school that my students will use in their own classrooms when they become teachers. You are fortunate to be a student at a wonderful school where everyone works together to help everyone learn.
Lynne Jordan
Posted by: Lynne Jordan | November 04, 2003 at 06:49 AM
I totally enjoyed my day at J.H. House yesterday. It was sort of a homecoming for me. My two children went to J.H. House and had many of the teachers that you have everyday,including Ms. Davis! I really loved seeing the important things that you do each day and the many ways that J.H. House teaches you. My favorite part of the day was when you, the students, interviewed my group. I hope to come back and visit with your school very soon!
Posted by: Brenda Wheeler | November 10, 2003 at 11:29 AM
I truly enjoyed visiting your school. The staff and students seem to have one goal in mind. I had some many wonderful experiences while visiting J.H. House Elementary. I learned so much about integrating technology. Thank you so much for allowing us the opportunity to spend a day with your school. It was truly a worthwhile trip.
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