I spend about an hour each Friday morning commenting on our student’s blogfolios. Having begun last year with our Middle School, we now have active student blogfolios for students in Grades 3-8. [You can click here to access the ones for students in Grades 5-8.] I start at the beginning and make my way through as many as I can. During that hour, I can see which spelling words are being emphasized in a particular grade. I can see which kinds of writing forms and mechanics are being introduced. I learn which holidays (secular and Jewish) are being prepared for, celebrated or commemorated. I see samples of their best work across the curricula.
But what I enjoy seeing the most is the range of creativity and differentiation that expresses itself through their aesthetic design, the features they choose to include (and leave out), and the voluntary writing.
This is what we talk about when we focus (not obsessively!) on students’ ability to create meaningful work. It isn’t just about motivation – we can imagine that more easily. But when you look closer, it really is about doing their best work and reflecting about it. Look at how much time they spend editing. Look at how they share peer feedback, revise, collaborate, publish and reflect.
Seriously. Look at it. Take whatever time you would have spent reading my typically wordy and repetitive post and not only read one of their posts…post a comment! It brings them such joy…pick a few at random and make their day. Just click here and begin!
Thank you for inspiring & encouraging our children to strive for such meaningful outlets of communicating! The children represent our future, exposing them to formats, such as blogging, helps then to influence others. I was influenced & started a blog for my business.