Blog Post #11

Kathy Cassidy's Class: Little Kids...Big Potential!
Mrs. Cassidy's Class uses their blog to communicate with other classrooms, educators, institutions, family and friends, and even within their class as well as their school. They are learning how to
It's so cute to hear them brag about the comments they have gotten from family (who are probably equally as proud), and even people they have never met. The feedback they get helps them to improve their writing and build their confidence. When you post a picture they drew on the walls of the classroom or in the school hallway, they may never hear the comments that are said about it. And when they get posted on the fridge at home, they stay there for a while before being put into a box and packed away. But when their work is posted directly to the blog, they can know what a good job they have done. They need to hear that. I think we all do. The things they post online will be there for them to look back at in the future and see how cute they were. :)
They are also learning not to post bad things. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all! So many people get into wars on facebook or post mean things on websites or blogs because they haven't been told this. There are stories on the news all the time about kids who harass, tease, or lie about other people on the internet and these actions leading to terrible things. An example needs to be set! Thank you, Mrs. Cassidy, for doing so. I can't say that because they are being taught this that they will refrain from libel but maybe if it is instilled in them this young, it will always be with them. Maybe they will think twice before hurting a fellow student's feelings or reputation. I'm not saying boys don't ever do this, but everyone knows that sometimes teenage girls can be very catty and mean to each other.
They are also learning about safety. People always tell you to use good judgement but they don't tell you how or what that is. This includes things like telling the students to use their first name, and not their last name. There is more to it than this but this is a good start. No one wants to tell them more than they need to know and spoil their innocence.
The webpage is really cool. I like that she has helpful sites for the students to access. If they need extra help with, say, math, she has easy to find resources for her youngsters to use to study or reinforce what they are learning.
Not only do they see what goes on their blog, but they are learning to make comparisons. They can compare their blog to others of their same age/grade! How cool is that? To see ways others enhance their blog, at such a young age?
They also have wikis on things like traditions, rituals, and the alphabet. They even make videos, Skype with other classrooms and even experts who otherwise they would never be exposed to. These things allow for a level of knowledge that is not limited to books, limited funds or resources, the confines of their community, etc. They can collaborate with and learn from whoever will reply back to their request and is willing to help out.
They are limited only by their imaginations! They can try being whoever they want!
They are also using Nintendo DS and the Nintendogs game. They already like playing with these portable game consoles and Nintendogs is an easy game on their level. They can practice reading and problem solving while learning to share. A fun game and a shiny toy all the kids want to play with! They learn to share and learn together. :)