Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Blogging in the Fifth Grade
Blogging is a new thing for me. So far, I am enjoying learning about how to navigate my way through. However, I am still learning. As I have embarked on this world of blogging, I have been brainstorming ideas of how to incorporate blogging into my fifth grade Math and Science class. One idea I have is to use the "Problem of the Day." The math problem would be a multi step problem and once students finished their problem, they would summarize the steps of how they solved it and explain how this type of problem solving is important in society. Another way I would utilize my blog is by creating a science scenario or experiment for students to test. My students would use the scientific method to complete the experiment and write a reflection on the blog. These are just a few ideas that I have thought of and I know there are many more ways I can use a blog for my students. I would love to hear from others to help me utilize a blog to its fullest potential and help my studnets gain the rewarding benefits of blogging.
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You have two great ideas! As a Language Arts teacher, I am happy to see requirements for written responses in other content areas!
ReplyDeleteWould you require students to complete the problem of the day at home or at school? If they complete it at home, how would you work around students that do not have internet access at home?
Thank you for your comment.
ReplyDeleteI am fortunate to have a laptop cart in my classroom that contains 27 computers. Students will be provided the opportunity to work on the blogs in the classroom, as well as at home if they would like. That was one of the reasons I felt that I could create a blog in my classroom for all students to participate in.
In both my science and math classes I try to incorporate writing in order to help the language arts teacher. We have both found that some of our students weaknesses were in writing. Students are always IM and texting and it has affected the way they write. So many times I get substitute words such as ...u, r, n, etc. and I am hoping we can break away from that in the classroom.
Would your students be required to complete the Science experiment at home or would it be done in the classroom? I teach fourth grade Science and there are many experiments that I would love to do but do not have the correct equipment such as burners or a microwave.I do like the idea of using blogs to record their findings as they complete the Scientific Method. Another great benefit of the problem of the day is all students will have a voice on how they solved the problem. When I taught Math last year I had a student who would solve problems using ways that were different from his peers. However, he was always shy about explaining how he got the answer. A blog would have been one way to allow him to explain his method without having everyone looking at him. Two very good ideas!
ReplyDeletedfort,
ReplyDeleteI really liked your ideas. One thing I have done in my classroom is set up centers. The experiments I will use on my blog will be simple, but they will teach the concept that needs to be comprehended by my students. They will have an option of completing the experiment at home or during "extra" time in the classroom (such as after an assignment). I am really new to blogging so any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Amanda, I love your idea for the question of the day! I think I might use that idea for my science class. My question is how would you grade the students with your blog?
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of the students having to explain the steps they went through to solve a multi-step math problem. My question is would the problems be ones that could be solved in various ways? If there were only one method of correctly solving the problem that would not be a very interesting discussion. But, if the students could discuss and debate the best way to get to the answer, that would be a wonderful use of a blog.
ReplyDeleteMatthew,
ReplyDeleteThe problem I have used this week is a multi step problem that actually could be worked out in different ways. My students have begun talking back and forth about how they solved the problem and which one they think is the easiest way. It has become quite interesting to see them complete the process.
Mr. Primrose,
ReplyDeleteAs of right now I am grading their blog as a homework grade. I am grading them kind of how our discussion gets graded at Walden. They have a rubric in their folders and they have to be sure they meet the criteria when they post their blogs. Of course, since I am new to this I am still working out little issues I have come across, but as a whole I have been very pleased with my students' performance.