Blogging Lesson Plan- Commenting

Difference between social and academic commenting.

You could create a blog for your young students, in order to allow them a safe online space where your young students can socialize and “practice” in an online environment. This type of blog fosters a virtual kind of classroom community that can spill over (positively or negatively)  into the physical classroom as well.

Here are some examples of social comments.

I am soooooooooooooo exited about giving my present tommorow!!!!!  I do think the time is wronge. ytou are sooooooooooooooo right!!!!! Will someone talk to me! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

you are ridiculous!
i HATE YOU!
haha

what its funny and sweet!! hahah ohhh welll ur missing outt!!! =)

I’m am definitely NOT a pro at it lol.
Lol!!!!!!—- You should come skiing/snowboarding with me some time

heeeeeeyy!!:)
whats up??
did you do your homework for geography?

What kind of comments are we aiming for on an academic oriented classroom blog?

• Related to the content of the post.
• Continuing a conversation started in the post or in other comments.
• Connected to content learned or discussed in the classroom.
• Challenges someone’s point of view.
• Add something to the author’s post in form of a :
  • link
  • connection
  • idea
  • reminder
  • new perspective

Commenting etiquette

While we hope that the content of a comment is meaningful and related to the post and learning, there is yet another dimension to commenting. Students need to be aware and observe proper “commenting netiquette”. Just like any other classroom rules at the beginning of each school year, this netiquette needs to be discussed, practiced and reviewed. It is also important to let students know your expectations of proper grammar and spelling in their online writing. Do you value content above all and are willing to close an eye to spelling? Or are you willing to take less content in exchange of time spent on grammar and spelling? You need to communicate your expectations clearly to your students.

Here is a short and simple commenting guide for my elementary age school students:

• Acknowledge the author of the blog post.
• Let the author know if you agree with him/her and why.
• It is also ok to disagree with something, just let the author know why you feel that way.
• One word comments are not very useful. Writing just “cool” or “nice” are not very helpful and don’t let the author of the blog post really know what you are thinking.
• Always make sure you follow “netiquette”. Think if it is appropriate BEFORE you hit the submit button.
• Always be polite . It does not matter if you agree or disagree with what you are reading in a blog. Don’t write anything you would be ashamed of saying to someone’s face. Don’t hurt somebody’s feelings.

Video Clip: Kitchen table conversation

I believe the video below is a valuable conversation starter for 5h grade and up. Those kind of conversations ARE happening, our students need to know how to react to them.

I think it is a good idea to practice commenting as a class. Ask yourself the question:

What does a quality, meaningful commenting look like?

Pick a classroom blog from around the world, read and then discuss what a good comment to that post wold be. Submit the comment, sign it as “your class“.

Read through the following comment starters with your students and then keep a running log of starters your class comes up with on their own.

Comment Starters
( from Youth Radio blog Netiquette- which in turn was adapted from  Excellence and Imagination

• This made me think about…
• I wonder why…
• Your writing made me form an opinion about…
• This post is relevant because…
• Your writing made me think that we should…
• I wish I understood why…
• This is important because…
• Another thing to consider is…
• I can relate to this…
• This makes me think of…
• I discovered…
• I don’t understand…
• I was reminded that…
• I found myself wondering…

Mrs. Yollis has published an incredible valuable post about student commenting on her blog. The main message is CONTENT IS KEY!

I have used Mrs. Yollis‘ image of quality commenting below to start the conversation with teachers. It is  important to spell out blogging and commenting expectations for students depending on grade level and your own personal preferences or learning goals.

Mrs. Yollis' Commenting Guidelines

The video below is a wonderful example of how to get students involved in teaching others!

Blogging Lesson Plan- Online Safety

There is a BIG online world out there! You get to be part of it via the computer, a cell phone, AIM, an Xbox, Wii, or on Social networking places like Webkinz, Build-a-Bearville or Club Penguin. When you are older , places such as MySpace and Facebook will become part of your online network. The online world gives us an incredible opportunity to search for information, entertain us, communicate with others, connect with people from other countries and cultures.Where ever you are or however you choose to connect to these places, you always have to play smart and keep yourself and your friends SAFE.

Here are a few guidelines that you need to keep in mind. If ever in doubt, ALWAYS ask your parent, teacher or other trusted adult how you should handle the situation.

• Never publish online the following information:
  • Address
  • Last Name
  • Password
  • Phone Number
  • E-mail address
  • Detailed physical description
  • Detailed location where you can be found on a given day and time
  • Photos of yourself
• Never share your user name or password with anyone besides your teachers and parents. Never log in as someone else.
• Think before you post: Make sure what you write is appropriate to put online.
• Always tell the truth on your posts and comments.
• Be cautious about email messages from anyone, asking you for detailed personal information or attempting to arrange secret meetings. Talk with your teacher and parents immediately if this kind of situation arises.
• Online work is NOT private. Never say anything via email, chat, blogs, or on wikis that you wouldn’t mind seeing on the school bulletin board, or in the local newspaper. Make sure you can be proud of your online work and it would not embarrass you if your grandmother or teachers read it.
• Capital letters are regarded as “SHOUTING.” Don’t be offensive, and don’t ever use bad language.
• Never use a computer to harm other people. Never snoop around in other people’s files. Never use a computer to steal.

These “Rules of Netiquette” were adapted from Grade 3 Blog Pals who in turn adapted from the following publication: John, El Paso, TX Internet Driver’s License: Internet Guide and Workbook,Classroom Connect: Lancaster, 1997.

Online Identity:

• What do you want others to know about you? What belongs online? What does not?
• Are you proud of ALL your online content (work, writing, comments, images, video, audio)?
• Would your grandmother, your principle, your teacher be embarrassed reading or seeing your content?
• Should you create a separate online identity? Avatars? Nicknames?
• What is the difference between protecting your identity and what is lying and being untruthful about information?

Video clip: Everyone knows your name

Think before you post

Once you submit content, even if you choose to delete it later, it is online FOREVER. Can you be proud of EVERYTHING you post, upload or contribute online?

The Canadian site Media Awareness Network  on its Introduction to Cyber Bullying has developed  a quick “Think Before You Click” Self-Test that looks great to teach to our elementary school students.

To teach students to quickly decide whether something they are about to do online is a good or a bad idea, ask each student to:
Think of two people:

• someone famous he or she admires for his or her courage, and
• an adult in her or his life who is trusted and respected.

Have students record these two names in a specific place in their agenda. Explain that as of today, these two people will be their “virtual conscience.” Every time they intend to do something online which they’re not sure is right, they will ask themselves: “What would these people think about this?”

Video clip: Think before you post

Online Bullying:

• Talk about and recognize three roles played in bullying:
  • Victim
  • Bully
  • Bystander
• Awareness of how cyber bullying can affect someone
  • Remind students that behind each online avatar or identity is a real person with feelings.
• Discuss with your students how to recognize and prevent cyber bullying.
• Teach them what to do, if they encounter cyber bullying (from Introduction to Cyber Bullying )

• STOP – immediately leave the online environment or activity where bullying is going on.
• BLOCK e-mails or instant messages received from bullies. NEVER RESPOND.
• RECORD all harassing messages and send them to your Internet provider (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc.). Most providers have policies about users harassing people on their server.
• TALK to a trusted adult about the cyber bullying; alert the police when bullying involves physical threats.

Video clip: Talent Show

Further Activities:

• Students decide on their online identity nickname
• Have students draw, illustrate, create, or take a picture of their chosen avatar
• Create a Wordle of keywords your students come up with what online blogging safety means to them.
• Have students create their own “Public Service Announcement” to bring awareness to cyber bullying and its prevention.

Introduction to Blogging Lesson Plan

Check out Kim Cofino’s  Lesson Plan One from her Blogging is Elementary post and her thoughts on introducing and examining quality student blogs.

Here is my plan of getting the kids started:

1. Have students explore Our ABC Blook on Blogging to get an idea of what blogging means for some other elementary school students.

2. Develop your own list of things your students know about blogs and blogging.

3. Guide your students to understand that blogging is:

• reading AND writing
• a conversation
• communication with a larger audience
• about EVERY subject
• a portfolio of  learning, work, thoughts, feelings, life, etc

4. Have students read examples of elementary school student blog. You can divide them into groups to explore several of the  listed links. Ask them to pay special attention to:

• How old – what grade are the bl0ggers?
• Writing:
  • What kind of topics are discussed on the blogs?
  • Are many emoticons, exclamation marks, text message shorthand (ex. OMG, G2G, IDK) used?
• Comments:
  • Do comments have something to do with the post?
• Do students have their own blogs? Commenting only? Writing their own posts?
• Online safety: Are students using their first and last names? Giving way other personal information?
• What kind of links are on the blog?
  • Are there ads/commercials?

Elementary School Student Blogs

• http://229grade5.edublogs.org/ Thailand
• http://merrellzone.edublogs.org/ Thailand
• http://wyatt67.edublogs.org/ Australia
• http://sciencewithsherman.blogspot.com/ USA
• http://goodnightmistertom.blogspot.com New Zealand
• http://blogs.ksbe.edu/anchung2016/ Hawaii /USA
• http://blogs.usd259.org/khare/ USA
• http://lipskymatthews.blogspot.com USA
• http://shaggydogs.edublogs.org/ New Zealand
  
• http://room227.edublogs.org/Thailand
• http://areallydifferentplace.org/
• http://classblogmeister.com/blog.php?blogger_id=65078 USA
• http://la20.learnerblogs.org/ Australia
• http://alupton.edublogs.org/ Australia
• http://kootmansclass.blogspot.com/ USA
• http://classblogmeister.com/blog.php?blogger_id=88116 USA
• http://welcometoaban.blogspot.com/ Russia
• http://www.classblogmeister.com/blog.php?blogger_id=135365 Lebanon

Update:
Thanks to Paul Hamilton and his blog post Blogging Lessons, watch the following video clip with your students from Jan Smith’s grade 6 classwhere every student is a blogger.

Another update

Through the Student Blogging Competition on Miss Wyatt’s class Technology in the classroom, here are some more student blog links.

Competitions | Technology in our classroom via kwout