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Using Blogging to Engage Students' Voices

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http://thehunni.wordpress.com/

•Pamela Hunnisett

•Calgary, Alberta, Canada

•TWITTER - @PamelaHunnisett

• hunniwrite@gmail.com

Foundations for the Future

Charter Academy

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NCTE13Documents

ClassBlogs

http://thehunni.wordpress.com/

Links to all the great educators who have

inspired me.

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“the more we tend

to give our students

an audience, the

more these

meaningful

"moments" seem to

happen”George Couros

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COMMUNITYCOMMUNITY

COMMUNICATION

TRUSTTRUSTRespect

Scholarship

Self-DisciplineSelf-Discipline

IntegrityIntegrity

CourtesyCourtesy

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21st Century Goals in Alberta

http://globeclassroom.ca/userfiles/Alberta_Framework.pdf

Engaged

Ethical

Entrepreneurial

http://cuebc.ca/cue/conference_documents/dell/AlbertaEducationBYODGuide.pdf

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Goals for Student Blogging

ENGAGEMENT:

students begin to see themselves as WRITERS where audience and purpose matters

students feature their voice, identity, and values

students love reading each other’s work and they love feedback

•To provide parent and staff access to participate and celebrate in the students’ learning and ideas

To provide students with access to exemplars of student writing – “the best resource to improve student writing” (Graham Foster)

ETHICAL

•To build a safe “virtual” classroom space where language is academic in purpose

To teach safe Digital Citizenship

To build Character through scholarly and respectful language

ENTREPRENEURIAL

•To inspire students to take ownership of their digital footprint by writing and creating blogs

Empowers students to achieve goals through hard work, perseverance and discipline - takes the opportunities to practice writing through writing blog posts on schedule and extra by choice.

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• ELA 30-1 - Grade 12 Academic

Latest Posts

Pages - static information

Writers

LinksTags

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A Sample Blog - Grade 10MY LITTLE BOY by Rizan http://hunniblog10.edublogs.org/2011/10/29/my-little-boy/#comments

He was elated one afternoon, a gentle smile caressing his petite face. He handed me a report card, so animated with A’s and B’s it seemed to have an aura. I wasn’t reluctant in giving him an encouraging gesture, a “high-five” to show my content. A pride enveloped me, a revelation, a possibility that this insufferable, indomitable cloud following my boy would soon disappear into the promise ahead. He ran upstairs and I began to cook our dinner. It wasn’t long before I hastily organized our kitchen table with poorly prepared porcelain plates and plastic placemats. The cutlery and cups were put to ease from my tight grasp soon after the searing of my skin forced me to drop the serving dish onto the table vigorously. I called my son from the kitchen, trying to notify him that supper was ready; no response. My daughter’s silhouette came into perspective and I addressed her, instructing her to call her brother. She ran upstairs, her hands colliding with the steps proceeding her feet in childish fashion. My fragile daughter prolonged the wait. She restrained from responding; her words climbed up her throat and clung to the sides of her esophagus so she couldn’t speak. I stormed the stairs of my apartment reaching the second floor and tracing the steps of my 10-year-old daughter; I was appalled.

My timid little boy, a victim of ignorance. The martyr of malice corroded his spirit and ushered him into sinister solitude. Enveloped in oppression, my son would come crying. With his head to my chest, I felt the tears dampen my sweater. He was scared; he struggled to keep his peace. He was the scapegoat of slurs, which cut deeper than the blade and the threats punctured his self-esteem leaving him amidst paranoia. It wasn’t inconspicuous and I should’ve known. That day he woke up without an appetite, rather fear in his belly; however, my little boy packed his things and strolled to school on April 16 of 2009. There had been several instances where I had to confront the administration, their lack of attentiveness was my concern. I tried- oh so dearly- but it wasn’t sufficient.

My apartment door has become a shrine and my heart hosts guilt’s assault. What was he to do? He was lost and couldn’t find himself, however, I did. Hanging from the ceiling amidst his room’s closet, my son succumbed to the pressure of the world as well as the strangle of his belt. Should he? At the tender age of 11, my little boy Jaheem Herrara took his life because he was bullied.

INSPIRATION - http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/04/23/bullying.suicide/

Sam says: Words can’t describe this piece; the despicable truth of bullying was truly displayed. Amazing!

Jessica says: By the end of this, my jaw dropped and my eyes were full of tears. I can’t explain how outstanding this piece is. I have never felt this close to someone’s writing before, wow. You did a marvelous job of making us aware of how much bullying can affect someone. Your vocabulary made your work even more worth of praising. Keep up the

amazing job; your writing inspires me!

Takaiden says: Rizan, Every time I read one of your pieces I feel something. Amazement, fear, pain, excitement, and also envy; I wish I could create such a vivid and explicit picture when I write. You have this quality in your pieces that make it so disgustingly beautiful, by that I mean you can take such an awful topic

and make it beautiful in an artistic sense. I love your use of diction because when we, as writers, neglect to use words that make you think it makes our pieces feel unfulfilled, but you’ve managed to capture my attention with every sentence. Great work Rizan I look forward to reading more of your writing.

Sara says: Rizan, oh my gosh, this

is so sad but an amazing piece. I felt as if I was actually in the story and feeling all emotions the narrator was and seeing everything through their eyes. You did an excellent job!!

Melissa says: Wow! This was really deep and amazingly well written!! It was so believable and you had me from the

title! Truly amazing and I love your description! It felt like I was in the same room…

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The Growth of Sam as a Writer

http://hunniblog10.edublogs.org/2011/09/19/music-is-more-than-words-with-a-tune/

in Grade 10

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The Growth of Sam as a Writer

... in Grade 11

http://hunniblog20.edublogs.org/2012/11/11/finally-free/

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The Growth of Sam as a

Writerin Grade 12

http://hunniblog30.edublogs.org/2013/10/20/untold-love/

The blogging experience has influenced my writing immensely, enabling me to express myself through the written word. It not only enabled me to find my own voice as a writer, but to share my writing with my peers while also allowing me to evaluate the works of my peers as well. Prior to my blogging experience, I rarely wrote and never made efforts to write well, but introducing the blogging system motivated me to constantly write and develop ideas which, in turn, helped me during exam periods. I feel I have gained a voice and a confidence that I otherwise would never have known or discovered, if not for blogging.

The blogging experience has influenced my writing immensely, enabling me to express myself through the written word. It not only enabled me to find my own voice as a writer, but to share my writing with my peers while also allowing me to evaluate the works of my peers as well. Prior to my blogging experience, I rarely wrote and never made efforts to write well, but introducing the blogging system motivated me to constantly write and develop ideas which, in turn, helped me during exam periods. I feel I have gained a voice and a confidence that I otherwise would never have known or discovered, if not for blogging.

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• Hunni’s Writers - Creative Writing Class

Students’ Blogs

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CREATIVE WRITING CLASS

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FEATURE WRITERCRADLE SPELL - ORE

Stuffed animals die. I know because I have heard them in their last moments. They say nothing, yet they wish to. Instead their marble eyes ring, like church bells growing out-out. Spinning until the world has lost sight of itself. This is what you hear when a stuffed animal dies. Ringing, and sometimes if you lean inwards the sound of low singing sifts through your ear, or perhaps dances into your brain like a clumsy ballerina on a pair of wooden legs. They sing of the things that have passed, or those things that will not last. Watch them and hear them and hear them in a chorus asking ‘where has thou youth gone?’ because sometimes their eye twinkle with secrets from a place where the future awaits for your calendars to fall upon it.

Stuffed animals lie. I know because I have believed them. They are as cruel as humans, but would never let you see. Instead, they bewitch babies in their cradles with the promise of soft places, scented lilac. This is their cradle spell, and is is cast in tangles like those of a spider’s web. Suffocating and gossamer.

Stuffed animals mourn. I know because I have seen them. They weep just like you and I, except their tears are made of sea glass, colourful and crystalline. If you happen to sleep solemnly with their limp bodies tucked underneath your arm, the jagged edges of their tears may plunge into your chest and kill you. This is their cradle spell. It is full of fire and lilac and song; it rings and beats on glassy tears, reminding you of the sound you heard entering the world for the first time.

Stuffed animals die. I know because they leave only their body behind, and memories. They say nothing and move seldomly, so that it is almost impossible to tell when they have died, except maybe their fur seems grayer and their bodies limper.

That is how sister was able to tell as she mournfully held a limp body in her hand: “I think there is something wrong with bunny.”

“I know.” I killed her.

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“Blogging has changed my

writing identity. I know

that I have improved during the years.”

Abhi

“Blogging has changed my

writing identity. I know

that I have improved during the years.”

Abhi

“...our peers can comment on the published blogs, and help give us encouragement,

words of wisdom, and areas to

improve.” Jessica

“...our peers can comment on the published blogs, and help give us encouragement,

words of wisdom, and areas to

improve.” Jessica

“I can polish them to my hearts content and I think they are very useful.”

Shawn

“I can polish them to my hearts content and I think they are very useful.”

Shawn

“It works as inspiration, and also as a timeline so you can go back and read some of your previous work, and see where you've improved.” Kiran

“It works as inspiration, and also as a timeline so you can go back and read some of your previous work, and see where you've improved.” Kiran

“Writing this blog has been

quite cathartic.”

Nima

“Writing this blog has been

quite cathartic.”

Nima

“For one thing blogging reminds me that I always have an audience. It gives me the incentive to make sure my work is polished and get feedback from other people. Normally the things I write get stuffed a drawer or journal, but now I have the opportunity to share.” Ore

“For one thing blogging reminds me that I always have an audience. It gives me the incentive to make sure my work is polished and get feedback from other people. Normally the things I write get stuffed a drawer or journal, but now I have the opportunity to share.” Ore

“Blogging has helped me really put thought and clarity into my work so it is something I can portray to my peers as clearly as I can. Hearing people's feedback not only allows me to consider elements in the piece being critiqued, but elements I can work on for the next blog.” Namitha

“Blogging has helped me really put thought and clarity into my work so it is something I can portray to my peers as clearly as I can. Hearing people's feedback not only allows me to consider elements in the piece being critiqued, but elements I can work on for the next blog.” Namitha

“Blogging helps students

learn more about each other. It gives us an opportunity to actually look into some of our classmates' beautiful

souls.” Jessica

“Blogging helps students

learn more about each other. It gives us an opportunity to actually look into some of our classmates' beautiful

souls.” Jessica

“Blogging has not only helped to improve my writing through practice, but also by allowing and encouraging me to try new styles of writing.” Andrew

“Blogging has not only helped to improve my writing through practice, but also by allowing and encouraging me to try new styles of writing.” Andrew

STUDENT FEEDBACK

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Dear ______________________,   (Format = friendly letter form )

A) POSITIVE:•Encouragement•Praise•Reaction – when positive(be specific, thoughtful, friendly tone)

B)   CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK:

•Suggestions for improvement

•Be specific

•Be a helpful and kind tutor

C)   Further the Discussion:•Response to another comment

•Enter the conversation about the idea the blogger presented in their post

•Provide added value

•Offer links that could help to improve or continue the conversation

Sincerely,  ________________________________

*Etiquette is to ALWAYS respond to any comment that was given to you on the blog.  Try to further the conversation!

CRITERIA for ASSESSMENT:

SPECIFIC   *   THOUGHTFUL   *   GUMPS   *    STRUCTURE     *   FRIENDLY

* GUMPS = Grammar, Usage, Mechanics, Punctuation, and Spelling – Ensure you Edit to Eliminate Gumps!

ETIQUETTE and EXPECTATIONS for COMMENTING

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SAMR MODELDr. Ruben R. Puentedura

• http://www.hippasus.com/rrpweblog/

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SAMR & Blogging Substitution

Substitution Notebooks/ paper to Word

Document Drafting the Blog Post

Students use word documents - or “draft” feature of Edublogs - to draft, revise and edit their writing ideas.

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SAMR & Blogging Augmentation

Augmentation

PAGE to the STAGE. Writing & Peer-Editing of blogs

on Hunni Blogs

•Students are “contributors” to the class blog.

•Assigned blog topics and free choice writing, as well as re-writes.

I “approve” all posts after assessing.

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SAMR & Blogging Modification

Modification

Critical AcclaimRevising, Reading & Commenting

Hunni Blogs

• Students interact digitally as:AUDIENCE: reading each other’s

blogs

CRITICS: writing commentspraise & suggestions

FANS: inspiring through validation, empathy, exemplars & feedback.

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SAMR & Blogging Redefinition

Redefinition Producers

Creative Writing class

“Creators” of their own blogs

Choose own writing assignments

Editors and audience for blogs

• Reflect identity, ideas & interests

• Students & I co-administers

•Redefinition: Creativity , Empowerment, & Engagement

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What’s Next?

Expats living & blogging in Argentina Feb-July 2014

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Thank you!

•Pamela Hunnisett

• Calgary, Alberta, Canada

• TWITTER - @PamelaHunnisett

• hunniwrite@gmail.comhttp://

thehunni.wordpress.com/