Blogging is more than creating a Website to place important ideas, opinions, concerns, and information. There is a second part to blogging that is equally important. It is the comments.

Part I Blogs:
It is very exciting to create a blog with all of the widgets and images. Eventually the creator of the blog becomes very satisfied with the look and feel of their pages because of personal preferences and fondness. In fact, if you’re looking for a place to start a blog, then consider Blogger, Wordpress, or edublogs.

Part II Comments:
It is very important to read blogs written by others and post comments or write responses to what you have read. Let the author of the blog know how you feel about the topic that was written.

Sometimes you will read blogs that are of high interest to you or other times you want to read to gather more information about a topic. It doesn’t matter why you decide to read the blog. What matters is if you take the time to comment.

Many times I spend my mornings reading blog after blog never commenting. I wanted to change this so I have joined the 31 Day Comment Challenge. I will be forcing myself to take the time to comment to blogs I read.

Here a link to the Daily Activities on the 31 Day Comment Challenge.
http://commentchallenge.wikispaces.com/31+Day+Comment+Challenge+Activities

Students:
You have been asking about making Websites and blogs to go on the Internet.
This year we have used Classblogmeister for you to post your thoughts, ideas, and concerns. This blog is private so remember to make your blog private and ask for help when you are trying to set up your new blog account.

Rules for starting a blog or Website:
First get permission from your parents about starting a Website or blog that is actually placed on the Internet. In class, we have been working with FrontPage that creates WebPages but these have not been placed on the Web. You must get permission from your parents and work with your parents to build a Website or blog.

Blogs are the easiest for you to create, so ask your parents to help you make a blog a safe place for you to post your thoughts, ideas, and opinions. Many of you have a blog and know how to make it private. Remember Adora, her mom checks everything she writes then she is allowed to post and her comments are check by her mom too. In this way, no one can post anything without it being read by mom first.

Be Safe:

* Never, never, never give anyone your user name or password.
* You must not give out personal information to anyone, even a classmate.
* Do not put images of any kind of yourself on the Internet. You must have permission from parents and be 14 years of age to put images on Flickr.
* Do not use your full name on the Internet. Always get help from a parent when answering questions on the Internet.

Images:

* Remember to take pictures of things not people, buildings not people, objects not family.
* Since you are underage, get permission from an adult or ask their opinion of what you are posting online. It is a permanent place. Do not take pictures of inappropriate things for a little joke. This is acting irresponsible. Be responsible and think before you post pictures.

Trust Your Parents:

* Seek the advice of your parents or adult members of your family. They can help you when trying to make decisions about Internet Safety.
* Be careful and if in doubt…..ask, ask, and ask again.

What will we be exhibiting? Blogs, wikis, and podcasting!

About Blogs:

Through The Landmark Project and David Warlick http://classblogmeister.com/ a blog engine provides us with a safe environment for students to work with blogs. My students have created various stories and articles to place on their blog spot. If your child is in my classroom and you are interested in reading more about our blogs please visit us at http://classblogmeister.com/blog.php?blogger_id=141343

About Wikis:
Resources on our public Wikis
http://paulpam2.wikispaces.com

Our Class Wikis are at

http://pritchardpress.wikispaces.com

http://fantasticfifth5.wikispaces.com

Two of our wikis are private and can only be viewed through our presentation at Springfield or you may see them at school with us.

About Podcasting:

We have used Audacity to create podcasts for various projects throughout this school year. Our podcasts have been placed on our Classblogmeister homepage. Classblogmeister is private so you
can see them with your child or come to our school.

As you can see, we are keeping our Blogs, Wikis, and Podcasting safe for kids!