Language+Arts


 * Subject: English/Language Arts**
 * Technology:**


 * laptop computer cart (or computer lab)
 * Internet access
 * Edublogs site
 * projector and screen (teacher)


 * Ohio** **Academic Content Standards:**

__ Prewriting __ 1. Generate writing ideas through discussions with others and from printed material, and keep a list of writing ideas. 3. Establish a thesis statement for informational writing or a plan for narrative writing. __ Drafting, Revising and Editing __ 10. Use available technology to compose text. 11-15. (deal with revising and editing, all facilitated by blog format) __ Publishing __ 17. Prepare for publication writing that follows a format appropriate to the purpose, using such techniques as electronic resources, principles of design and graphics to enhance the final product. 1-8. (deal with //Spelling, Punctuation and Capitalization, Grammar and Usage//)
 * Grade 7 Writing Process **
 * Grade 7 Writing Conventions **

> 1) Students will respond to a writing prompt related to what they have talked about (or will begin talking about) in history class. They will be expected to write a complete paragraph, and entries will be graded for content and writing conventions. > 2) Students will respond to a brainstorming prompt related to the next writing assignment. They will add their own ideas as comments. References: ** About.com, (2009). Blog-Definition of Blog or Web Log Video. Retrieved May 23, 2009, from About.com Web site: []
 * Activity: **
 * Students will be introduced to blogging. They will begin by watching a video from About.com related to what a blog is, and the video tutorial from Edublog: Writing posts and pages. Students will then look at some sample blogs from the Edublogs site and their own class blog. Students who do not have an email address will create one. Students will create a username for the class blog and can choose an avatar.

Edublogs, (2009). Edublogs-teacher and student blogs. Retrieved May 23, 2009, from []

Edublogs, (2009). Ten ways to use your edublog to teach. Retrieved May 23, 2009, from []

Edublogs, (2009). Video tutorial: Writing posts and pages. Retrieved May 23, 2009, from []

Mullen, Rebecca, & Wedwick, L (November/December 2008). Avoiding the Digital Abyss: Getting Started in the Classroom with YouTube, Digital Stories and Blogs. //The Clearing House//. //82, No. 2//, 66-69.

Ray, B. B., & Hocutt, M (Winter 2006). Reflection and the Middle School Blogger: Do Blogs Support Reflective Practices?. //Meridian: a Middle School Computer Technologies Journal//, //9 No. 1//, Retrieved May 23, 2009, from [].

Witte, Shelbie (2007)."That's online writing, not boring school writing": Writing with blogs and the Talkback Project. //Journal of adolescent & adult literacy//. //51 No. 2//, 92-96.

Tried & True. Blogs have existed for several years. The existence of a website exclusively for teachers and students, and the multiple articles related to blogging and even articles about Middle School blogging are evidence that this is not new technology.
 * Tried & True or New & Innovative:**