While looking for some resources online, I got distracted (per the usual) and decided to check out my classroom blog. I shouldn't have been so surprised, but as I was clicking through each students blog entries I was seeing some of the best feedback I have ever seen or heard my kids give to each other. Here are a few of the comments I came across:
Brody, I’m so glad that you had a good time at recess. If you got hit with the ball, would your opinion change? When did you play soccer for the first time? Is goalie your favorite position? How did you feel when you did this? Great blog. I did the same thing when I was 5 years old. I had a hello kitty ball and I kicked it under my brothers legs.
Carlos, my favorite team is Barcelona too. who are your favorite players? you should make an entry on your favorite players next. that will be very amusing to read. My favorite player is definitely MESSI. If you could be on one of your favorite teams for 1 day which team would you be on? I liked the way you explained how the different teams play. Good entry.
(Clearly, my kids are soccer fanatics- but I can think of worse things!)
I am also wondering what is a poacher is
Those were just a few of what I thought to be awesome comments. They were specific, asked questions, and in most cases added some of their own information.
Another 'a-ha' moment for the new fifth grade teacher. Can I use my students comments as sources for my Module 4 TEAM Paper? Probably not. However- I can continue to be proud of them for handling their blogs so well, and learn as much from them as they (hopefully) learn from me.
Great Topic! Recently, I found my students need to learn how to give positive comment to each other. Your class blogs are just good examples. I will show them next time. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI think you should totally integrate them into TEAM! It's evidence of student learning! It's the impact on students. You should totally talk this up and make it a part of your reflection. This is why you do what you do! I'm also working on my last module, and I feel like this type of student response justifies and validates why we spend so much time learning and focusing on the area. Whatever you are doing is TOTALLY working and you should keep rocking it!
ReplyDeleteHow do your kids feel about it? Do they see or understand how much growth they have made? I sure hope so!
I'm also in TEAM mode - haven't tackled assessment yet though! And, I agree with Hayley, I think it's great evidence. You should talk about how your class blog allows for great feedback and agency among students, because learning can happen from each other, and not just the teacher. Definitely make a big deal out of it because those comments are not only focused, they're well written! Great job!
ReplyDeleteI am in my second module of TEAM and I am working on planning. I feel like you can definitely incorporate some of your experience blogging with your students into you modules. When I started blogging with my kids I didn't really have a game plan. I just let it take off on its own. Most of my kids are really into it, but some I still feel like they feel it is an "assignment." Most of my kids are more interested in how many comments they can get than their actually blogs. I think kids use social media as a reassurance. It makes them feel better knowing that their friends "liked" their photos or comments. We talked a lot about how if you leave better comments and posts you will get better (and more) comments. Since then I have seen a huge change in the content of their comments to each other. They are becoming conversational in their blogs.
ReplyDelete