How+To+Blog+and+Comment

How to Blog

Go to the Room 2 Kinder Blog at: __ [|http://www.classblogmeister.com//blog.php?blogger_id=75364] __

 You can also go through the MH Guest website: []  Click on “classrooms” then click on “Blogminkowski” under Kindergarten.


 * A BIT ABOUT OUR BLOGGING **

Each year in January, I introduce my Kinder Kiddos to the world of blogging. By this time, most are very familiar with the computers in the lab and know their letters and sounds and many words. They have been writing daily in the classroom in Writer's Workshop and, in my humble opinion, are ready to tackle writing in the form of a blog once a week. I love how each child can be successful with this venture. Some children are comfortable hunting and pecking out the ABCs in order, while others type strings of words they know (cat mom dad like pizza) and some get right into writing about things going on in their lives (I wnt to the zoo nd sa a br nd lyn nd snacs).

Kindergarten children grow by leaps and bounds between January and June--in size as well as academic prowess. :) It never ceases to amaze me--and, of course, their families! The blog captures each child's growth, week by week. Look back on previous years. Scroll down to the first blog post of a child and work your way back to their last. While every child's journey is different, it's pretty obvious that most children BLOSSOM in beautiful and amazing ways as they "break the code" and really and truly enter the world of writers and readers.

These directions are for your child. Please have THEM do each click of the mouse. This will GREATLY help their independence in the computer lab. THANK YOU!!!
 * DIRECTIONS TO HELP YOUR CHILD LOG IN **

Click on **2012-2013** on the right side of the page. A list of all the children in the class will show up. Have your child click on their own name then find “login” at the top left. Your child’s login is their name (just as it is listed on the previous blog page) and the password is "room2". Click “enter”. They will be in “edit” mode.

 Click on “articles” and your child is ready to blog! They can do this as often as they’d like. Have them type their name or the name of the person to whom they are blogging in the "title" box and their story. Some children like to blog to their parents, brother, sister, friend or me. They are already familiar with picking someone to write to during Writer's Workshop. Having a specific audience (person) in mind when writing adds motivation and direction.
 * TO WRITE ARTICLES **

When done, they need to click “save” and “request publishing”. An email is sent to me each time someone submits a blog. I'll check it over and approve it as soon as I can. Unfortunately for the blogger at home, they can't view their new articles immediately. I know the kids get disappointed but I'm glad for it. That means inappropriate blogs won't find their way onto the site!

I encourage the kids to type the best they can. As we go along and learn more words and get to be better spellers, I expect more. At this point, I'm glad to see them put their thoughts down on....well, put their thoughts down electronically! I do stress putting a space between words. I know kids have so much to think about when they compose on the computer. The biggest problem is finding each letter but they get so good, so quickly!
 * SPELLING **

 You can leave a comment on any blog. Below an article (when you are not logged into a blog for editing) click on “Add a comment” or “open comment box”. You can comment on one of my blogs or any of the children’s. Again, an email will be sent to me to approve all comments so that inappropriate messages are not posted.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">COMMENTS **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">PLEASE DO NOT USE any child’s last name on the blog for their protection **<span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">.

<span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';"> Let me know if you have any problems or questions. The more you help your child log in and blog from home, the easier it will be for them to do it at school when we’re at the computer lab.

<span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';"> Thanks for your help and HAPPY BLOGGING!

=<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 210%;">Mrs. O =