Sunday, March 8, 2009

Back to Work

This week marks the end of my maternity leave. I start back to work on Wednesday although John starts daycare tomorrow. I have a feeling that John will adjust much easier than I will! Thankfully I only have to work for three days and then have another week off for Spring Break.

He is still doing really well and growing like crazy. I am just amazed at the little things he is learning to do- like holding his new toys! He is on the verge of reaching for them- this morning he moved his hand about an inch to grab his toy which is a big improvement!

I spent yesterday looking online and reading about blogs and uses for the classroom. Of course that got me to brainstorming and I am excited to try to use new things with my class. It might take a little while though to really get a good activity or lesson planned out and then I just have to hope I can get my class into the computer lab! I also read about what it means to 'truly blog' and apparently I am not doing it correctly! (nor are some of the other people who I follow!) And if you know me, I have to follow the rules! So, hopefully as I get more into this, I can be a true blogger and not look like a total idiot on these things. Ahhh, learning new things....

5 comments:

  1. Well, Em, apparently blogging is 'connective writing'. In my handy dandy book, it says blogging "links with analysis and synthesis that articulate a deeper understanding or relationship to the content being linked and written with potential audience response in minde." Complex blogging is "extended analysis and synthesis over a longer period of time that builds on previous posts, links, and comments."

    According to the book, journaling and posting assigments are not blogging.

    Interesting...

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  2. Honestly Jen, you can use blogging as you see fit. There is no right or wrong way.

    You will find countless resources defining, “What is a Blog?” Plainly put, a blog is a simple way for individuals to create/update and publish information to the web. Blogs comprise of reflections, conversations, they engage readers with ideas, questions, and links. In addition, blogs allow people to respond, think, network and most importantly, interact. So keep on what you are doing!
    ke

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  3. Jen, you really got me thinking about your above statement:


    …..“blogging "links with analysis and synthesis that articulate a deeper understanding or relationship to the content being linked and written with potential audience response in mind." Complex blogging is "extended analysis and synthesis over a longer period of time that builds on previous posts, links, and comments."

    According to the book, journaling and posting assignments are not blogging."


    As mentioned by the author, posting to a blog can take many forms and the possibilities are endless. From my understanding of the readings, “connective writing”, in his opinion, is a new form of writing genre and “doing connective writing in blogs, then, is a different experience than just posting.” This type of writing is just one way for students to reflect and build on ideas.


    As mentioned before, there is no right or wrong way. In the beginning of chapter 2, the author points out, that blogs comprise of reflection, conversation, engaging readers with ideas, questions, and links. They ask readers to think, respond and most importantly interact. All that you have done successfully - via me - commenting to your post. Congratulations you are blogging!

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  4. Hope you had a great first day back at work! I remember when I returned from maternity leave. It is bitter sweet. You missed your students, but you miss your little one too...

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