Using Weblogs in Reader's and Writer's Workshop
Project Title: Using Weblogs in Reader's and Writer's Workshop
School: L'Etoile du Nord French Immersion
Teacher: jennifer.lacey@spps.org

Grade Level: 5

Project Overview: Students use weblogs as extensions of their Reader's Notebook and their Writer's Notebooks.  By posting their ideas, they are given a forum for sharing, reflecting and demonstrating.

Technology Integration: Last year, I used weblogs as a tool for preparing for the MCA writing test.   As this is not a criteria for 5th grade students this year, I changed my focus to weblogs as an extension of the Reader's Notebook and the Writer's Notebook.  While students use these notebooks in the traditional manner, the weblog was an extension of their roles.  All writing is done in the students' second language, French.

Process: Writer's Workshop - students used weblogs as a new forum for sharing their published works.  In addition to creating traditional paper books or published pieces, they posted their completed projects on their weblogs.  At publishing parties, their peers and families were invited to read works online and post constructive feedback. Students also posted writing in the planning stage as a concept map created in Kidspiration.
Reader's Workshop - rather than writing a letter about their reading to their teacher, the students wrote a letter to the class about their current book.  They shared their reflections and posted a book jacket (when possible). Classmates were invited to respond.

Student Expectations: All writing, editing, researching, and posting was done by the students (with lessons and some guidance from teachers).

Additional Technology: Apple Computers
Urban Planet - software tool for managing weblogs
Internet - for sharing their ideas and performing research
Word - for writing and editing
Kidspiration - for concept mapping
Google - for searching book jackets and other information