#2ndaryELA Archive

#2ndaryELA is a group of middle and high school English Language Arts teachers looking to share ideas and best practices. We chat every Tuesday night at 8 pm EST using #2ndaryELA. We'd love for you to join us!

Tuesday August 28, 2018
8:00 PM EDT

  • literarymaven - Moderator Aug 28 @ 8:00 PM EDT
    Welcome to tonight’s chat! Please introduce yourself. Tell what & where you teach. Share your blog link if you have one. #2ndaryELA
  • bethctech Aug 28 @ 8:00 PM EDT
    Hi #2ndaryELA! I have two blogs, https://t.co/Bvpob09iiG and https://t.co/I0Scsrilqk. The 1st is teaching primarily and the 2nd is creative writing.
  • bethctech Aug 28 @ 8:01 PM EDT
    Tonight’s #2ndaryELA chat is hosted by @bethctech so look for questions coming from me!
  • teachinELA Aug 28 @ 8:02 PM EDT
    I'm Leslie and I teach 11th grade in California #2ndaryela
  • JoyKirr Aug 28 @ 8:03 PM EDT
    Hello, #2ndaryela! Joy from IL - 7th gr - it's been awhile... hosting another chat at this time - but had to get in on the blogging!!
    In reply to @bethctech
  • bethctech Aug 28 @ 8:03 PM EDT
    Hi, Leslie! Do you have a blog that you could share? #2ndaryela
    In reply to @teachinELA
  • literarymaven - Moderator Aug 28 @ 8:03 PM EDT
    We're so glad to have you! #2ndaryELA
    In reply to @bethctech
  • bethctech Aug 28 @ 8:03 PM EDT
    I'm so glad you are trying to multi-task, Joy! #2ndaryela
    In reply to @JoyKirr
  • Magnificent_mdl Aug 28 @ 8:04 PM EDT
    Hi! I’m Kelli from Tennesse. I just began a blog over the summer https://t.co/nYXev2RCev I have only posted twice, but I am working on it. 😊 I am excited about the topic tonight. #2ndaryela
  • bethctech Aug 28 @ 8:05 PM EDT
    Q1: How do you introduce blogging and safe online behaviors to your students? #2ndaryELA
  • bethctech Aug 28 @ 8:05 PM EDT
    I totally understand. Maybe after tonight's chat, you'll have some ideas about how to get started. Then all you need is time LOL. #2ndaryELA
    In reply to @teachinELA
  • AHEngTeach Aug 28 @ 8:05 PM EDT
    Hi everyone! I’m Amanda and I teach 10th & 11th grade in NJ! #2ndaryELA
  • bethctech Aug 28 @ 8:05 PM EDT
    So glad you could join in tonight! Do you have a blog you can share? #2ndaryELA
    In reply to @AHEngTeach
  • bethctech Aug 28 @ 8:06 PM EDT
    A1 I work first on digital citizenship, using playlists I created on @WeAreLRNG: https://t.co/NQQZocNzXQ and https://t.co/aASNEFa9lR #2ndaryela
  • literarymaven - Moderator Aug 28 @ 8:06 PM EDT
    A1 I haven't used blogging in the classroom before so I'm looking forward to hear what others do #2ndaryela
  • MissMeyerITJHS Aug 28 @ 8:06 PM EDT
    #2ndaryela Kathleen from Illinois. Eighth grade special education teacher. Looking for new ideas!
  • LitwithLyns Aug 28 @ 8:06 PM EDT
    Hi everyone! I'm Lyndsey from Lit with Lyns, and I teach middle school ELA in GA. #2ndaryELA
  • literarymaven - Moderator Aug 28 @ 8:07 PM EDT
    A1 cont. @CommonSense has some great resources for teaching about digital citizenship #2ndaryELA
  • bethctech Aug 28 @ 8:07 PM EDT
    What alliteration! Welcome to the blogging party. #2ndaryela
    In reply to @LitwithLyns
  • teachinELA Aug 28 @ 8:07 PM EDT
    I don't use blogging in the classroom, but we are a 1:1 school, so I may use it in the future. I introduce digital citizenship with various lessons related to research and online discussion at the start of the year #2ndaryela
  • bethctech Aug 28 @ 8:07 PM EDT
    RT of Q1 #2ndaryela
    • bethctech Aug 28 @ 8:05 PM EDT
      Q1: How do you introduce blogging and safe online behaviors to your students? #2ndaryELA
  • LitwithLyns Aug 28 @ 8:08 PM EDT
    A1 I haven't used blogging in the classroom before. I've wanted to for the last couple of years, but Google Sites are blocked by our district. :( #2ndaryELA
  • bethctech Aug 28 @ 8:08 PM EDT
    Yes! I love their suggestions for citing Creative Commons licensed works. I stress this over MLA's because it includes links back to the original work, author, and requires CC license. #2ndaryela
    In reply to @literarymaven, @CommonSense
  • AHEngTeach Aug 28 @ 8:08 PM EDT
    A1: I’m looking to try blogging this year. Looking to hear how everyone else does it. #2ndaryELA
  • Magnificent_mdl Aug 28 @ 8:08 PM EDT
    This will be the first year I try blogging with my 7th and 8th graders. Thankfully they have taken a tech class to learn typing and digital citizenship. I have already talked to the tech teacher to hopefully work together on this. #2ndaryELA
    • bethctech Aug 28 @ 8:05 PM EDT
      Q1: How do you introduce blogging and safe online behaviors to your students? #2ndaryELA
  • teachinELA Aug 28 @ 8:09 PM EDT
    A1 contd For example, they sign a computer care contract and we go over how to academically discuss things online. I also start with most stuff done in Google classroom, so it scares them that I can see revision history and keep track of it all #2ndaryela
  • bethctech Aug 28 @ 8:09 PM EDT
    That's so exciting! I know my 8th grade daughter would LOVE to be in your class right now. #2ndaryela
    In reply to @Magnificent_mdl
  • bethctech Aug 28 @ 8:10 PM EDT
    Q2: In what ways can blogging be used to promote student choice and voice? #2ndaryELA
  • listenwiselearn Aug 28 @ 8:10 PM EDT
    Research demonstrates that teaching reading is not enough to move the dial on literacy. https://t.co/rVZExrEaF4 #literacy #elachat #2ndaryELA
  • bethctech Aug 28 @ 8:10 PM EDT
    I use Wordpress with my 10-11th graders. Edublogs is another good one for younger Ss. Easier than Google Sites! #2ndaryela
    In reply to @LitwithLyns
  • literarymaven - Moderator Aug 28 @ 8:10 PM EDT
    We would sooo love to have a tech teacher #2ndaryELA
    In reply to @Magnificent_mdl
  • bethctech Aug 28 @ 8:11 PM EDT
    A2 I allow my dual enrollment juniors to blog on any topic, as long as they use our class norms of a Cc licensed image, an engaging title, and tags. All they need to do is turn a link into me 1x a week. They also comment on each others' blogs. #2ndaryELA
  • literarymaven - Moderator Aug 28 @ 8:11 PM EDT
    A2 I think blogging can help students to feel like they have an audience greater than just their teacher #2ndaryELA
  • JoyKirr Aug 28 @ 8:11 PM EDT
    A2: Blogs can be about ANYTHING the student is passionate about - just like with us. I love sharing w/them how to categorize them, so they feel they have more of a choice - not just blogging for ME. The audience could be ANYone. #2ndaryELA
    • bethctech Aug 28 @ 8:10 PM EDT
      Q2: In what ways can blogging be used to promote student choice and voice? #2ndaryELA
  • teachinELA Aug 28 @ 8:11 PM EDT
    Do you have students add their own work? Have their own sites? Or do you use one classroom site as the hub? #2ndaryela
    In reply to @bethctech, @LitwithLyns
  • bethctech Aug 28 @ 8:11 PM EDT
    RT of Q2 #2ndaryela
    • bethctech Aug 28 @ 8:10 PM EDT
      Q2: In what ways can blogging be used to promote student choice and voice? #2ndaryELA
  • teachinELA Aug 28 @ 8:12 PM EDT
    A2 I love the idea of blogging because students can choose their topics and feel like they have an audience. It is also a way to show off their work and make them feel proud of something we worked on and created in class #2ndaryela
  • bethctech Aug 28 @ 8:12 PM EDT
    Every student has their own blog. They turn in links to their completed posts, and we have a "blog roll" for every student to see each other's site. I have a model blog, but I don't host their work. #2ndaryela
    In reply to @teachinELA, @LitwithLyns
  • MissMeyerITJHS Aug 28 @ 8:12 PM EDT
    #2ndaryela A1: Our school handles some of the initial digital citizenship (taught during social science currently). We haven't done blogs... yet.
  • AHEngTeach Aug 28 @ 8:13 PM EDT
    A2: there is so much choice with blogging. Ss can select topics based on their interests. #2ndaryELA
  • bethctech Aug 28 @ 8:14 PM EDT
    We use categories and tags to organize posts. Any other ideas for organization? #2ndaryela
    In reply to @JoyKirr
  • LitwithLyns Aug 28 @ 8:14 PM EDT
    What website do you have them use to blog? #2ndaryELA
    In reply to @bethctech, @teachinELA
  • bethctech Aug 28 @ 8:15 PM EDT
    Q3: How can we make our classrooms safe spaces for students to share their writing? #2ndaryELA
  • bethctech Aug 28 @ 8:15 PM EDT
    I like Wordpress because professional writers use the platform. I suggest Edublogs or Kidblogger for younger students. #2ndaryela
    In reply to @LitwithLyns, @teachinELA
  • bethctech Aug 28 @ 8:16 PM EDT
    A3 My blogs are totally anonymous to the blogging community. Only I and the student know their username, and I try to only comment positive feedback on their blogs. Writing suggestions and other potentially neg. feedback I post on Google Classroom privately. #2ndaryELA
  • literarymaven - Moderator Aug 28 @ 8:16 PM EDT
    A3 Establishing and enforcing strict norms with "safer" pieces before moving on to topics that may be riskier or more exposing for students #2ndaryela
  • Magnificent_mdl Aug 28 @ 8:16 PM EDT
    I think it would help students learn and write about their passions. I believe it would really help students that are introverts feel like they have a voice about a topic. #2ndaryela
  • LitwithLyns Aug 28 @ 8:16 PM EDT
    Q3- Creating a safe environment w/in the classroom first, prior to beginning the blogging journey. Set definite parameters where students have a clear understanding of what is/isn't allowed. #2ndaryELA
  • JoyKirr Aug 28 @ 8:16 PM EDT
    We do, too - that's how we organize our own blogs, right? Sounds good! #2ndaryELA
    In reply to @bethctech
  • literarymaven - Moderator Aug 28 @ 8:17 PM EDT
    A3 cont I use sentence stems to help students give each other appropriate feedback #2ndaryela
  • bethctech Aug 28 @ 8:17 PM EDT
    Just checking to see if you had any other ideas. I tell them it helps suggest additional posts for readers if they categorize and that tags help searching. #2ndaryela
    In reply to @JoyKirr
  • teachinELA Aug 28 @ 8:17 PM EDT
    A3: I ask Ss : what do you need from me, yourself, or your peers to be successful in this class? I get pretty similar answers, but it helps those who would be rude or disrespectful to see that their peers need safety and are worried about judgements #2ndaryela
  • Magnificent_mdl Aug 28 @ 8:18 PM EDT
    A3 We would need to come up with rules as a class to support appropriate behavior. #2ndaryela
  • JoyKirr Aug 28 @ 8:18 PM EDT
    For sure. I love showing them on my own blog, too - how it's much easier to find what I want as a reader. #2ndaryELA
    In reply to @bethctech
  • teachinELA Aug 28 @ 8:18 PM EDT
    A3 contd I also usually start writing activities with a general, fiction based prompt before moving to more personal items #2ndaryela
  • bethctech Aug 28 @ 8:19 PM EDT
    I am pretty open about my teaching blog https://t.co/Bvpob09iiG and my poetry blog https://t.co/I0Scsrilqk as models. #2ndaryela
    In reply to @AHEngTeach, @teachinELA, @LitwithLyns
  • teachinELA Aug 28 @ 8:19 PM EDT
    This is the most exciting part for me, imagining how much those introverted students will branch out if they just have the platform and push #2ndaryela
    In reply to @Magnificent_mdl
  • bethctech Aug 28 @ 8:20 PM EDT
    Q4: How can blogging be incorporated into what you already do with students? #2ndaryELA
  • bethctech Aug 28 @ 8:20 PM EDT
    We did do some "how do you find what to write about?" kinds of work before beginning to blog. I found that if they felt free to post about their passions, the writing was pretty engaging to read. #2ndaryela
    In reply to @teachinELA
  • literarymaven - Moderator Aug 28 @ 8:21 PM EDT
    A4 So many ways to tie into writing. Using a blog to journal from the POV of a character, to create a writing portfolio, to free write on a topic before developing an argument piece #2ndaryELA
  • bethctech Aug 28 @ 8:21 PM EDT
    A4 After we create our blogs, students submit a post 1x a week and comment at least 3x, regardless of what else we do in class. #2ndaryela
  • JoyKirr Aug 28 @ 8:21 PM EDT
    A4: I think blogging helps us stay cognizant of providing that choice in the classroom - we don't need 82 essays of the same thing. I think it helps us plan for better, more authentic and relevant writing lessons. #2ndaryela
    • bethctech Aug 28 @ 8:20 PM EDT
      Q4: How can blogging be incorporated into what you already do with students? #2ndaryELA
  • bethctech Aug 28 @ 8:22 PM EDT
    And I comment on each and every blog post they turn in. With 78 Ss this year, it's a lot, but it really builds deep connections. It's worth it! #2ndaryela
  • teachinELA Aug 28 @ 8:22 PM EDT
    A4: One of my goals this year is to focus on online discussions since it is a pretty standard college requirement. So, I hope to add on to that by having them use their blogs as the context for discussions #2ndaryela
  • teachinELA Aug 28 @ 8:23 PM EDT
    A4 contd I am also looking forward to blogs adding to just the bulk of writing that I want my students to experience and complete, not just academic writing, but making writing relevant and real for them. #2ndaryela
  • bethctech Aug 28 @ 8:24 PM EDT
    Since my Composition 1 is so heavy in the required academic writing, I feel blogs are a chance for them to take a breath and realize that writing is enjoyable. #2ndaryela
    In reply to @teachinELA
  • Magnificent_mdl Aug 28 @ 8:24 PM EDT
    I love doing Socratic Seminar. This would be helpful to continue their discussions. #2ndaryela
  • bethctech Aug 28 @ 8:25 PM EDT
    Q5: Where and how do you find audiences for your students' blogs? #2ndaryELA
  • JoyKirr Aug 28 @ 8:25 PM EDT
    RIGHT?!?! How relevant is THAT?! ;) #2ndaryela
    In reply to @teachinELA
  • literarymaven - Moderator Aug 28 @ 8:25 PM EDT
    Amen to to your point about essays! Student choice benefits teachers as well #2ndaryELA
    In reply to @JoyKirr
  • bethctech Aug 28 @ 8:26 PM EDT
    A5 I love blogging challenges to expand my students' audience! Edu blogs has a great one at :https://t.co/8sTDPy9RgU 2x a year. I also love #NaBloPoMo in November. #2ndaryELA
  • literarymaven - Moderator Aug 28 @ 8:26 PM EDT
    A5 Again, I haven't tried blogging yet, but I've seen teachers connect in the #2ndaryELA FB group
  • JoyKirr Aug 28 @ 8:26 PM EDT
    A5: Connect w/ELA Ts via Twitter, Voxer, whatever. Also share with families of students, and ask the families to share. Quadblogging is helpful, too! #2ndaryela
  • bethctech Aug 28 @ 8:26 PM EDT
    RT of Q5 #2ndaryela
  • Magnificent_mdl Aug 28 @ 8:27 PM EDT
    A5: Maybe we could connect with other classrooms that blog. #2ndaryela
  • bethctech Aug 28 @ 8:28 PM EDT
    We are still working through citizenship, but blogs should be up and running towards the end of next week, if someone wants to exchange blog lists. #2ndaryela
    In reply to @Magnificent_mdl
  • literarymaven - Moderator Aug 28 @ 8:30 PM EDT
    Thanks for chatting with us tonight. Here’s a sneak peek at next week’s chat #2ndaryela
  • MissMeyerITJHS Aug 28 @ 8:30 PM EDT
    #2ndaryELA A5: This year would be a year to start small with blogging. Start with the classroom and see how that goes.
  • bethctech Aug 28 @ 8:30 PM EDT
    Thanks, #2ndaryela! Have a great rest of your week.
  • literarymaven - Moderator Aug 28 @ 8:31 PM EDT
    And don't forget #2ndaryELA You can join us on FB to continue the conversation all week long https://t.co/p48RqnoSzO
  • literarymaven - Moderator Aug 28 @ 8:31 PM EDT
    This topic ties right in to @bethctech 's 1st question tonight! #2ndaryELA
    In reply to @bethctech
  • literarymaven - Moderator Aug 28 @ 8:32 PM EDT
    Thanks @bethctech for hosting and to everyone for a great chat! #2ndaryELA
  • TeachWriting2 Aug 28 @ 8:37 PM EDT
    We're starting #TeachWriting in a little less than half an hour - join us! Q's here - #EdChat #AmWriting #EngChat #EdTech #Games4Ed #EdTechChat #2ndaryELA #MakeWriting #TLAP #TeachWrite
  • JoyKirr Aug 28 @ 8:38 PM EDT
    Nice job, Beth! Sorry I couldn't give #2ndaryela all my attention, but you got teachers talking! ;D #YouMatter
    In reply to @bethctech
  • TeachWriting2 Aug 28 @ 8:51 PM EDT
    We're getting started in just over 10 minutes! Join #TeachWriting at 9pm ET/8pm CT to talk about starting the year off right! Q's here - #TeachWriting #EdChat #EduCoach #2ndaryELA #TeachWrite #21stEdChat #NGSSChat #MSChat #6thChat #PBLChat #EdTech #AmWriting #LeadLap