Med Blogging Encourages Reading

Blogging really encourages reading since in order for me to write on my blog I had to do some research and reading. I found this wonderful article, "The Joy of Blogging," by Anna P. Davis and Ewa McGraiL. I want to share some of the tips they had in implementing Blogging in the classroom.
1) Teacher must present the first post on a class blog where students and teacher will discussed it.
2) Students then explored other students' blogs, wikis on blogging and a "blook" (a book created on a blog). They then create a visual representation of their learning.
3) Teacher then create a purposeful learning environment by giving students prompts to write on eg: current events, topics they are learning in class, books they are reading, passions they are pursuing and persuasive pieces.
4) Teacher must build a respectful classroom environment by encouraging students to make thoughtful comments on their classmates blogs eg: Some of the comment starters that can be used include, " I wonder......," "After reflecting on your post.....," "Another thing to consider....," "I don't understand ......,"
5) Students are encouraged to practice, "Freewriting" (REMEMBER this strategy) before writing in their blogs.
6) Every week the teachers must acknowledge a student's accomplishments so they will know that their efforts are appreciated by teacher and peers.
7) To ensure successful blogging the teacher could recruit readers from outside the classroom community eg: university students, students in other blogging classes, retired teachers as well as the teachers professional blog. I like this idea.

What are your comments on this article?
If you are interested in reading the whole article blog me.

Why I Became A Reading Specialist?

My name is Esther Stewart and I am a primary school teacher in the St. George East District. I have been teaching for over twenty years. I have been teaching Standard Four-Five for eight years. My passion for teaching Reading started when I was sent to an Infants' Reading Workshop and this passion has not abated. In fact it has continued to grow since most of the children I teach are at Level 1 based on the National Test. Reading is one of the main foundation subjects in education and it is important that all children learn to read. My philosophy is that any child that enters my class must leave it knowing how to read and to develop a thirst for reading which will therefore assist him or her to become a lifelong reader/learner. I am able to achieve this at least seventy-five percent of the time and I need to get 95% or more of my students to become lifelong readers.

When I saw Med Reading Program advertised I eagerly applied since I knew it would enable me to become a better teacher of Reading. I know it would enable me not only to help my students
but my colleagues as well. This program has exceeded my expectations especially in the Content Area Reading. I enjoyed teaching Social Studies and Science to my post S.E.A. students using the strategies some of my reading colleagues demonstrated during their group presentations. Most importantly my students love them. They wrote in their journals it was fun. I am eager to learn how to use technology in Reading since we are living in a technological world with children who are techno-savvy. There is no greater joy as a teacher in seeing children enjoy learning and I know this course will enable me to do just that. It will further enable my struggling readers to become engaged readers.