Blogs enhance classroom learning

Meet the newest group of bloggers to hit the web—students at Maple Hill Elementary School.

Students at the school are logging on to teacher-generated blogs to respond to and comment on classroom assignments in English Language Arts (ELA), math, science, and social studies.

One Maple Hill teacher using a blog in the classroom is Emily Mesnick. According to Mesnick, her blog is enhancing ELA instruction and adding to students' enthusiasm when it comes to poetry.

"Students respond to a weekly poem posted on our classroom blog and comment on things like rhyme scheme and imagery," she said. "They also ask questions, and have the opportunity to read what other students have posted."

Recently, the class blogged about "Snake Mistake," a poem by Kenn Nesbitt—and to students' surprise Nesbitt, himself, posted a comment. 

Other teachers at the school have also taken notice of classroom blog advantages, including Jessica Moniz—whose fifth-grade class has jumped on the blogging bandwagon.

"Our classroom blog is proving to be a way to engage and motivate students," Moniz said. "It's also enhancing the classroom curriculum and students' ability to think and respond at a higher level.”

Check out these Maple Hill blogs:
Mrs. Mesnick's class: www.mesnickpoetry.blogspot.com
Mr. Galloway's class: www.gallowaypoetry.blogspot.com
Mr. Tomasulo's class: www.tomasulo411.blogspot.com
Ms. Moniz's class: www.monizpoetry.blogspot.com