“When is our project due?”
“What was last Thursday’s homework assignment?”
“When does my daughter have her next unit exam?”
Teachers are used to these kinds of questions from their students, and even parents who are eager to know what is going on with their child’s education. These are great signs that point to everyone’s involvement and interest in the work a teacher does.
These are also questions that have answers that you’ve explained to your students before in class, in syllabuses, and in handouts. Somehow, these questions still seem to pop up.
News and Updates about your classes is just one of the ways a classroom blog can make any teacher’s work life run smoothly. It’s a simple place on the web that students, parents, and administrators can check and see what is being worked on currently and when future assignments are due.
What is a Class Blog?
Blogs can cover just about any subject imaginable. It’s a website that is continually updated with new entries and posts about said subject. It can be informal, informational, casual, personal, opinionated… really just about anything.
What Goes Into a Class Blog?
If you scour the internet you can find many examples of teacher blogs. Often you’ll find personal blogs where teachers discuss the ins and outs of their entire career. What we are proposing is creating a blog specifically about what’s going on in your classes. A place on the web, where anyone (students, parents, administrators) can take a look and see what’s happening on a regular basis.
The blog can be a one stop source on any and all information one needs to succeed in your class. It can:
- Make Class Announcements
These are posts where the teacher can communicate with all students and parents about what they may need to know about changes in the syllabus, the schedule, and upcoming assemblies that may affect class time and any other new information.
- Highlight Topics Covered That Week
These posts are ideal for parents and students who have been absent. It’s a running report on what is being covered in the class so everyone can keep up-to-date and involved with the students’ work.
- Post Nightly Homework
Another helpful tool for both the teacher and parents, here’s a place to share the nightly homework to help make sure students stay on task outside of the classroom. Students too will have a regular place online to look to make sure they are completing their assignments.
- Give Reminders for Upcoming Exam Dates
These can be friendly reminders or simply alerts to let everyone know that the end of the unit exam is approaching. It can also include suggestions on how best to prepare for the test such as any extra review sessions the teacher may have scheduled, or additional study resources students can you use online.
- Tell About Long Term Assignments and Due Dates
An overall class calendar can be utilized right on the blog so students can mind their time management and parents can see what’s coming up for their children. It will help keep a constant flow of communication with parents by sharing all due dates.
- Share Positive and Inspirational Posts
This can be anything from inspirational quotes, an image, a gif, or something that pertains to the work students are rigorously studying and learning in your class, that can give them a boost or a smile. It will give the blog character and students extra incentive to check in regularly.
A class blog is a place for the teacher to share what is happening in the classroom and what is expected of students. It allows for the teacher to communicate with parents and administrators and acts as an up-to-date source for any questions or clarifications that anyone needs. It’s a window into the classroom and a place to always be able to check in and know the teacher is there ready to help.