Thing #4

Commenting helps create a sense of community because that's what it is! It's almost like your own little community when you get involved with others in a conversation about a particular topic. It's just like when your community gets together to vote on something, everyone has their own opinions and makes their statements...this is just like that, but even better because you don't have to worry about someone trying to knock you out over what you say, or vice versa! lol

One point that I read about that I liked was about how people like you commenting on their posts. I really do think it is important to comment because it's true, why would someone put themselves out there only to feel that they've never been heard? I know that I want to be heard, so don't forget to drop a line, even if it's only a "good job" or "nice thoughts"...something.

Another point that I read about was Etiquette and blogging. I think everyone knows how to behave and act mannerly. Things can get right down dirty and rough if there is not some sense of etiquette and morality. There is no need to terrorize someone for their thoughts, seriously, we all know how to behave. If you do not like what someone has to say, and you can't respond gracefully, then just leave it alone. You have your opinions, and so do they...we're all entitled.

I had to choose 7 blogs to read and comment on. My first was a post by Williamslk (not in my class) and it was Thing #7 Flickr. Her post had a picture of one of her bulletin boards in her class and it said, "It's good to be green". I chose this because I wanted to comment on her bulletin board and how important the message is. This is the comment I made:

Hi Kat! I just wanted to say that I love your bulletin board! As a future teacher I definitely need to be thinking about creative ideas for my classroom, and I do not have a creative bone in my body! lol. I really like that you chose the "It's good to be green" message because I really think being "green" is something that a lot of people forget about, even though it is so important. I think it is great to share the idea with students because if you start them on the idea at a young age, then hopefully they will continue with it throughout their lifetime. Great Job!

I really think it is important to get this message out to students early on, and I wanted to encourage this to others and let her know that she did a great job!

My second blog choice was by Emme Walker (not in my class), Thing #3. Emme discussed about how she will be using her blog and I thought she had some great ideas! She said that she would use it to communicate to parents and students. She also said that she would post assignments and direct links to instructions for the assignments. I think these are great ways to use the blog! This is the comment I made in return:

Hi Emme! I just wanted to make a comment on your ideas about your purpose for using the blog. I think the ideas you have about using the blog to communicate with students and parents are great! I also like the idea of posting the assignments along with the links for instructions. This will be very helpful for everyone! Great ideas for the blog use! As a future teacher, I will definitely consider doing the same thing!

I chose to make this comment because I wanted her and others to know how great I think it would be to be able to communicate with teachers and students this way. That way, if there are ever any questions late at night about assignments, or if parents have questions but don't have time to come in or even call, they can just pull it right up and type away!

My third blog choice is by Jasmine's 23 Things Blog (In my class). Her post was about blogging and one particular point that she had was that you can use blogging to communicate with other classrooms around the world. This is the comment I made:

Hey Jasmine! I wanted to say that I completely agree with connecting with other classrooms around the world. I did not really think about that before, but you're definitely right! It is very amazing that we can get and share ideas with other teachers thousands of miles away!

I chose to make this comment because she definitely has a great idea about communicating with other classrooms around the world. I had never really thought about that before. See! Blogging really does help people learn other information! I have already learned new things, and there are many more to come!

My fourth blog choice was by Steph's Blogs Thing #3 (In my class). She discussed how blogging will be beneficial for teachers to use to communicate with each other and get ideas from each other. One point she made was about classroom discipline and how you can use blogging to get ideas for that. I know that is going to be a major part of my teaching career and she definitely has a great point about that, and I know it is going to help a lot to have this blog once I am a teacher myself. This is the comment I made:

Hi Steph! I definitely agree with you about blogging with other teachers for help. I am so thankful that this class has introduced me to this because otherwise I do not think I would have ever made a blog. I feel already that I will have so much help and support from other teachers now, even one's that I don't know or never will, and it's all thanks to the blog! It is definitely a tool that I will use and be thankful for I can already tell!

I chose to make this comment because it is very important that people see that they can really get help by using the blog. It is really nice to see that others feel the same way that I do about using the blog for help. I know some people are shy about asking for help, but with the blog, you never even have to see anyone face to face and you will probably get more help than you ever even needed once the posts are out there and people start to follow!

My fifth blog is by Sarah Klodt (In my class)Thing #12. Sarah discussed how she thinks the likes the old fashioned writing in the planner better. I must say, I like the google calendar for several reasons, already stated in my blog, but I have to agree with Sarah too. I really don't ever see myself leaving my good ole planner behind! She also said that she thinks the google profile is good for letting parents get to know your background. I really think that is a great idea! Here is the comment I made:

Hey Sarah! I have to say, I love your honesty about the old fashioned planner way! lol. I did create a google calendar, but I tell ya, I never see myself ever giving up my good ole daily planner! That thing is my Holy Gail! I never leave home without it! I really don't think I would feel right leaving it behind!

I also like what you said about using the profile for parents to get to know your background. That is something I hadn't thought about before, and that is a great idea. I'm sure the parents would really appreciate it and it would make them feel more comfortable about their child being in your care!

I chose to make this comment because I wanted to let Sarah know that she is not the only one that loves the good ole fashioned written planner! I also wanted to let her and others know how important I think it is to let the parents have an easy way to get to know your background, something I had not really thought about before.

My sixth blog is by Stacy's 23 Things: Thing 3 (In my class). Stacy had some very amazing points about why we should use a blog and what a blog can be used for in the classroom. She not only have general ideas for the use as far as communicating with students but she listed nine other detailed examples of ways that she will use the blog in her classroom. Her ideas really helped open my eyes to just all the things that blogging can be used for in the classroom. The comment I made was:

Great job on all of the ideas you have for using the blog Stacy! These are great examples for everyone, not just English teachers. It really helps open up our eyes to all of the things we can really do with this tool!

I chose to make this comment because I think it is great that Stacy was so detailed about her blogging ideas. She have very specific ideas to help broaden our thinking!

My seventh blog is by Shanacia's 23 Things: Thing #12 (In my class). She discussed the notebook and she made a great point that I had not thought of before. She said that you can use the notebook to write down things about how your day went in the classroom that day and about what did or did not work for you in that particular curriculum. Here is the comment I made:

Hi Shanacia! I really like your idea about using the notebook to write down your thoughts on how your day went and what did or did not work in your curriculum. That is such a great idea! That will be very helpful to have in the future when you go to teach that lesson again, you can easily just refer back to that lesson and you won't have to try to remember every little thing, and you won't have to worry about repeating the same mistakes again! Very helpful advise!

I chose to make this comment because I really think Shanacia has a great point about using the notebook. I will definitely be using this idea when I am a teacher!