Student Blogging Using KidBlog

Based upon a parent recommendation and loads of favorable reviews, I went to Kidblog to give it a try.
Truthfully, I am blown away by the ease of setting up a safe, secure environment for blogging with students in a classroom setting.

In the words of the designers of this web 2.0 application:
Kidblog.org based in Minneapolis, MN, was founded in 2007.  The Kidblog Development Team is committed to providing the most effective, efficient student-blogging tool available anywhere.
Kidblog's founder and lead developer has 18 years of combined web development and classroom teaching experience.  This experience offers a perfect blend of programming and pedagogy.  


Kiblog is meant to be used by elementary and middle students with their teacher.  As the administrator/teacher you have complete control over the posting of comments and who sees the comments.  By default only the student, their classmates and their teacher can participate in the blogging.  When adding students to the classroom list only a username and password is necessary eliminating the sharing of personal information.

Registration to use Kidblog could not be simpler.  At the home page click on the words, Click to Create a Class.  The next page asks you to enter in a username, password, email address and your class name.


When you have completed filling in the blanks and read the Terms of Service click on the Create Class button.  To Create a Class enter in the class name and a description.

This next page, your dashboard, pops up.  Your dashboard/control panel is your work area for posting, commenting,  adding users and controlling your settings.  It is at this page created classes can be viewed or deleted.  New classes can be added.

When clicking on the New Post button this screen comes into view.  As you can see from this image the posting can be as simple or sophisticated as the user desires.  Images, video, audio, files and links can be added to posts.  After completing a post it can be saved as a draft, previewed, trashed or published from this point.

This next graphic shows the extent of your control of posting and comments which can be very secure depending on the administrator/teacher settings.

I can hardly wait to use this forum for the discussion of the title, Wonderstruck, that my third grade Flex Friday students are going to be reading together.  This will increase the students' comfort in commenting as well as their writing skills.

Many thanks to Heather Sape, Charlevoix Elementary and Middle School parent and Charlevoix Elementary School Library Media Center volunteer for bringing this to my attention.

Twitterville Talk #14

These are the tweets of the week that I think will appeal to my students, staff and parents one and all.  We are lucky to have a social networking resource such as this with so much happening in the world of literacy.


Publishers Weekly hosts an article by Sally Lodge, New Peter Rabbit Tale to Be Written by Emma Thompson.  I can't think of a better person to do this. 

National Book Award Finalists to be Revealed at Oregon Literacy Arts Center, with several firsts.  This will be the first time these have been announced in the Pacific Northwest, the first time live over a public radio venue and the first time with a literary presenting organization.

Some great titles are listed in this article, Mythology in YA Lit,  by Faythe Arrendondo.  I've read a couple and give them "thumbs up".  Thanks to The Hub.

Richard Byrne at Free Technology For Teachers posted some great stuff for teachers this week:  12 Useful YouTube Accessories for Teachers and Students and 77 Educational Games and Game Builders to name two.



A Fuse #8 Production via School Library Journal posted in their blog, Video Sunday about the book trailer for The Chronicles of Harris Burdick found on YouTube.

A Fuse #8 Production also includes in her news post a great link to Read Around the World.  This is a fantastic source of books, recipes and activities plus it gets you thinking about other titles and their possibilities for a similar project at home or in the classroom.

Also check out Newbery/Caldecott 2012: The Fall Predictions found at A Fuse #8 Production by Elizabeth Bird.

At the new blog, Heavy Medal: A Mock Newbery Blog, don't miss the article by Jonathan Hunt, Is This Absolutely Necessary?  This is a readable opinion on the very real,  increasing length of tween and teen books.

Joyce Valenza, blogger and librarian, posting at School Library Journal in the NeverendingSearch has a great resource in Fifty Ways to Leave Your Term Paper/Book Report & Tell Your Story.

Children's Bookshelf from Publishers Weekly Kids has loads of good tips and links this week.  Check these out:

Two links regarding Brian Selznick's new Wonderstruck are found showing him pictured in front of the bookstore, Books of Wonder, renamed Books of Wonderstruck this week and a link to an article in USA Today, Literary game will leave Brian Selznick fans "Wonderstruck" in new book.

Chris Raschka, best known in the picture book world, has written his first novel, Seriously Normal.

In an article by Rohan Preston, Letting pigs fly, we discover that Kate DiCamillo's Mercy Watson books have been adapted for the stage.

Daniel Pinkwater has a new book out this week, Bushman Lives.  It will eventually be published in print but for now it has its own website where it can be read bit by bit.

Curation Sensation

For many months now I have been coming across articles about curation and education on Twitter and by visiting my favorite bloggers.  Curators have been around for centuries but the idea of people being curators of digital information and designing applications to assist them in this endeavor is not that old.  After reading several articles my composite definition of digital curation is the ability to select content relative to a specific topic, organize, maintain and preserve it for sharing.

Still in beta format one such online application for curation is Scoop.it!  It is an information location tool centered on a subject of your choice.  You pick and choose what appears on your page after Scoop.it! has browsed the web based upon your interests.  You can add and edit topics.  A completed Scoop.it! theme can be shared with others of similar passions enabling them to suggest other possible resources that can become part of your site.

To begin using Scoop.it! click on Get an Invite.  Complete the form filling in your full name and email address.  Optional blanks are listing your Twitter account, the topic you might create, and what your take on blogging and other social media is. In their Terms policy they are firm in that this service is not to be used by minors under 12 years of age.  If minors over 12 years of age use the service they are to do so only with parental permission.

When you have received an invitation by email go to the link sent to you.  At that time you can sign on with a Facebook or Twitter account or create another one by filling in a short name, password and uploading a picture.  By completing the new account information and accepting the Terms of Use, the next page offers hints about topic selection.  Click on CREATE A TOPIC.

From there the work space for designing your Scoop.it! topic is seen.  You are asked to enter in a title, description, select a language, and any keywords associated with your subject.  You can also upload an icon to represent your choice.  Then click GO. 

After reading a couple of thoughts on curating click NEXT.  The following page offers users the opportunity to add a bookmarklet to their browser.  When surfing the Internet if a good site is found that you want to add to your topic just click on the bookmarklet and it will automatically be added to the topic page. Select the NEXT button.  At the following page select the START CURATING AND HAVE FUN tab.

On the left side of the screen SUGGESTED CONTENT is listed that has been found by Scoop.it!.  On the right side of the screen items added to your topic will appear.  If you want to add one of the content items on the left, click Scoop.it!.  A frame pops up on the screen allowing you to view the posting as it will appear.  You can upload additional images at this time. When you are ready click PUBLISH.

Once published small icons come into view in the lower left and right sides of the latest scoop.  These represent:   force to the top, edit, tag.it!, delete, share and rescoop.  When your cursor is placed over the image on the scoop, a small tool bar allows placement of the image within the text and adjustment of the image size.

As you are working on your topic you have the ability to toggle back and forth between VIEW TOPIC and CURATE.

This a view of what your dashboard would look like.

This online tool is a step toward a new generation of web applications that will benefit users personally and in the education field.  For our 21st century learners this offers them the perfect opportunity to think, create, share and grow.

Twitterville Talk #12

I don't know if it's because fall is in the air giving people renewed vigor, but so much is happening in the world of libraries, books, reading and technology that it is hard to sift through all the tweets this past week.  I hope you find something that interests you and you learn something new; because that's what it's all about

School Library Journal A Fuse #8 Production by Elizabeth Bird has an informative and interesting article:

From Funny Pages to 32 Pages:  Cartoonists Turned Picture Book Authors.  Lucky for all of us that these artists tried another venue.

Author Karen David has written an essay about tutoring struggling or reluctant readers in her daughter's school district in the UK.  The Lessons I Learned is so truthful in every respect.  All educators, parents and administrators as well as politicians should read this.

Nell Colburn relates in an article, Changing the World One Bright Red Book Bag at a Time, about a program aimed at increasing literacy.  It puts books in the hands of preschool children coming from homes that have no books or parents who do not read to them.  Just as the research has stated again and again, it's working!

Walter the Farting Dog Turns 10 by Rocco Staino talks about the ups and downs of this book's popularity. Whether you are a fan or not, no one can dispute the book's ability to get reluctant readers to read plus a film is slated to appear in 2013.

Rick Margolis conducts an interview, Frenemies:  Jack D. Ferraiolo's hilarious new novel features dueling superhero sidekicks with the author.  This gives further insight into the mind behind a title that I absolutely loved.  In fact, I can't wait to read it again.

This next reference I am placing in bold so fellow librarians and parents that may read my blog posts will not miss what I have know for my entire 34 year career.  Something to Shout About:  New research shows that more librarians means higher reading scores by Keith Curry Lance and Linda Hofschire clearly and concisely states the need for keeping our school library media centers staffed with professional librarians.

Publishers Weekly links to a visual of back to school classes, grading system and schedule for Hogwarts!
All aboard....

Julie Danielson at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast gives readers a sneak peak into Lane Smith's newest title, Grandpa Green.

Check out this link to The Hunger Games web site where users register as citizens in a District.  It is way cool.   Thanks to Children's Bookshelf at Publishers Weekly.


Another great list of horse stories at My Little Pony via The Hub.

Yes, indeed we have a trailer for The Hunger Games movie.  Can't wait, just can't wait to see this.

YouTube has created a separate spot, Reflections on 9/11: We want to hear from you.  Viewers are asked to submit videos that answer a variety of questions.  It should be a great resource.

Just in case people might be wondering about the necessity of libraries, check out this visual of line for the New York Public Library post Hurricane Irene.  Thanks to Library Journal for the link.

Who knew that talented author/illustrator Mo Willems was a gifted sculptor.  Check out his current creation.

Richard Byrne of Free Technology for Teachers has a link to a great resource, Understanding 9/11:  A Television Archive.

Student Blogging Using Edmodo

The web 2.0 free blogging service for educators and their students, Edmodo, was selected as one of the Top 25 Websites for Teaching and Learning 2011 by AASLA (American Association of School Librarians).  It falls under the umbrella of the Social Networking and Communication standard within the Standards for the 21st-Century Learner.  The specific standards it addresses are: 3.1.2 Participate and collaborate as members of a social and intellectual network of learners.  4.1.7 Use social networks and information tools to gather and share information.  4.3.1 Participate in the social exchange of ideas, both electronically and in person.


As stated on their web site:



Edmodo is a secure, social learning platform for teachers, students, schools and districts. We provide a safe and easy way for your class to connect and collaborate, share content and access homework, grades and school notices. Our goal is to help educators harness the power of social media to customize the classroom for each and every learner.  Edmodo is free for all teachers, students, schools and districts.

As a teacher to register a username, password, email address, title (Mr. etc), first name and last name need to be given.  Students register using a group code their educator gives them, determining a username, password, an optional email address, first name and last name.  According to the terms of service students under 18 need parental permission.  In reading down the page the age of 13 is stated.  Parents need to read the terms of service prior to giving consent for usage. 

With registration complete educators need to complete their profile by filling out a short description about themselves (goals, objectives, history of teaching, etc.).  There is also a tab under profile for adding items such as links and files to folders in their professional library. 

By clicking on the account tab a photo can be uploaded or a graphic can be selected.  Registration information can be edited, privacy and notification settings can be adjusted and saved. 

Events can be added to a calendar that includes a description, a date range and to whom this information will be sent.  There is also a grades tab  for easier access to student groups using this application when assessments are evaluated.

At this point I am going to start using this with grade four students perhaps expanding it to encompass third grade students later in the school year. 

Edmodo provides extensive guides generated by the site as well as by its users in print, video and webinar format.  I attended the August 29th Introduction to Edmodo webinar. 

Twitterville Talk #11

Here's the latest and greatest from all the tweeters on Twitter.

For anyone that works with boys in a variety of settings this article in the New York Times, Boys and reading--Is There Any Hope? by Robert Lipsyte is a must read.  I truly mean this.  Thanks to Publishers Weekly for the link.

YALSA (Young Adult Library Services) The Hub has lots to engage readers young and young at heart alike this week.

Pick your favorite first line from the 2012 Best Fiction for Young Adult nominees

Good Books Come in Threes

August Debuts

School Library Journal had terrific tweets this week.

Archie goes to Bollywood gives a list of newer graphic novels and links to their reviews.

Media Mix:  Curiosity in the Classroom by Phyllis Levy Mandell offers another take on the new Discovery Channel program.

Librarian Joyce Valenza of Neverending Search has put together a comprehensive list of 9/11 Resources.

Rick Riordan has posted the first character art of The Son of Neptune.



I don't know how this ended up on my Twitter Feed but :
Jennifer Lawrence, who stars as Katniss in the anticipated big-screen adaptation of Suzanne Collins' books, will introduce the clip, which airs at 9 p.m. ET/PT.  MTV will air this clip of the upcoming movie, The Hunger Games.

Irene Races Up The Coast

With Hurricane Irene making her way up the eastern side of the United States there are many resources available to those in her path as well as those following her track from safer areas of the country.



From MSNBC in an article Technolog: How to use social media during Hurricane Irene.  Thanks to a friend on Facebook for this link.

Via Twitter Richard Byrne of Free Technology for Teachers:

Tracking Hurricane Irene With Google Maps

Google Earth Blog: More Tools to Help Track Hurricane Irene

Larry Ferlazzo of Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day has updated his list The Best Sites for Learning About Hurricanes to include references to Hurricane Irene.

As more resources present themselves I will add them here for all to use.

Take care one and all no matter where you are.

Twenty-Four Hours in Twitterville #3

Lots of news and new ideas popping up via Twitter within the past several days. 

At the ALA annual convention in New Orleans the American Association of School Librarians listed their new top twenty-five web sites for teaching and learning. If you are looking to integrate technology into your classroom, there are excellent recommendations on this list.

At Huffpost Education there is an outstanding article by novelist, naturalist, and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, William Dietrich about the use of historical fiction to promote interest in and teach history.  It's about making history come alive through story.

By following a link I discovered what appears to be an excellent web site connecting boys and reading.  A group of parents, educators, librarians, mentors, authors, and booksellers have come together with the mission:  to transform boys into lifelong readers.  It includes an extensive reading list that will appeal not only to boys but girls as well.


Here is another outstanding video about the importance of following the rules of copyright.

There is a new blog at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Making Art With Children, from The Art Studio.  I would like to say that it's the next best thing to being there (it's enough for now) but what an experience it would be to go there in person no matter your age. 

Thanks to tweets by Larry Ferlazzo, the Association for Library Service to Children and the School Library Journal blog, Fuse #8.

Google Raises The Bar

Hot off the twitter wire are two links from Google and TechCrunch about a new project at Google.

In their own words:  We'd like to bring nuance and richness of real life sharing to software.  We want to make Google better by including you, your relationships, and your interests.  And so begins the Google+ project.

The Google link contains videos of the various components of this new endeavour.  TechCrunch has embedded the same videos but offers insight and comments.

Only time will tell how this will impact education but it will definitely impact our students and social networking in general.  To date use of Google+ is by invitation only. 

Twenty-Four Hours in Twitterville #2

J. K. Rowling announces on June 23, 2011 just what Pottermore will offer its users.  More to come on July 31, 2011 with full availability in October.  The reading experience just went up to a whole new level.  At the time of this writing registering with your email address has been suspended due to an overwhelming demand.  This morning I was able to leave my email address but the final step continually timed out. 

This will be the only place to purchase the Potter books in eBook format and digital audio books.  There is much speculation about this bold move from the book selling world. 

On June 22, 2011 Mo Willems new Elephant and Piggie book, Should I Share My Ice Cream, debuts as #1 on the New York Times Picture Book Bestseller list.

Twenty-Four Hours in Twitterville

It's mind boggling how much news comes across Twitter within a 24 hour period.  Check out these announcements via Publishers Weekly and TechCrunch.

Yesterday a new web site appeared on the Net.  It's called Pottermore .  It is very simply a purple background with silver words stating the title followed by handwritten words, Coming soon, and J. K. Rowling's signature.  Anticipation is high.  UPDATE:  June 17, 2011---There are now owls on the site which when clicked take the user to a YouTube video. 

Jeff Kinney has a new title coming in his Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, Cabin Fever.  It is set for a November 15, 2011 release with 6 million first printing copies.  Now that's a whole bunch of books.  Check out this interview where he speaks about this new book.

USA Today has an article about the book Alice Ozma has written titled The Reading Promise:  My Father and the Books We Shared.  Her father an elementary school librarian read to her every night from the fourth grade until she left home for college.  What a wonderful commitment and legacy!

bitly has expanded their free services to include not only shortening URL links but sharing, tracking and analyzing them.

Reading Raves

When I began to use Google Reader in the fall of 2010 I was pleasantly surprised how easy it was to set up and how much it kept me informed with all that is happening in my fields of interest.
As previously posted on April 25, 2011 I am a reader of the blog by Donalyn Miller called The Book Whisperer.  Last week a colleague of mine at the middle school spoke of recently attending a workshop held by Miller.  In showing me her copy of Miller's The Book Whisperer she pointed out a list at the end of good links to blogs, web sites and networking options.  One of the networking sites is called Goodreads.
Just this morning another blogger that I follow, Richard Byrne of Free Technology for Teachers had a guest post by Jennifer Roberts.  Readers were treated to how she has applied Goodreads in her high school classroom. 

These connections are what is prompting me to write about Goodreads.  A month ago I joined the ranks of Goodreads whose members number well over 4.5 million since its inception in December 2006.
Users must be over 13 years of age and need to have approval and supervision if under the age of 18. 

To register simply give your name, email address and a password.  Facebook, Twitter and Google can also be used to sign in. 

Goodreads has stated on their site:  Goodreads' mission is to get people excited about reading. Along the way, we plan to improve the process of reading and learning throughout the world.
A mission such as theirs is what I and many of my colleagues strive for throughout our careers and lifetime.

Users can create profiles, lists of books read, currently reading or waiting to read.  When a book is selected a rating can be assigned as well as writing a review.  When another reader becomes your Friend popular titles are shared and books can be swapped.

There are as many Groups to join as there are interests; as of this writing there are more than 33,000.  Group members can share with other members as much or as little as they desire adding discussion topic folders whose parameters have been set by the group founder/leader.  Without joining a group you can still view their discussions which I did before joining my only group. 

The Explore tab lists quick links to listopia topics, popular lists, goodreads voice which is a newsy update of books and book people, giveaways, ebooks, the bookswap, random selection of books to browse, genres, trivia, quizzes, quotes, authors, creative writing by tags and genres, events within a 200 mile radius of your area and people who are currently online.

Goodreads offers an incredible way to share with those taken with books and reading of all ages and walks of life and to promote a life-long reading habit.  Get connected today!