Blogging in the Classroom

I have utilized blogging in the classroom before.  Our school district's home pages allow us to set up a blog.  Each student gets an anonymous (to them and everyone else, but not me) screen name.  I would put up a variety of discussion questions each day for them to discuss.  I had them moderated before they were actually posted to screen out anything that did not belong or was off topic.  It went really well and the students really enjoyed it.  It was a great way to carry over discussion from the classroom to home.

I think another great way I could utilize a blog is for students to share and discuss current events.  Most of my students come to school wanting to share news or things they have heard from the news or newspaper.  One of my students this year has a parent that runs our local newspaper.

Introduction and Purpose

Thank you for checking out my blog.  My name is Dan Ackland, and I am currently an Elementary Principal (K-6) in Hutchinson, Kansas.  I just completed my first year serving as a principal.  Prior to that, I spent 8 years teaching 5th grade in Valley Center, Kansas.  I also spent 1 year working as a behavior para in Waverly, Nebraska.

I have a passion for working with students and families and helping them reach their fullest potential.  I've decided to use this blog to share thoughts, ideas, resources, and as a reflection tool.  The thoughts here are my own.