Blogs, Readers, and Literacy.... Oh My!

I am beginning to realize that I am not alone in my discovery of the blogging world. Like so many others, I have heard of blogging but have never participated myself, and I never imagined that it could be used as a tool in the classroom. Students today are surrounded by technology in so many varying forms. It would be a shame not to incorporate their technological skills into the classroom.  

As Johnson (2010) states, "Exploiting the potential use of authors’ blogs in the language arts curriculum can result in establishing an authentic learning environment that creates powerful connections, collaborations, and creativity that promotes learning and challenges thinking" (pg. 174). When students are allowed to read what the author is actually thinking, a new world of learning is available to the students. Traditional teaching and learning is a thing of the past as teachers and students participate in authentic learning through technological mediums. It is time for teachers to find engaging methods of instruction that will "hook" students interest and foster genuine learning. I desire to become the kind of teacher who is passionate about seeing her students excited to learn.  

I realize that having a desire and carrying out that desire are two different things. Johnson (2010) tell us that, "Authors’ blogs are abundant, but finding, managing,organizing, and using them in meaningful ways may seem overwhelming. Teachers’ lives are busy enough without trying to find time to visit and read multiple posts on several authors’ blogs daily. However, there are online tools available to make the process manageable" (pg. 178). If there are ways to make the process manageable and not consume too much valuable time, there should not be an excuse to not utilize this resource in the classroom.  

While blogging is a new concept to me, reading across the curriculum is also a new concept that I am learning more and more about each semester. Our instructors are actually telling us that it is possible for students to read in classes other than language arts! Who ever heard of such a thing? Obviously, everyone except me.  

Every day there are content area teachers who incorporate reading into their classes. In middle school, I was an avid reader, but I struggled with the concepts presented in science and math. If my teachers back then would have incorporated reading across the curriculum, I may have developed a genuine interest in science or math.  

Sanacore and Palumbo (2010) state, "Students who are immersed in wide and varied reading have a meaningful context not only for developing a lifetime reading habit, but also for learning vocabulary, grammar, comprehension, and other literacy skills" (pg. 180). Reading can be used as a way to challenge students' skills in other content area classes. Through reading, students grow, develop, and improve in their literacy skills. This improvement allows for more understanding and comprehension in each subject area.  

If reading across the curriculum has such positive results, why isn't every school participating in some form? My eyes have been opened to new possibilities in the world of middle school education. I am excited to learn current teaching methods and how I can apply them in my future classroom.

Let the learning begin! 

Johnson, D. (2010). Teaching with authors’ blogs: Connections, collaboration, 
          creativity. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 54(3), 172-180. doi:    
          10.1598/JAAL.54.3.2


Sanacore, J., & Palumbo, A. (2010). Middle school students need more 
          opportunities to read across the curriculum. Clearing House: A Journal 
          of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas, 83(5), 180-185. doi: 
          10.1080/00098650903583735