I have used blogs in the past in Creative Writing classes as a showcase for student work. It worked decently well. If I had it to do over again, I would make a single class blog and post all of the student work there. Sharing and commenting would be easier.
One lesson that I will implement next semester for World War II in my 10th grade American History class will greatly be enhanced by a blog. This summer I transcribed my grandfather's journal from the war. It was extremely eye opening for me--I'd never really thought of him as anything other than my grandfather, even though I was familiar with his war service. Seeing the events transpire in his own words was very powerful.
I plan on posting his entires to a blog. I will do this in real-time as much as I can, but will have to condense three years into a semester, so each post will have to include a few journal entries. I have read some other blogs in the past that used the same idea, mostly using journals from World War I and World War II. This will allow students to see the war unfold from a unique perspective--a soldier just a few years older than they are--and (hopefully) really drive home how his personal life was profoundly affected by the war.
In addition to the journal entries, I hope to link articles, pictures, encyclopedia entries, etc. to enhance student understanding of the battles my grandfather participated in, the cities he saw, and the people he met.
Students will both comment on the actual blog postings and be responsible for any questions or worksheets that go along with the project.
Moodle Presentation
13 years ago
This sounds like a great lesson and experience. A lot of times our students do not realize what really happened in history and how it affected the people who lived through the war and served in the war. Maybe you could add video clips if they are available so they can see if their visualization matches actuality. One of my seniors last year did her project on the Holocaust and had video interviews of Holocaust survivors.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds amazing. I had never thought of using a character blog as a way to teach students about history. That would be something I could use with my first graders, maybe over a week doing Benjamin Franklin or another historical figure.
ReplyDeleteIt must have been very powerful to transcribe your grandfather's words. I think it would make the students feel very emotionally connected to that time in history and maybe change the way that they think about the war we are in now. The only problem I can see is that your students are going to miss the voice from the past you have brought to them. This is going to be an experience that they never forget, bravo.
I agree with Sara and Teresa; this sounds like a pretty intense set of lessons for the students. Do you have pictures of him as well? This would be a great way to discuss the importance of primary and secondary sources to historical inquiry. I am impressed that you are willing to make his journals public for your students to engage in. This is a great way to bond with the kids by showing them that you trust them with your family's history. Good for you.
ReplyDeleteNow that you have brought up this idea, I think it would be interesting to have students take on the persona of a character in a book and choose events from the book to highlight. They could discuss the ways that those events transformed their characters. While this would not be as powerful as your assignment, it could be interesting.
I am finding that blogging is a great way for teachers to share those ideas that they never have time to on "professional development" days. : ) Thanks for the idea!
This is a splendid idea. It will be significant because the students will see it as real, unlike when they read it in a book where its like just another story. In my science class I include experiments that the students have done, also research papers and projects. This will serve as a compilation of notes and activities, that can be used as reference material.
ReplyDeleteLuckily my grandfather is still around. I forgot to post that I'm going to have him come in at the end as a surprise. I think it will be fun for them to read his entries and then get the the chance to meet him. He had plenty of pictures that I scanned (photography was his hobby then and remains so now) but sadly no video clips.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing of note is that the blogs aren't terribly personal--in fact, probably at least 25% of his entries are simply what he ate that day. I think this is more valuable, though, than his feelings of fright and sadness. Those are expected in war. What I'm finding the students have little perspective on is exactly what it means to be in war--they read about the battles and the generals, but have little connection to the average soldier and how mundane their life in the army is. Most of his days were spent sitting around waiting for something to happen. I suppose it is lucky for me that they all weren't spent in the thick of battle!
I really like the idea of character blogging for a novel as well. This would have been a great project when I was teaching English and using independent novel projects.
Absolutely a great idea. Students would be very engaged. I think they would do great with this assignment. However, I would be ready for the possibility that a student may say something that offends you or your grandfather. Remember, they are just kids and may not even mean to be offensive. Moreover, even if they do try to be offensive, be ready with appropriate responses and actions.
ReplyDeleteI am open with my students about myself, but I am very cautious about being open with them when it comes to my family. Not because my family couldn't handle it, but because I would be too likely to take it personal if one of my wild students blurts out something offense about my wife or daughter. This has happened multiple times in my career and I have been so offended that I was unable to look at the kid the same ever again. Therefore, I currently don't even have a picture of my beautiful wife and daughter in my classroom to avoid inappropriate comments. However, I just took such a cute picture of my wife and daughter today and I am really contemplating putting it on my school desk for the sake of the 99% of my students who would be respectful.
Just a word of caution for you and perhaps a word of caution to help your grandfather also be prepared for potentially inappropriate comments.
Your lesson and applying the use of a blog sounds great! Just reading your plan got me interested in wanting to know about your grandfather. I think your students will enjoy this lesson. I really don't foresee any problems that you may have. Great lesson plan!
ReplyDeleteThe comments of teenagers can be a bit worrisome, but I think most of them understand what behavior is acceptable and what behavior is not. If I didn't trust the students with behaving for such a (potentially) serious presentation, I might not share with them.
ReplyDeleteI have found that students get inappropriate when they are detached from the situation. If they have to deal with it head on, they usually behave.
Good thoughts to think about, though.