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Blogging Buddies: Blogging Classroom Topics
Grade 5English4 days
★★★★★
5.0 (1 rating)BloggingNarrative WritingInformational WritingOpinion WritingDigital LiteracyFeedbackCollaboration
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Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we create engaging blog posts that effectively use different types of writing to share our knowledge on classroom topics, while also learning from and contributing to our classroom community?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- What are the key differences between narrative, informational, and opinion writing?
- How can we use digital tools to effectively communicate our ideas and engage readers in a blog format?
- In what ways can writing a blog help us learn and understand classroom topics better?
- What are the components of a well-structured blog post?
- How can we provide constructive feedback to our peers' blog posts to help them improve their writing?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will understand the structures and differences between narrative, informational, and opinion writing.
- Students will write and publish blog posts using narrative, informational, and opinion formats on classroom topics.
- Students will utilize digital tools for writing, publishing, and collaboration on blogs.
- Students will analyze and provide constructive feedback on peers' blog posts.
- Students will engage in the writing process, including planning, drafting, revising, and editing, to improve writing quality.
Common Core Standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.1
Primary
Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information.Reason: The standard aligns with the project's focus on creating blog posts that include opinion writing.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.2
Primary
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.Reason: This standard is directly related to the project's objective of teaching students to write informational blog posts.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.3
Primary
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.Reason: The project includes narrative writing as a key component, making this standard essential.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.6
Secondary
With some guidance and support from adults, use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others.Reason: Students will use digital platforms to publish their blogs and provide feedback to peers.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.5
Secondary
With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.Reason: The standard supports the process of drafting, editing, and revising blog posts collaboratively.
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsTheme Park Blogging Adventure
Create a mock theme park map where each attraction is a type of writing style. Students will visit different 'attractions' online to experience narrative, informational, and opinion pieces, before blogging about their 'trip.'Digital Scavenger Hunt
Launch the project with a scavenger hunt for interesting blog topics within the school's virtual library. This will ignite curiosity around various topics and allow students to explore narrative, informational, and opinion writing in a familiar context.Mystery Blogger Challenge
Introduce a series of blogs without revealing the authors' identities. Students will analyze different writing styles and guess which characters or real-life people wrote them, leading into discussions on narrative, informational, and opinion writing structures.📚
Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Activity 1
Blogging Exploration Adventure
Students will explore different writing styles by visiting themed attractions online, each showcasing narrative, informational, and opinion writing examples. Using this experience, they'll identify key features of each writing type, setting the foundation for their blogging project.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Visit the themed online attraction for narrative writing and take notes on the key features observed.
2. Explore the informational writing section and record characteristics and examples.
3. Investigate the opinion writing area and note core elements and examples.
4. Discuss findings and reflect on how each writing style differs.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comparative chart detailing features of narrative, informational, and opinion writing.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with understanding structures of narrative, informational, and opinion writing (Learning Goal 1).Activity 2
Creating Your First Blog Post
Students will draft their initial blog post using a chosen writing style. They'll plan their content, outline their main points, and draft an engaging introduction.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Choose a classroom topic that resonates with you for your blog post.
2. Select the writing style you want to use: narrative, informational, or opinion.
3. Plan and outline your blog post, including the main points and an engaging introduction.
4. Draft the first version of your blog post.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA draft of a blog post in the chosen writing style (narrative, informational, or opinion).Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.1, W.5.2, W.5.3 by introducing different writing styles for blog posts.Activity 3
The Editing and Feedback Forum
In this activity, students will get feedback from peers on their drafts. They'll learn how to give and receive constructive feedback, improving their own editing skills.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Exchange blog drafts with a peer and provide written feedback on structure, clarity, and engagement.
2. Receive feedback and discuss suggestions with your partner.
3. Revise your blog post based on feedback received.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA revised blog post that incorporates peer feedback.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCovers CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.5, emphasizing collaboration, revision, and improvement of writing.Activity 4
Digital Publishing Party
Students will publish their revised blog posts on the class's blog platform, gaining experience in using digital tools to share their writing.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Finalize the revisions of your blog post.
2. Log into the class blog platform and follow instructions to publish your post.
3. Participate in a class blog hop, reading, and commenting on at least two peers' blog posts.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA published blog post on the class blog, complete with comments from peers.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.6, focusing on digital publishing and interaction.Activity 5
Reflective Writing Retreat
Students will reflect on their blogging journey, considering what they've learned about writing styles and the process of creating engaging blog posts.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Reflect on your experience learning about different writing styles and drafting your blog post.
2. Write a reflection on how this project has deepened your understanding of narrative, informational, and opinion writing.
3. Consider how giving and receiving feedback impacted your writing process.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA reflective piece summarizing the learning journey and insights gained.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports overall learning goals by providing a reflective closure to the blogging project.🏆
Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioBlogging Buddies Assessment Rubric
Category 1
Understanding of Writing Styles
Assesses the student's comprehension and application of narrative, informational, and opinion writing structures.Criterion 1
Identification of Key Features
Measures the ability to recognize and outline critical features of narrative, informational, and opinion writing.
Exemplary
4 PointsIdentifies all key features of narrative, informational, and opinion writing with complete accuracy and provides insightful examples.
Proficient
3 PointsIdentifies most key features of narrative, informational, and opinion writing accurately with relevant examples.
Developing
2 PointsIdentifies some key features with partial accuracy and a few relevant examples.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to accurately identify key features and provides irrelevant or minimal examples.
Criterion 2
Writing Style Application
Evaluates how well students apply writing techniques unique to narrative, informational, or opinion forms in their blog posts.
Exemplary
4 PointsInnovatively applies techniques of a chosen writing style, enhancing the blog post's engagement and clarity.
Proficient
3 PointsAppropriately applies writing techniques, providing a clear and engaging blog post.
Developing
2 PointsInconsistently applies writing techniques, resulting in occasional lapses in engagement and clarity.
Beginning
1 PointsMinimally applies writing techniques, often leading to confusion or disinterest.
Category 2
Digital Publishing and Interaction
Assesses student's proficiency in using digital tools to publish and interact through their blog posts.Criterion 1
Digital Publishing Skills
Measures ability to successfully publish a blog post using digital tools.
Exemplary
4 PointsSeamlessly publishes a polished, professional blog post with no technical issues.
Proficient
3 PointsEffectively publishes a clear and well-organized blog post with minimal technical issues.
Developing
2 PointsPublishes a blog post with occasional technical difficulties or minor errors.
Beginning
1 PointsRequires significant assistance to publish a blog post due to persistent technical issues.
Criterion 2
Peer Interaction and Feedback
Evaluates participation in providing and implementing feedback to and from peers.
Exemplary
4 PointsConsistently provides insightful, constructive feedback and effectively integrates peer suggestions to enhance the blog post.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides meaningful feedback and integrates most peer suggestions to improve the blog post.
Developing
2 PointsOffers basic feedback and incorporates some peer suggestions, with varying success in improvement.
Beginning
1 PointsRarely provides feedback and struggles to incorporate peer suggestions into the blog post.
Category 3
Reflective Understanding
Assesses the depth of a student’s understanding and reflection on their learning journey related to blogging and writing styles.Criterion 1
Reflective Insight
Measures the ability to articulate insights and learning experiences from the blogging project.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides a comprehensive and insightful reflection, clearly articulating learning gains and personal growth.
Proficient
3 PointsOffers a meaningful reflection that discusses several learning experiences and personal improvements.
Developing
2 PointsShares a basic reflection with limited insights into learning experiences.
Beginning
1 PointsProvides a minimal or vague reflection with little evidence of insight or understanding.
Reflection Prompts
End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learningQuestion 1
How has your understanding of narrative, informational, and opinion writing evolved throughout this project?
Text
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Question 2
On a scale from 1 to 5, how confident do you feel about writing a blog post using any of the three writing styles (narrative, informational, opinion)?
Scale
Required
Question 3
What was the most challenging aspect of this blogging project for you and how did you overcome it?
Text
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Question 4
How do you think the process of giving and receiving feedback impacted your writing skills?
Text
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Question 5
Which of the following was your favorite writing style to use in your blog posts and why?
Multiple choice
Required
Options
Narrative
Informational
Opinion