Classroom Blog 101: Ten Tips to Get You Started!

A blog can be a great resource for any teacher.  Whether it's a classroom blog for all students, or more informational based for parents, a blog can be a great tool for communication.  Here are ten tips I have on creating and maintaining a good classroom blog.

1.  Find a template or background for free online.  You can use the ones provided with this host site, but it's fun to find cuter, more versatile ones where you really like the look and feel.  Some favorite sites: hotbliggityblog.com, thecutestblogontheblock.com, and shabbyblogs.com. 

2.  Keep it simple to start!  There's no need to add a million pictures or gadgets to your blog, especially when just beginning.  However, feel free to experiment as you grow more confident. 

3.  Keep your blog up to date!  It's no good if you post about a project's due date or try-outs for the Fall musical after the time of these events.  Keep the news current and easily accessible to readers.

4.  Check spelling, grammar, and word-use before publishing - especially as a teacher.  It can be really awkward to explain certain word foul-ups because you didn't proof-read.  Also, you want to appear (and be) professional.

5.  Cite sources!  Just like writing a paper, you need to give credit where credit is due.  If you find a cool idea give a shout out to the source site or a add a link.  If someone else creates an entry, have them include their name if they'd like to.

6.  Save Often.  There's a great auto-saver on blogger, and I rarely have needed to save my work on here.  However, there have been times when something goes wrong and I regretted not saving manually.  So, just to be safe, SAVE.

7.  Get written student AND parent permission to post any students photo or information on a classroom blog.  This is a MUST.  No matter how chill parents may say they are, written permission forms cover you legally in all situations. 

8.  Be careful of what you write on your blog.  You're audience can become those you did not intend it to be, so be cautious.  Also, just be extra cautious of how you write/say certain things.  You could make it a private blog, but that doesn't always work for your class.

9. Use it as your classroom website!  A blog is a great way to communicate with students and parents, and could easily be used as your class site. 

10.  Have students create personal bios for themselves and spotlight a different student each week on your blog!  This would be fun for students, can make a good English or creative writing assignment (so, it may be cross-curricular for you...), and teaches you and the other students in class about the individual.  Again, make sure students and parents are okay with this and sign a written permission form. 

Anyone else have great tips for a classroom blog?