{"id":14322,"date":"2018-10-22T06:20:28","date_gmt":"2018-10-22T11:20:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/theedublogger.edublogs.org\/?p=14322"},"modified":"2018-10-22T06:30:53","modified_gmt":"2018-10-22T11:30:53","slug":"family-blogging-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/family-blogging-month\/","title":{"rendered":"Host Your Own Family Blogging Month"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Linda<\/a>This is a guest post by Linda Yollis.<\/p>\n

Linda is a third-grade teacher in Los Angeles, California.<\/p>\n

Linda is a role model blogger for many educators and willingly shares her insights and experiences via\u00a0Twitter<\/a>, conferences, and on\u00a0her blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n

She is known for setting high standards for her students, making learning fun and meaningful, and embracing global collaboration. Linda is also masterful at involving families in the students’ learning.<\/p>\n

We invited Linda to share one of her most popular concepts with our community — Family Blogging Month.<\/p>\n

Check out Linda’s class blog:<\/strong>\u00a0http:\/\/yollisclassblog.blogspot.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Connect with Linda on Twitter:<\/strong> @lindayollis<\/a><\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>I have been an elementary school teacher for 32 wonderful years. Building relationships, fostering a love of learning, and promoting reading and writing are the foundations of my classroom.<\/p>\n

Mrs. Yollis’ Classroom Blog<\/h3>\n

I started blogging in 2008 and quickly found it to be a fabulous way to meaningfully connect parents and other learning partners with our classroom.<\/p>\n

I use the classroom blog<\/a> to share what is happening in our room. Everyone enjoys seeing what we are learning, but it is the comment section that I really love.<\/p>\n

The comment section is where the blog comes to life, where learning is extended, and relationships are built. Reading and writing in an authentic way with a real<\/i> audience makes learning and connecting fun!<\/p>\n

\"Screenshot<\/a><\/p>\n

Why Host a Family Blogging Month?<\/h4>\n

In an effort to promote blog commenting and family interaction, I created Family Blogging Month back in 2010<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The idea of Family Blogging Month (FBM) is to encourage as many family members and friends to contribute to our learning via the comment section. FBM has proved to be a successful way to create an online learning community and build relationships.<\/p>\n

Why November?<\/h4>\n

I run FBM annually in November for a couple of reasons.<\/p>\n

First, after being in my classroom for two months, most of my students and their families are following the blog and understand how to navigate it. Everyone seems to enjoy reading the blog, so I feel that it is time to step up the process and encourage commenting. By November, everyone is ready to level up!<\/p>\n

\"Turkey<\/p>\n

Second, Thanksgiving in America is in November. Our school has a week off and many families travel to spend time with their relatives. FBM provides a great opportunity to introduce the blog and connect new friends to our learning community!<\/p>\n

How Do I Kick It Off?<\/h3>\n

I update and publish the following blog post every year and “November is Family Blogging Month” begins!<\/p>\n

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Mrs. Yollis and her students \u2665<\/span> to share what they are learning and experiencing. In an effort to include more family members<\/b> in our online community,<\/b> we are proclaiming:<\/p>\n

November is Family Blogging Month!<\/b><\/p>\n

Each student made a list of their family members.<\/p>\n

\"Parents<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Parents<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Parents<\/a><\/p>\n

After looking through the archive <\/b>of our class blog and our Yollis 365 blog<\/a>, students selected specific posts tailored to the interest of a particular relative. Selecting a good post for mom and dad, another for grandma.<\/p>\n

\"Boy<\/a><\/p>\n

A dog post is a great one for siblings!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

We’re inviting everyone<\/i> to comment: moms, dads, brothers, sisters, grandmothers, grandfathers, uncles, aunts, and cousins.<\/span><\/p>\n

We welcome friends, too!<\/span><\/p>\n

Students will be inviting their family and friends to participate in a conversation! <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Maybe we’ll get some 2-point comments! <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

(We frequently evaluate the comments that our blog has received. In order to earn the 2-points, a comment must be error-free and add<\/i> something to the post. Many of Mrs. Yollis’ third graders have already met the challenge!)<\/span><\/p>\n

If you don’t know what<\/i><\/b> to say, here is a video <\/a>made by Mrs. Yollis’ third graders.<\/p>\n

Learn FIVE tips for writing a quality comment!<\/p>\n