What is a blog?!?

This is the second year I have taught technology at the Middle School.  I enjoy it!  A lot! It is fun to rebuild those relationships with the kiddos that I had when they were cute little third graders.  They haven't changed too much so it feels like we just pick up where we left off and enjoy each other.  At least I like to think so.

My seventh grade class is basically an introduction to technology tools while the eighth grade class is a multimedia class.  It is a fast paced time together.  We only get something like thirty days together!  Crazy, right?! Right now the eighth graders are creating some pretty amazing iMovies based on their life so far.  It is fun to watch their creations come to life.  We also have a lot of fun using Photoshop for picture editing.  Its been a fun learning experience for us all.  Of course the seventh graders come in after the eighth graders and drool over what they're working on and keep thinking about how the grass is greener on the other side.

Today the seventh graders came in and I start our conversation off by talking about the Blogger's Code of Ethics.  I asked them if they knew what a "code of ethics" was.  They didn't know.  I asked if they knew what "ethics" were. They didn't.  So we back tracked a little bit.  I brought up examples of code of ethics other professions use: nurses, psychologists, doctors, teachers, writers, etc.   Just as I was about to move on I was interrupted by our awesome school counselor to talk about a student.  I asked the kiddos to talk to each other about if there is a middle school code of ethics they follow without even realizing that they do, while I speak with our school counselor just aside of the class. While I'm talking with our school counselor I hear an uproar of voices talking.  Score! Conversation! On topic? Who knows!  When I opened the door back up they were all sitting quiet as mice, all with their hands raised and waiting for me.  So you can imagine my surprise when I walk in to see SEVENTH graders, sitting, and QUIET!  I just kind of slowly walked in, waiting for doom to hit, and just kind of weasel out, "Sooo? What's up?"  They all say at the same time, "What is a blog?!!?"  My head was spinning.  How could they not know what a blog was?!  We pulled up the definition of a blog and then I showed them some examples of a blog.  We talked about how a blog has a purpose and mine for example, has a purpose to communicate about teaching at the elementary and middle schools in library and technology.  So for me to add a post about eating some amazing tasting mac-n-cheese really wouldn't be appropriate.  Guess what they will be starting on Monday?!  BLOGS, you betcha! Why didn't I think to do this sooner with the other rotations?!  Live and learn!