Blogging

 

Our student blogs are a way for us to share our ideas and our learning with other people. Sharing our learning means that it is very important that we understand how to use the blog and the internet in a secure way.

  • All student blogs are accessible only by password. Please do not share the password with others outside of your family.
  • All posts and comments submitted have to be approved by Mr. Van before they are included on a blog. Inappropriate or sloppy writing will not be approved.

The following guidelines have been established to ensure the safety of our students when blogging. They are also reminders of how to use their blog to improve writing and keyboarding skills. Failure to follow these guidelines could lead to suspension of blogging/commenting privileges.

Student Blogging Guidelines

When you submit your thoughts, what you have written is instantly visible all around the world. Make sure you think carefully about what you write in blogs and in comments and always follow these rules.

BE SAFE:

  • Do not use your or anyone else’s last name. Parents who leave comments are asked not to use last names either. (Please use identifier’s such as “Jimmy’s mom” or “Megan’s grandfather.”)
  • Don’t be specific when writing about yourself. Say: “I play basketball with a local team” rather than “I play for the Tigers”.
  • Never give anyone your address, email address or phone number. You can keep in touch through the blog.
  • Do not post photos of others without their permission.

BE RESPECTFUL:

  • Don’t say anything that might be offensive to someone else.
  • Be considerate of others. When commenting, show others that you have read what they have written rather than just saying “great job.” Keep your comment on topic and make sense. Say something about the original post.
  • Don’t say random stuff or get really silly.
  • Be open to other people’s opinions, but be prepared to discuss your own position if you don’t agree.

BE LITERATE:

  • You know about good grammar, spelling and punctuation. Apply it!
  • Try to fix your spelling mistakes: use something like Word for drafting your posts or comments.
  • Use capitals in the right places: people’s names, places, the beginning of a sentence. And remember: Using all capitals is like yelling. Don’t do it.
  • Punctuate properly: period at the end of a sentence, space after a period, comma, or end bracket. One “!” will do: you don’t need a string of exclamation marks.
  • Save abbreviations and shortcuts for texting.
  • Be more formal than you would in real life, but not stuffy.
  • Sometimes add a question at the end to keep the conversation going.
  • You are broadcasting yourself to the world. Present yourself in the best possible light.

ONLINE SAFETY RULES:

  • I will talk with my parents or guardian so that we can set up rules for going online. The rules will include: the time of day I may be online, the length of time I may be online, whom I may communicate with while online, and appropriate areas for me to visit while online. I will not break these rules or access other areas without their permission.
  • I will tell a trusted adult if I come across anything that makes me feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused. I will not download anything from anyone without permission from my parents or guardian.
  • I will never share personal information such as my address, my telephone number, my parents’ or guardian’s work address/telephone number, or the name and location of my school without my parents’ or guardian’s permission.
  • I will never respond to any messages that are mean or in any way make me feel uncomfortable. If I do get a message like that, I will tell a trusted adult right away so that he or she can contact the online service. And I will not send those kinds of messages.
  • I will never meet in person with anyone I have first “met” online without checking with my parents or guardian. If my parents or guardian agrees to the meeting, it will be in a public place and my parents or guardian must come along.

 

Resources to develop this page were provided by: Huzzah!, Our Space, and Mr. Salsich. Thanks!