parting is such sweet sorrow

Back at work, and I have to say, not too happy about it. I've so enjoyed the last few days at home--I totally got out of the habit of work and back into the habit of pleasure, namely reading and writing. I read two wonderful novels and spent quite a bit of time reading blogs and writing for my own personal one. It was so lovely to not feel the pressure of work, though I probably should have. I never even opened my bookbag, meaning I didn't even give a passing glance to those tests that needed to be graded, but oh well. We only have a couple of weeks until final exams, so it all has to get done real soon at this point.

After spending so much time blogging and reading blogs this past few days, I find myself really wanting to find a way to use them in my teaching. I know this isn't a new idea. However, I have to be so careful here. There are so many ramifications if I don't handle things just so. I have to protect my students from the world at large (all those internet predators) while at the same time exposing them to it. Quite a challenging task. However, I see such potential for excitement, as well as learning. Probably the most exciting aspect for them would be the possibility of writing for a wider audience than the teacher. Other advantages include access to their work from home, as well as the blog itself becoming an electronic portfolio of their work. And the ability to make comments and benefit from both the giving and the receiving of such seems monumental. I'm just not sure yet how exactly to best implement blogs so that the adminstration here doesn't absolutely FREAK OUT over the possible legal issues and parental objections that could result.

Anyone out there who has successfully utilized blogs with adolescents in a public school setting, speak up! I'm all ears.