Bubbl.us-Organize & Diagram Tool

Cool new tool-try Bubbl.us.  Story writing, graphic organizing, anything with order and diagramming would be perfect application for this site.  It's easier than inspiration or similar software in my opinion.  Here's my quick creation.

Kids are Blogging!

OK, I've been a bit behind on blogging.  Not that I don't always have excuses, but this time my biggest excuse is legit- my students are now blogging so I am keeping up with them, or trying to anyways. We have a class blog on kidblog.org.  It's completely private (only students and teacher can see blog) and you can control what to allow to post.  Right now I let students post blogs and I look them over later (despite me wanting to correct spelling and grammar every line::cringe)  I do approve comments. 

The Lowdown:
We started the first week of school. Before open house, I go over blogging rules and expectations, privacy issues about posting anything like  pics, last names, town info,  football teams, etc. with the kids.  At open house, I ask the parents to review the rules and return a signed slip. I have it as part of my classroom job rotation to keep posting current.  One reading blogger, math blogger, and other things blogger that will write about what they're learning about in that subject, or what they really liked this week, etc.  Then after a few weeks,  the whole class went to the computer lab to post a blog  on one of their writing journal entries.  The kids who HATE writing, LOVE posting their writing and thoughts.  Set-up is super easy and you can choose their display names and passwords. 
 I even have a super blogger who has posted a comment to anyone's and everyone's comment from our class.  I think she eats, sleeps, and breathes blogging. Entertains the inner tech geek in me.

Did I mention I love KIDBLOG.org?