Title: Literature Circle Blog Sequencing Plan
Grade: 5
Main purpose for teaching this sequence is to:
o Introduce blogging to students and to build on their previous knowledge
o Encourage students to use technology when writing
o Encourage student collaboration
o Explore deeper meaning behind text when looking at theme and plot
Rationale: This sequence allows students to experience technology that may be new to them, through the use of blogging, using video cameras, and personal computers. In this writing sequence students have an opportunity to work individually and as groups. Blogs allow for collaborative effort because students can post comments, giving constructive criticism and positive reinforcement.
Overview: The main activity in this lesson sequence is for each student to build a blog, including a short video clip.
1) Familiarity with text type:
Assumption: Students have read the books already and students understand how literature circles work
o Student will complete survey of understanding (for blogs)
o Show how different modes combine to create meaning
o Class discussion on blogs, personal experiences, thoughts etc.
o Show students example of completed blog (similar to model we will create)
o Explain how design, layout and organization of texts create effect
2) Capture Ideas: (note and develop)
o Students choose a character from their novel, make brief notes and rationalize why they choose to blog about that character
o Record through drawings, story maps, and notes
o Use information collected from the previous blogs (things they liked, things they didn’t)
3) Plan (develop, record and structure ideas)
o From the book choose 5-6 situations that you would like to write about from the point of view of your character
o Teacher models designing layouts and model creating a blog
o Students make a collection of photos and images that will help enhance thier writing
4) Draft (develop ideas to structured text)
o Teacher models how to start a blog
o Write a rough draft of introduction and 1 day (out of the 5) in the life of your character, include as much detail as possible
o Students will build their blogs and put the first draft of the writing on the blog
o Other students in the class will be expected to comment, politely and constructively, on the writing (what they liked, what needed work, clarifications)
o This stage may take a while because it should be repeated for each “day” in the life of the character
5) Revise (alter and improve the draft)
o Look back at original blog examples
o Adding and removing elements of the blog entry
o Students will use the comments of their literature circle groups to aid in the changes being made to their blogs (focus should be on providing feedback for communication)
o Finally, students from other literature circles will be asked to comment on areas that need clarification for people who have not read the book yet
6) Proof Read (check design, layout spelling etc.)
o The other members of the literature circles will be given an opportunity to read their group members blogs and then comment on potential changes
o Teacher will model talking about decisions about adding, removing and re-organizing elements of the blog
o Students will work with lit. circle partners to make decisions about the effective use of elements in the text
o Students will apply understanding of design and text construction to clarify meaning
7) Present (final copy prepared and presented)
o Talk through decisions about the final presentation
o Students video tape themselves reading the blog entry from what they decide is their favorite entry (read the day as the character)
o The whole class will all watch the video post and comment on it (positive comments, constructive criticism)
o Conclusion – after the video post each student will write a summary post using feedback from classmates to comment about: what I learned, want to do more, etc.
Annotated Resources:
Ball. (2008). Grade Six. Retrieved November 20, 2008 from
• A “no frills” basic, well-done blog designed by a teacher for his grade six class. The blog is updated daily about classroom activities, includes links to relevant websites.
Byars, B. (1981). The Midnight Fox. New York: Puffin Books.
• A novel about an average boy who gets caught up in a fox’s life while visiting his aunt and uncle’s farm. Ideal for grades 4 to 6.
Camilleri, M et.al. (2007). Blogs: web journals in language education. Austria: Council of Europe Publishing.
• This short book was originally written for English Language Learners, however all of the information is applicable to a classroom with English speaking children as well. Short and to the point, it highlights the benefits of blogs along with information that would be beneficial to a teacher just learning how to teach blogging.
Kuroneko. (2008, June 8). How to Start an Educational Blog for your Classroom. Retrieved November 3, 2008, from
• A website outlining how to start classroom blogs in a step-by-step format. The website also links to additional information such as: 6 Reasons to get your students blogging, and Locking down your EduBlog to prevent unauthorized access.
Norton, M. (1953). The Borrowers. Orlando, Florida: Harcourt Books.
• Miniature people who live in an old country house by borrowing from the humans are forced to emigrate from their home under the clock. This book is good for students in grades three to five.
Poulin. (2007). Mrs. Poulin’s Blog. Word Press: Engine. Retrieved November 20, 2008 from
• This blog is one of the best ones that I have seen. It is designed by a teacher, for her students and includes video footage of some of the students in her class.
Richardson, W. (2006). Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications Ltd.
• An excellent resource for blogs as well as other technology (wiki, podcasts, etc.). So detailed (safety, ways to use it, software to use and so on) that this would be the only book that one would need if they wanted to start a classroom blog.
Rylant, C. (1995). The Van Gogh Café. New York: Scholastic.
• Ideal for students in grades 4 through 6, this book follows a little girl, and all the magical happenings at the café her father owns.
Rowling, J. K.(1998). Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone. New York: Scholastic Press.
• The first in the Harry Potter series, this book introduces the miraculous world of Hogwarts and the other main characters. The book is good for students in grade four to seven.
Sanborn. (2005). Super Students Blog. Retrieved November 20, 2008 from
• This is an older, simpler blog that demonstrates a use of images and shows how each child in a class could contribute to a blog.
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