Think. Write. Publish.

For the last 5 months I have agonized over my research project for my Masters Degree at Northern Kentucky University. I wanted it to be something worthwhile and something that would benefit my students. I couldn't help but feel that my current project was not doing it for me.

When looking at my project (that I started in August) I realized it was turning out to be a flop. It was harder to incorporate nonfiction writing into my curriculum that I thought. In second grade that is not something that we focus on a whole lot. Since my original project was not going to be worthwhile or beneficial for my students I changed it in...December. I now have until April to complete the research and write a 30+ page paper on the research and results.

You might be asking, was that a good idea? Or was it really necessary? I would answer with a resounding "yes" for my students and a "I don't know" for myself. It is going to take a lot of time and dedication on my part to complete this very intense research in my classroom (even more challenging with snow days interrupting our groove every two days) but I know that my students are going to benefit. That is why I do what I do.

My research is now looking at the impact blogging has on my student's desire to write and their ability to write. Imagine that? I have been writing and blogging in my personal life and never thought it could be incorporated into my classroom...until now! The students will be using blogs to publish writing and collaborate with one another. They have already begun (check them out here) and I don't think I have ever heard so many students say, "Mrs. G, do I have to stop writing?" It is music to my ears!

I will keep you posted on the findings.