If you’ve been here for a while, then you know about the map that hangs in our classroom. And then how it changed after some really good suggestions from some really smart 5th graders. If you’re new here, or you haven’t read those past posts, then let me tell you about it.
Blogging is a great activity for so many reasons. I read blog post from fellow teacher and blogger Pernille Ripp the other day that really summed up everything I wanted to say about the “why” of blogging. One of the really important benefits, which goes along with Common Core beautifully, is the global connection that blogging brings with it. Children have the opportunity to reach outside themselves, sometimes to “talk” to people from places they’ve never heard of or don’t know much about.
In our classroom, we have this map. Right now it looks really sad and empty:
But it doesn’t have to stay like that, and that’s where you come in. On this map, we’re going to keep track of the places from where all of our comments come. As readers leave comments–and tell us where they live–we’ll put in pins to show us all the places where we’ve made a connection. We’re hoping to be able to reach as many countries and continents as we can! So far, we actually have had comments from several places in Missouri, Alabama (thanks Mrs. Clark!), Kentucky (thanks Mr. Browning!), Argentina (courtesy of @gret in Buenos Aires!), Alaska (thanks Ms. Girard), and Australia (from Mr. Mannell, who is a regular visitor to our blog!)! I’m a little late in getting those in, but partly because I was hoping that after this post, we’d have tons more to add!
So…if you are willing, after you read this blog, or our kid blogs, leave a comment and tell us what you think (and maybe if you’ve already commented, but didn’t tell us your location, come back again)! Please tell us where in the world you live, so we can add you to our global connections! We’re excited to see how our knowledge of the world grows as our pins are added and we continue on this journey! Thanks in advance for your help! We’re excited to meet you. 🙂
20somethingkids and 1kookyteacher 
Hello everyone,
What a wonderful world we have when we can sit so far apart yet feel we are a member of so many classes around the world. I am sure your map will fill with some amazing places. I know on one of my blogs I have been amazed by how many countries have visited and how many people have taken the time to drop in.
Thank you for the kind mention. It is hard to believe how much blogging has become a part of my life since I first ventured into blogging early in 2011. I know you will have fun with the adventures ahead.
My actual map coordinates are, approximately, 36.9000° S, 149.9000° E. That places me along the New South Wales (my state) coast about halfway between Sydney and Melbourne.
@RossMannell
Teacher (retired), N.S.W., Australia
I remember you told us where to find you last year, so we could put you in just the right place. I’ll have to give my students the coordinates and see what they can do. We are master geocachers now, you know, so the latitude and longitude should be no problem!
And really–it is truly amazing the time you spend commenting on these blog posts I write. I cannot begin to thank you for your kind (and usually informative) words. I just approve all the comments you left on my kid blogs, as well, and I know they will be beyond excited when they read them. I appreciate how personal and thoughtful your comments are, and I hope to visit your blog with my students soon, as well. 🙂
Take me back to early last year and I wouldn’t have guessed how important blogging and blog commenting would become for me only a year later. It allows me to still feel part of a class even though I no longer have one of my own. I have no idea how many blogs and posts I have visited but I’ve always found them interesting whether they belong to 5 year old or 18 year old students. 🙂
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