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When teacher Cindy Blakely began a blog in 2007 to detail the activities in her Carol Stream kindergarten class, she had no idea the phenomenon it would become.
“I had taken a course on using blogs in the classroom, and I thought, ‘What a neat way for kids to connect with other kids across the country,” Blakely said.
Soon, she and her students were corresponding with a class in New Zealand. At the time, Blakely’s class had been talking about squirrels and posting what they learned.
When Blakely’s students found out New Zealand doesn’t have squirrels, they sent a “care package” full of squirrel memorabilia, including books and a squirrel puppet.
The New Zealand students named the puppet “Nutkin” and took turns taking the toy home with them and posting videos about their adventures.
After seeing Nutkin’s travels, Blakely’s students were envious.
“They would say, ‘I’m so jealous’ and ‘I wish I were him.’ And I’d say, ‘I know, me too,’” Blakely said with a laugh.
Whether it’s blogging about bus safety, or their efforts on becoming more green, Blakely and her students share it all.
Recently, Blakely blogged about bringing her newly adopted rescue puppy to class for a visit.
Unable to come up with a name for the Labrador retriever mix, she turned to her students who helped her come up with the name Lola.
Before the school year ends, the Bartlett resident plans to bring in an octopus for her students to touch and hold.
“I’ve told them, ‘If you just put one finger on it, you can say you’ve touched an octopus,’” she said.
A teacher since 1982, Blakely also has a master’s degree in educational technology.
Notable
The blog has reached more than 80,000 visitors from all the world. “I thought just parents would look,” Blakely said. “I didn’t realize it would be as popular as it is.” Find the blog at http://kdgroom102.blogspot.com.
& quotable
“(Teaching) kindergarten is my love. I like that everything is so new for (the students). They seem very excited about learning.”
Philosophy
Her goal with the blog is to engage parents in conversation with their students about school. “A lot of time kindergartners will come home and parents will say, ‘What did you do today?’ and they can’t remember the details,” she said. “This gives them a visual.”
Favorites
MUSIC Motown, Stevie Wonder, jazz
TV SHOWS “Law and Order,” “The Biggest Loser”
FOODS Pasta, fish, chicken
INTERESTS Technology, scrapbooking
When teacher Cindy Blakely began a blog in 2007 to detail the activities in her Carol Stream kindergarten class, she had no idea the phenomenon it would become.
“I had taken a course on using blogs in the classroom, and I thought, ‘What a neat way for kids to connect with other kids across the country,” Blakely said.
Soon, she and her students were corresponding with a class in New Zealand. At the time, Blakely’s class had been talking about squirrels and posting what they learned.
When Blakely’s students found out New Zealand doesn’t have squirrels, they sent a “care package” full of squirrel memorabilia, including books and a squirrel puppet.
The New Zealand students named the puppet “Nutkin” and took turns taking the toy home with them and posting videos about their adventures.
After seeing Nutkin’s travels, Blakely’s students were envious.
“They would say, ‘I’m so jealous’ and ‘I wish I were him.’ And I’d say, ‘I know, me too,’” Blakely said with a laugh.
Whether it’s blogging about bus safety, or their efforts on becoming more green, Blakely and her students share it all.
Recently, Blakely blogged about bringing her newly adopted rescue puppy to class for a visit.
Unable to come up with a name for the Labrador retriever mix, she turned to her students who helped her come up with the name Lola.
Before the school year ends, the Bartlett resident plans to bring in an octopus for her students to touch and hold.
“I’ve told them, ‘If you just put one finger on it, you can say you’ve touched an octopus,’” she said.
A teacher since 1982, Blakely also has a master’s degree in educational technology.
Notable
The blog has reached more than 80,000 visitors from all the world. “I thought just parents would look,” Blakely said. “I didn’t realize it would be as popular as it is.” Find the blog at http://kdgroom102.blogspot.com.
& quotable
“(Teaching) kindergarten is my love. I like that everything is so new for (the students). They seem very excited about learning.”
Philosophy
Her goal with the blog is to engage parents in conversation with their students about school. “A lot of time kindergartners will come home and parents will say, ‘What did you do today?’ and they can’t remember the details,” she said. “This gives them a visual.”
Favorites
MUSIC Motown, Stevie Wonder, jazz
TV SHOWS “Law and Order,” “The Biggest Loser”
FOODS Pasta, fish, chicken
INTERESTS Technology, scrapbooking
