First Graders on Facebook??!!? From NCTE Connected Community Discussion

From: Traci Gardner To: 21st Century Literacies Posted: 11-08-2010 04:35 Subject: Should First-graders Use Facebook? Message:

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This message has been cross posted to the following eGroups: 21st Century Literacies and Teaching Writing . ------------------------------------------- I'm guessing that 90% of the articles you read argue that young children don't belong on Facebook. There's a hearty number that aren't even pleased about teenagers using the site. I'd like to share this article from The Daily Nonpariel of Council Bluffs, Iowa, with those folks who nod in agreement with keeping kids away from such digital tools. "First-graders use Facebook as a learning tool" describes a day in Erin Schoening's first-grade class at Gunn Elementary School. After reading and discussing a book, one of the students reflects on their class activities by writing a status update on Facebook, where family and friends can read about what's going on in the classroom. From the article: Six-year-old Ella King, one of Erin Schoening's first-graders, said "I like Facebook because we send things to our parents and tell them what we do and they send notes back saying they like it." That's the heart of what this project has going for it: Students are writing with a real purpose for an authentic audience of readers. They're invested and engaged in their writing. What more could you ask for? So should first-graders use Facebook? Absolutely! With the right support and guidelines in place, they can make the most of their developing 21st century literacy skills with a great writing activity. Traci Gardner www.tengrrl.com @tengrrl and @newsfromtengrrl Cross posted by WN