Someone(s) You Should Know: Mrs. Duray's Fervent Learners

There I was, out and about at the 2013 Colorado Chapter IRA Heroes in Literacy Conference in Denver, sharing with teachers proven ways to seed and feed their Young Authors, when a workshop presenter shared a proven way with me I knew I’d quickly share with you.

Please meet Deanna Duray's Little School’s Third Graders, digital citizens with the handle Fervent Learners!
Their classroom was one of seven (out of 127 applicants!) in Jefferson County, Colorado to receive on January 14^th an iPad 1:1 Grant from the local  Karl Friedman Family Foundation.

Mrs. Duray

Alexander R.

Alexandra L.

It was obvious from the workshop’s get-go: weekly blogging was proving to be a veritable Miracle Gro for Deanna Duray’s students.  They were writing, posting, commenting, communicating, reading, learning and noticeably blooming.
Our concerns about security, technical difficulties, school day opportunities and parent and administration support proved unwarranted.
Using our own laptops and ipads, we explored www.kidblog.org, set up accounts, wrote posts, inserted photos, embedded web tools and even commented.
Her Principal Robert C. Lopez’ Vote of Confidence upped my eagerness to share Deanna Duray’s Fervent Learners with my blog’s readers.

Ethan B.

Isaac C.

Jack S.

Jaxon G.

I emailed Deanna Duray to ask what she loves best about her third graders blogging.
Having an authentic audience was on the top of her list. 
“It gives us the opportunity to reach outside of our classroom walls and show our families and others how we are growing as writers. Just this last week our class blogged about the upcoming state testing and what it takes to be a FERVENT test taker. I shared our blog link with one of our 6th grade teachers and her students replied back. I love how blogging gives students a wider audience!"

As for her fervent bloggers and what they love best?
“I love that you can comment on other people's blogs!” wrote Micaela. “I love how I can blog from home!” commented Jovanni.
Kayla loved how “you can express your feelings to all the people that will be reading your blog.”
Kyle loved how “you can change font and write what you want to write.”

Click on Fervent Learners.
Explore the Blogroll.
Scroll the Blog Directory.
Choose a post and share your comments!

If you’re a classroom teacher, consider introducing this opportunity to your students.
If you’re a writer, especially of children’s books, consider each Fervent Learner post a mini-lesson on Voice.

And, thank you, Deanna Duray and Fervent Learners, for sharing your experience and expertise.

Esther Hershenhorn