Step 6: Help parents and students (l)

  21 Ideas to help educate and involve families and students 
   The most important tip is to make sure copy/paste your blog URL from the address bar of your web browser into any information you share with students and parents!It’s really easy to type your blog URL incorrectly— copying/pasting your blog URL ensures you get the URL correct every time!
 1. Include your name in the blog URL
  Your blog in the URL name allows you the flexibility to keep the blog if you change subject areas or year levels  in the coming school years. Simple is always best!
http://mrswaters.edublogs.org/ is easier to remember than http://mrswBPSRoom124.edublogs.org/
  Here are some examples of class blogs that have the teacher’s name in the URL:

• Mrs. Hamman’s class blog - http://blogs.goaj.org/mrshamman/
• Ms. Saltau’s Class blog - http:// sarahjane.edublogs.org/
• Mr. Cartlidge’s science blog - http://mrcartlidge.edublogs.org/

  2. Business Card Magnet
  Create and distribute “business cards” as the start of the year with your class blog URL and email address, plus any other important information such as school phone number, term dates, school website,etc.). You could create business cards with a free template from a site like Canva or Adobe Spark. After printing and laminating, you could attach a strip of self adhesive magnetic tape on the back which you will find at many discount stores.
 3. QR Codes 
  A QR code is an excellent shortcut to access a website. You simply create one online using a tool like QR Stuff or QR Code Generator.
  People simply open the photo app on their phone or tablet and then scan the QR code to be directed straight to the website. You could:
  1. Add a QR code to your business card above
  2. Have students create their own QR code and print it for a note to go home about the blog
  3. Add a QR code to the footer of all your classroom notes like in the example
 4.  Newsletter Links
  Include the link to your class blog in the school newsletter or send home your own newsletter, (you could even have the class create a dedicated blogging newsletter).