Step 10: Connect with Other Classes (l)

  How to get started
There is a wide range of options for connecting your class blogs (or students blogs) with other classes including. Here are a few popular entry points.
Student blogging challenge 
The student blogging challenge runs twice yearly starting in March and October. It is made up of a series of 11 weekly tasks all designed to improve blogging and commenting skills while connecting students with a global audience and being supported by a team of blogging mentors.
The Challenge is open to both class blogs and to individual student bloggers from all over the world and of all ages. Participants can complete as many of the tasks as they like and in any order.
The Student Blogging Challenge
Quad Blogging or Team Blogging 
Quad Blogging or Team Blogging involves connecting your class to a quad group of four schools/classes ( a group of four is a simple choice but it can be more or less ). The idea behind quad Blogging is each classroom takes a turn for a week being the focal point of the quad. During this time the other classes engage with that class blog, participate in any activities the focus class initiates, and takes time to learn about that class, their school, and region.
You can create your own quad blog by finding other class blogs who would like to participate in a quad. Contact Via Twitter , once you have found a class blog that has students of a similar age to your students, and a similar approach to blogging,  send an email, or leave a comment on a post on the class blog. They might know other classes who would like to take part too.
100 Word Challenge 100 Word Challenge
100 Word Challenge is a popular project run by retired (+65) English head teacher, Julia Skinner. Each week a prompt is published and students are invited to respond in under 100 words. Julia can also help connect your class with a hub where three classes from around the world band together to support each other with comments. Additionally Julia has a team of volunteers who comment on student’s work each week.