PROJECT #1:

CLASSROOM WEBSITE
Kate Guendoo
ELED 641
2/22/15

MY
PROJECT
I will design and put to use a classroom

website using Weebly.

By the time I am done, it will have been
launched to the parents and students will
be involved in the things added to the
website.
My teacher will be able to carry on the
website once I have left.

WHY A CLASSROOM WEBSITE?

I chose a classroom website because it is a very

quick and easy way to keep parents up to date in a

technology-driven society. Parents can bookmark
the website and check it at their convenience
without the worry of losing a paper newsletter.
Using a website also provides opportunities to share
websites easily and share videos and pictures in a
way that is not possible via paper. This is also a very
tangible things that my cooperating teacher will be
able to carry on after I have finished my placement.

WHY A CLASSROOM WEBSITE?

While the website will include the already established

newsletter, it will provide an opportunity to personalize

news about whats going on in the classroom and what
work is being done. Being personal is a helpful and
important aspect to communication with parents
(Whitaker & Fiore, 2001, p. 47).
The website also provides an opportunity to highlight the

great things going on in this classroom. This will help

develop a positive relationship with parents by
consistently providing more good news than bad
(Whitaker & Fiore, 2001, p. 54).

SHARING STUDENTS WORK

A really great thing about a website is the ease of sharing

photos and videos with parents. This provides an

excellent opportunity to share work with parents more
frequently and in a very tangible way. Davis & Yang state
that, To get an accurate picture of how their children are
doing, then, parents need to see childrens work (2005,
p. 139). Consistently sharing work on the website
provides opportunities for this outside of weekly folders
and conferences. The website will allow room for many
things Davis & Yang discuss about sharing student work:

Sharing work routinely

Sharing on-paper and non-paper work

Providing an active role for students (2005, p. 140-141).

HOW THE WEBSITE WILL BE

USED
The weekly 4th grade newsletter will be uploaded to

a blog-style page to keep parents up to date.

Pictures will be taken throughout the week of
students doing activities and completed products by
students. These pictures will be uploaded weekly (all
students have given photo/video consent).
Students will be given opportunities to create things
for the website during guided math (videos, pictures,
graphics, etc.) and as part of their science lesson.
There will be a resource page with helpful links and
additional material for current units.

References
Davis, C. & Yang, A. (2005). Parents and teachers working
together. Turner Falls, MA: Northeast Foundation for
Children.
Whitaker, T. & Fiore, D. (2001). Dealing with difficult parents:
And with parents in difficult situations. Larchmont, NY: Eye
on Education.