Jan Lacina and Robin Griffith 701 SW 62nd Blvd.

Gainesville, FL 32607 April 10, 2014 Chiquita Maxwell School Principal Crystal Springs Elementary 1200 Hammond Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32221 Dear Mrs. Maxwell: I am disappointed that your school decided not to accept technology as part of your curriculum, and more specifically, you all denied using blogging as means of writing. With technology, there is a blending of new ways of thinking about the teaching of writing, beyond the paper and pencil forms of writing instruction of the past, allowing for the integration of information, communication, and technology literacy. We believe that blogging during the writing process allows students to participate in authentic and engaging discussion. In addition, of course, integrating blogging into classroom writing instruction can engage students and motivate them to participate more fully in the writing process. Perhaps some of the studies were omitted during your deliberations. Research finds that students who create their own blogs tend to be productive writers both inside and outside of the classroom. Particularly, student bloggers at the elementary level became mindful of and connected to their audience, and they learned to take ownership of the writing process and the writers craft. Im going to put together an additional report in hopes that youll resubmit it to the us. Everything points to a successful classroom and considerably more successful writers. It can be time intensive, but we believe that the effort is worthwhile. I appreciate your support. You have much to gain by reconsidering this notion. Sincerely,

Jan Lacina & Robin Griffith

Authors of Blogging as a Means of Crafting Writing