August 17, 2014

Am I A Blogging Dinosaur?

Well folks, I officially head back to work tomorrow. Goodbye dear summer. Goodbye sleeping in. Goodbye waking up slowly while sipping a fresh cup of coffee. Goodbye midday gym classes. Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye. It's been grand, but it's time to join the land of working adults again.

I have enjoyed my summer SO much this year. I completely took a break from school. I read some books sure, but ultimately I did...basically...nothing. And it was fabulous! Sometimes, you just need a break, ya know? I even had all these big plans to blog and you know what?!?  I didn't really do it.

**Sighs**

But, you know what I've noticed? Blogging has really changed over the past three years. I don't know if I'm the only one who sees it this way but... When I first started blogging it was a true community of educators.  It seemed like people really connected with other teachers around the nation to share ideas, experiences, and inspiration. I would leave comments on blogs and those teachers would email me back often extending the conversation and generating full on email correspondence. I learned so much from so many people!

Now, it seems comments are few and far between. It makes you wonder...is anyone reading the post or just stopping by through pinterest to grab a freebie?  And if I don't have a freebie, is it worth reading to others?  Do people just skim?  Hmmm.... I don't know.

I know I read blog posts. I enjoy hearing about how things are used in the classroom and if I read your post, I almost always make it point to comment because I think comments are important. It's feedback. Just like with our students, we all need feedback and responses to know our work is being heard and valued. So, right here, right now... I would like to thank all those conscientious readers out there who read, respond, open a dialogue, and are part of the blogging community. I truly appreciate you!

Just a thought, but ...maybe blogging is slowly dying out?? Just like ICQ or Napster, it had it's 15 minutes of techy fame and now the world has transitioned to pinterest, instagram, twitter, and a more snapshot style of getting information.  And I don't even have a Facebook page for my blog. LOL! You legitimately have to come to my blog and read it or at least follow through some sort of online reader. Ha! I'm SO old school! I'm like a blogging dinosaur.

We live in a fast paced world where reading long posts and frankly writing long posts is time consuming and who's got the time?? I get it, but it makes me sad. I miss the days where blogging wasn't about advertising your newest bundle on TPT (although, seriously congrats to all those teachers making BANK! out there) or promoting a product, or running a giveaway. I miss the days of conversation and connecting with other amazing educators around the country and the world. 

I've even started cleaning out my blog reader and deleting blogs that only post about products. I know that's terrible, because those products are probably great and those bloggers are great, but when I sit down to read blogs I'm looking for content, substance, and community...not more advertising. I feel inundated with special offers, sale signs, and buy me, buy me, buy me. So, I am sadly unfollowing people and cleaning out my blog feed because I also can NOT legitimately read 499+ blog posts every time I log in. Ha, it's just not possible. With our busy lives in this busy world, I suppose it's time to pick and choose.

With that being said, if you read my blog, THANK YOU! I hope you have gotten some ideas you can use, tweak, or develop upon and use in your classroom. I'll continue to post what I can, when I can, and share my journey along the way.

Happy teaching!!


26 comments:

  1. Have a great school year. I've been in school for a week and I don't blog a lot, but I do check for new updates every evening when I'm unwinding from the day.

    Looking for your comments throughout the year.

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    1. Thanks Pat! I will definitely be around. Have a great school year. And thank YOU for your comment. :)

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  2. I think you are spot on! I've also deleted a lot of blogs lately-whether because they haven't posted in forever, or they are just promoting their products. I also enjoy the posts about actual things happening in the classroom-because that's what inspires me with my kids. Sure, products help, but I want to know what else you did. Great post!

    :) Kaitlyn
    Smiles and Sunshine

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    1. Thanks Kaitlyn! It's always good to know you're not alone. There are just so many ideas floating around out there, it's hard to keep up. :)

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  3. I skim through or skip blogs advertising products, but read the whole thing of other bloggers' posts. I also comment and reply to comments on mine. I love the blogging community! Everyone is so kind and helpful. I hope you have a great start to the school year and continue to share your great ideas with us.
    -Lisa
    Grade 4 Buzz

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    1. I think you just have to skim sometimes, but it feels good to know that sometimes they get read all the way through, lol. I love the blogging community too. Everyone here is so generous with their ideas and their creations. It has absolutely improved my teaching. Looking forward to sharing more ideas down the road.

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  4. Read the whole thing. I feel your feels.

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    1. Ha! Your comment made me laugh out loud. THANK YOU!! :)

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  5. I absolutely agree with you! I love reading blogs full of great teaching ideas. I don't even mind if the blogger is selling something if they talk about how they use the item and how the students benefit from it. However, some blogs are just what is for sale today. I just found your blog, so I hope you don't stop. I just got here!

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    1. Thanks so much for your sweet comment. Its so nice to know I'm not all alone in my thinking. I'm so glad you found my blog in the process. What a bonus. I can't wait to share ideas throughout the year. :)

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  6. I'm a blogging dinosaur, too. No facebook, instagram, or twitter. Whomp Whomppp. And I typically hit "mark as read" when the words sale, bundle, or giveaway is in the title of the post, because I assume that's all the post will be about.. Those things aren't why I follow and read blogs. I love seeing pictures from the classroom and how other people teach!

    Meg
    Third Grade in the First State

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    1. I do the same thing! It makes me sad. There is so much we can be sharing with each other...

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  7. I completely agree. I have been thinking about writing a blog post to this effect. I like TPT, but I get tired of posts that are only about selling things. I want to read fun tips and see great lessons. And, gasp, maybe share resources. Thank you for all your sweet comments!
    ✰Becca
    Simply 2nd Resources

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    1. Thank you for putting that out there! Nothing worse than seeing a post from a once-favorite blogger pop up in your reader only to realize that they are telling you what to buy at the next sale. And if you click through to their blog, their previous post was months ago, at the time of that sale.

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    2. Great minds must think alike Becca. I just had to get it out there and honestly... I feel better. Actually, I think everyone's commments made me feel better because I it confirms that I'm not alone in my crazy thinking. :) #feelingsupported

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  8. I agree. I admit, I haven't read blogs in a while and couldn't figure out why- you hit the nail on the head. Let's bring back blog comments- I know I sure love them! My love language is "Words of Affirmation" so I get SO excited when someone leaves a comment on my posts. :)
    Thanks for putting into words what I didn't even know I was feeling! I hope your school year is amazing!

    Happy Teaching,
    Cassie
    Adventures in Teaching (A First Grade Blog)

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    1. Blog comments make all the difference, don't they?! I love them too. Even the super simple ones that say "Thanks!" or "Pinned!" Love those. I always try to leave comments when I read a post which sometimes means I will leave one blogger 10 comments in one day because I was getting caught up, lol. :)

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  9. You are preaching to the choir, here. I have only been blogging for 2 years, and I have noticed the exact same things as you. I think blogs have switched to become a way for many to promote their TPT stores. I have taken a huge step back and try to only blog about things I really care a lot about. I have lost a little of the drive, though. :-/ Have a wonderful school year!

    Amy
    Eclectic Educating

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  10. I love reading your blog! I have gotten many reading and writing ideas from your posts! Your blog is, and will remain, one of my favorite stops! I truly appreciate all the inspiration! Dinosaur or not, yahoo for you, and keep up the good work!

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  11. Not only did I read your post, but I actually searched older ones looking for an earlier post regarding the Cabin Creek mysteries. So, thank you for your recommendation:)

    Casey

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    1. Awesome. I'm telling you... my 4th graders loved that book!

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  12. Thank you for this...I agree about those blogs that only post links to their TPT stores. I want to see inside the classroom and how it works...not what products you made this week.
    Thank you for keeping it real. :-)
    Ryan
    The Disneyfied Teacher

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    1. Thanks Ryan! I will do my best to keep it real. :)

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Thank you for taking a moment to share your thoughts!