How to Design a Class Website

While every teacher is different, with his or her own style and methods, when designing a website for your class to access from home, there are certain tabs that should be required no matter who the teacher is.

Read on for the six most important parts, as I see fit, and then three class websites that stand out among the rest.

Good luck!

Call it what you want - Weekly News, Fun Times With Fifth Grade, or the Latest with the Second Grade, but one part of the website should be devoted to what is happening in your classroom and at the school.  Is it almost time for the Halloween parade?  Did your students just return from an amazing field trip?  Talk about it!

2.  Calendar

Different from Announcements.  How?  Because here, you should list, at least, a month's worth of activities that are upcoming in the school.  Example being December 19th - Holiday Celebration or January 25th - Picture Retakes

3.  Tour the Classroom

This is great for parents or the students who are transferring to the school.  Upload pictures you took from around the classroom.  Show off learning centers or student work.  Explain some of the rules and also some of the motivators around the room.

Especially helpful for the upper grades. Students can check back and see what is required for that night's homework or for upcoming projects.

5. Links

Students should be able to extend their learning outside of the classroom so research relevant links that pertain to what they are learning in school. That way, students can play and learn more at home on the computer.

6. About the Teacher

Information about yourself, of course! If you feel comfortable, you can include a picture, but at least write a description of your education, previous experiences and what makes you YOU. Your interests, hobbies, and something silly. Like your favorite ice-cream flavor is strawberry.

* Created October 28th, 2010