How to Start a Blog

I feel it is only appropriate that my first post on this blog is how to start a blog, especially since teachers are now a HUGE part of the blogging community.

 Most blogs are hosted through blogger {I'm sure you noticed that most blogs end with .blogspot.com}. I love blogger and I think it is really easy to use. Fortunately, blogger has created a VERY user friendly Blogger Tour. Click {here} to check it out. On this page you can learn what a blog is and how to get started. After reading through this tour, click on the orange "Create a Blog" button that is towards the top of the left column.

 Next, you will be prompted to sign up for a gmail account. You need to have a gmail account to create a blog. If you already have a gmail account, don't make a new one, just click on the "Sign in" button in the upper right hand corner. If you don't have a gmail account, create one by filling in the information below.

 The next page will bring you to your profile. You can add a profile picture if you want to, but you don't have to. Click on the "Next step" button.

On the next page, click on the "Back to Blogger" button.

The next page will be your blogger dashboard. Click on the "New Blog" button.

This is the fun part where you get to think of a blog address and blogger will let you know right away if that blog address is available or not. If I were you, I would avoid a blog address with a grade level in it, because if you change grades, you will need to change blog addresses. On this page you can also choose a blog template, but don't worry, it isn't permanent and you can change your template at any time. After you think of a blog name, address and pick a template, click on the "Create Blog!" button.

Now that you have set up your blog, it is fun to play around with the template and background!

Find that little arrow on the right side and a drop down menu will appear. Click on "Template."

Then click on the "Customize" button.

On this page, you can change the template, background, width, layout, and more. Feel free to play around until you get the results that you want. To change the background image, click on the word "Background" and then right below, where it says background image {where the arrow is pointing}.

From here you can choose your background image. Blogger has lots to choose from and they are all free! When you find the background you want to use, click on the "Done" button in the lower right hand corner.

When you have made all the changes you want to make to your blog, click on the "Apply to Blog" button in the upper right hand corner.

Good luck and welcome to the world of blogging!