Integrating a Blog Into a Thematic Unit

I would use the the book Great Peacemakers: True Stories from Around the World by Ken Beller and Heather Chase for a thematic social studies unit.  In terms of NCSS Thematic Strands, Great Peacemakers relates to II. Time, Continuity, and Change, VI. Power, Authority, and Governance, IX. Global Connections, and X. Civic Ideals and Practices (http://www.socialstudies.org/system/files/images/notable2009.pdf ). 

In Great Peacemakers, students can choose to read about and study any one of twenty amazing individuals.  I would ask students to blog about the peacemaker who most inspires them and then locate and share additional resources (both traditional and multimedia) with the class.  Ultimately, the blog becomes an online class portfolio and a great source of information for future reference.