PLP pre-game

I have been trying to get into blogging and twitter for about a year without much success, and I'm hoping PLP (Powerful Learning Practice) will help me see the value of blogging and tweeting. I have a twitter account, but anyone I want to follow on Twitter, I've already subscribed to their blog. I find it hard to find new people to follow on Twitter because people have different twitter names, so it seems useless. I only follow a few people, and the most I get in 140 characters is a website to visit which I already knew about from the person's blog. I work with pre-K to 5th grade students and I don't see using Twitter in a Lower School. Help me see the benefits of Twitter!

As I was reading some new blogs suggested by PLP, I found a Guide to Twitter K-8. Since my students don't have e-mail, they suggested setting up a classroom account. Well, that sounded good at first, but then I wondered who would the class follow and how would they find out who to follow. I really want to be part of Twitter, but I don't see how it will help the students in a Lower School or me. Help!