As you read
A Long Way Gone: Memoir of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah, I believe you will have a hard time maintaining a detachment from the story. That is why we are using this novel to begin regular blogging assignments.
In this assignment you will practice these critical reading (and writing) strategies in a community setting that embraces technology’s new role in communication.
AssignmentYou have already each created your own site using Google’s Blogger – www.blogger.com. If you have forgotten your username or password, I suggest that you either remember it quickly or create a new blog, as you will be now be using this blog with each reading assignment. If you do create a new blog, please remember to give me the web address so that I can give you credit for your posts.
You will use Blogger to post comments based on readings or other relevant questions, to read your classmates entries and to share comments with each other. I will post a list of usernames and links to each person’s blog on Edline, and to our class blog (a link to this can also be found on Edline).
For
A Long Way Gone, most of your blog assignments will consist of simply “chronicle your reaction to the reading.” On some nights, I will ask you to discuss a particular aspect of the reading. In these cases, I will let you know your assignment during class, and it will also be posted to Edline.
Part of your blog assignment is to respond to each other’s posts. You will be expected to read and respond to at least one classmate’s post each week. Your comments, like your posts, will be graded for quality. You must deliver a thoughtful response, not simply “good job” or “I agree.”
Rules and RemindersObviously, the content of your blog should be appropriate to the topic. Beyond that, the following rules and reminders are also in effect:
• Your blog should not be a simple record of events. You must reflect and comment on readings and ideas, not record what you did last night.
• This is not a fiction or poetry blog. While creative writing is a noble pursuit, this is not the place for it, unless asked for specifically. If you have poems or stories, you’d like me to see, bring them to ScratchPaper or catch me outside of class.
• This is a classroom assignment. All responses should be within the core values of University High School. Responses that are inappropriate for an academic setting or seek to hurt or defame another person or group will receive a zero and be subject to disciplinary action.
• A blog is a public forum, not a private diary. Your classmates will see what you write. I will see what you write. Anyone who stumbles upon your place on the internet will see what you write. Keep that in mind.
GradingBlogs must be 150-200 words and will be graded based on the quality of the response.
All blog entries must be made prior to the start of class. If you post your blog late for some reason, you will need to email me and let me know this. If you don’t tell me that you have posted a late entry, I won’t know that it’s there, and therefore will not give you any points for it.
Periodically, I will respond to your blogs with a suggestion or comment. This will happen more frequently at the start of the year, so that you understand whether or not you are meeting the criteria. If you have any questions about grading, just ask. Remember, you must blog with each reading assignment and comment on a classmate’s blog once a week.
Extra Credit – You will receive 1 extra credit point for each additional comment you make on a classmate’s blog beyond the weekly-required comment. You may earn up to 15 extra points. Responses must be made to material that has been posted in that week.
