CHANGES

DUE DATE/TIME: THURSDAY, December 22nd/11:59pm

1.  Always type your FIRST NAME and LAST INITIAL.  Full names will result in a DELETION of the comment and no better than a C grade.

2.  Provide me with some basic citation information about the novel you have chosen to read.  INCORRECT CAPITALZATION and PUNCTUATION will result in a C!!!

Lastname, Firstname. Title of Book. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication. Medium.

3. Answer the following prompt in a well developed paragraph:

If you could change anything about the main character or the plot of the book, what would it be? Why would you like to make this change?

Be sure to include CITED TEXT to support your opinion.

4. Once you have posted your comment, go back and read through your classmate’s comments about the books they have been reading and comment on one of their posts by asking "I wonder..." questions; or, if you have read the book, you may make more specific comments. Be specific as to which classmate you are responding to.  You must read your classmate’s entries and make a meaningful comment on their work in order to receive an A.

SUMMARY and POINT OF VIEW

Due Date/Time: Thursday, DECEMBER 15^th at 11:59pm

1.  Always type your FIRST NAME and LAST INITIAL.  Full names will result in a DELETION of the comment and no better than a C grade.

2.  Provide me with some basic citation information about the novel you have chosen to read.  INCORRECT CAPITALZATION and PUNCTUATION will result in a C!!!

Lastname, Firstname. Title of Book. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication. Medium of Publication.

3. Write a well developed paragraph summarizing the section of the book you read this week.  I only want to read about what you read this week. Be sure to include a topic sentence and supporting details.

4. Write about the novel’s POINT OF VIEW.  Is it in 1^st person or 3^rd person?  How can you tell?  Be sure to include a piece of cited text (name #) that supports the point of view.

5. Once you have posted your comment, go back and read through your classmate’s comments about the books they have been reading and comment on one of their posts by asking "I wonder..." questions; or, if you have read the book, you may make more specific comments. Be specific as to which classmate you are responding to.  You must read your classmate’s entries and make a meaningful comment on their work in order to receive an A.

SUMMARY & QUESTIONING

Due Date/Time: Thursday, November 17^th at 11:59pm

1.  Always type your FIRST NAME and LAST INITIAL.  Full names will result in a DELETION of the comment and no better than a C grade.

2.  Provide me with some basic citation information about the novel you have chosen to read.  INCORRECT CAPITALZATION and PUNCTUATION will result in a C!!!

Lastname, Firstname. Title of Book. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication. Medium of Publication.

3. Write a well developed paragraph summarizing the section of the book you read this week. You do not need to provide background information, I only want to read about what you read this week. Be sure to include a topic sentence, details, at least one piece of properly cited evidence from the text, and a concluding sentence.

4. Write one question to the main character (or one of the main characters) of the book. Explain why you want to ask the character this question.

5. Once you have posted your comment, go back and read through your classmate’s comments about the books they have been reading and comment on one of their posts by asking "I wonder..." questions; or, if you have read the book, you may make more specific comments. Be specific as to which classmate you are responding to.  You must read your classmate’s entries and make a meaningful comment on their work in order to receive an A.

PREDICTION/CONNECTION

DUE DATE/TIME: Thursday, Novemberr 10th/11:59pm

1.  Always type your FIRST NAME and LAST INITIAL.  Full names will result in a DELETION of the comment and no better than a C grade.

2.  Provide me with some basic citation information about the novel you have chosen to read.  INCORRECT CAPITALZATION and PUNCTUATION will result in a C!!!

Lastname, Firstname. Title of Book. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication. Medium of Publication.

3.  Choose one of the reading strategies and write a well developed paragraph for your novel:

·    CONNECTION An aspect of the novel reminds you of something in                                 the world, of yourself personally, or to another book                                 that you have read.

·   PREDICTION  A logical guess at future events in the story.

*** Be sure to include a QUOTE from the book in your paragraph ***

4. Once you have posted your comment, go back and read through your classmate’s comments about the books they have been reading and comment on one of their posts by asking "I wonder..." questions; or if you have read the book you may make more specific comments. Be specific as to which classmate you are responding to.  You must read your classmate’s entries and make a meaningful comment on their work in order to receive an A.

SETTING

DUE DATE/TIME: Thursday, October 27th/11:59pm

1.  Always type your FIRST NAME and LAST INITIAL.  Full names will result in a DELETION of the comment and no better than a C grade.

2.  Provide me with some basic citation information about the novel you have chosen to read.  INCORRECT CAPITALZATION and PUNCTUATION will result in a C!!!

Lastname, Firstname. Title of Book. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication. Medium of Publication.

3. In a well developed paragraph, describe the setting of the book. If this book takes place in multiple locations, please select the one that you feel to be most important to the plot or the one that is occurring at this point in your book. Include a piece of properly cited evidence from the text to help demonstrate the setting. Remember that the setting includes both time and place.

*** Be sure to include a QUOTE from the book in your paragraph ***

PEER COMMENT Due by FRIDAY, 10/28 at 11:59pm

4.  You must read your classmate’s entries and make a meaningful comment on their work by FRIDAY, 10/28 at 11:59pm in order to receive an A.

CONFLICT

DUE DATE/TIME: WEDNESDAY, October 19th/11:59pm

1.  Always type your FIRST NAME and LAST INITIAL.  Full names will result in a DELETION of the comment and no better than a C grade.

2.  Provide me with some basic citation information about the novel you have chosen to read.  INCORRECT CAPITALZATION and PUNCTUATION will result in a C!!!

Lastname, Firstname. Title of Book. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication. Medium of Publication.

3. Write one well developed paragraph that describes one of the conflicts of the novel. Include one properly cited piece of evidence from the text to help you describe the conflict. Let us know if you think this is the main conflict of the book or a minor conflict. Also, let us know if this is an internal conflict (character v self) or an external conflict (character v nature, society, other character, technology).
PEER COMMENT Due by THURSDAY, 10/20 at 11:59pm

4.  You must read your classmate’s entries and make a meaningful comment on their work by THURSDAY, 10/20 at 11:59pm in order to receive an A.

READING STRATEGY REINFORCEMENT

DUE DATE/TIME: Thursday, October 13th/11:59pm

1.  Always type your FIRST NAME and LAST INITIAL.  Full names will result in a DELETION of the comment and no better than a C grade.

2.  Provide me with some basic citation information about the novel you have chosen to read.  INCORRECT CAPITALZATION and PUNCTUATION will result in a C!!!

Lastname, Firstname. Title of Book. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication. Medium of Publication.

 

3.  Choose one of the reading strategies and write a well developed paragraph for your novel:

·    CONNECTION An aspect of the novel reminds you of something in                                  the world, of yourself personally, or to another book                                 that you have read.

·   PREDICTION  A logical guess at future events in the story.

·    INFERENCE     A logical guess at a character’s feelings or                                             motivation in the story.

*** Be sure to include a QUOTE from the book in your paragraph ***

PEER COMMENT Due by FRIDAY, 10/14 at 11:59pm

4.  You must read your classmate’s entries and make a meaningful comment on their work by FRIDAY, 10/14 at 11:59pm in order to receive an A.

Reading Strategy Review

Reading Strategies

DUE DATE/TIME: Tuesday, October 4th/11:59pm

1.  Always type your FIRST NAME and LAST INITIAL.  Full names will result in a DELETION of the comment and no better than a C grade.

2.  Provide me with some basic citation information about the novel you have chosen to read.  INCORRECT CAPITALZATION and PUNCTUATION will result in a C!!!

Lastname, Firstname. Title of Book. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication. Medium of Publication.

Golding, William. Lord of the Flies. New York: Capricorn Books, 1959. Print.

3.  Choose one of the reading strategies and write a well developed paragraph for your novel:

CONNECTION -  An aspect of the novel reminds you of something in the world, of yourself personally, or to another book that you have read.

PREDICTION -  A logical guess at future events in the story.

Be sure to include a QUOTE from the book to support your paragraph.

4.  You must read your classmate’s entries and make a meaningful comment on their work in order to receive an A.

Getting started...

DUE DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 27th/11:59pm

1.  Always type your FIRST NAME and LAST INITIAL.  Full names will result in a DELETION of the comment.

2.  Provide me with some basic citation information about the novel you have chosen to read.

* Be sure to follow the correct capitalization and punctuation as it is shown in the example for Lord of the Flies below.

Lastname, Firstname. Title of Book. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication. Medium of Publication.
Golding, William. Lord of the Flies. New York: Capricorn Books, 1959. Print.

3.  Write a 3-4 sentence brief summary about your book.

BLOG RUBRIC

9-10 points	8 points	7 points	6 points
· all directions have been followed · proper spelling and grammar · paragraphing correct · responds to peer’s post insightfully	· all directions have been followed · spelling and grammar correct most of the time · paragraphing mostly correct · responds to a peer’s post	· all directions have NOT been followed OR frequent spelling and grammar mistakes have been made OR paragraphing is            not correct · responds to a peer’s post, but comment is not productive	· all directions have NOT been followed AND frequent spelling and grammar mistakes have been made AND  paragraphing is not correct · does NOT respond to a peer’s post

What IS a blog???

Why should we use a class blog for independent reading?
What IS a blog anyway?
How can I benefit from using a blog?

These are all questions that may be running through your minds as you sit in the computer lab today. First, watch the short video so we can discuss our ideas to the above questions.  Then, watch the video and take the BrainPop quiz on netiquette to help you understand your responsibilities as a net user.  Using a blog is a two way street. You will be expected to read and refer to your classmates comments, but don't worry. We will practice using our blog and by the end of the year you will be a blogging expert!

To make our class blog successful you must agree to follow these simple procedures:
1. Always have a parent or guardian's permission before you use the Internet.
2 Be polite, considerate and respectful in all your communications.
3. Only insert messages or pictures which are appropriate because this is a school blog.
4. Make sure we don't break copyright laws.
5. Never reveal any private information like a full name, address or phone number. Once you post a comment it is online for anyone to read forever.
6. Keep our password private so other people cannot use it.

How do you feel about using a blog to complete your independent reading requirement?  Remember to be mindful of following the rules of netiquette when posting your thoughts and feelings. Take a moment to read and think about your comment before publishing it for everyone to see.