Comment Reports!

For all students: please post on Monday how many comments you received from your fellow group members. They should have responded to your original question (#3 in your OP) and another answer you gave for #1 or #2. However, if students did not answer at least two questions, you will not be penalized for only being able to offer one response. You may have included both responses in ONE comment box; it need not be in two separate comment posts. MANY STUDENTS DID NOT POST ALL THREE PARTS OF THE OP AND DID NOT NUMBER THEIR RESPONSES! PLEASE FOLLOW DIRECTIONS:). USE THIS FORMAT IN BOTH OP'S AND COMMENTS.

1. MY QUESTION (FROM THE BLOG)
2. FAVORITE QUOTE, SENTENCE, OR SHORT PASSAGE; EXPLANATION FOR WHY IT STOOD OUT TO YOU
3. A QUESTION YOU CREATE FOR THE GROUP TO DISCUSS. (SEE HANDOUT OR BLOG POST FOR IDEAS)

Wave #1: Ms. I's question (#1)

1. Focus on: SETTING: a. When and where does the book occur?

b. List at least three things the author describes that gave clues it was written during that time period, rather than today! Look for what is different than our school and others you know.

SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS FOR "THE WAVE"

*NO CREDIT FOR LATE POSTS OR COMMENTS!

DATE DUE!!
ALL ASSIGNMENT DUE (BY 11:59 PM ON DATE)

THURSDAY 9/26
#1: Read Ch. 1-4, p.1-28.
OP #1 (ch. 1-4)

SUNDAY 9/30
CO #1

MONDAY 10/1
#2: Read Ch. 5-7, p. 29-54.
OP #2 (ch. 5-7)

TUES 10/2
CO #2

WEDS 10/3
#3: Read Ch. 8-10, p. 55-79
OP #3 (ch. 8-10)

FRIDAY 10/5
CO #3

MONDAY 10/8
#4: Read Ch. 11-14, p. 80-105
OP #4 (ch. 11-14)

TUESDAY 10/9
CO #4

WEDS: 10/10
#5: Read Ch. 15-17, p. 106-138 (END)
OP #5 (ch. 15-17)

FRIDAY 10/12
CO #5

MONDAY 10/15
Final culminating post (directions from Ms. I; individual assignment)

DIRECTIONS FOR "WAVE" ASSIGNMENTS

OP: STANDS FOR ORIGINAL POST. This will be your initial posting after each reading. Consider it your nightly reading response! Each OP is worth 10 points and will consist of the following:
1. Ms. I’s question(s): check Ms. I’s blog for question(s) on that reading section (3-5 sentence response)
2. Important Sentence: Each student will QUOTE (copy exactly) a sentence that jumped out at them as extremely interesting, unusual, and important, AND label with a page number. Explain why it stood out or why you feel it’s important in 2-5 sentences.
3. Student-created discussion question: Each student should raise a question/topic for the group to consider, using the guidelines for responding to literature in your binder. These questions should be related to reading strategies or literary terms. SEE OTHER POST FOR SPECIFICS.

CO: STANDS FOR COMMENTS: Each student will then be responsible for reading all group members' OP’s once the due date has passed. Then, you will have time to complete your comments to each member in your group, TOTAL OF 2 COMMENTS TO EACH MEMBER FOR EVERY ASSIGNMENT. ONE of those must be a thoughtful answer to #3 above, the student created question. You will also be required to post a comment about #1 or #2, depending on what the group deems a more interesting discussion topic. You will have time in class to check in and choose focus questions for discussion as well. Comments are worth 10 points per assignment. Comments should be a minimum of 3 sentences and NOT exceed 6!! (“Cool, I agree” will not be enough to earn your pointsJ)

Guidelines for Writing Discussion Questions

Here are some ideas for writing discussion questions (#3 in your nightly assignments. DO NOT WRITE "comprehension" questions, which ismply asks for facts, like a quiz. Example: what movie did the students watch in class? A good way to test your question is to make sure it CANNOT be answered in just a couple words. It should be something people could write 3-4 sentences about.

• Choose a sentence that made you confused, or just made you really say HMMM! Ask the group to help you make sense of it by describing what made you wonder or be confused. This should NOT be the same as your "important passage;" it can be a way for you to see how other people saw that part so that you understand better.
• "Why" questions about the motives of the characters, especially the things about them the author doesn't tell you! Work together to figure out the character's motivation behind their actions.
• "Why did the author...." questions. These are questions about the author's craft, like how they create suspense, use dialogue, imagery, metaphors, or symbols.
• Identify words, actions, or images you feel are symbolic or very important throughout the novel.
• Themes: asking thoughtful questions about the lessons that can be learned in the book. What is the author trying to teach you in a particular part? These types will become more important as the author's message becomes clearer towards the END of the book.
• Any others you can think of that will require 3-4 sentence responses and stimulate discussion in your group!

MESSAGE FOR DIRECTORS:)

Hello! Great job so far! You will all remain directors for next week as well. Remember, though, everyone will have to direct at some point! Please let me know if you have questions about the job via email or post. Here's a few directions for today and tomorrow, and everyone will receive the detailed novel schedule next week. Alex H., I will assign a sub in your absence, but feel free to still comment and post next week if you can! :)

Friday in class:

1. Make sure everyone has everyone else in their READING GROUP FOLDER in Google Reader.
2. Check up on who's done the original assingment (3 questions). It should be everyone!
3. Check in regarding comments. In a post, write total # of people in group; then list names and # of comments made by each person. Please remember to use only first name and last initial if needed. IF POSSIBLE: Update me with changes over the weekend. If not possible, don't worry! I can check it myself. :)
4. Notify me in class of any issues, because I want all groups functioning smoothly and all url's working perfectly for next week. Thank you for your extra efforts!

READING GROUP DIRECTIONS

DIRECTIONS for finishing "Betty Ann" blogs:
1. IN CLASS WEDS: Today, you reviewed each other's answers, and decided on a focus question for tonight's discussion.
2. Directors, post on YOUR blog what the discussion focus will be for your group.
3. Each group member must comment on every other member's post, and reply if you want!
4. Directors can email or post to Ms. I any questions or comments.
5. Remember, it takes all of you doing your part to build your online discussion community!

DUE WEDS (11:59 pm)

UPDATE SUBSCRIBERS! ONLY 2 MORE!!

http://luise89.blogspot.com/ Luis E.
http://mikito6.blogspot.com/ Mikito
http://alexdf.blogspot.com/ Alex F's new one.
http://kimberly-h-blog.blogspot.com/ KIMBERLY'S CORRECT URL

"BETTY ANN"

PART ONE: After reading the story, answer these questions.
PART TWO: After reading the answers of others in your group, and make at least one comment to each group member about something they said. Or, as a group, choose a "discussion topic" to focus your comments on.
1. Which part of the story stood out as the saddest part, and why?


2. Was there any point YOU would have said something, when the narrator DID NOT speak up? Why/why not? Or would you have acted like she did? Try to be honest with yourself:)


3. Re-read the last paragraph, and then decide: What is the theme(s) (moral or lesson) in this story?

READING GROUPS

Following Monday's lesson, organize a folder called "RG#1" in Google Reader, and label all the people in your group with that tag. This will enable you to click on that group, and focus on commenting to the people in your group. MUST BE DONE by Weds. before your blog assignment is due!
AB READING GROUPS:
1. Olivia, Wade (dir), Christian(tech), Karen, Julian, Levi, Bailey
2. Lexi, Charisse(tech), Mikito, Fredierick, Luis L., Alex H. (dir)
3. JP, Carly(dir), Danielle, Jorge, Gabriel, Ben(tech)
4. Jessica B, Michael F(tech), Beyra, Trent, Lindsay, Sofia(dir)
CD READING GROUPS:
1. Ambar, Silvia, Ramon, Kezia (dir), Guiliano (Tech)
2. Justin, Ines, Max, Miguel (tech), vivian (dir), Blyss
3. Zoe, Patrick(tech), Kimberly, Kaitlyn (dir), Laurence
4. Kassidy, Ethan(tech), Luis, Alex F, Kasia(dir), Timothy
5. Derek, Ashlen(dir), Daniel, John(tech), Erica
(dir=director; tech=tech support person)

Delete and Add These Subscribers!

First: delete old blogs for the following people. Go to "manage subscriptions" at the bottom of your subscription list. Click the check box and then the trash can to delete.

• Christian B
• Lexi A.
• Vivian P
• Alex F.

Add the following URL's to your subscription list: copy the URL, click "add subscriptions" and paste them in.

• http://alexdf.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
• http://beyrat.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
• http://christian1111.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
• http://lexi12345.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
• http://vivshumanitesblog.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

DUE 9/16: "SEVENTH GRADE"

RESPONSE TO "SEVENTH GRADE" BY GARY SOTO:
1. Choose a favorite sentence or two from the story. Explain why it moved you so much as well. (2-3 sentences for explanation)
2. Find a part of the story you really connected with, and explain why! (3-5 sentences)
:)

DUE: THUR 9/13

RESPONSE TO "TEST"
After reading "Test" in class today, consider the following questions. Please number your responses in your post.
1. Choose a sentence that really stood out to you, or appealed to your senses. Copy the sentence exactly, and explain in 3 sentences or less WHY it was so moving for you. (DO NOT say "because it's descriptive;" rather, explain how it made you feel!)
2. In your opinion, is the method (hypnosis) used in "Test" an appropriate way for the government to see if young drivers are ready for the road? Why or why not? (3-5 sentence response.)
3. How could you interpret the statement by the uniformed man in the last paragraph: "How do any of us know?" Share your thoughts on this odd, ironic ending! (3-5 sentences)

DIRECTIONS FOR UPLOADING SUBSCRIPTIONS

• HOW TO GET EVERYONE’S BLOG URL SUBSCRIPTIONS
  
• THE WHOLE CLASS
  1. Click on the “blog resources” link on Ms. I's DP.
  2. Click link to addresses.
  3. Save that file to your computer.
  4. Open up google reader. Look down at the bottom left where all your subscriptions are, and click the "manage subscriptions" link.
  5. At the top, look for Import/Export. Click it!
  6. Click browse, and go to where you saved the file. Select it.
  7. Click upload! It should then go to a screen with all the addresses, and you can click "back to google reader" at the top. You should then be able to scroll thru and read everyone's blogs.

INDIVIDUAL ADDRESSES: Copy the URL. Go to your Google Reader account. Click "Add Subscription." Paste it in. Hit "Add."

PLEASE ADD SUBSCRIBERS!

PLEASE COPY AND PASTE THE FOLLOWING ADDRESSES INTO THE "ADD SUBSCRIPTIONS" BOX IN YOUR GOOGLE READER ACCT! You will have to do each independently. Do not try to type; errors occur too easily! Beyra T., please copy and paste your blog URL in an email to me, and I will let you know when you are added.


http://charisse-c.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
http://alalvarez.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
http://gabeschool.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
http://honank.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
http://silviac941.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
http://ramonc1.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

MOVIE ASSIGNMENT

DUE WEDS 9AM/5 points:
Well, I'm so bummed I missed the movie you watched today. Please, let me know what I missed! Tell me the most important ideas I missed from the movie, and include details you think are relevant. Make sure you include at least four facts you learned. Thanks; I just couldn't bear to miss out!

REMINDER: ACADEMIC NOT SOCIAL!!

Please remember that these are ACADEMIC blogs, and all content you post should be related to your class assignments. This is NOT a place to discuss your social life, school dances, or really anything unrelated to our class. Please use other online forums (or even other blogs!) available for that purpose! Thank you.

ASSIGNMENT DUE WEDS: 3 comments to others

DUE Weds, 9/12/07 (Remember, by 11:59 PM):
After you have imported your subscription list, pull it up in Google Reader, and view other blogs on our team. You must comment on at least 3 other students' original book posts. You may discuss a connection, comment, thank you, question, or other positive comment. You can respond to anyone on the team, but once someone has FIVE (5) comments, look for someone else who has NOT received any feedback yet to make sure everyone is involved. This is mainly to help you get used to finding, reading, and responding to other students on the team, so don't be afraid to have a little fun checking out each others' blogs! You can comment on as many as you like; 3 is just the assignment requirement.

Update: Getting Closer!

Well, we are getting very close to having everybody in the subscription list. I will list the names I am still missing at the bottom of this post; please try to email me your URL ASAP or let me know what the problem is so I can try to help you.
If your book post was not up, you can receive half credit for doing it late. Students having blog problems who have been communicating with me will still be able to receive full credit. I have made a note if you are excused.
No Blogs for:
Lexi (EX due to illness)
Charisse (ex)
Silvia (EX)
Kimberly
Gabriel K
Daniel K
Beyra
Ramon

Blog Reminders for Students

Remember, please, the following protocols you need to follow:
1) remove your last name from all titles, etc.
2) Your first name MUST be in the title as well, or i can't tell whose it is on my subscription list. Please correct this issue asap!!