Blogging on A Long Way Gone

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.

Assignment
You 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 Reminders
Obviously, 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.


Grading
Blogs 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.

Things Fall Apart, Ch. 20-25

Trace the chronology of the Ibo people’s responses to the arrival and settlement of the white man. What attitudes toward the Ibo people do the white men bring and how do their attitudes determine their treatment of the native people? What is the British view of the Africans and their way of life?

Things Fall Apart, Ch. 14-19

In Mbanta, Okonkwo is scolded for not understanding the Ibo proverb that “Mother is Supreme.” In what ways does Okonkwo ignore or refuse to acknowledge the “female” virtues in himself and others? How does this one-sidedness create problems for him in life?

Things Fall Apart, Ch. 1-7

Based on what you have seen so far in the text, what is your opinion of Okonkwo?

Friday Fill-Ins #85

If I'm making you do it, I should probably do it too.

1. The last meal I had a restaurant was Monday night at Chili's; my sister was our waitress.

2. Sleeping in class is something I strongly dislike (so don't do it!).

3. The full moon is something that my 2 1/2 year old daughter is always very excited to see.

4. "You would!" is one of my favorite local expressions.

5. Sometimes it's best to be willing to laugh at yourself.

6. Prince Caspian is the best movie I've seen so far this year (but I've only seen 2 in the theater).

7. As for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going out to dinner with my mom when she visits from out of town, tomorrow my plans include participating in our neighborhood garage sale and block party, and Sunday, I want to take a long nap!

Welcome to Blogger

Hello to second period Language and Literature! Today in class we'll be getting started with Blogger. You may choose any layout you want for your page and add any page elements that you wish. You may also make your security settings as tight or as loose as you want. This can all be done in the "layout" tab. I will add links to all of your blogs here so that you can find each other's pages and read what your classmates have to say. Whenever you need to post an entry, I will also post the prompt here in case you have questions on that.

Your first assignment is to post your journal from last week (the response to "Monitoring sites with a hawkeye") as your first entry. Please do that now and let me know if you have any problems. You should also take this time to email me the web address of your blog (http://_____.blogspot.com), your sign in name, and your password. I won't be logging into your accounts; I'm just going to save those for you in case you forget them later.

Feel free to personalize your site with pictures or links as well. Enjoy!