Lesson #6 - Commenting

You are required to thoughtfully comment on at least 2 "all-star" blog posts from my last blog post.  My hope is that you will get to know other readers and writers and that you will learn from your peers.  Each comment should be at least 1 paragraph long (5-7 sentences).


A good, thoughtful blog comment might:

• praise interesting ideas in the original post, specifically (don't just say "nice job")
• ask for clarification of any unclear parts of the original post
• add the responder's own thoughts to original ideas to build strength
• contradict or challenge (respectfully!) by explaining another aspect or asking a question to further dialogue
• contain personal connections (to the self, the world, another text, or another part of the same text) to deepen thinking about the post

***  AND good, thoughtful blog responses  always

* are respectful and coherent
* use standard vocab, spelling, and grammar
* show consideration of the original blogger's work and thought

Sample starters: 

• When you said __________ I thought________
• I love the line ____________ because___________
• When you said ____________ it got me thinking about________

****Always remember....Additionally, as a writer, you will want to begin crafting your blog posts with your audience in mind.  Think about how you might invite people into the ideas you are writing about.  For instance: 

• how could a creative title draw people in? 
• how can the use of questions invite people to comment?
• how can you craft your blog post so that it sounds less like a boring homework assignment and more like a conversation people are dying to join? 

Make sure to check back on Wednesday, because I will be adding additional all-star posts here.

My intention is...that by reading one another's work, great things will happen.  For instance: 

• You can get book recommendations
• You can get into conversations about books you have read, too, or topics that are interesting to you
• You will become a better writer because not only are you reading work, but you will begin to care more when you know that people are reading your work

Lesson #5 - All Star Mentor Posts

Dear students,

As I've been reviewing your blogs, I've noticed some improvements in most of your blogs.  I almost feel as if I need to write this blog post to different groups of students...the students who are actively writing thought-provoking posts and the students who are either missing blog posts or are not digging deeply into the interpretation of the text and extending with a deep connection to the theme of the text.  You are such an exceptional and avid group of writers and readers, and it is disappointing to see some students not rising to the occasion of really thinking through your reading, and just considering our blog posts to be just another homework assignment.  

• Most importantly, I want you to push yourself in your blog to not just include your theory/theme but to also choose one of these 9 options each week too.  Include the option you are trying out as a label to your post.  
• Remember, retell should only be used to give context for your ideas.  I do actually read your posts:) I can tell if you just wrote three paragraphs of retell or a review as if you are on Amazon.
• Please, please write with an academic tone.  It can still be personal, but the work you post should represent your best self: capitalization, italicizing titles, sophisticated sentence/paragraph structure, etc.  

Beyond writing long, I want you to focus on EXTENSION.  This is the last part of the critical reading process. Ask questions like: Does this relate to me? People my age? What is the author trying to tell me about this? Does this relate to a bigger issue in our world?  I will be looking for smart extension work.

Here are some "All Star Mentors" to inspire you to write.  I encourage you to read these posts and see what they are doing not only as writers, but what does it seem they are doing as active readers while in their books?  

Calliope

Kate 

Eve

Dean

Cassie

Elizabeth

Olivia

I will continue to add more all-star blog post here up until Wednesday.

I'm looking forward to being inspired by your next round of posts!

Mrs. Butler