Directives- Posted Here In The Event You Lose the Handout

Methacton High School
Academic English 12
Animal Farm Blogging Homework


In order to provide for more active reading, inform and enhance our classroom discussions, and continue our classroom discussions outside of class, you will be responsible for posting a comment on our class blog at this address. Keep in mind that this type of assignment/discussion is one that you likely will participate in at some point in college. Guidelines are as follows:

1. Half of the class will post when you are assigned an even numbered chapter to read (2, 4, 6, 8, 10), and half of the class will post when you are assigned an odd numbered chapter to read (1, 3, 5, 7, 9). Each post is worth 10 points, for a total of 50 points per student.

2. The blog is a discussion. Your comment must reference/flow from the comments that precede it. I completely encourage you to bring up the things that you find important, but if you are changing the topic of the discussion you must acknowledge that you are doing so. I will start you off with a question/quote/prompt to discuss, and then I expect you to take the discussion from there. (Ever have a really long conversation with people on Facebook about a picture? Like that).

3. As the blog is a discussion, all normal rules of discussions apply. Your comments must be polite and respectful (though it’s perfectly ok to disagree with someone- just be respectful about it). Any inappropriate or silly comments will be deleted immediately and you will receive a zero for that post.

4. I expect your comments to be substantive. Posts must be at least 150 words in length, and say something more than “I agree with so-and-so.” (If you’re going to say that, at least explain why!). Feel free (in fact you are encouraged) to post appropriate media/links to other related sites on our class blog, and connect the reading to something else you’ve seen or read. (If you are bringing in outside sources, make sure you give them credit!!).

5. All comments must be posted by the end of Mod 3 of the day we are going to discuss that chapter. (Although preferably this assignment will be completed the night before). I need time to check the blog before your class.

6. I realize this is an internet assignment, but you may not use internet language. That is, no “lol,” “jk,” “u,” etc. You’re writing for school, and while your tone can be slightly more informal, your language cannot.

7. When you are responsible for posting on a particular chapter, keep in mind that you will likely be called upon in class to explain your post. Conversely, if you do not have to post for a particular chapter, you are still expected to have read and understood the chapter, and read your peers comments on the blog. (i.e. you don’t have a “night off” if you don’t have to post on the blog). Also, if you want to post on more chapters than you are assigned, please do!

8. Unless you have extenuating circumstances that you need to discuss with me, you can’t make up a missed homework post by posting on another chapter. It’s all or nothing. Go big or go home J.

I hope you enjoy this novel as much as I do! Happy blogging!