Cormier,+Karisti

=Book Review Blog=

Objectives:
1. Create a blog for responding to independent reading 2. Construct a book review over independent reading assignments 3. Learn to comment constructively

Technology Used and How Used:
Students will be creating blogs on which they will create book reviews over their independent reading assignments. Some of these reviews will take the form of podcasts, some will be written - but the organization behind it should be the same.

Behavior Rules:

 * 1) When posting on your blog only use your first name - never use last names. You may also not use last names of any other students.
 * 2) You may not post the name of our school on your blog.
 * 3) When you comment on a peer’s blog, you need to use respectful language.
 * 4) You must use your username when posting on another peer’s blog.

Plan:
1. Introduce book review blogs – show examples in class: 2. Review book review genre from unit in September. 3. Review podcast lesson from October 4. Students choose at least three books from their first semester independent reading list. For each book they must write a review. Each review must be posted to their blog by the end of the semester. One of the blog reviews must be in podcast form. 5. The first review must be completed by December 1. 6. After December 2 students must post a comment to a peer’s blog.
 * [|Novel Teen Book Reviews]
 * [|Reading Rants!]
 * [|Isinglass High School Book Review Podcasts]
 * [|Teen Ink]
 * [|Under the Cover: Book Reviews by Teens]
 * Title and author
 * Brief summary (no more than 3-4 sentences) – NO SPOILERS!
 * Clearly state what your opinion of the book is. Go on to give reasons for your opinion. Be fairly specific with examples. You should also indicate to whom you would recommend this book. Again, it’s important to explain your reasons why.
 * May be multi-paragraph or one large paragraph.
 * Students must have commented on at least two blogs to earn a C. Blog comments must be of high quality (refer to feedback lesson from Writer’s Workshop).

Actions for Improper Behavior
1. All students are familiar with the ASL AUP (acceptable use policy) and the Blogging Terms and Conditions – students must adhere to the policies in place. 2. If students include inappropriate blog posts or comments they will: 3. If students receive inappropriate or questionable comments on their blogs they are to see Ms. Cormier immediately.
 * Be required to re-do the assignment
 * Receive a late grade on the re-do

Letter to Parents
Dear Parents,

As readers and writes we have a variety of purposes and audiences for our tasks. One of the focuses this year in Grade 8 English is to write for authentic audiences – not just for the teacher. To support this goal, students in the Grade 8 English classes will be creating blogs to share their writing. We will start with book reviews of books taken from their independent reading lists. During the second semester students will have an opportunity to share other types of writing on their blog.

What is a blog, you may ask. A blog is a web log – like an online journal. Wikipedia has a great definition of a [|blog] – and it also discusses the different types of blogs. One thing different to the blogs we will be starting – compared to the work we have been doing on Athena - is that the writing the students will be doing will be available to the general public – Athena is only available to our ASL community. This is a great opportunity for students to have a real audience – not just their immediate classmates. However, teachers, students and parents will are also invited to read the blogs and leave comments.

Because students are posting in public, security is very important. Students will be guided in appropriate posting behavior. The will only be using first names on their blogs. They will not be able to post their location or school (London or ASL) in their blogs or comments. Some of the blog posts will be in podcast format – but students will be asked to make sure that no pictures of students or the school are used in the podcasts.

In addition to the ASL Acceptable Use Policy and Procedures, we ask that students and parents print and sign the blogging terms and conditions listed below. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Cormier or Mr. Hinebauch.

(taken from [])
 * Blogging Terms and Conditions:**

1. Students using blogs are expected to act safely by keeping personal information out of their posts. You agree to not post or give out your family name, password, user name, email address, home address, school name, city, country or other information that could help someone locate or contact you in person. You may share your interests, ideas and preferences.

2. Students using blogs agree not to share their user name or password with anyone besides their teachers and parents. You agree to never log in as another student.

3. Students using blogs are expected to treat blogspaces as classroom spaces. Speech that is inappropriate for class is not appropriate for your blog. While we encourage you to engage in debate and conversation with other bloggers, we also expect that you will conduct yourself in a manner reflective of a representative of this school.

4. Student blogs are to be a forum for student expression. However, they are first and foremost a tool for learning, and as such will sometimes be constrained by the various requirements and rules of classroom teachers. Students are welcome to post on any school-appropriate subject.

5. Students blogs are to be a vehicle for sharing student writing with real audiences. Most visitors to your blog who leave comments will leave respectful, helpful messages. If you receive a comment that makes you feel uncomfortable or is not respectful, tell your teacher right away. Do not respond to the comment.

6. Students who do not abide by these terms and conditions may lose their opportunity to take part in this project.

Student signature: Parent signature:

Thank you, Ms. Cormier and Mr. Hinebauch Grade 8 English Teachers