What’s so great about blogging?

It’s more practical writing practice – in fact, check out any online newspaper or magazine site and see how many blogs you can find! Do you read any regularly? Additionally, they all include an interactive component so that readers may comment on individual stories, similar to the way this blog is set up.

What’s in it for you? POINTS!

Each month, students will be asked to either respond to a posted question or issue, to post their own writing, or to comment on other students’ postings. When they post, an email will be sent to notify me; I have to approve all information that goes up on the blog. No comments will post immediately. To earn blogging points for that entry, students must post by the given date. Students who do not have access on the computer at home may use class time to blog when available. He/she may also provide a hard-copy answer or comment in lieu of the online version if necessary. We work on computers daily in class. However, if there is no time to blog, students should try to stop by on lunch or even after school to use the equipment.

Guidelines for the blog are as follows:

  1. I will post at least 1 item per month (sometimes more often) for your response. You may also respond to a comment made by another student, but you must do more than simply state that you agree or disagree with that person.
  2. Please include your first name and the intial of your last name (not your full last name) and the hour you have my class.
  3. Remember to support your comments with valid logic.
  4. Your answer is due by 3 p.m. Saturday. Please do not offer technology problems as an excuse for tardiness since a written alternative is also available and you have the entire week to get this done.
  5. Please use proper spelling, grammar and punctuation, and proofread your comment before you submit it.  *Slang and IM language are not acceptable and may result in a ZERO blog grade.
  6. Remember to treat the comments of others with respect. It is okay to disagree, but please refrain from name calling.  Comments that are insulting or derogatory to another student will not be posted and will result in a ZERO.
  7. Comments that contain profanity will not be posted and will result in a ZERO.
  8. You might want to print a copy of your posting as confirmation of completing this assignment.

With thanks to Mrs. L. Jones for her guidelines!

Mrs. Jones’ class blog site: http://edublogs.misd.net/jonesla/

Note: If you are a regular writer and are interested in setting up your own blog site, see me. I can recommend some free sites, including Word Press. It’s pretty simple and in a few quick clicks, you’ll be online and ready to write! Some former North Star staff members have set up their own blogs. Class of ’03 Joe M has a blog (he’s a CMU student): http://joemartinez20.blogspot.com/. He uses the blog to compile his newspaper stories. Another blog to view is http://myfallensoldier.blogspot.com/. This is written by Beth Reifert, Mrs. Reifert’s daughter, in honor of her brother.