This is a thorough explanation of what is expected of you as you read the book and write on your blogs.
 

Explanation of how the blogs will be used during this unit:

For most of class, you will read silently and work on your blogs – it will be up to you to decide what you do at a particular moment, but the environment in the room needs to be library-like. That means silence with only occasional whispers. People can't read when other people are talking.

Generally, the blog assignments will be loose and will depend on you for generation of content . I will not be giving you lists of questions or specific guides for your reading. You will need to push yourself to come up with something to say about the book, because a main purpose of this unit is for you to interact with one another and increase each other’s understanding of the book.

The basic blog assignment from now until the end of the book is this: As you read this section, what lines stand out to you as important? What questions have you considered as you read? Please make sure you write somewhere around 10-12 sentences.

That is a short explanation, but if you sink yourself into the assignment, you will have no problem generating enough to say.

What about the groups?

As you know, you will work with a small group, and I expect you to monitor and comment upon those other people's blogs. I would like to see you comment on each person’s blog each day, and I push you to write about the content, providing feedback to what the blogger has said about the book. “Nice thought – you’re really smart” does not count as a thoughtful comment.

What should you say? You could state whether you agree or disagree with observations people have made. You could explain what you thought about as you read the line they mention in their articles. You could attempt to answer some of the questions they raised as they read. You could ask a question back to extend their thinking about the book or topic they’ve discussed.

Remember, the point of the groups is for you to help each other see deeper into the book. If someone doesn’t see something, point it out and let them know your insight. If you don’t understand something, ask a question of your group-mates.
 

 How can you do well?

• For each article you write, always shoot for discussing at least one passage and asking three questions per section read.
• Tie into your discussion the literary terms mentioned on the unit organizer and described on the Literary Terms page.
• Affirm insights from the group by linking to each other’s thoughts when applicable.  
• Don’t isolate yourself. If you’re stuck and your group isn’t generating too much, or if you are just curious if your group is hitting everything, peek at other blogs. You only have to comment on your groups’ blogs – you can read and leave other people’s blogs as much as you want.