SUMMER READING DISCUSSION BLOG
For each blog discussion, read the questions and follow the instructions.
For each blog discussion, read the questions and follow the instructions.
Homework Assignment: Dos and Don'ts of Online Communication
Please read "The Dos and Don't's for Online Student Communication" below.
Is there anything you would add to this list? Vote yes or no, then support your answer with a clear explanation. If you voted "yes," clearly state the behavior that you believe should be added to this list and explain how you feel it will positively impact our online discussions. If you vote "no," explain why you think this list will effectively keep our online discussions respectful and supportive.
Once you have posted your response, read and reply thoughtfully to at least 2 other members of the class. Compliment strong additions to the list, ask questions, and build on ideas shared.
Please read "The Dos and Don't's for Online Student Communication" below.
Is there anything you would add to this list? Vote yes or no, then support your answer with a clear explanation. If you voted "yes," clearly state the behavior that you believe should be added to this list and explain how you feel it will positively impact our online discussions. If you vote "no," explain why you think this list will effectively keep our online discussions respectful and supportive.
Once you have posted your response, read and reply thoughtfully to at least 2 other members of the class. Compliment strong additions to the list, ask questions, and build on ideas shared.
- Use each other's names. Using a person’s name when you respond to his/her postings creates a friendly online tone.
- Read questions and conversational postings carefully to avoid unnecessary confusion.
- Compliment your peers when they post strong responses or contribute original ideas.
- Ask questions. If anything is unclear or you want further information or insight on a topic, just ask. If you have a question, there are probably other members of the group who are confused and need further clarification as well.
- Be considerate. Remember that your peers cannot see your body language or hear your tone of voice, so you need to keep your language direct and respectful.
- Avoid slang, jargon, and sarcasm.
- Listen to all ideas presented. Remember there is no right or wrong in a discussion. A variety of perspectives add depth.
- Stay open minded.
- Respond instead of reacting. Do not write a response if you are angry or upset. Instead, wait until you have had time to calm down and collect your thoughts.
- Really read your peers responses. Avoid skimming. Respect the time your peers have spent articulating their thoughts by reading carefully and thoughtfully.
- Reread your messages before sending them to ensure that your ideas are clearly communicated and supported.
- Critique the content, not the person.
- Do not present your personal opinions as fact. Back up your ideas with information to strengthen your statements.
- Courteously answer all questions addressed directly to you.
- Make I statements when respectfully disagreeing. Sharing an opposing opinion or idea is an important part of discussion, but it needs to be presented in constructive manner that encourages further discussion.
- Do not use all caps when writing. It is interpreted as yelling.
- Avoid emotional punctuation, like exclamation points, unless you are complimenting an idea shared.
Click to set custom HTML
Extended Classroom Conversation #1: Propaganda
Animal Farm: Propaganda Then and Now
As you know from your reading, Squealer is the master of propaganda in Animal Farm. While it is easy to Google propaganda from earlier eras in history (i.e. Nazi propaganda, communist propaganda), what propaganda have you seen in the world more recently (within the last 10 years or so)? Consider recent or ongoing political elections, international news, or even local politics. [Hint: you will find a lot of propaganda in internet memes.]
1. Give your example of RECENT propaganda by describing it and/or providing a link to a picture of it.
2. Explain why it constitutes propaganda rather than news or information.
3. Identify the target audience of the propaganda and what its purveyor hopes to achieve by using it.
Once you have posted your idea, read the ideas posted by your peers. Reply thoughtfully to at least one other peer. What did you learn from his/her idea? Compliment strong points made, ask questions, make connections, and build on the ideas shared. If you disagree, remember to do so thoughtfully and with evidence to back up your opinion. Remember to criticize IDEAS and not people.
As you know from your reading, Squealer is the master of propaganda in Animal Farm. While it is easy to Google propaganda from earlier eras in history (i.e. Nazi propaganda, communist propaganda), what propaganda have you seen in the world more recently (within the last 10 years or so)? Consider recent or ongoing political elections, international news, or even local politics. [Hint: you will find a lot of propaganda in internet memes.]
1. Give your example of RECENT propaganda by describing it and/or providing a link to a picture of it.
2. Explain why it constitutes propaganda rather than news or information.
3. Identify the target audience of the propaganda and what its purveyor hopes to achieve by using it.
Once you have posted your idea, read the ideas posted by your peers. Reply thoughtfully to at least one other peer. What did you learn from his/her idea? Compliment strong points made, ask questions, make connections, and build on the ideas shared. If you disagree, remember to do so thoughtfully and with evidence to back up your opinion. Remember to criticize IDEAS and not people.
Extended Classroom Conversation #2: Dystopia
Dystopian Literature: What's the Point?
As we have discussed in class, both Fahrenheit 451 and Animal Farm are dystopian novels.
-What is the point of reading about dystopias?
-To what extent did Orwell or Bradbury predict the future?
-Do you see any parallels between either of the books and life in the world today?
Answer any one or more of these questions using specific examples to support your ideas. Although we may have begun discussing this in class, we usually run out of time. Pick up where we left off OR add new ideas.
Once you have posted your response, read the responses posted by your peers. Reply thoughtfully to at least one other peer. What did you learn from his/her response? Compliment strong points made, ask questions, make connections, and build on the ideas shared. If you disagree, remember to do so thoughtfully and with evidence to back up your opinion. Remember to criticize IDEAS and not people.
Dystopian Literature: What's the Point?
As we have discussed in class, both Fahrenheit 451 and Animal Farm are dystopian novels.
-What is the point of reading about dystopias?
-To what extent did Orwell or Bradbury predict the future?
-Do you see any parallels between either of the books and life in the world today?
Answer any one or more of these questions using specific examples to support your ideas. Although we may have begun discussing this in class, we usually run out of time. Pick up where we left off OR add new ideas.
Once you have posted your response, read the responses posted by your peers. Reply thoughtfully to at least one other peer. What did you learn from his/her response? Compliment strong points made, ask questions, make connections, and build on the ideas shared. If you disagree, remember to do so thoughtfully and with evidence to back up your opinion. Remember to criticize IDEAS and not people.
Extended Classroom Discussion #3: Are You Happy?
Clarisse asks Montag, “Are you happy?” (Bradbury 10). He immediately thinks “Of course I’m happy.” After contemplating this question further, he realizes that his answer may not be so simple.
How would you respond if someone asked you, “Are you happy?” How do you define happiness? What makes you happy in life? What impedes (or obstructs) your happiness? Is a state of happiness something you continually strive for?
Answer the poll below, and then post your response using your first name and last initial. Then read the responses posted by your peers. Reply to at least one other student, complimenting strong points, asking questions and building on ideas shared.
How would you respond if someone asked you, “Are you happy?” How do you define happiness? What makes you happy in life? What impedes (or obstructs) your happiness? Is a state of happiness something you continually strive for?
Answer the poll below, and then post your response using your first name and last initial. Then read the responses posted by your peers. Reply to at least one other student, complimenting strong points, asking questions and building on ideas shared.
Click to set custom HTML
Extended Classroom Conversation #4: Is Clarisse Dead or Alive?
As Montag walks along the path he is, “surprised to learn how certain he suddenly was of a single fact he could not prove. Once, long ago, Clarisse had walked here, where he was walking now” (Bradbury 145).
Do you think Clarisse is alive? Why or why not? Use quotes (with MLA citations) and examples from the text to support your answer.
After posting your response (using your first name and last initial), read your classmates’ opinions and post a substantive reply to a student with an opposing viewpoint. Ask questions, present counterarguments and compliment strong points made.
Do you think Clarisse is alive? Why or why not? Use quotes (with MLA citations) and examples from the text to support your answer.
After posting your response (using your first name and last initial), read your classmates’ opinions and post a substantive reply to a student with an opposing viewpoint. Ask questions, present counterarguments and compliment strong points made.