Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Blogging Project Guidelines


Name: ______________________________                                                                                 
Period: _____  Date: __________________                                                                                    

BLOGGING PROJECT

Over the course of the year, you will be working on an ongoing blogging project.  This work will be loosely divided into four phases, one for each grading quarter.

The Issues:

As we have discussed, literature about the future is often used as a form of social criticism.   Some of the most common social issues addressed in these works include the following:
-          Environment
-          Government
-          Technology
-          Biotechnology/Genetics
-          Inequality (race, gender, etc.)
-          Religion
-          War

Through your blog, you will explore all seven of these issues, eventually focusing in on one.  This focus will inform your selection of independent reading books as well as the topic of your research paper.

Overview of the Four Phases:

Phase 1: Exploration (first quarter)
-          During this phase, you will locate and analyze a variety of short texts about the future which address social issues.
-          You must blog about all seven primary issues, using a different text each time.

Phase 2: Focused Inquiry (second quarter)
-          During this phase, you will select one of the seven issues on which to focus, and will read 1 (CP) or 2 (Honors) books that address your selected issue.
-          Your blog will function as your Reader’s Notebook for these independent texts.

Phase 3: Research Paper (third quarter)
-          During this phase, you will use what you have learned in the first half of the year to develop a research question, conduct research, and compose a research paper addressing some facet of your issue.
-          You will blog about the research process, and will publish your findings and final paper on your blog.

Phase 4: Senior Portfolio (fourth quarter)
-          During this phase, you will synthesize and reflect upon the work of the first three quarters.
-          Your blog will function as your senior portfolio, which will feature highlights from earlier work as well as additional, reflective compositions. 








Name: ______________________________                                                                                    
Period: _____  Date: __________________                                                                                      

BLOGGING PROJECT – PHASE ONE

This quarter, you will use your blog to explore all seven of the major social issues addressed in literature and art about the future.  

There are seven issues, and eight weeks remaining in the first quarter.  Each week, you should focus on a new issue. 

Blog Post Requirements:
-          Locate and post a work (short story, poem, essay, song, artwork, film clip, etc) which presents a vision of the future. 
-          The text you select must focus on one of the primary issues: Environment, Government, Technology, Biotechnology/Genetics, Inequality (race, gender, etc.), Religion, War.
-          Many texts will address more than one issue.  However, each post should focus on one primary issue.  That focus will inform your analysis. 
-          The style in your blog posts may be slightly less formal than that of traditional academic writing; however, your work must be school appropriate and must follow the rules of standard written English. 
-          Each work should be accompanied by reflection and analysis.  You must:
o    Share your personal response to the work and explain this response.
o    Analyze the purpose of the work, specific techniques used to achieve this purpose, and the overall effect of the work.
o    Connect to one or more of our essential questions:
§  What does it mean to be human?
§  What do our depictions of the future reveal about the present?
§  How do we use language / images to manipulate people’s minds?
-          Each week, visit one of your classmates’ blogs.  Comment on his or her work.

CP Students must complete a total of eight posts by the end of the term.

Honors Students must complete a total of twelve posts by the end of the term.

At the end of the quarter, you will receive a 100 Point “major assessment” grade based on your blog.
In addition, you will receive a homework grade each week – so don’t procrastinate!







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