English 20F & 30S

Mrs. Martin’s Westgate Blog: the RULES

You are being asked to continue reading the novel over the winter holidays. In order to assist in this, and to continue to connect as a community, we will pose questions and share ideas on a class blog!

  1. How do you use the blog? You follow these steps:
  • Go to edublogs.org
  • Sign in. You use the following:

Username: whatever we have decided on, based on your name

Password: sent to your email

  • Your blogs: Go to Mrs. Martin’s Westgate blog
  1. What do you do to contribute to the blog? Each student will be expected to do the following before the exam in 3rd week in January:
  • COMMENT on a post at least 5 times, on different days, on different chapters. Choose the chapters you’ve recently read, and add to the conversation! Comments need to add a new idea or perspective, or answer a question being posed by someone else’s comments in a helpful way, based on a solid connection to or insight on the novel’s content. Comments will be published immediately after submission. Example:

I think you need to know that ‘oeuf’ is egg in French – and it’s pronounced ‘oof’, like when someone gets kicked in the stomach! As for why he makes a joke on the way to a funeral, I am beginning to think it’s revealing of what an unusual kid Oskar is – he doesn’t react like other kids do to situations. I’ve read the theory that this character is written with a backstory that he is high-functioning on the autism spectrum. He may also be trying to cheer up his mother and grandmother.

Also, he’s speaking to the limosine driver. His father had been pushing him to be more social with new people. Maybe this attempt to connect with the limo driver is a tribute to his father.

-Lisa

5 comments will equal 5 TIMES each student must visit the page. Each comment will be given a mark out of 5, for a total of 25 marks (almost equivalent to an essay!). The rubric will be:

5 – excellent question/answer/opinion/additional info given; specific characters and events, as well as page (if not already mentioned) referenced. Detailed, and full sentences.

4 – good question/answer/opinion/additional info given; specific characters and events, as well as page (if not already mentioned) referenced. Some detail, in full sentences.

3 - good question/answer/opinion/additional info given; not as specific mention of characters and events, as well as page (if not already mentioned). Could be more detailed.

2 – an opinion or question given, but not backed up with any specifics.

1 – what is said makes very little sense, and does not seem connected well to the novel.

Only one comment can be counted per day, however you may post or comment as often as you like, if you have something relevant to say on the novel. You may also visit the site without commenting. If you comment more than 5 times, the 5 best comment marks will be counted toward your mark out of 25.

IMPORTANT: Each and every time you post or comment, you must put your name at the end of the comment, even if you are using your sign-in specific to you; it makes for an easy reference, and you take ownership of your writing. THIS ONLY WORKS IF EVERYONE FOLLOWS THIS RULE. Also, if anyone is found commenting as someone else, or anonymously, they will be docked marks.

Comments unrelated to the novel, or inappropriate in nature, will also result in marks being revoked, and the comment will be removed.

Please take care with this blog. Let’s make it a positive experience! Use it as a tool to connect, to understand, and to motivate. Help others, get help when needed, and promote intellectual discussion!