Late Blogs:
Blog Posts are due by the end of the day (11:59 pm) on Friday of each week. After that time, your blog is LATE.
As with any LATE daily assignment, it will be counted, but it will only be worth HALF credit (50%). HOWEVER, you MUST send me an email at dara_martin@gwinnett.k12.ga.us providing your name AND the blog entry (entries) that you made up.
Blog Grading: The reason behind the blogs and what makes a good blog post
Posting on your blog is similar to maintaining a writer’s notebook or writing journal entries in class. It is a way for you to practice your writing skills in an informal manner (not an essay). The prompts are usually inspired by the reading that we do, or something that I’ve seen, heard or watched—they can in fact inspired by anything. (If you have a suggested prompt, feel free to let me know). Anything can serve as inspiration for us to THINK. That is what blog posts are here to do—receive your THOUGHTS. For each prompt, begin thinking about it, and then write. Your writing should answer the prompt, show your thinking, provide examples/support/tell a story—give it MEANING. See below for how your posts are graded.
Outstanding! (100)
• You show insightful, reflective thinking in your writing.
• You respond to the prompt, but also go beyond it.
• Makes many inferences and references to other related events, people or texts relating to the topic
• Expresses a high level of critical thinking
• Obvious, detailed effort on assignment
• Writing is easy to follow; has been proofread and spell check. No grammatical errors.
• You go beyond the word count requirements.
Sample "OUTSTANDING" blog posts taken from students:
Prompt: Create your own holiday
If music is such a pivotal part of American culture and global culture, why is there a holiday celebrating it? I think that America should have a Nationwide Day of Music! It will be on August 29th(the amazing Michael Jackson’s Birthday) ,and anyone and everyone can participate. Many who came before us and some of us now have contributed so much to music today, and this is not only a way to honor them but also to inspire many people today to be the musicians of tomorrow. Inspired by many musicals of my lifetime and some from other periods (High School Musical, Fame, Hairspray, Glee, etc.), this will be a day of random and unexpected singing and dancing anywhere and everywhere, just like in these musicals. What other time can someone start singing “Empire State of Mind” at lunchtime and everyone joins in, or start doing a mass “Thriller” dance at work. Whether you’re at work, school, walking the streets, or even at home, everyone will dance and sing to their favorite songs randomly and playfully. Now, maybe you’re thinking, what if I can’t sing well or what if I can’t dance well? For those who ask, even if you’re not the best singer, no one will care because, chances are, the person next to you can’t sing any better than you can! Also another tradition distinguished for this day is a nationwide concert and telethon. There will be several charity concerts in several cities all across the country, but they will all be apart of the same television special “Singin’ for the Schools”. From the superstars to the up-and-coming, all artists, vocal and instrumental, will perform for a common goal: to spread the love of music to every corner, shadow, and spec of this great country of ours. Additionally, all of the proceeds from the telethon and musical artist contributions will go to the creation and maintenance of school music and arts programs all across the country to ensure that every school, public and private, have a music education program. These holidays will not only be a productive day to nurture the talents of our future Jenifer Hudsons and Ne-Yos, but also a day of being free, creative and playful, which are some things we definitely lack and are in need of today.
Prompt: Select an animal to symbolize youPicture yourself, alone, with nobody to disturb you. Your novel that you are reading in one hand, and in the other, your iPod. You stumble through the forest when all of a sudden, a butterfly crosses your path. You gaze at its beautiful designs and vivid colors on its wings.
What is a butterfly? Is it just an insect? A colorful moth? No. A butterfly is a work of art. It symbolizes beauty, and long life. Metamorphism is the key of being a butterfly. A simple, young caterpillar blossoms through time into a beautiful and gentle butterfly.
That’s what I think I am symbolized as.
Back when I was younger, I used to be very shy and reserved. I had a few friends and only talked to my family on a regular basis. Through middle school, I asked myself if this was how I really wanted to be in the future. I contemplated that question through the few years in middle school, then, two summers ago, my friends pushed me into trying new things. For example, change the style of my hair, and what I wear, etc.
I guess you could say that my friends were my push, they helped me change into a different person. Now, I am more social, and I get along easy with most people. Like a butterfly enjoys fluttering around other creatures and things.
Wow! (90-95)
• You show some deep, reflective thinking in your writing.
• You respond to the prompt—making sure to answer all questions asked.
• Makes some inferences and references to other related events, people or texts relating to the topic
• Expresses some level of critical thinking
• Obvious effort on assignment
• Writing is clear; has been proofread and spell check. Few grammatical errors.
• You fulfill the word count requirement.
Sample "Wow" blog post taken from a student:
Prompt: Parents Just Don't Understand
As years go by generations change their ways to make it more unique to them. The styles, the music, the entertainment, so much can happen in time. Even your attitudes and activity changes. If my parents are confused about anything when it comes to this generation, they’ll probably ramble on about how we need to be more active. I’m very active and I’m very healthy, but there many people who would rather have fun inside the house. People are more overweight due to inactivity (and other reasons). Though this generation does need to get out in the sun more, if I had to explain why we don’t do it, it would probably be because of all the stuff we can now do inside. All the technology we now have sucks people into their own nirvana, then tempts them to came back when they leave. Addiction in it’s finest form.
If I was to tell my parents what confuses me most about them I probably start talking about their style. I’ve realized now that some of the styles they used to wear are coming back. like flat-tops, skinny jeans, bright colors, and other things. Not that I hate those styles, but why did people start them? Maybe someone just wanted to look like a walking tabletop. I have nothing against their style, but I know one thing, I can’t wait until the time when fat, black beat-boxers and break dancing battles come back. My mom can’t wait either.
So-So (80-85)
• You respond to the prompt—making sure to answer all questions asked, but don’t provide any reflective thinking.
• Makes some inferences and references to other related events, people or texts relating to the topic
• Ideas are expressed but are not fully developed
• Shows some effort on assignment
• At times the writing is a bit unclear and there are some grammatical/spelling issues.
• You fulfill the word count requirement.
Sample "So-So" blog post taken from a student:
Prompt: What animal would symbolize you?
if I was an animal I could not just be one animal instead I would probably be a combination of a monkey and a dolphin. monkeys are symbolized as fun, activity, charm and very energetic . It also means a person who has lots of friends, natural curiosity, and rebelliousness. These characteristics are an exact match to my personality. I am a fun person and love to play around , I am also nosey and hardheaded , I always have to be right. I would also be counted as a dolphin because of the dolphin natural intelegent and also its affection toward children . I love children and I love working with them , even if i have to teach them. they bring joy to me and thats why me and dolphins have similar characteristics. I am also a very intelegent person (not to brag), I may not act like it at some times but i am very bright. lastly dolphins have a keen sense of hearing and eye sight, which i most definatly have. i am a good listener which make me have good hearing. My eyesight is perfect or even better than perfect ( my doctor said). this allows me to see far apart object. I am a mixture of a monkey and donkey and because of that im symolozed by a molphin. Note: that while this post shows thought and creativity, there are obvious spelling and grammatical errors that take away from the reading and understanding of the content. This should be an A post.
Prompt:What was the nicest thing that someone has done for you and that you've ever done?
I think the nicest thing that someone has ever done for me was, when I was a little boy I really wanted a dog I used to see all sorrs of dogs at the Tucson Park I would try to figure out what kind of dogs they were. Well one day it was my birhday and I was turning 5. My mom had told our nexdoor neighbor that I always wanted a dog and he had so many of them. So the generous man actually gave me my very first puppy it was a boxer and I named him biscuit. I was overwhelmed with joy. I took care of him everyday. Well the nicest thing I think i ever did for someone was when i was at Walmart with my mom and dad I was real young, but i saw a lady struggling with a big basket full groceries. She was a real old woman and she seemed to have needed some assistance. So as a nice person would do i asked the woman if she needed some help and she had said yes please. So after i loaded all those groceries she wanted to give me some money for doing it. And I immediatly said I can’t take that maam and she said “Why Not?” I had told her because I was just doing it to be a grown up and she smiled. and drove away.
Oops! (70 or 65): Has some or all of the following characteristics:
• You don’t really respond to the prompt or your entry is extremely brief. You don’t provide any details or examples or support to elaborate on your response.
• Your entry was confusing or difficult to follow.
• You did not proofread, spell check and/or it’s not grammatically correct. (You may have even used “text-lingo” in your entry.
• It does not fulfill the word count requirement.
Sample "Oops" blog posts taken from students:Prompt: If you could be famous...
If I ever became famous, it would be because I would be an author. I know I would be famous because of this because I enjoy writing things not many people have thought about before and how I feel about things. I would probably write fiction, but the main character would be like me somehow, depending on the story.
I might also become famous because of my artistic abilities. I love creating things that I’ve imagined in my mind, whether it be on paper or how a room is decorated, and I think other people would enjoy looking at these things.Too short, not enough detail provided
Prompt: If you could be famous...
When i become famous, it will be for being the world’s greatest surgeon. i would have a bog house, with my family. my kids would get anything they want, as long as the deserve it. i would work when i want to. take a vaction when i want to. i will have hospitals in africa, the use solar energy. wow this is a hard one. Too short, not enough detail provided, capitalization errors, no thought reflected.
Sample Blog Post from Previous Students:
Prompt: What is love?
Theres nothing in our experience we can compare to. It was completely devastating. The fact that we, I, don’t have a clue what love is. ” The best thing to learn is just to be loved and love in return.” A friend of mine pointed out to me that I don’t know how to see love, how to give it because I have never received it before. He thought I got mad because of what he had said but I was grateful. Grateful to know that he is one of the few people in the world that I am able to trust with my feelings and life, knowing that he will always tell me the truth no matter the situation. Someone once asked me that if it’s this hard to find love within myself then how will I ever know it’s there and its real in someone elses heart? I have yet to find the answer to that question.There is a person on this earth that will love me for who I am inside not who I came from and not the kind of people I grew up around. A very thoughtful and considerate person told me that and I found it hard to believe until I thought about it. I realized that when I find a person that can hit me like a paper cut and get me in the coldest and most hidden spots and I love them so much that I start to feel sorry for myself but still won't regret a single day. I think that will be the day i will be able to say I have fallen in love, and I can be sure that someone, a very unique and fostering someone, will be there to catch me and never let me go.
Thank you very much for helping me understand that. You know who you are, so I don’t have to state your name. But I am very grateful for you and those other very few people who will always be there for me and that will always try to show and teach me love. You are all greatly appreciated
GRADE: A
Prompt: Who has it easier--boys or girls?
who has it easier? Seriously most people would say boys have easier because they don’t go through the ups and downs that females take on almost everday. But to be honest I defintely think we females have it easier for a few reasons. Coming from a girl i feel like myself I know from personal experiences. Girls can talk there way into and out of any to sitution that flys there way. Females are more likly to get what they want, while boys have to work harder to get one thing we females would have it all already. Most guys think they got it easy and they can get what they want.. Well they are so wrong. I think any day any time a female would talk a guy into giving them whatever they wanted, I think females are harder to say no to so life comes easy to them because we know how to play hurt or confused when we hear “no”. I simply think its naturally born instinct. Females will rule the world, because we know how to handle it we know how to get into and out of a problem we know how and when to get what we want its easy, never really hard. while men well I’ll let a guy fill your head and tell you they have it easy. Just remember you’d give into a female i mean look at it this way, your a guy and you wife or daughter or sister asked you for something you’d feel bad, so instead of saying no you’ll yes. And thats where my point is proven female win.
GRADE: B--while thought is shown, she needed to proofread before she clicked "publish"
