Blog Instructions

For each piece of literature that you are required to read and annotate independently, you will also be expected to post to this blog. Each post worth up to 50 points must include all of the following:

• A one-paragraph STAARS analysis of some portion of the text (30 points)
  
• A one-paragraph personal response through which you defend an original controlling idea or thesis using specific details cited from the text (15 points)
  
• A question for your peers that requires textual investigation to answer AND/OR a 3-5 sentence response to a peer's question that includes evidence from the text for support (5 points)

Please bear in mind that while these discussions are taking place outside of class via this technology, your participation is a part of your course work. This means that conventions (spelling, grammar, punctuation) count and, while your tone can be informal and you may directly address your peers by name, you are expected to focus on the literature and refrain from making any personal comments about your peers and/or their posts.

At least one of us will be moderating the blog on a regular basis and we are always available to answer your questions so please don't hesitate to ask for assistance!

Thank You,
Mrs. Siragusa and Mrs. Schwarzott

Welcome!

Thank you for challenging yourself by enrolling in English III Honors for the 2010-2011 school year. While you will be responsible for the same knowledge and skills as your peers in the Regents course, you will be expected to do more of your reading outside of class so that more class time can be spent on discussion. Additionally, you will be responsible for independently reading and annotating one related piece of literature for each full-length work read in class, will be required to blog about your independent reading and will write literary analyses and research papers on the paired texts each quarter.

Our hope is that you've made the choice to take Honors English because of a love of literacy. If you are not enthusiastic about reading, writing and related discussion, we urge you to reconsider your choice and discuss your options with your school counselor prior to the add/drop due date. However, if you're committed, we're sure this will be a rewarding and exciting year for you in English class and we're excited to be your guides.

Thank You,
Mrs. Siragusa and Mrs. Schwarzott