Assignment

Independent Reading Project

 Non-Fiction: Take Action!

 Quarter 2

 Learning Goals:

·        CSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.9-10.1

Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.

·        CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1

Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9-10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.

·        CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.2

Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source.

Prompt: In the academic setting, non-fiction texts are directly connected to learning new knowledge.  However, non-fiction texts can also be quite practical: reading non-fiction texts can serve to improve your performance/skills in connection to a hobby/practice/sport/activity. For your Quarter 2 Independent Reading Project, you will read a non-fiction text whose content is closely connected to a passion in your personal life.  Over the course of the quarter, you will blog about the text that you are reading and the ways that it is helping you to improve your understanding/practice of your passion.  Consider the following question in relation to your reading: How are you using evidence from this text to improve your performance in your chosen activity?

Assignment:

Part 1: Select a non-fiction/informational text about an activity that you are interested in practicing.

Part 2: As you are reading, apply the content of your reading to your actual life and blog about it.  Each blog post should directly:

·       Reference your text (in the form of a quote AND a piece of paraphrased information)

·       Include a properly formatted MLA citation

·       Clearly explain, making certain to include details, the impact the reading has had on the activity in which you are engaged

·       Include a thought-provoking question in order to engage your peers

A minimum of 5 posts (and 10 text references) are required for full credit.  Make certain to use tags, so that other students with similar interests can follow your posts.  Each time that you post, you will also need to include your full name as one of the tags. The tag you use must be your last name followed by your first name (First Last). *Do not put commas between last name and first name on this tag as it will create two separate tags.*  Inclusion of images, and specifically images of you engaging in the activity, will make your blog posts much more engaging/interesting.

***NOTE***

Because blogger only allows 100 members per blog, each teacher will have an individual blog.  Your comments, however, can be on any of the following blogs:

Teacher	Blog Address
Bethea	http://sophomorebetheas.blogspot.com/
Hilmes	http://hilmesquarter2independentreading.blogspot.com/
Oshiro	http://msoshiro.blogspot.com/?zx=b305762b2c31189f
Meara	http://mearaquarter2independentreading.blogspot.com/
Robison	http://robisonquarter2independentreading.blogspot.com/

Part 3: Read the posts of your peers and comment (positive/uplifting comments only) on the insights they are gathering.  For full credit you will need 5+ comments. In each comment you will thoughtfully address the content of your peer’s post and directly reference your personal research/experience.

Part 4: (Optional) Respond to comments from your peers on your blog posts.

Part 5: On January 26 (the end of the quarter), you will need to submit screen shots of all of your work.  You will want to include your original posts, your response to comments on your post, and the comments that you made on the posts of others.

Tips for Effective Blogging:

Here are some suggestions for being an effective blogger:

• WRITE engaging, thought-provoking, and intelligent posts that encourage others to respond.  Each post should have an argument, express a point of view, and indicate an openness to conversation (often by asking a question that invites reader comment).
• RESPOND to those who comment, to foster dialogue.
• IDENTIFY people named.  This is both courteous, and can let others know you're talking about them, which can encourage discussion.  If you are responding to someone's previous comment directly, let them know and use their name.
• EXPRESS an opinion, or at least a strong angle.  Give people something to talk about.
• ASK a question.  Make it clear that you are open to interaction.
• WRITE clearly and correctly. Apply English conventions that we have been learning in class.
• Respect boundaries and etiquette: be kind and courteous.

Quarter 2 ends on January 30.

Your reading and blog posts should be completed by then.