Guidelines for Commenting on the Reading Blog

Responding to my prompts and commenting on each other's posts is a great way to build a community of readers.
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Leaving a comment is as simple as this…

How to leave a comment:

1. Click on the heading of the post you wish to comment on. This is important, otherwise you won't see the "Leave a Reply" section.
2. Scroll down until you can see the “Leave a Reply” section.
3. You will be asked for your name. Be sure to only use your first name. 
4. Do not fill in the "email address" or "website" fields. 
5. Write your comment in the "Comment" field. However, if you take time to compose your response, I recommend typing it on a Google Doc first so you can save your work. This way, you won't risk losing your work to a glitch on the website (it has happened to students many times). Once you've proofread your comment, copy and paste it into the "Comment" field.
6. Proofread your comment again, carefully, for any mistakes.
7. Click “Submit.”
8. Your comment WILL NOT appear right away. It is sent to Ms. Kimball via email for checking first. If your comment is acceptable, I will approve it. If your comment needs more proofreading, lacks substance, or is inappropriate, I will not approve it and ask you to rewrite it.

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How to write a good quality comment:

1. Write your first name only in the Name field.
2. Begin your comment like a letter, starting off with “Dear Class,” or “Dear Ms. Kimball,” or "Dear Julia," using a comma after your greeting.
3. Focus your response on the particular point or points stated in the prompt. Make sure to address each part of the prompt. Be thoughtful, detailed, and give specific examples.
4. If you are writing to another student, remember the "P-Q-P" structure for feedback: Praise, Question, Push. Praise: say something positive about the person's response. Question: ask a thoughtful question about something they wrote or about their book. Push: push their thinking by asking them to think deeper about a character, a story element, or a big idea.
5. End your comment with a closing like "Sincerely," or "Yours Truly," and use only your first name.
6. Use complete sentences and polite, formal language. No "text talk" or smiley faces.
7. Check your comment for correct spelling, spacing, punctuation, grammar, and meaning before you submit it. 
8. Don’t reveal any personal information about yourself in your comment. Be sure to use your first name only, no last names.

Timeline for Commenting:

• Every few Sunday evenings, I post a blog entry on the Student Blog that has a new prompt.
• By Friday morning, you should have posted a thoughtful reply to my prompt.
• The following week, you will receive a partner in class. You must comment on that person's response by the next Friday morning.
• Often, I will then ask you to write back to your partner who commented on your original post by the end of the last week. 

I hope you enjoy the class blogging experience!