While this week’s article takes our focus to the 2012 presidential race, the subject at the heart of the article is one I thought was somewhat fresh and thought provoking. There are many ways you can go with your response here, whether it is on the subject of the US space program, the candidates, the debates, the process, you name it.

Changes:

Since I’ve added a new blog assignment each week, I am reducing the minimum length of the AoW response to 150 words, and you only need comment on ONE other student post.

Comments: 25 words minimum, now worth 5 points for the comment
Think of your comment as a contribution to a discussion, which the other person has started. Avoid complimenting the writer on how they wrote the post. Instead, if you agree, be specific about why and add your own points to the discussion. If you disagree or think they may have overlooked something, respectfully explain your position.

Blogging should be a forum for real discussion and the exchange of ideas, not just patting each other on the back without engaging. No growth, no thinking, no value there.

Beginning this week, we are back to AoWs on the blogs with the original deadlines and requirements (see original AoW post if you’ve forgotten). Here is the link for this week’s article: AoW #9.

It may interest you to know that we will be starting a new blogging assignment next week, prompted by this post, which we will try for the entire third quarter, called “On My Mind.” It will be a weekly post where you have the opportunity to write about whatever is on your mind. More details to follow.

First, sorry for the mix up with numbering the AoWs. On Friday, 1/20, I will be collecting all five for this quarter, and they are as follows:
#4: Pretty and in charge
#5: New look of reading
#6: Less Face time
#7: Gender blind toys
#8 No college credit in high school

If they are all stamped, they will earn 5pts a piece, for a total of 25 points. If you completed them after the due date, so they are not stamped, they will receive 2.5 pts a piece.

Here, you will find your current AoW. Read it carefully and write a response, by hand, for Friday, January 13.

Remember that an effective response is not a summary of the article, but some type of personal response that you have to the article. Perhaps the article triggers memories for you, or a strong emotional reaction for or against, or it reminds you of someone or something you know. Engage in the article as you read, and respond TO the article, don’t summarize it.

Your response should be the usual 200 words (approx.), and error free.