Instructions

Read the instructions below. Then post a short message acknowledging that you understand how you are expected to participate in this seminar. If you have any questions, please ask them now.

Pay close attention to the Guidelines below. Remember, if you do not blog in a constructive manner following these guidelines at least three times before Friday, you will be expected to participate in the in-class seminar on Friday.

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

Welcome to our online seminar discussion of the Pulitzer Prize winning novel – To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

This seminar is a collaborative discussion about a text in which the teacher only asks open-ended questions and students express their ideas freely and to each other.

GOALS -- Students will:

1. Participate in a democratic classroom culture.
2. Share ideas and take risks, not just answer questions.
3. Construct their own meaning based on new and prior knowledge.
4. Increase understanding of ideas, values, and issues as presented by the
   work at hand.
5. Think deeply and more clearly.
6. State and defend positions.
7. Be courteous.
8. Overcome fears of reading difficult literature.
9. Take responsibility for their own learning through the seminar process.

GUIDELINES (RULES)

1. No one person is in charge of the conversation, the teacher only asks the questions and reminds people of the rules. You may post a response to a question or another participant's response at any time.
2. Respond to all members of the group, not only the teacher.
3. Read carefully what each participant has posted. Respond courteously. Your responses will be moderated by the teacher.
4. Refer to the text or a group member's response with every statement.
5. Support your statements with references to the text -- general or specific by citing page numbers.
6. Be sure to post at least 3 responses per week before Friday