Creating your Blog...

Today you will be creating your own blog page to use as an ongoing e-journal throughout the duration of this course.  You will be expected to use the next couple of days to develop your blog using creative yet appropriate images, design, fonts, colors, etc. to make it your own.  You need to follow the steps as well as the restrictions that are listed below.

NOTE:  Do not use last names on the blog and do not use specific identifiers such as your address or the name of our school.  Instead, you can consider using your first and middle names or other nicknames and for the school, simply say a suburban high school or something like that.

STEP 1: Please go to https://www.blogger.com/start and follow the steps to create your blog.  Begin by clicking on “Create a blog.”  If it asks to text you a verification code, you can do that without fear of google spamming you.  Don’t feel pressured for a good title – this is changeable.  As you fill out the info,  PLEASE BE SURE THAT YOU WRITE DOWN THE FOLLOWING INFO:

PASSWORD: ______________________________

BLOG ADDRESS/URL:  http://www.                                                     .blogspot.com/

Do not use the name “Stevenson” or your last name

STEP 2: Once you have created a blog and are logged into your blog page (which should be at the blog address in Step 1) you can add gadgets or different apps to your page.  The first gadget that you must create is a link list that will have a link to my blog.  Here’s how to do that:

• Click Design(At the top) or "layout"(on the side)  
• Then--(on the side bar) click "add gadget"; scroll down and click add link list
• The first title is simply the title you want for this list of links.  You can call it “link list” for simple or even leave it blank.
• In the “new site url” box, write: http://sociologysessions.blogspot.com
• In the “new site name” box, write: Fran's Page

After you have the link to my page, you can add any other links you use often by clicking “add a link.”  Then you can add friends blogs, the school blog, facebook, instagram, email account, whatever might be useful.

STEP 4:  Personalize your blog by adding pictures/change fonts/layouts/templates or other gadgets to make this blog personal and conducive to you!  There’s lots of gadgets – feel free to explore them. 

STEP 5: First post:

To post on your blog, make sure you are logged in and then simply click “new post”.

• Here is your first prompt:  Who are you?  Write a blog entry that defines who you are.  Explain to the class what makes up the person you are.  What are the biggest influences in your life?  What are your goals/purposes in life?  

Precautions:

• Please remember that this blog should be treated as seriously as you would treat a test or an essay or a project for class.

• You should also refrain from using your full last name anywhere on the blog.

• You will be responsible for monitoring what people have posted on your blog. 

This is not your facebook account, you need to be aware that this site is public, therefore DO NOT use your Full Name on the page, DO NOT use information that a “creeper” could use to identify you.   DO keep your posts, pictures, and songs appropriate.

Using your blog throughout the semester:

One post is due by the beginning of the last class period of the week.   Usually, this will be Friday.  So if you are in period 2, then the post is due by the start of period 2 on friday.

Here is how you will be graded on your posts:

Sociology  (Artisan – students can craft authentic posts that richly explain the class content in a unique way): Students will be able to explain the concept of sociological imagination through different supporting content.  Students will demonstrate that individuals are shaped by their social life.  (Excellent includes application to student’s life and demonstration of sociological mindfulness.

4 Student is able to fully explain the sociological content and apply it to a unique example.

3  Student fully explains the sociological content using relevant terminology from the class.

2 Student somewhat explains the content from class but does not do it in detail and/or uses little or no sociology concepts or terms

1 Student completed the assignment but did not explain any sociology at all.

Standard:  Literacy (Scholar – Students can read and understand a wide variety of sources and make meaning from them):  Objective: Student demonstrates an understanding of the sources used in class (books, movies, websites, etc…) and connecting them to sociological concepts/themes.

Target (the scale):

4 Student refers properly to multiple sources from class and/or explains the connection of an outside source found by the student.

3 Student refers properly to a source from class and explains its connection to sociology in the student’s own words.

2 Student refers to a source from class but it lacks depth, clarity or correctness.

1  Student completed the assignment but was not correct in interpreting the sources from class.

                                    Success criteria:

                                    Reference to evidence from the source(refers properly)

                                    Students’ own words (explains)

                                    Author’s message/thesis (

Academic Expectations (Citizen- Student recognizes the importance of being a part of the community of class; being present and on-time, listening, sharing, respecting, trusting other student, participating in class and writing properly.)

4 Student contributes to the class through commenting, listening and reading.  Student uses proper grammar, spelling, punctuation and clear and academic writing.  Student meets deadlines and is on time.  Student’s work is neat and professional.

3 Student is able to meet almost all of the expectations above.

2 Student meets some of the expectations.

1 Student turns in the assignment or shows up, but does not meet any of the expectations above