Friday 1st June

I want you to think about how you go about finding a book to read. I would like you to discuss the techniques that you regularly use, whether it be using the catalogue, browsing the shelves, reviews in the newspaper etc. You will probably use a variety of methods. Why do you go about it the way that you do?

I would then like you to think about whether or not these srategies are successful for you. How do you judge whether or not they are successful. If you find that you are using a strategy that is not successful, why do you persist with it?

Consider the book that you are reading now. How and why did you choose it? Are you enjoying it? Would you recommend it to others, and if so how would you go about this to target the right audience?

Friday 25th May

You have all started reading a new novel of your own choice in the last couple of weeks. I would like you to reflect on the role of character in that novel. In a well structured couple of paragraphs I would like you to address the following points with regard to the protagonist in your story:

Paragraph 1
Name, age, physical description of your character
Their life within the story (who are they, who do they associate with, what are the issues they face?)
Whether they are the narrator or they are being narrated

Paragraph 2
Why has the author created this character? (why that gender, age, place in family etc)

Paragraph 3
If the protagonist was the opposite gender to what they have been written as, how would the stroy be different and why?

Friday 18th May

Yesterday you did a reading comprehension where you looked at two different texts, one diary entry and one blog post. Today I would like you to reflect on the differences between the two forms of writing and the purposes they have.

Write your response as a well formed paragraph, reflecting on the following things.

A diary is traditionally a personal reflection of one's life, generally not shared with other people. Similar content is recorded in a blog but it is hosted online and therefore able to be read by millions of people. In fact, many people pose questions and stimulate discussions on their blog.

1. Why do you think people would choose to have a blog instead of a diary?

2. How do you think the form of a blog differs from a diary - what would you do differently?

3. See if you can find a blog that someone is writing (not from our calss) and reflect on it. Who is writing it? Why do they write it? Do they have a community of readers (check the comments)? How regularly do they update it?

Friday 11th May

The whole idea of a blog is to write about the things you think about in a forum that is shared with a global community. A blog should portray a little bit of you and your personality in it and it should be entertaining for others to read, but not be silly, and perhaps raise some questions or discusion points that others may feel a desire to respond to. The last thing your blog should ever be is boring. You must try to find a writing style that suits you and portays a personality that you would like others to know.

Today you have two tasks, firstly you must respond to someone elses blog. There is no need to choose your best friend as you will need to respond to a different person's blog each week. The hyperlinks to all of the blogs are below.

http://www.bazcat.blogspot.com
http://www.stefdog10.blogspot.com
http://www.tom-a-dogga-toast.blogspot.com
http://www.stefdog15.blogspot.com
http://www.toddysblog.blogspot.com
http://www.steffdoga.blogspot.com
http://www.yummymummytoast.blogspot.com
http://www.james02.blogspot.com
http://www.yiros35.blogspot.com
http://www.stephrat13.blogspot.com
http://www.james413.blogspot.com
http://www.hendogaz.blogspot.com
http://www.stefdog19.blogspot.com
http://www.steffratdoggadogga.blogspot.com
http://www.sherlockhomies.blogspot.com
http://www.butter-chicken.blogspot.com
http://www.steffdog1.blogspot.com
http://www.stefdog12.blogspot.com

Please check the link to your own site first to make sure it is working.

Your second task is to respond to the two short stories you read recently.

Paragraph 1
Title, author and series of the first book.
Short description of the book.

Paragraph 2
Title, author and series of the second book.
Short description of the book.

Paragraph 3
What did you like about each book?

Paragraph 4
What could have been improved about each book?

Paragraphy 5
You probably mostly read novels. How did you feel about reading some short stories, were they as good as a novel, why, why not? Would you select from the short stories collection again, why, why not?

Entry one

For your first blog entry I would like you to write about yourself as a reader. You need to include aspects such as how you feel about reading, why you feel that way, some of your significant reading memories, the reading culture in your family, the genres you like/do not like to read and some of your favourite books.

I will put an entry here that will be an example of what I am looking for from you.

I love reading! It is one of my favourite past times and I never have as much time to read as I would like to. When I was at school I spent hours every day reading, and got a good way through the school and public library fiction collections. I regard myself as a slow reader because whenever I am reading with other people they can get a lot further than I can in a period of time. My favourite time of day to read is before I go to bed and this is also my favourite place to read. Spending a day in my pjs when it is cold and raining, reading a feel good, trashy novel is a favourite too though.

I remember I have always loved reading. As a toddler and pre-schooler the golden books were my favourite. My mum can still recite one story by heart because I made her read it so many times. We always had a lot of books at home when we were growing up, it was one treat we were regularly allowed when we went shopping. I also remember teaching my brother to read when I was 7, my first experience as an English teacher.

I always have at least one book on the go, but more often 2, 3 or even 4. My favourite types of books are those about people, they can be fiction or biographical. I mostly read adolescent fiction because I try to read a good number of the novels I buy for the library. I really enjoy more adult books but I don't find a lot of time to read them. I do also enjoy reading journal articles about teaching and libraries, but that isn't really for fun.

I always read a book before I see the movie; if I see the movie first I won't read the book, I do not like to know the ending. For the same reason I generally only ever read a book once. I have so many favourite books that it is difficult to name just a couple. Although I don't generally enjoy a lot of fantasy, I am looking forward to reading the seventh Harry Potter when it is released in July.

The book that I am reading at the moment is the new book by Christobel Mattingly, called Battle Order 204. It is a non-fiction book based on the experiences of her husband, David, as a pilot in world war two. Both David and Christobel were teachers for many years at this school and the book was officially launced here late last term.

Your blog

This term you are all going to create a reading blog. A blog is an online journal. You will create your own blog but you will also be expected to respond to the blogs of other students in the class. You must complete all of the compusory entries and you may do extra if you wish.

There are a few rules that you need to abide by.

• You must use only first names or nicknames of people ie yourself and other boys; you may refer to me as Miss C. There must not be any surnames - authors don't count.
• No other identifying personal details such as school information, adresses etc may be used at any time.
• No offensive language may be used at any time, this includes swearing, racist and sexist remarks.

Good luck and I look forward to reading your blogs!