Dear Bloggers:

I just graded every thread through July 26; have not graded the comments yet.   Things I've noticed:

1. Despite my reminders, there are a couple of people who are posting under their first names.  I know it might sound grouchy to complain about this, but you slow me down because I have to look at every single name on my list, and guess if you are the person who is posting.   I do HOURS OF GRADING every week.  If you do anything to make that part of my job MORE difficult, you will be hearing from me.  If I ask you to do something, I really do expect you to comply.  If you don't comply, I can only conclude two things:  you don't listen, or you don't care enough to do it.  It irritates me, and in the summer, I make a note of it.  During the school year, I kick it back at you, and it then counts as late work.
2. There are 80 people on the blog, but 33 have not started threads yet.  Some of these silent souls have commented on threads.
3. Some threads that have been started inspired absolutely no commentary from anyone.  As a writer, I would look at that and wonder why.  Am I not being clear? Am I repeating the obvious? Am I writing a summary that requires no comment?  Have I chosen a topic that is so off that no one knows what to say?
4. All of you who read the blog have noticed that there is a range of response.  There are some very deep thinkers out here, and I appreciate your struggle and your work.  Some seem as if they are just trying to get the assignment done and are just saying stuff and hoping it will fly.  There is a difference.  This is not a credit/no credit kind of assignment.
5. There are still only two sections of AP on the board during 2nd and 4th period.  We will not add another section, so your work matters.  Only one student has officially dropped the class so far.

OK, now I'm done kvetching.  Overall, the blog looks good, and I like what you're doing.  There are several of you who are finished with the requirements, but still continue to post, which impresses me.  Some of you have rewritten posts that I've kicked off the blog -- there have been a few times when I've had to delete posts.  Each time, I've written an email of explanation, and each time, the student has come back with more content that is thoughtful and interesting.  Many of you go out of your way to comment on threads to keep the conversation going and I appreciate that as well. 

Be sure to check out all of the links to the side of the page.  And now, before I head into work (my classroom looks like a hurricane blew through), I am going to post a video that I hope you enjoy.